St. Louis Friends Meeting | Project Lakota-Ville
Box 192 | 6642 Clayton Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63117
(573) – 351 – 8871 | candyboydwrite@yahoo.com
Dear Friends,
We hope that this letter finds you well. Because you have been such an important part of maintaining Project Lakota-Ville’s mission, we wanted to share some exciting news. We are officially launching our fundraising for this year’s project!
Project Lakota-Ville works with the Lakota people and residents of The Ville area to support efforts with housing, youth, education, cultural or community events, and other endeavors as identified by residents to further social justice. We are dedicated to building bridges of understanding and support between these communities, working towards mutual respect and empowerment.
Due to oppressive laws, policies, and regular disinvestment, The Ville has suffered record vacancy and losses of businesses and educational opportunities for decades. We are currently fundraising to further help residents in The Ville address vacancies – facilitating home repairs and combating homelessness, as well as advocating for educational opportunities for youth in The Ville community. Concurrently, cabins previously built in partnership with Project Lakota in the Oglala Lakota Nation are awaiting much-needed repairs from damages sustained in the past 22 years. Project Lakota-Ville would love your support in continuing our efforts in both the Lakota and The Ville communities.
This partnership has been an integral element of both The Ville and Lakota Nation and we are grateful to have the continued opportunity to support both communities and foster further connection and investment. These efforts are reflective of the historical Quaker commitment to assist oppressed peoples and improve the social-political climate for the benefit of the human community as a whole (Admittedly, Quakers have made mistakes along the way).
Thank you for your unwavering support of our mission to create sustainable programs and initiatives that benefit both communities, nurturing a spirit of collaboration and growth. We are grateful for your continued support.
Please mail checks to St. Louis Friends at the NEW address listed above with the memo line “Project Lakota-Ville” or donate via Venmo @stlfriends with “Project Lakota-Ville” in the description.
Thank you for your support,
Candy Boyd (Friend, Osage ancestry), Judi Cornelius (Lakota),
Thomasina Clarke (lifelong resident of The Ville), Mike Ruberton (Friend)