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Compassionate St. Augustine Newsletter

Issue #5, May 2022
 
Compassionate St. Augustine
 
Our mission: to influence, inspire and grow a culture of compassion through advocacy, awareness, and action.

Our vision: to inspire the desire for others to affirm the Charter for Compassion, and by word and deed, to help grow and foster sustainable cultures of compassion locally, nationally and globally.
Compassionate St. Augustine Advisory Committee


The Advisory Community Meeting 
of Compassionate St. Augustine
Will Not Meeting in May.

Ervin Bullock states; 
We are taking a break while we go through some transitions, but will be back with gusto soon! 

Contact Ervin Bullock for more information: ervinbullock@yahoo.com
The St. Augustine Film Society, partnering with the St. Johns Cultural Council, will be screening "The Guide" as a fundraiser for Ukrainian Relief efforts. This film is being provide by the producer at no cost so all donations will go to the relief effort. 
Our May Compassionate Women meeting will
be at 10:00 AM on the last [fourth] Wednesday
of the month -- May 25

Please bring a dish to share -- we will eat our shared lunch soon after 11.00am.

The meeting discussions facilitated by Ervin and shared meals are a really great way of getting to know new and old members of the Compassionate Women group.
Good food, good fellowship!
 
New Mount Moriah Ministry
676 Christopher St
St Augustine FL 32084
Film Series About Homelessness and Houseing Workshop
The Golden Way, an initiative of Compassionate St Augustine and the St Augustine Film Society, is holding a 3-evening event on what we can do about homelessness in St Augustine and St Johns County, at Grace United Methodist Church.  
 
Each evening, May 19 to May 21, we will screen a film on an aspect of homelessness. This will be followed by panel discussions led by local speakers from across the continuum of stakeholders that are addressing homelessness, from the Education Department to the St Johns Housing Partnership and Flagler Care Connect.
 
Details in the flyer below. 

Please share this information and flyer widely!  We want to build up momentum for action to reduce homelessness locally.  

Thank you and I hope to see you there!
Public Housing Authority Workshop on Wednesday, May 18, 3:00 PM  
at the St. Johns County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View.

Should St. Johns County create a Housing Authority to control growth in the county?  Join the conversation and presentation from the Executive Director of the Housing Authority in Salt Lake City, Daniel Nackerman, and former St. Johns County State Legislator, Frank Williams. If you care about the exceptional growth in St. Johns County, you should attend.

Some excerpts from the article:
"Once rural areas are now facing major growth. Just from July 2020 to July 2021, the county's population grew from 276,916 to 292,466, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Alongside explosive growth in recent years has come rising housing costs and a critical shortage of affordable housing. "
One again the Compassionate Women volunteered to hand out water for the Betty Griffin Center 5K Run for Peace on Saturday, April 9.

Many thanks to these willing volunteers.
Milo House Garden Ground Breaking on
Saturday, March 26 in West Augustine!

In partnership with Compassionate St. Augustine, New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry, Flagler College ENACTUS students, Good Trouble, The Nehemiah Project of Saint Johns County, Operation New Hope St. Johns County, and St. Augustine Youth Services, and CARE, the garden area of the New Mt. Moriah office building at 676 Christopher St. was cleared by 30+ volunteers to prepare it for planting.

According to Anthony Britton, pastor of New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry, Milo House is being transformed into a holistic wraparound re-entry center for formerly incarcerated St. Johns County residents.

The volunteers of all ages brought their green thumbs along with cutting, shearing, and digging tools for a full morning of communal gardening before calling it quits and enjoying a barbecue lunch prepared by the women of Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry.

The volunteers pictured are( L-R): New Mt. Moriah, Compassionate Women, The Nehemiah Project, Good Trouble, Compassionate St. Augustine, CARE, and Operation New Hope.
 
Next "Pride In The Westside" house painting in West Augustine 

Pride in The Westside organizer Pastor Laverne March says it is planned for May 21st at 8:00 am  "We will start earlier this time, because it is getting hotter and hotter."
 
 Volunteers needed to: 
  • Paint
  • Lead teams for the day
  • Take  pictures
  • Donate drinks 
  • Bring & prepare lunch for volunteers
  • Pray for no Rain
  • Provide financial sponsorships
Painting during the March Paint Day

According to Ervin Bullock, CSA president and convener of Compassionate Women, 'It's great fun and companionship!  If you have one please wear a Compassionate Women tee shirt.

Can you volunteer?  If so please email compassionatewomen1@gmail.com and provide your cellphone number and email address to ensure that additional information is emailed/texted directly to you.
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Our inaugural Hope Starts Here 5K, presented by Florida Capital Bank, is a great race for runners and walkers of all levels looking for a route steeped in Jacksonville history and benefitting an amazing cause. A lovely trek incorporating the Emerald Trail, the course begins and ends at Operation New Hope – housed in one of Springfield’s most iconic buildings. The Hope Starts Here 5K helps Jacksonville build safer communities, stronger economies, and more stable families.

Proceeds from the Hope Starts Here 5k will benefit Operation New Hope, where we believe that we are all better than our worst mistake, worst day, or worst decision. We believe in people’s ability to learn from their errors and transform their lives through commitment and hard work.  Read more here....

650,000+ people leave prison each year looking for a fresh start.

We invite you to become part of their journey – join us for the Second Chance Showcase.

  • Held on the 2nd Friday of each month from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
  • An informational and inspirational way to become part of social justice reform.
  • Learn how our team in Jacksonville is working to develop safer communities, stronger economies, and more stable families.
  • Enjoy a delicious lunch at our beautiful Klutho Building in the historic Springfield neighborhood.
  • Tour our program facility and join us in celebrating our clients as they graduate from our nationally acclaimed Ready4Work program. 
Attendance is limited, so don’t delay! Share with a friend or colleague and sign up today. If you have questions about the Second Chance Showcase or want to learn more about our Strategic Partnerships, please contact Dawn Lemasters at dlemasters@operationnewhope.org  Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Good Trouble Report
Good Trouble Celebrated in May!

We had a good meeting on May 4th, ably led by Arthur Culbert, where we began to look at what could be next after our American Rescue Plan efforts. We celebrated the allocation of significant American Rescue Plan funds to some of the areas most affected by COVID in St. Johns County: a medical clinic in West Augustine, sewers in Hastings and a good location for Home Again St. Johns. Greg White provided testimony to our skilled efforts and relentless approach to securing funding on so many worthwhile initiatives.  Good Trouble is continuing to support Epic-Cure's efforts to secure a warehouse for their base of operation for food rescue and distribution in St. Johns County. 

We discussed our next efforts.  We discussed an approach on land management and what role GT will want to play. Arthur Culbert brought up the ‘brown bag’ lunchtime series beginning this fall at Flagler College.  Arthur presented this as an opportunity to bring issues in the community to campus while inviting the community as a great approach to build ties with the college.  

We have decided to not meet until June. There may be some Action Alerts as issues come up. Our next meeting will be Wednesday June 1 at 10am at New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministries, 676 Christopher St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.
 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY to support GOOD TROUBLE!
Are you experienced in setting up and hosting Zoom meetings? Commitment would be once a month for June, July and August. That really would help us extend our reach across St. Johns County. Please let Warren Clark know at: rwc904@gmail.com

"If you think you are too small to make a difference you have never spent a night with a mosquito." -Old African saying 
 
St. Johns Youth Academy
Additional tutors needed at Saint Johns Youth Academy

Our tutors are returning to work at the Youth Academy to help youth pass their GED exams before leaving. At least two former tutors now teach classes.  One is teaches poetry and another teaches free style rap. Executive Director Orvando Freeman appreciates all the ways CSA helps to broaden the youth's horizons. Indeed, students who leave Saint Johns Youth Academy (SJYA) with a GED in tow discover it can be a passport to better jobs and/or entry into technical schools and community or four-year colleges. 

Now that Compassionate St. Augustine’s tutoring program is reopened after a COVID-related pause, we are callingl for new tutors once a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 10:30-11:30am.

For more information contact Ervin Bullock (ervinbullock@yahoo.com). 
From Compassionate St. Augustine Partners
Below is a photo from Webster of students from Flagler College and Webster students planting gift gardens. The event was organized by Arthur Culbert from Good Trouble and Alexius Ferguson a board member of Compassionate St. Augustine and Administrator at The Webster School. 
CSA's Signs of Our Times
 
Available at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church office
37 Lovett St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9 AM – 12PM Wednesday




$7 donation helps cover increased printing costs. 
 
INITIATIVES...INITIATIVES...
 
Compassion in Action
Focused on criminal justice and prison reform, the Compassion In Action Criminal Justice Reform initiative raises awareness, promotes progress, and creates change through education and action. For meeting dates and information: compassionstaugustine@gmail.com.

Compassionate Women
This multi-cultural group brings those of many faiths and cultures together regularly to get to know one another as they promote well being and understanding. Meetings and luncheons are held regularly, For information: Ervin Bullock at compassionatewomen1@gmail.com.

Compassion Through the Eyes of Children
This award-winning multi-phase initiative was originally part of the acclaimed Obelisk Art 450 project created to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Nation’s Oldest City in 2015. The goal is to engage St. Johns County children, from diverse backgrounds and with wide-ranging aptitudes and exceptionalities, in discussions about freedom, democracy, human rights, compassion, diversity, and artistic expressions of those values. For information: Caren Goldman at compassionstaugustine@gmail.com.

Environmental Justice Initiative
We strive for the well-being of our environment, the Earth, our home, and its ecosystems. As the Earth feeds and nourishes humanity, with food, water, air, shelter, warmth, energy, beauty, and companionship – so we also act as custodians of the Earth. Compassionate Earth-care helps all humanity, especially the poor, who most urgently experience the effects of environmental devastation. For information: Warren Clark at rwc904@gmail.com
The Golden Way
The Golden Way: Films that Make a Difference is an arm of the St. Augustine Film Society and a CSA partner. Their mission is to show films that discuss social themes with the hope of giving attendees a better understanding and appreciation of the differences that make up the human family. For information: Joe Marx at StAugustineFilmSociety@gmail.com

St. Johns Youth Academy
The St. Johns Youth Academy (SJYA) is a state owned residential facility under the jurisdiction of St. Johns County Public Schools. Sequel Youth Services, a private management company, administers the programs, provides professional support services, and runs the day-to-day operation of the facility. 

Compassionate St. Augustine offers the residents of the Youth Academy supplemental programs that can enrich and positively impact their lives while they’re committed and after they leave SJYA.  Examples of programs now initiated by Compassionate St. Augustine include: “Alternatives To Violence: Help Increase The Peace” workshops and facilitator training; “Keys To Success” piano lessons; “SHIfT Happens” mindfulness meditation and biofeedback training, “Inside/Out” photography lessons, African-American History taught by re-enactors, and “Animé Illustration as Storytelling.” For information: Caren Goldman at compassionstaugustine@gmail.com.
Click to Donate to Compassionate St. Augustine

ABOUT US

Compassionate St. Augustine, a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is responsible for the City of St. Augustine's Proclamation and partnership on September 9, 2013 that stated St. Augustine was the first official Compassionate City in Florida and the 20th in the world. St. Augustine and her sister city, Aviles, Spain are the first Compassionate Sister Cities worldwide. Today there are over 450 Compassionate Cities, Countries, and other communities (including all of Australia).  CSA monthly meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays. To learn more please contact us: CompassionStAugustine@gmail.com

OUR PARTNERS

Include more than 200 businesses, organizations, and individuals — each of whom have signed the Charter for Compassion and have joined us in our efforts to create cultures of compassion locally, nationally and globally. To learn more about our partners visit our website: https://is.gd/kdV5C5

Compassionate St. Augustine is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization
115 Washington St., St. Augustine, FL 32084
Contact us at: compassionstaugustine@gmail.com
www.compassionstaugustine.com

 






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St. Augustine Initiative For Compassion dba Compassionate St. Augustine · 2210 Vista Cove Rd. · St Augustine, FL 32084 · USA

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