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Executive Director's Corner

What a year 2020 has been! The above photo was taken March 7 and shows the last time I could be with people. Aren't we beautiful! This was our first Good Food Movement Community Leaders Retreat and the good people at SDO Solutions of Florissant, MO had just led us in a fitness warm-up and health discussion. They traveled to the YMCA Trout Lodge and provided their services as an in-kind donation!

Following this, Covid-19 began to force event cancellations, school closures, and social distancing. As a result, we canceled fundraisers and missed out on some funding opportunities as some funders delayed issuing awards. Nevertheless, we persevered to keep A Red Circle open without any layoffs! In addition, we pivoted from doing community based project work to direct services, in partnership with Stl Mutual Aid. It has been truly worthwhile to help our North County community navigate through the changes and hardships Covid-19 has brought this already vulnerable population. We continue our work in community betterment and are proud to soon launch the North County Agricultural Education Center! More updates to come!

- Erica Williams

Children's March this Saturday

Join the Keep Kids in Class Coalition for an action to uplift the following demands around Real Student Safety Campaign:

RSVP

1. Remove police (SRO’s) from schools, and bar future contracts with police departments.
2 .Require parents and lawyers to be present when police are present.
3 .Require body cameras for any police-student interactions.
4 .Reinvest in Counselors, Teachers, and Student Care.
5. Require Ongoing Training in Trauma, Anti-racism, and Development.
6. Require Institutionalization of Black Studies.

Two Fun Ways to Support A Red Circle

A Red Circle and Wolf Creek Farm, LLC have partnered to create a Petunia Fundraiser Sale! Proceeds from this fundraise will benefit the North County Agricultural Education Center, in Pine Lawn, MO. Plants are $15 each and you can pay right on our website via the DONATE button. The North County Agricultural Education Center will be space for the community to learn to grow food and the STEM behind growing food. Pickup date is July 10, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and you can Google 4517 Hamilton Ave., 63120 for directions.
We are thrilled to be one of the first nonprofits featured by STL 50/50! ❤️ Here’s how it works:
🎟 One raffle per month that features a different charity each month
💰 50% of total sales will be awarded to the person with the winning ticket
💵 50% will be given to charities improving our region
It’s a win-win! 🙌 Get your STL 50/50 tickets!

Visit A Red Circle to Learn More

Stl Mutual Aid

During the height of the quarantine, we pivoted our efforts to supporting North County families impacted by Covid-19. We started doing porch drop-offs with groceries, diapers, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and more. To date, we have supported over 100 families and approximately 450 people! We are excited to announce the award of St. Louis County CARES funding, which will allow us to support more homebound individuals and seniors!

Help for Families!

Please share with families and those working with families. We will soon begin gathering school supplies and technology supports for North County students. We still do not know what schools will do this fall but, we want to ensure that our students are prepared. Let us know if you would like to get involved!

#seeourhumanity

Donate

P.S. Are you an artist? We're preparing for this year's virtual Kwanzaa Celebration: 7 Days in 1 Night. Start thinking about how you can use your gift for healing our community.

Thanks!

Jessica D. Johnson, Arts Circle Coordinator