2025 Ashrei Summer Soiree
A Night to Remember: Highlights from the 2025 Summer Soirée
From the bottom of our hearts,thank you to everyone who joined us for Ashrei Foundation’s Summer Soirée on August 13th! It was a joyful evening of connection, celebration, and a shared commitment to justice, dignity, and opportunity for our neighbors across Missouri.
The evening wasn’t just about gathering, it was about hearing the heart of our work from those who make it possible.
Stories That Inspire Action
🌟 Jennifer Shylanski shared how our North City Photo ID Project helps community members secure the identification they need to unlock housing, employment, and public benefits.
🌟 Sheree Hickman gave a powerful update on the Missouri State ID Access Coalition, which is advancing legislation and hosting clinics to expand ID access statewide.
🌟 Cheryl Frankfater told the moving story of welcoming and resettling refugee families—offering safety and a fresh start in Missouri.
🌟 Victoria Turner provided an inside look at the IFER Fund, where volunteers deliver direct cash assistance to immigrant families impacted by increased immigration enforcement.
🌟 Judy McGrath spoke about the Rapid Response Coalition Hotline—a lifeline for reporting ICE enforcement activity and connecting individuals to legal guidance. (Save the number: 314-370-7080)
🌟 Dan Grabel’s heartfelt video on the life-changing impact of Camp Indigo Point scholarships for LGBTQ+ youth and their families—a project fiscally sponsored by Ashrei.
Moving Toward Our Goal
We’re working toward raising a big fundraising goal for our young organization to keep our programs growing stronger and reaching further.
Every gift, whether $25, $250, or $2,500, brings us closer to raising $10,000.
BONUS: At the event a generous anonymous donor agreed to match each donation up to $10,000!
💛 You can still make your Soirée gift today!
Make a one-time gift for immediate impact
Become a recurring monthly donor to sustain our work
Give through your Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to invest in our long-term vision
See our profile on Candid
What’s Next for Ashrei
We’re already looking ahead to an exciting season of action and advocacy:
Foundations of Justice events this October with Dr. Austin Kocher of Syracuse University
Photo ID pilot projects in St. Charles and with the St. Louis County Library (Volunteer sign-ups are open!)
IFER Fund Disbursement Round 4 beginning August 22nd
Second Annual Missouri ID Access Summit – October 16–17, 2025
These aren’t just calendar dates—they’re the next steps toward building a stronger, more just community, together.
As Rabbi Susan reminded us in her remarks, the more members of the community we pour into, the more help, kindness, and justice we’ll see.
Thank you for moving forward with us. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish—side by side—in the months ahead.
