efforts

St. Louis-native media figure supports voter registration efforts

St. Louis native Areva Martin is supporting The St. Louis Association of Organizations (SLACO) and Neighborhood FORWARD voter registration, education, and participation initiative targeting St. Louis City and Ferguson residents.

Martin is known as a passionate, outspoken, and insightful leading voice in the media. An award-winning attorney, advocate, legal and social issues commentator, talk show host and producer, Martin is an audience favorite on a long list of shows from “Dr. Phil,” “The Doctors” to “World News Tonight.” Martin is also a CNN Legal Analyst whose television credits include regular appearances on “Good Morning America,” “Daily Mail TV” and talk and news shows across CNN and HLN.

When asked to support this initiative Martin said this about the importance of this year’s election.

“Growing up in St. Louis, I know that the north and south sides of the city are often divided. That is why I am so excited to see SLACO and Neighborhood FORWARD come together for the greater good. I am proud to support their joint voter engagement project. These two organizations are working tirelessly every day to ensure that the residents of

The region’s transit advocacy organization, Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) recently celebrated the incredible efforts of organizations and individuals for their exemplary commitment to championing transit in the St. Louis area. During its 36th Annual Meeting, held virtually on Sept. 17, CMT presented the 2020 Service Award to Don C. Musick, III; the 2020 Chairman’s Award to the Maplewood MetroBus Transformation Project; and the 2020 New Initiatives Award to both The Metro Landing Project and Mission: St. Louis.

Don C Musick, III, of Musick Construction and the DCM Group, was recognized with the 2020 Service Award for his time and selfless commitment to CMT. He has been a member of CMT’s Board of Directors for two decades, serving as the chair of the organization for five years. His vision and leadership have played a key role in CMT’s ongoing efforts to help maintain a safe, integrated and affordable public transportation system for the St. Louis region. While retiring from the board, Musick plans to continue providing strategic counsel.

In partnership with AARP in St. Louis, CMT honored the city of Maplewood and Citizens National Bank with the 2020 Chairman’s Award for their commitment to the Maplewood MetroBus Transformation Project. This effort succeeded at transforming the MetroBus Stop – located at the southwest corner of Manchester Rd. and Marshall Ave. – into a newly renovated space that encourages active play, cultivates community and increases transit use. The ADA-accessible stop now boasts vibrant colors, green spaces, artwork, a hopscotch game, a glider and bench, new shelters, better lighting and more to improve visibility, safety and security.

This year, CMT presented the 2020 New Initiatives Award to both The Metro Landing and Mission: St. Louis. Bywater Development Group, the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, The Village of Swansea and the Illinois Housing Development Authority were recognized for collaboratively bringing to life the new senior housing development in Swansea, Illinois, known as The Metro Landing. It serves as the Metro East’s first transportation-oriented development.

Mission: St. Louis works to empower people to transform their lives, families and neighborhoods. Its EACH1 community health and workforce development program helps people access the resources they need to achieve sustainable employment, live healthy lifestyles and create real change in their lives. Mission: St. Louis started including CMT’s Try & Ride Program, which provides complimentary passes and assistance navigating the transit system, as part of its EACH1 program offerings beginning June 1. This partnership removes the transportation barrier to job access and workforce development.

‘the Lou’ have a voice. This year, more than ever we need every eligible voter to stand up and make their voices heard at the polls on Nov. 3. Our collective vote can and will make a difference,” she said. SLACO’s Executive Director Kevin McKinney said, “We are honored to have someone from St. Louis who has a national voice support our initiative. Her voice and passion will be critical to the success of this project!” SLACO’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Initiative has three key components: voter registration, voter education, and voter participation. The organization’s approach will be multi-faceted and include the active participation of its member associations. Neighborhood FORWARD believes that in order to change our neighborhoods, we must reform the criminal justice system, reinvest in our communities and reimagine our neighborhoods. Submitted photo None of that is possible without “get out the vote” efforts like those being led by SLACO.

“We are excited to partner with SLACO and honored Areva is joining this effort,”

Citizens for Modern Transit recognizes ‘Champions of Transit’

said Mike Brown, spokesperson for Neighborhood FORWARD.

Mission: St. Louis was one of the winners of the 2020 New Initiatives Award from Citizens for Modern Transit.

Submitted photo

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Community Impact Network’s task force serves 200,000 meals during pandemic

It takes a village to quickly provide for a community during COVID-19. Thanks to the actions of the Community Impact Network and its emergency coronavirus task force, nearly half a million dollars and more than 200,000 meals helped feed the immediate need in North St. Louis County caused by the pandemic.

Community Impact Network assembled a collaboration of individuals, corporate and nonprofit partners to serve the Normandy Schools Collaborative footprint. This task force included Beyond Housing, Equity Homes, Operation Food Search and the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank.

Beyond Housing, a community development organization that works in the Normandy community, coordinated weekly drive-through food distributions from April through July. Operation Food Search (OFS), a no-profit hunger relief organization, leveraged three federal stimulus packages totaling $491,125 to procure and secure food for these free distribution events.

“We are proud to serve the community alongside a group of committed partners including Operation Food Search,” said Community Impact Network’s Managing Director Jaison McCall. “As we all navigate these uncertain times, it is imperative that we rely on experts in their respective fields to do what they do best. Thanks to these amazing partners and thanks

to our wonderful community members who we have the honor to serve.”

A total of 203,839 meals – a combination of drive-through distributions and doorstep delivery to seniors – was served from April through July. This included over 87,000 pounds of fresh produce. The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank provided diapers to families with small children, and Equity Homes delivered meals directly to the homes of senior Submitted photo citizens. Thanks to the actions of the Community Impact Network and its emergency coronavirus task force, nearly half a million

“When the pandollars and more than 200,000 meals helped feed the immediate need in North St. Louis County caused by the pandemic. demic hit earlier this year, the Community Impact Network’s task force resources to attain the needed food, and Beyond quickly joined forces in its efforts to serve the NorHousing did an excellent job in coordinating the dismandy community,” said Operation Food Search tribution events.” Executive Director Kristen Wild. “We utilized our

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The Little Bit Foundation to host 14th Annual Join the Journey Gala with hybrid in-person and virtual model

The Little Bit Foundation (Little Bit), a St. Louis-based nonprofit working to empower under-resourced students to succeed in the classroom and beyond, has announced it will celebrate its signature event this year with a combination in-person gala and virtual

viewing parties. The Join the Journey Gala and Auction, Presented by TRUE Fitness will take place Oct. 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis (limited to 200 guests with all COVID-19 safety guidelines in place). Virtual participation options include individual tickets or hosted dinner parties for up to 10 guests with catered meals and drinks. “We are happy to be going forward with our most important fundraiser and to offer several ways for people to participate,” says Rosemary Hanley, Little Bit CEO and Co-Founder. “It will look very different - as everything does this year - with a more intimate in-person gala and hundreds tuning in virtually from home or hosted dinner parties. But the spirit of love and generosity and unity that defines this event, I’m sure, will be just as palpable.” Hanley says that funds raised through the event are critical to continuing all of the key programs and services that Little Bit offers to 14,000 under-resourced students in the St. Louis area every week, especially during the hardships of the pandemic and a virtual learning environment.

“COVID-19 has been particularly cruel to our students and families, and the disparities in educational and other supports across our region have never been more evident,” she says. Since March, Little Bit has adapted and ramped up its efforts through its Feeding Hope direct-to-home food distribution, virtual tutoring and other new programming to support students and families “where they are,” says Hanley. “We’re in this for the duration with our school partners and committed to a mission that, for the past 19 years, has worked to break down barriers to education and create opportunity for all.”

Purchase tickets or sponsorships at www.thelittlebitfoundation.org.