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August 25, 2021 • Community News – St. Louis County • www.mycnews.com
Grassroots nonprofit that helps women gets over $37,000 in grants this summer Sisters Helping Each other Reach a Higher Height (S. H. E. R. A. H.) was recently awarded a grant from The Black Communities Investment Initiative of the St. Louis Community Foundation in the amount of $12,000. This summer, S. H. E. R. A. H. received a FLOURISH St. Louis grant in the amount of $25,000. The organization has grown substantially from starting with Sister Circles that encouraged self-care, emotional and mental health wellness to providing programming in school and operating a transitional housing facility for displaced women. The funding to S. H. E. R. A. H will be used to provide clients, who are of childbearing age, access to educational opportunities, stable housing, public transportation, affordable mental health care, medical care, and healthy foods to foster maternal vitality and long-term stability. Executive Director Shante Duncan expressed how grateful she is that S. H. E. R. A. H. is expanding their programming and helping more women and girls. She explained, “In 2018, I
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used my family’s savings to acquire the Joan B. Quinn Safe House. From my work with women and girls I knew there were not enough resources for the unhoused.” The Joan B. Quinn safe house has assisted over 40 women in the brief time it has been open. S. H. E. R. A. H. also provides programming to the elementary, middle and high school girls across the region through the L.O.V.E. Project (Learning One’s Self Very Extensively). The L.O.V.E. Project is focused on empowering girls of color between the ages of nine and 17.
The curriculum, which is written and delivered by Duncan, centers on four core areas: selflove, sisterhood, community development, and entrepreneurship. The eight weeks spent on each of these principles allows students to identify their talents and community projects they are passionate about while also overcoming issues and stereotypes specific to African American girls. For more information about S.H.E.R.A.H. or to donate email- founder@sherahmovement.com or by calling 314-4670765.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis honors alumni, board members, community partners and staff The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) announced the 2021 Annual Recognition event honorees and Alumni Hall of Honor inductees. Each year the staff, board members, volunteers and supporters are acknowledged and celebrated for their commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs as well as the kids and teens that they serve. The 2021 BGCSTL Alumni Hall of Honor inductees are Brandon Bosley, Paris Thompson, Sharita Davis, Steve Vasser, Gerald Fulton, Marsha Walls and Kayla Jackson-Williams. The Hall of Honor recognizes outstanding alumni for achievements in their respective fields, commitment to leadership, serving our community’s youth, contributions to the St. Louis community and for living out the mission of the Boys & Girls Club.
Submitted photo (From left) Dr. Flint Fowler (President, BGCSTL) stands with Sharita Davis, Marsha Walls, Kayla Jackson-Williams, Rev. Steve Vasser, Paris Thompson, accepting on behalf of Gerald “Hitman Holla” Fulton, Jr. (his parents) and Dr. Graylon Johnson (presenter and former Boys & Girls Clubs alumni) – not shown Alderman Brandon Bosley.
BGCSTL President, Dr. Flint Fowler (reflecting on the annual event which has always been close to his heart) said, “This event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many ways that our staff, board volunteers, alumni and friends contribute
to the welfare of the children we serve and highlight our impact. While we recognize the challenges of COVID-19, we believe it is important to recognize the contributions and achievements of so many club constituents.”
