Living Jesus

Grade 8 - Toni Jordan, Women's Support Coordinator for the Criminal Justice Ministry, spoke to the girls about two of its programs: Let's Start, which aims to break the cycle of incarceration in families by working with formerly incarcerated women and their children to support recovery and reentry into society, and Release to Rent, a reentry housing program for women. The girls made Welcome Home Boxes filled with handmade candles, key chains, coasters, and inspirational art to give to women when they move into their new homes.

 

Grade 7 - Viz alumna Ann Helmsing Whittman, Founder, Board Chair, and Director of Development for Humankind STL, spoke with students about how and why she started the organization, which helps immigrants in the St. Louis area with basic needs, such as clothing, housing, and food, as well as beds to sleep on, couches to sit on, driver's licenses and cars to get to work, English instruction, toys, and most of all community and companionship. The girls made educational games/toys for the children in these families, including Connect 4, Memory, Go Fish, and Lego Puzzles.

 

Grade 6 - A representative from Project Linus spoke with the girls about how and why behind this initiative and the impact it has on children in the hospital. The girls then made blankets to donate.