Healing and repairing Missouri through justice and equity
Empowerment, action and interruption
“Ashrei,” is a Hebrew word from the Book of Psalms that means “forward.” Our work is to move our community forward on the path towards abolishing all systems of economic exclusion and oppression, to a future where all people may live with dignity, justice and freedom. Building upon established relationships of trust, the work of Ashrei will be to deepen the social justice work of the faith community and leverage resources that are not available to houses of worship.
The Ashrei Foundation imagines a just Missouri where the way we look, where we are from, or who we define ourselves to be does not limit our access to quality and affordable healthcare, education, housing, technology, and economic stability. Ashrei exists to empower and activate the St. Louis community and partners throughout the state of Missouri to promote economic justice, to relieve suffering, and interrupt cycles of poverty.
Expanding ID Access
Through the North City Photo ID Project, the Ashrei Foundation offers assistance to people who live in St. Louis by offering guidance on the process of applying for a Missouri non-driver photo identification card, including acquiring the required documentation. For many people, this means obtaining a certified copy of their birth certificate. The Ashrei Foundation will also cover the cost of obtaining this kind of ID and a birth certificate issued anywhere in the United States.
Reproductive Health
The Ashrei Foundation draws on decades of our founder’s leadership around abortion access as we develop new ways to support access to abortion following the Dobbs decision (2022). Today, this issue is being used by those in power to preserve their own power, at the health and expense of the rest of us. We work to equip all people with the knowledge, resources and access they need to make healthy, informed decisions for themselves and their families. Abortion in any circumstance is a medical procedure, and therefore, the decisions surrounding it should be made between the person with a uterus and their healthcare providers. Following months of research and collaborative meetings in 2022, we are eager to launch new initiatives to promote quality reproductive healthcare for all in 2023.
Support for Communities
In 2023, the Ashrei Foundation will launch a Partnership Investment Program, designed to identify and support existing efforts in the St. Louis region through volunteer capacity, financial support, and other partnership strategies designed to strengthen the incredible work led by our neighbors. We also recognize that systemic change can’t happen while immediate needs go unmet, and we are eager to step into the messiness of doing both with the hope of moving our community forward.
Policy & Advocacy
As the 2023 legislative session begins in Missouri, the Ashrei Foundation will look for ways to engage the community in direct advocacy: trainings, letter writing, meeting with legislators, preparing written testimony, and traveling to Jefferson City to put our values into action.