Outreach looks different, but it’s just as vital and important

our patron saint, Stephen, While the client choice (grocery store) provided free, some at a very low cost. because of generous donations from our residents remain. As Janie Satterfield said, “We may not be able to see the residents face to face, but we know what they like and what they can and cannot eat. We are trying to make sure residents know we

Dan Currier

Diana Vasquez (standing) with a ReWork member

For decades, St. Stephen’s than we expected that food Church has taken to pantry volunteers packed 15 heart the legacy of extra bags during their shift. who during the early church FeedMore has been a key exercised a diaconal ministry, partner in our ability to having been appointed by the respond. Because we have apostles to provide for the needs By Erin Townsend been declared an emergency relief of the “least of these.” In recent pantry during the pandemic, years, our outreach ministries have grown St. Stephen’s volunteers and staff go in breadth and depth, with more and to FeedMore at least once a week for more parishioners engaging in this work. supplemental food—some of it is Many of the “hands on” outreach Stan Barnett, our coordinator of kitchen ministries of our parish have necessarily ministries, and the May Fair House, had to be revamped or even suspended have been providing the food pantry temporarily during the pandemic, to with a delicious assortment of items assure the safety of all. We continue to seek for our clients. Stan has been making ways to minister to all who seek our help. hearty soups to distribute, made possible FOOD MINISTRIES congregation to food ministries. care.”

model we’ve used in our food pantry has Our fruit ministry is going strong, too. had to revert to the former pattern of preEach week we serve about 135 people packing bags of food and pursuing new with bags of fresh fruit. Recipients are avenues for reaching the people who need residents of public housing developments it, our food ministry continues to grow. in the downtown Richmond area. This Throughout the pandemic—which has ministry—the longest continuous local had economic as well as health effects— outreach ministry at St. Stephen’s— we have seen more and more people each has had to adjust its distribution week. On a Monday in late August, for model during the pandemic, but the example, so many more people arrived relationships between the volunteers and Our relationship with Virginia Supportive Housing continues to grow; it combines affordable housing and case management services. Every two weeks, we deliver 145 bags of groceries for this organization, serving roughly 260-270 people.

All of these efforts are made possible by generous donations from members of the parish and community, and visitors to our farmers market. The symbol of this generosity is the grocery cart that sits outside the entrance to the parish house.

Staff member Larry Bidwell monitors the cart, and brings the food donations into the pantry periodically. He is amazed by this experience: “Every time I empty it, I turn around and it’s full again!” We thank you for your generous and ongoing support of this ministry.

EAST END PARTNERSHIPS

Different approaches to a new academic year are affecting our work in the East End. Like all Richmond Public Schools, Fairfield Court Elementary School is using an all-virtual model this year. This means we are not able to send mentors, tutors, classroom assistants or lunch buddies to the school. We did hold our annual school supply drive for Fairfield, assembling individual kits for students. Thanks to all who donated so generously.

Suzy Blevins, the site coordinator for Communities in Schools at Fairfield Court Elementary School, said, “St. Stephen’s is awesome! Thank you for all you do for our students and community.”

Outreach may look different, but it’s more vital and important than ever

Anna Julia Cooper School, the tuitionfree, Episcopal middle school which St. Stephen’s helped establish in the East End, has adopted a hybrid model of in-person and virtual classes this year. As with Fairfield, we collected school supplies for their students and took them to the school before classes began.

Peter Paul Development Center’s work will be all-virtual this year. They would love to have adult volunteers to serve as mentors and tutors. Please contact me for details, etownsend@ststephensRVA.org.

ReWork Richmond is the public-private enterprise founded by St. Stephen’s, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the City of Richmond, and other partners. The major outreach initiative funded by St. Stephen’s centennial capital campaign, ReWork help adults in the East End find long-term, family-sustaining careers. Those served through this program–ReWork refers to them as members, not clients–have been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many members have either lost their jobs, had their hours significantly reduced, or have needed to leave their jobs to care for children as child care centers and schools have closed or gone to virtual instruction. ReWork has helped members find shortterm employment opportunities and other resources while focusing whenever possible on post-pandemic career paths. Half of ReWork’s members were pursuing some form of education when the pandemic struck, and the virus has disrupted these goals. In response to the pandemic, ReWork’s partners at the Community College Workforce Alliance shifted to online courses for the fall and three ReWork members have been able to enroll in courses that will earn them certifications integral to their career paths. ReWork staff are doing all they can to help members continue to pursue the education they need to advance and at the same time balance other Covidrelated challenges. (A longer summary is available at ststephensRVA.org/rework.)

CARITAS, which is focused on long-term solutions to homelessness, has opened a transitional sober-living center with 47 apartments, and St. Stephen’s parishioners helped furnish one of the apartments. These apartments provide dignity and independence to people navigating the road to independence. On Wednesday, September 2, St. Stephen’s staff and volunteers helped set up the apartment we furnished. Thank you for your generous support for this project.

We continue to work with our partners to discern how we can be helpful and engaged while we’re observing health and safety protocols. As volunteer opportunities arise—and they will likely look different from those we’ve done before—we will let you know through

NATIONAL OUTREACH

Hurricanes have already begun to add to the human misery in areas of the country struggling with the pandemic. For nearly 15 years, St. Stephen’s has sent teams of volunteers to areas ravaged by hurricanes and other natural disasters and we have learned a great deal and become adept at providing this assistance. Covid, however, presents new challenges. One thing we do know is that rushing into an area immediately after a disaster is nearly always unhelpful; it’s important to know what’s needed directly from those affected. We are monitoring these situations; when we know what is needed and how we can provide it, we’ll let you know through the

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

Heidi Schmidt and Monica Vega, our missionaries in Argentina, live amidst some of the poorest people in the world.

Heidi reports that Jujuy, where they live, managed to stay free of Covid-19 infections until the end of June; then cases increased to the extent that the area is now one of Argentina’s “hotspots.” The province’s already fragile medical system has collapsed.

With increasing numbers unable to work due to the strict quarantine, families are unable to put bread on the table. Proyecto Guadalupe, one of the ministries with which our missionaries work, provides emergency food parcels and supports the two main soup kitchens in the area. They check on

Everything we do in outreach is made possible by you, through your donations of food, supplies, time, expertise, and of course, your donations to our annual budget. Thank you for your continued support.

the eSpirit and social media.

families affected by Covid-19 and eSpirit and social media.

provide kits with personal hygiene and cleaning materials, nutritional support, medications and blankets.

They support primary health care centers that serve families on the margins, with priority to the pediatric division, with medical equipment and supplies, and transport for families to visit those in hospitals and prepaid phone data to be able to communicate with loved ones and health services.

Heidi reports that Agustina, the young girl Gary Jones wrote about on his blog, remains in stable condition, and has recently been moved to a regular ward. They hope she will be able to return home soon to her family and community. “The prayers for her have mattered,” Heidi says. “Your prayers, support, company, they matter so very much!”

A longer summary of Heidi and Monica’s work is at ststephensRVA.org/outreach. ✤