Policy & Advocacy

The Ashrei Foundation is constantly building partnerships and looking 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.

Systemic racism and discrimination embedded into our state’s policies and institutions are to blame for these outcomes. For hundreds of years, families have navigated barrier after barrier just to exist and in the pursuit of leading healthy, joyful lives. From underfunded schools to nuisance properties in the neighborhood, everything seems to be working against Missourians when it comes to building a better life. We know that when People of Color are able to reach their full potential, it benefits everyone. We know it’s possible to create lasting change for our communities. But it takes a village. 

  • Majority Rule is at Stake in MO

    In April of 2024 Ashrei co-sponsored a Lunch & Learn with Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice where M'Evie Mead, director of strategic partnerships at Missouri Jobs with Justice and facilitator of the Will of the People Coalition, explored the history of initiative petitions in our state and reviewed current challenges in the Missouri legislature aimed at reshaping this important citizen-driven tool. (Watch the recording here.)

    Late in April of 2024 the Missouri House of Representatives passed SJR 74. SJR 74 would require constitutional initiative petitions to pass by not just a majority of all votes cast, as is the case now, but also by a majority of votes in a majority of the state’s eight Congressional districts. This means that measures approved by a majority of Missouri’s voters may not pass into law, allowing a minority of citizens to determine policy outcomes.

    The measure now goes back to the Missouri Senate, where a filibuster is expected to challenge the inclusion of the “ballot candy” provisions. If approved there, the proposed change would go to the ballot for approval by Missouri voters.

    Call and write the your State Senator TODAY and tell them you OPPOSE this bill and any measure that changes the initiative petition process advancing in the legislature.

  • Details coming soon!

  • Details coming soon!

  • Details coming soon!

  • Details coming soon!

  • Details coming soon!

  • Details coming soon!