North City Photo ID Clinic Stories of Success
Winter 2024
At The Ashrei Foundation, we believe a photo ID is more than just a piece of plastic—it’s a gateway to opportunity. From helping an unhoused guest secure an ID and land three job offers, to ensuring a determined voter could cast her ballot just weeks before Election Day, to empowering an unaccompanied minor to access housing and training programs, we’ve seen firsthand how life-changing this work can be. These stories highlight the transformative impact of breaking down barriers and providing access to the documents people need to thrive.
How a Photo ID Opened (Car) Doors for Darrell
Ashrei Board Member, Ken Goldman, shares this story:
Darrell, a track start in his days at NJROTC, landed his dream job with the help of our Photo ID Clinic
I met my friend Darrell through a program called Mentor St. Louis back in 2007.
Life has not been easy for Darrell. His parents are separated and since I’ve known them, his family has faced financial challenges. Over the past few years Darrell has had a variety of jobs primarily in the furniture moving industry. He’s always been hired as an independent contractor and his work schedule was very sporadic. He always dreamed about getting a job at a large corporation where the work was steady and he was a full time employee.
One day, in early March of this year, I was meeting with Darrell to update his resume and discuss various job opportunities. He explained to me that his driver’s license was revoked as he had several traffic tickets, mostly due to lack of required insurance. On the way back to his apartment we stopped by the North City Photo ID Project at The Hub and I introduced Darrell to Sara, Ashrei’s Executive Director. She graciously filled out all of the paperwork for a Missouri Photo ID, which he received 2 weeks later.
Fast forward 4 months: Darrell called me, very excited-He was offered a position at the e General Motors Wentzville Assembly- his dream job! It was a full time position where he would earn almost twice as much as he had in the past.
In filling out the new hire paperwork, everything was going smoothly until the HR rep asked Darrell for his driver’s license. As he explained that he no longer had a driver’s license, she shook her head and said that this was a “deal killer” – no license, no job.
Suddenly, Darrell remembered that he had his Missouri Photo ID. He pulled his ID out of his wallet and said, “Does this work?” With a big smile she replied “YES!”
Darrell proudly remains a member of the team at the GM Wentzville Assembly as is a shining example of of the doors that can open with a photo ID.
2 IDs, 1 Vote, Infinite Inspiration
This summer, we met Ms. L., a lifelong St. Louis resident who has proudly voted in every election since turning 18 in the 1970s. She reached out to the North City Photo ID Clinic this summer upon realizing she needed a new ID.
With your of our donors, we were able to assist her.
Then, in the fall, tragedy struck—a house fire devastated Ms. L.’s home, leaving her with nothing. Once again, she turned to us. This time, her situation was even more complex. Without any documents proving her residency, she was worried she’d be unable to replace her ID.
But thanks to the resources and expertise of our staff and valued volunteer team, we were able to help. Using DOR Form 5862, a special affidavit for individuals without proof of residency, we successfully helped Mrs. L. secure her ID. With anew ID in hand, she updated her voter registration and prepared to cast her ballot in the early voting period for the 2024 Presidential Election.
However, her determination was tested yet again. Ms. L. was turned away three times at her polling location. Each time, she received conflicting information from poll workers, who couldn’t discern which ballot she was eligible to receive.
Committed to exercise her right to vote, she contacted us. Together, we escalated her case to the Election Protection Hotline, collaborated with attorneys, and worked closely with the City Board of Elections leadership. Eventually, the error in their system was uncovered and corrected.
Finally, Ms. L. cast her ballot. Overwhelmed with relief, she described it as one of the most meaningful votes she had ever cast.
But that’s not where her story ends. The very next week, Ms. L. completed our digital volunteer training and signed up to become an Application Support Volunteer at our North City Photo ID Clinic. She told us that after receiving so much help, she felt called to “give back” to her community.
Breaking Barriers, One Document at a Time
Earlier this year, we met a Spanish-speaking father who had been navigating a complex legal process to correct the spelling of his U.S.-born daughter’s name. With the help of an attorney, he secured a court order from a St. Louis County judge to change her name. But despite the court order, he faced significant obstacles in obtaining her corrected birth certificate—a document essential for her healthcare, education, and passport.
Language access became a major hurdle. Vital records offices and legal processes can be difficult to navigate even in one’s primary language, let alone a second. That’s where the North City Photo ID Clinic’s bilingual staff stepped in.
Our team worked tirelessly, coordinating conversations between the father, his attorney, and the vital records office in Jefferson City. Yet, the process was far from straightforward. Jefferson City required a new, amended court order with specific language not included in the original.
With the attorney’s help, we obtained the new order from the judge without requiring the father to attend another court appearance—a relief for him and his family. We then mailed the updated paperwork, along with the necessary check and documentation, to the state office.
After months of waiting and perseverance, the father received his daughter’s corrected birth certificate. Thanks to the support of our donors, this family can now access critical opportunities like healthcare and education, and they’re one step closer to obtaining her passport.
This story is just one example of how your contributions break down barriers, including those created by language access. While fewer than a dozen monolingual Spanish-speaking families have been referred to us, each time we say “yes,” we are reminded of the importance of this work.
Caring for the Whole Family
Two monolingual Spanish-speaking mothers visited the North City Photo ID Clinic seeking help obtaining Missouri birth certificates for their children. Both women are immigrants working to navigate systems that can be overwhelming and inaccessible without language support. The birth certificates were essential for enrolling their children in school and daycare and accessing medical care and public benefits.
With the guidance of bilingual staff, the clinic helped the mothers complete their birth certificate applications. But during the visit, staff learned their families were also struggling with food insecurity.
An Ashrei staff member accompanied the mothers downstairs to the food pantry operated by The Hub, where they continued to serve as an interpreter. With the support of The Hub’s compassionate team, both mothers left not only with the resources needed to secure their children’s birth certificates but also with bags of nutritious food for their families.
This story highlights the power of collaboration and the importance of addressing the broader needs of families in the community. Through partnerships with organizations like The Hub, Ashrei can provide comprehensive support, meeting families’ immediate needs while helping them access long-term solutions.
Unlocking Opportunities, One ID at a Time
One of our guests came to us unemployed and unhoused, needing help to get a photo ID. Just two weeks after receiving her ID, she had three job offers and secured stable housing. With one small document, her life transformed.
Another guest came to us with one goal: to vote in the upcoming election. She didn’t have an ID and needed a birth certificate from out of state—a process that can take months. With the election only five weeks away, we expedited the application process and worked quickly. Thanks to your support, she received her ID in time and proudly cast her ballot.
We also worked with an unaccompanied minor whose parent refused to give him access to his documents. Without a birth certificate or Social Security card, he couldn’t move forward in life. Our team stepped in to help him obtain his vital records and a photo ID, empowering him to secure housing and enroll in a training program to build his future.
These stories are why we do what we do—and why your support is so vital. An ID is more than just a piece of plastic; it’s a key to opportunity, stability, and independence.
