FLOURISH is focused on improving the health of Black moms and babies in St. Louis – and unfortunately, those communities most impacted by infant mortality have been hit with additional difficulties during the pandemic. In the spring, we created the COVID-19 Response Fund to enable local nonprofits, churches and other community organizations to provide essential items and services to Black families. In total, FLOURISH awarded nearly $280,000 to 58 organizations who have provided assistance to help Black families weather the pandemic.
“The pandemic has created many challenges for families, but it has been especially hard on Black families who already experience health inequities, economic hardships and other barriers every day,” said Leah Moser, director of planning and partnerships at Generate Health, FLOURISH’s backbone organization. “We have been inspired to see so many organizations step forward as helpers to fill the gaps for these families, from delivering groceries and diapers, to assisting with rent and utility bills, to providing technology needed for virtual health visits.”
Special thanks to our COVID-19 Response Fund recipients for the support they have provided to families:
- A Red Circle
- Affinia Healthcare
- African Diaspora Council
- Almost Home
- Angels of Empowerment
- Arthur R. Johnson Community Outreach
- Barak Christian Church
- Bethany Christian Services
- Bethlehem Lutheran Church
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Bridge of Hope
- Butterfly Haven
- Cardinal Glennon Danis Pediatric Clinic
- Faith for Justice
- Family Care Health Centers
- Family Forward
- Fit and Food Connection
- Freedom Arts and Education Center
- Gift of Dreams
- God’s Helping Hand
- Great Circle
- Haven of Grace
- Helping Hand Me Downs
- H.O.P.E. for the Future
- Infant Loss Resources
- Integrated Resource Group
- Jennings 4th Ward Strong
- Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
- Lifewise
- Love Ministry Christian Church
- Lutheran Family and children’s Services
- Martin & Mattz Foundation
- Messiah Lutheran Church
- Midtown Community Services
- Mission St. Louis
- NAACP St. Louis County Branch
- New Heights Community Resource Center
- Northside Community Housing
- Nurses for Newborns
- Operation Food Search
- Our Lady’s Inn
- Parents as Teachers National Center
- Park Central Development
- Pleasant Grove Church
- Project DEAMHI
- Reliant Church
- Riverview West Florissant Development Corporation
- Rustic Roots Co.
- Southside Early Childhood Center
- St. John’s United Church of Christ
- St. Louis Doulas of Color Collective
- The Access Foundation
- Unfailing Love Christian Church
- United 4 Children
- Urban Sprouts
- WalkNFaith
- Washington Metropolitan AME Zion Inc.
- With Open Arms
In its final act, FLOURISH’s COVID-19 Response Fund provided $50,000 to STL Mutual Aid to continue to meet individual needs for families. STL Mutual Aid has distributed those funds to aid families with diapers, toiletries, food, transportation, rent and utilities.
The COVID-19 Response Fund is now closed – but we know the need in St. Louis is far from over. If you have any questions about connecting families to resources during this challenging time, please contact Rose Anderson-Rice at randersonrice@generatehealthstl.org.
