Jonathan Thomas
The Garden, Ferguson, MIssouri
A closed coffee shop that had been a central gathering place for the Ferguson community is preparing to re-open in March as The Garden, a space for connection and conversation. In 2019, Civil Righteousness, a non-profit founded by Jonathan Thomas, purchased the building. Today, they have renovated the coffee shop and cafe, added an art gallery designed for contemplation, as well as a commercial commissary kitchen which will offer affordable space to local food entrepreneurs. A mentorship program for local entrepreneurs will help revitalize the Ferguson community through economic growth.
Josh Richardson
Josh Richardson, Brugsmansia Ministries
Brugmansia Ministries’ mission is to address climate change and climate migration through
building physical, relational, and spiritual infrastructure within faith communities. Using climate projections and current physical and social data, founder Josh Richardson helps communities identify current vulnerabilities and needs as well as potential future challenges and to proactively prepare for climate driven environmental disasters or other climate change events.
Marcy Bursac
The Forgotten Adoption Option is dedicated to advocating for 113,000 children in the U.S. foster care system that are available for adoption Through a faith-rooted approach, the non-profit provide mentorship and resources, empowering families to overcome obstacles and successfully navigate the adoption journey to become a forever family for a child or sibling group. Founder Marcy Bursac’s mission is to help children be adopted before they age out of the foster care system.
Beverly Jenkins
Refuge and Restoration Restoration (R&R) Marketplace is a redevelopment project in the Dellwood community of Ferguson, MO. Repurposing a strip mall that has been abandoned for 20 years, the R&R team are creating an equitable access community hub that will include an early child development center, a bank, co-working space, as well as a church and needed community social service offices. This innovative system-linking holistic hub will help build community and foster economic development.
Jen Owens
Jen Owens, FORAI, St. Louis, Missouri
Forai, Inc., is a faith-based, Christian 501(c)3 organization partnering with local refugee and immigrant women to enable the realization of economic, educational, and social goals through training and peer support, and by expanding market opportunities for artisans. Located in South City, St. Louis, MO, FORAI (Friends of Refugees and Immigrants) provides home-based and in-workshop incomes for women who can’t work outside home because of a barrier such as childcare needs or caring for another family member. FORAI offers artisan made jewelry and crafts to the St. Louis community.
Mina Aria and Anatjuan Adams
Mina Aria and Antajuan Adams, New Roots Urban Farm, St. Louis, MO
Mina Aria and Antajuan Adams run New Roots Urban Farm on reclaimed urban land, providing healthy local food plus urban farming resources and education for their low-income North St. Louis community. Recently devastated by fire, the farm is being revitalized and expanded, with a greenhouse and outdoor kitchen, chickens, and bees.