Happy Summer!
So many things are happening at The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM):
$20.000 Grant - Black Communities Investment Initiative
The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM) is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a $20,000 grant from Black Communities Investment Initiative of the St. Louis Community Foundation. For over 8 years, TSM has faithfully served the St. Louis community by responding to the needs of youth and women whose lives are impacted by the criminal justice system. Seeing this critical work, St. Louis Community Foundation has provided funding to aid with TSM’s general operating expenses. Read more
Save the Date, and register TODAY!
Mark your calendars! TSM is preparing for the 8th Annual AGAPE Gala. This much anticipated event is once again going virtual! It will feature a keynote from Senator Brian Williams, a vocal performance from Cheryl Brown, and hosting by TSM Founder/CEO, Shawntelle L. Fisher. The gala will also include testimonies from TSM program beneficiaries, giveaways, and an online silent auction. Get your ticket early! Registration is now open. Click the button above to register or browse sponsorship opportunities.
Meet Our COO
TSM is pleased to introduce Caron V. Strother as our first Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Caron has been with TSM since December 2020. Since starting, she has spent her time learning the organizations in's and out's, financials, and HR processes so that she can streamline practices. Joining the team amid exponential organizational growth and COVID-19 pivoting, she has shown excellent merit, flexibility, and leadership. Caron feels thrilled to be a part of helping TSM reach new levels, so we can reach more people for decades to come.
Saturday, May 15th Girls on the Run had their Spring 5k run along the beautiful trail of Spanish Lake Park. Girls, family members, and community supporters gathered for energizing exercises, cheers, and stretches before taking off for 3 laps around the lake. Throughout their run the girls learned the value of perseverance and the power of positive reinforcement. Thank you to everyone who supported by cheering them on or by donating to the Girls on the Run shoe drive.
Monday, June 21st City Impact brought a group of Nebraska youth to St. Louis for an educational visit with TSM. TSM staff took them on a tour of ENAL and AGAPE program sites where they got to hear from program participants. Youth also got a small tour of the surrounding community of Ferguson, including the Michael Brown site. This experience allowed them a first-hand peek at the needs of the St. Louis community and how the work TSM does benefits its residents.
The 2021 ENAL Summer Initiative began on June 7th. Youth in the program are having an amazing summer of hands-on learning and enrichment. Many youth express a growing enthusiasm for math since attending the program. Specialized enrichment activities like boy’s chess club, ARISE leadership, and Bricks 4 Kids have youth engaged and excited to attend each day. They also look forward to daily delicious, nutritious meals and weekly field trips to sites around St. Louis.
On the last day of the ENAL Program for the 2020-21 school year, students and staff celebrated with an end-of-year bash. Koch Elementary and Westview Middle ENAL students gathered on a conjoined field to enjoy music, dancing, food, a bounce house, sumo wrestling, face painting, snow cones, and more. The cotton candy and slime making stations were popular with youth and adults alike. AGAPE Reentry staff and board members also took advantage of the opportunity to get out and fellowship.
Join Our Board!
The SoulFisher Ministries is expanding its board and its horizon! Board members play an essential part in developing The SoulFisher Ministries’ strategic plans. We are currently seeking passionate board members who have a leadership background in one or more of the following areas: 

  • Public Relations 
  • Fundraising 
  • Legal 
  • Accounting 
  • Human Resources 

If you are interested in becoming a TSM board member, or would like to nominate another candidate, please contact TSM Board President, Nathan Emmons, at nathan.h.emmons@gmail.com for more information. 
Thankyou To Our Sponsors!
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, 9 students will go YMCA Camp Lakewood this summer. Students and parents are very grateful to their sponsors.
Give STL Day Success!
Thank you to everyone who donated for Give STL Day 2021! We raised almost $2,200, with the sponsors for YMCA Camp Lakewood bringing our total to over $4,500. These donations have helped support the work that TSM is doing
Featured Program Participant
Meet Ashley
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain."
"Hello, my name is Ashley E. Bissette. I am a recovering addict and a 36-year-old mother of two. I’m in the women’s reentry program. I was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center on 3/8/21 and entered the program on that date. After struggling with homelessness and substance abuse, which led me to several domestic violence situations, I finally have something I can consider helpful and consistent. Since entering the program, I have completed Hands on Banking, Identity class, and am on my 2nd level of Substance Use class. The groups have been very helpful, teaching me to value my own opinion and feel more comfortable speaking up for myself. I am currently working on learning to be more assertive, to set healthy boundaries, and to forgive myself for a past I cannot change. This program has not only given me a voice, it’s given me strength and inner peace. I am very thankful for Ms. Fisher and all of the staff, who have also been so kind and caring. I’ve just met my 90-day mark, and will soon be working on securing employment. My goal is to start college part-time to be a physical therapist. I couldn’t have made it this far without SoulFisher.”
2021 Practicum/CAP Students to Date: