October 2020 Newsletter
Meet Our Newest Board Members
Amber L. Howlett
Amber L. Howlett had never heard of SOS Women’s Fund until a delegation of members arrived at The Sunshine Cultural Arts Center in East St Louis for a site visit. Amber recalled two significant things about that visit – one, that Vicki Sheehan was a member of that site visit team, and two, that she was given an SOS brochure which she dutifully filed in the glove compartment of her car.
Looking back, Amber now identifies this first SOS visit as a life-changing event. She was particularly impressed by the questions that Vicki asked and the ideas that she shared regarding nonprofit work. Vicki’s comments led Amber to rethink the strategies that she used to support The Sunshine Cultural Arts Center. Meeting Vicki helped Amber set a new course that would more effectively help the organization robustly pursue its mission and sustain itself.
At an SOS holiday coffee, which a friend brought her to, Amber had the opportunity to hear Gwen Wesley speak and again she was impacted by what she heard.
Years later, while reimagining her work Amber began looking for support from other like-minded people to work with and share ideas. It was Gwen Wesley who she reached out to. She found that conversation insightful, supportive, and motivating, so much so that she unearthed the SOS brochure from the glove box and the rest is, well – history.
Amber’s first experience as an SOS member was to volunteer on a site visit team. During the site visits, Amber began thinking about opportunities where SOS could broaden the scope of the organizations that it supports in the metro area.
As a strong, passionate, confident, black woman, Amber hopes, as a board member of SOS, to promote open and honest dialogue around the challenging topics of racial disparity and inequality within the existing social and economic systems of our community.
Amber comes to the board with experience in community work, education, counseling psychology, and research. She takes a holistic approach to executing change. She hopes that her perspectives and unflinching focus will broaden the definition and scope of the work SOS does.
As I wound down the conversation, I asked Amber what she had learned from the pandemic if anything. It did not surprise me to hear that Amber found many silver linings in these past many months. For Amber, the pandemic initially physically separated her from her parents. “Being denied hugs for three months made the first one joyful and tearful. I gained a greater appreciation and understanding of my parents’ vulnerabilities.”
Best of all, Amber found love during COVID. I asked her what the best part of a COVID romance has been. She told me, “Getting to learn about each other inside and out without so many distractions like going to a movie theater or heading to a social gathering.”
Nancy Garvey
It was by chance that Nancy found SOS. Just as she was transitioning into retirement after working for decades at AT&T, the stars had aligned. She was at a mutual friend’s happy hour when an SOS member engaged her in conversation about SOS. “[the member] spoke so eloquently about SOS and how it works, I went home and joined that evening. “
SOS appealed to Nancy because of all the different ways members can contribute and engage. She liked the idea of having an opportunity to intimately know where her investment was going and the direct impacts it could have in the community.
After attending the Holiday Coffee, Nancy volunteered for site visits which she felt gave her a first hand look at, and a strong understanding of the SOS process. Since then Nancy has volunteered on the marketing committee, continued to do site visits, reviewed LOIs and served as the vice-chair of the Education committee and Chair of SOS book discussions.
Now as a board member Nancy hopes to help re-enforce the things that SOS does well and also sees opportunities to help identify the areas where the organization can change and grow.
Nancy wants to guide the education committee to ensure their programs highlight critical issues facing our community and the changing philanthropic landscape.
Nancy is grateful that she found SOS at just the right time. Since early March, the pandemic and stay at home requirements afforded her the time to reinforce the most important things in life – particularly family and relationships. The pandemic has afforded Nancy the time to slow down and acknowledge her gratitude for the things she has but has also given her a greater appreciation for the things that, for now, are missing, namely travel and big social gatherings. She eagerly awaits a time when it is once again safe to enjoy expanded company and the wider wonders of the world.
Committee News Grants
The 2020-2021 Grant Application Process is Underway: SOS Support Needed Now More Than Ever!
- A record smashing 286 completed Letters of inquiry (LOI) were received by the September 25th deadline
- 60 SOS members are working in ten small teams to carefully review each LOI.
- An estimated 40 agencies will be invited to submit full grant applications for single year funding requests in January
- All full grant applicants will be visited by SOS site visit teams in February and March
- Balloting by the membership will take place from April 14 to 30
- The Annual Meeting and Spirit Awards is May 18th
SOS members will be asked later this fall to sign up to participate in site visit teams. Please join us!
This is an excellent way to learn about the important work of our small community nonprofits and get to know your SOS sisters. All meetings are anticipated to be virtual this year.
Impact
Here is a link to the 2019-2020 impact report.
Education Event
Tuesday, November 10th 5:30 – 6:30
Come hear Joey Saunders, the director of policy and systems change at WEPOWER, discuss how ECE became the focus for community change in the St. Louis community, city and county. He will talk about the WEPOWER Playbook and solutions to the most pressing challenges facing ECE including access, staffing, affordability, and quality and why it is critical to address these issues to create real change.
Lindsey Noblot, project director at southside Early Childhood Center, will talk about how the ECE community is moving forward. She will talk about The First Step Collaborative and how they are tackling the challenges and gaps in access, resources, quality programs and staffing. She will also address what we can do to help in the effort for change.
Cortaiga Collins, SOS member and ECE Solution team member, together with Lindsey Noblot will share their insights as daycare providers and individuals involved in the ECE movement.
RECOMMENDED VIEWING BEFORE ATTENDING
No Small Matter
Here’s where you can watch YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMoeByLcS0Q&has_verified=1
or Amazon Prime
This documentary explores why the early years are so crucial in the lives of our children and our community, highlighting issues the ECE community is currently facing.
Welcome New Members
Susan Gilbert
Kelley Karandjeff
Kate Tichelkamp
Save the Date/Upcoming Events
Wed October 28th Book Club 5:30-6:30
Zoom information will be provided with registration e-mail confirmation
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ehbvwx6g13fbf3fc&oseq=&c=&ch=
Noteworthy
Check out the 2020-21 SOS calendar of events and join us
Sadly we lost a wonderful person and SOS member this month. Sending support and sympathy to the Eiseman family.
The following is a link to Jane’s Obituary
Reminders & Housekeeping
VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE • VOTE
