What’s New?

Tiny works!

In 888 sq ft we manage to tuck four student tables, four desks, a Children’s Program, a bathroom and a kitchenette. Whew! Some how the coziness works and we are thriving. We also provide two morning, one afternoon and two evening ESL classes, thanks to our large, well lit parking lot.

2022 Gala

On a beautiful night in November, we finally were able to host a fundraiser! Our location was a new facility in University City called TechArtista, an open shared workspace that offered wonderful outdoor and indoor spaces. Who would have guessed we could use that amazing courtyard in November? We have already booked it for Friday September 15, 2023.

Deonna’s Story

I grew up on the west side of St. Louis City. You see a lot that you’re not supposed to see as a kid there. You can expect traumatic situations: no gas, no lights, no food. The only excitement I had was going to school, so attendance wasn’t a problem. As I got older, a teenager, I started doing things, smoking, stealing and dealing.

My mom had me at 13, my Dad was in and out because of his marriage. His wife was jealous of the bond my Dad and I shared. She hit me all the time, whipped me for no reason. By 4 or 5 years old I was getting physically abused. I did not have a positive role model as a kid, my mom was a kid, my granny was a crackhead – I would get verbally abused from her. But I can honestly say I was never molested or raped.

All of this stuff that I went through caused me to have anger issues. I was always angry, always fighting, used to run away to friends’ houses. I always enjoyed the relationships my friends had with their parents because I did not have that.

My mom and granny wondered why I was acting out and running away. But when I tried to express my feelings I was always shut down. They knew they were going to hear the truth, and the truth hurts. I took a liking to basketball and writing music since I was little, to keep my mind off of the situation at hand. I was the star player on my basketball team; no one came to my games, absolutely no one. I had a good personality, people took a liking to me – teachers took me shopping, to the movies.

In middle school I ended up joining the gang. I was a Blood – I was gang banging which means the gang became my family.

When I was in my teenage years that’s when trouble became an everyday thing for me. I was always fighting, skipping school, hanging out with the bad kids and yet had good grades. I was class clown to get attention because I didn’t get attention at home. I started smoking marijuana. I made my own decisions, it was too late to tell me what to do. I started hustling so I could have money. I didn’t need nobody, I was just me.

In my high school, Beaumont, being in the gang caused problems. It was horrible, people were from other gangs. I was scared to go to school because I was outnumbered.

I went to Juvey for stealing my mom’s car – I was in for 3 months. To be honest it was peaceful, but I wanted to go home.

By this time I had dropped out and I had got deeper into the streets. My focus was on making fast money.

I was trying to figure out how to come out about me being gay. It was hard because I was the oldest child and I was terrified about my family’s judgement. So I stayed away from home for long periods of time so I could be myself.

When I did come out it was hurtful to watch my mother’s reaction. But we have a great bond now. It started out rough, but it was worth it in the end. Once I came out my family started supporting me, but I already had built my own family in the streets. So, their love didn’t have any effect on me – it was too
late.

In 2014 a friend of mine was attending Women In Charge, so I decided to go. I was always high, I smelled like marijuana. I had a lot of drama going on because I was dealing with several women. Due to those behaviors, I was kicked out by Vicki. I tried to convince Women In Charge to let me stay, but Vicki
asked me if I was smoking and I finally told the truth, that I was always high. It was my medication to cope with the daily stresses. I kind of lost hope because I thought I had a chance once I started school.

In 2016 I was in a stolen car with my partner joyriding around doing bad things. The police came down the street in the midst of it happening which led to a high speed chase and one of my friends got shot. I
ended up getting away, I was on the run for 2 months. On Sept. 27, 2016 I ended up getting
caught. I had to sit in the city jail, because I couldn’t make the $150,000 cash only bond. By the
grace of God the case got dismissed.

After 82 days in jail I went home. I had all these goals but I went back to doing all the things that I told myself I was not going to do, hang around with the wrong crowd of people. I had poor judgement of character.

In 2017 I was with a friend, we tried to rob a girl, she started screaming, she being hard headed. So I shot her. Then I was on the run because my friend told on me. I knew that I had messed up. It had gone too far but I just didn’t care, it’s like I was a different person. My intentions were always evil. I just gave up. I was depressed because I knew I would go to jail. I got caught May 19, 2018.

I got sentenced to 10 years, attempted first degree robbery, 2nd degree criminal action. I went to Chillicothe Correctional center. It was rough – after a year I requested to go into treatment because I knew it would give me time off from my sentence.

Once I started doing the program it really helped me. I had to talk about my feelings, how to take constructive criticism instead of self-medicating. I learned that everyone’s feelings were valid. I learned how to forgive and how to forgive myself, stop being so angry. Being locked up caused me to move
closer to God because I know I couldn’t make it through that situation alone. So I started a bible study with some of the girls I was locked up with It made me feel like I had support spiritually and I no longer struggled.

I was in prison for 4 years got out early for good behavior. I’ve been home since June 1st/ All my life I have heard that I have a calling; God has something special in store for me. I’ve overdosed before – I should be dead. I’ve had so many chances, God is with me every step of the way.

I lost a lot of my friends while I was locked up – it was a reality check for me. I’m still here for a reason. I want to live long enough to see the purpose for my life. If I go back to my old ways it will be a road to destruction.

I came back to Women In Charge because I was familiar with the program and I am determined to get my HiSET. I am very smart with a lot of potential. My manager at KFC just told me that my job will pay for college courses 100%. At Women In Charge I get love, comfort, and welcoming arms.

Learning Spanish

…over the Stove?

Sometimes fate just intervenes. While mingling at a party, Victoria Sharp had a conversation with Lassaad Jeliti about her struggles to connect Women In Charge with the immigrant community. The English Language program at Women In Charge was growing, but slowly.

Lassaad shared that he had been a non-English speaking immigrant from Tunisia, had ultimately learned English and now owns the restaurants Egg 1 and Egg 2 in St. Louis. Lassaad wanted to give his employees the opportunity to learn English, and asked if Women In Charge could provide English instruction for those who wanted it. And so a new direction began for Women In Charge.

Our teacher, Vinnie, had worked with immigrants before but found they usually went from job to job – as many as three per day– so felt they could not take time to attend formal classes. Vinnie asked whether she could go into the kitchen to teach, and Lassaad agreed. The employees are happy as they do not have to miss a chance to work, but do get to improve their English skills.

Now you’ll find Vinnie standing in the kitchen, working with her three students twice a week as they cook, wash dishes, or serve. Somehow it works!

Currently Women In Charge is in talks with other restaurants as well. The program will look different for every restaurant.

Meanwhile, Vicki also happened to meet Linda Fried, who was born in Ecuador and has been an active community volunteer. Not only has Linda become an ESL teacher for Women In Charge, but her community connections have led to her finding numerous other volunteer teachers. People looking for
meaningful volunteer work have proven to be a huge untapped resource for which we are grateful.

Women In Charge currently has English classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, two mornings per week, and Tuesday afternoons.

We still celebrate birthdays!

6930 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130

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