6 minute read
FEATURE: Forai
from June 24, 2022
by Ladue News
BeautyFROM ASHES
By Alecia Humphreys | Photos courtesy of Forai
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Anonprofitjewelryandapparelshopseekstoempower refugeesandimmigrantsinthemetroarea.
Artisanteam, photo by Courtney Patch
WhenJenOwensopenedherdoortotworefugeefamilies forThanksgivingdinnerin2008,littledidsherealize wherethatopendoorwouldlead.
ThisquerywasoneOwenscouldn ’tquiteseemtoshake.
Finally,ithither–theinspirationforherfaith-basednonprofitnow knownasForai.
“I’ velovedtosewsinceIwasalittlegirl,andIthought,‘Alotofwomen havesewingskills,oryoucanteachskillswithyourhandsbysimply showingsomeone–evenifyoucan ’tspeakthesamelanguage,youcanjust demonstratesomethingoverandoveragain, ’”Owensdescribes. “Ithought thatcouldbeawaythatsomeonecouldacquireskillsoruseskillsthey alreadyhavetobeabletogenerateincomefortheirfamilies. ”
Foraistandsfor “FriendsofRefugeesandImmigrants ” andpartners withrefugeeandimmigrantwomeninthemetroareatoteachthemhowto producejewelryandtextiles,allwhilepayingthemafairwagefortheirwork. Theaccessoriesandappareltheycreatearesoldatforai.org,atpop-upshops inthemetroareaandinboutiquesacrosstheU.S.,whicharelistedatforai. org/pages/retail-partners.
ThewomencomefromAfghanistan,SyriaandMyanmar,justtonamea few.Owensnotesthat,amidtherecentinfluxofAfghanrefugeesresettling intheU.S., “Godopenedupacollaborativeopportunitywithalocaljewelry companyallowingustohiretwonewlyarrivedAfghanwomentomake jewelryforthatcompany. ”Andinthespring,Foraiwasabletohirethemas artisansforthenonprofit.
OnewomanwhohasexpandedherskillsetisSui,whoselastnameis omittedtorespectForai’ spolicyofprohibitingdisclosingfullnamesto protectwomenwhohavefledpersecutionandthosewomen ’ sfamilies.Suiis fromMyanmar(formerlyBurma),whichfaces “ agravepolitical,economic, humanrightsandhumanitariancrisisduetoabrutalcrackdownbya powerfulmilitarythatactswithimpunity, ” accordingtotheU.S.Department ofState.
SuiescapedtoMalaysiain2010,receivedasylumthroughtheUnitedNations HighCommissionerforRefugeesin2013andmovedtoSt.Louisin2015.
“Istartedinasewingclassinfall2019–then,in2021,IstartedasaForai artisaninsewing, ”Suisays.“[AsaForaiartisan,]Imakeproductslikebibs, onesies,zipperpouchesandtotesfromhome.
ThisconfidenceissomethingOwens hasobservedwithotherparticipants intheprogram.Shesaysitoffersan environmentidealforchallenging “the womentodothingstheythinkthey can ’tdo. ”
“Ifyou ’ rearefugee,youcomefromreallydifficultcircumstances, ”Owens continues. “Andit’ skindofunbelievablethethingsthatthey ’ vegonethrough togetfromtheirhomecountryhereandtheheartachethattheycontinueto experienceiftheystayintouchwithfriendsandfamilythatarestillintheir homecountryortheyhearwhat’ shappeningintheirhomecountry.Soit’ s quiteaprivilegetobeinarelationshipwiththem. ”
Jen Owens and Zipporah (former artisan) Photo by Jonathan Hambacker
TOP MEN IN REAL ESTATE
By Maggie Peters
Steve Breihan and Erik Petersen
BREIHAN MALECEK PETERSEN & JAMES BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES ALLIANCE REAL ESTATE 314-872-6761, bmpjrealestate.com
With more than 50 years of combined experience, Steve Breihan and Erik Petersen’s track record speaks for itself year after year. Clients know, by putting their trust in this dynamic team, they will receive top professional real estate knowledge and customer services that are second to none.
Mark Gellman and Neil Gellman
THE GELLMAN TEAM EXP REALTY 314-310-7609, thegellmanteam.com
Founded in 2008, The Gellman Team has helped more than 295 families achieve their real estate goals in 2022. The team follows their 11 core values, including building client relationships for life and giving back to the communities in which they live and work, and annually supports more than 90 charities.
Mike Huggins
LAURA MCCARTHY REAL ESTATE 314-288-9157 (direct), 314-725-5100 (office), lauramccarthy.com
Mike Huggins has developed a successful career in the St. Louis real estate market with professionalism and integrity at the forefront of his business. He guides his clients through the process of buying and selling their dream homes with patience, attention to detail and skilled negotiating. Huggins helps his clients succeed!
Joseph Magsaysay
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE DISTINCTIVE COLLECTION 314-337-4413, bhgrecollection.com
Born and raised in the Philippines and now a resident of Clayton, Joseph Magsaysay has earned high designations such as Certified International Property Specialist and Top 1-percent REALTOR in the St. Louis Metro and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate nationwide. Magsaysay is a Luxury Real Estate Advisor for the only lifestyle brand in real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
Keith R. Manzer and Christopher M. Klages
GLADYS MANION REAL ESTATE 314-609-3155 (Manzer), 314-445-8220 (Klages), 314-721-4755 (office), manzerklages.com
Keith R. Manzer and Christopher M. Klages possess more than 40 years of combined experience and expertise in the high-end market anywhere in St. Louis. Their hands-on approach is a key factor in their achievements and stellar reputation. Their motto is simple: work hard and treat your customers as you would like to be treated yourself.
Steve Mathes and Joe Mathes
COLDWELL BANKER GUNDAKER 314-503-6533 (Steve), 314-276-1604 (Joe), steveandjoemathes.com
Steve Mathes and Joe Mathes have a family tradition of honesty, integrity, experience and outstanding service. Steve Mathes has more than $638 million in written lifetime sales, and Joe Mathes earned the title of Rookie of the Year from Coldwell Banker Gundaker in 2016. Together, the Mathes team continues to earn accolades and recognition.
Wayne Norwood and Ben Patton
JANET MCAFEE REAL ESTATE 314-629-3931, finesthomesstl.com
Wayne Norwood and Ben Patton partnered in 2009, establishing the registered luxury brand “Finest Homes of Saint Louis.” They have successfully closed more than $400 million and annually receive the top team award companywide, ranking in the top half of 1 percent of all St. Louis agents, achieving the highest average sales pricing among top agents.
Ted Wight
DIELMANN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 314-607-5555, tedwightrealestate.com
Ted Wight has sold real estate for almost 20 years with Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty. Wight is topranked agent in the region, and he sells properties from downtown St. Louis to Wildwood. Check out his website – StLouis.Style – and his Instagram – stlouis.style. Fun Fact: Wight learned how to tap dance this year.
BaBler State Park EstatE
Wild W ood, M o 63005 | $1,450,000
Rareopportunity toacquiretheonly privatelyowned propertysurrounded byBablerStatePark.
There is a 1400 ft deeded access road that leads to the very private 22 acres surrounded by the park. There is an older single story home and several out buildings that are in use.
Createtheparkofyour dreams.Very private and quiet.This Single Family Residence is located in the heart of Wildwood, Missouri and is within the school district Rockwood R-Vi School District with nearby schools including Babler Elementary School, Rockwood Valley Middle School, and Lafayette High School.
PREMIER PROPERTIES
By Maggie Peters
2 HUNTLEIGH TRAILS LANE | HUNTLEIGH
John Ryan The Ryan Tradition Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker
nestled on two private acres in prestigious Huntleigh, this 5-bedroom, 5-bath home offers classic style with fabulous entertaining areas, comfortable family space and an incredible wooded backyard featuring a lovely pool, a fire pit and multilevel patios.
546 PURDUE AVE. | UNIVERSITY CITY
This charming two-story home features a remodeled kitchen, lovely wood floors, stained glass windows, a screened sun porch and a brick side porch with an arched opening. The walk-out lower level has a finished family room and leads to the wooded backyard and a detached two-car garage.
8025 MARYLAND AVE., NO. 5A | CLAYTON
Lisa Coulter Janet McAfee Real Estate
314-941-2883, lisacoulter.janetmcafee.com
This lovely 3-bedroom and 2½-bath residence is located in one of Clayton’s most desirable high-rise buildings! Light-filled and beautifully updated, this condo offers dramatic tall ceilings, exceptional open living spaces and spectacular views.
7634 WESTMORELAND AVE. | CLAYTON
Elizabeth St. Cin Laura McCarthy Real Estate
This magnificent Clayton home by architect Lauren Strutman was designed as a traditional oasis with proximity to parks, restaurants and all you might wish to experience. Features include 9- and 10-foot ceilings, spacious rooms, high-quality materials and workmanship, and a spectacular kitchen with top designer appliances.
