Our 2022 Gift Wrapping Party was a huge success, thanks to 23 of Santa's finest elves who showed up to help. They were amazing! In under 90 minutes they wrapped and trimmed 268 gifts before sitting down to enjoy lunch. We're also grateful to everyone who donated games, puzzles, activity books, gift cards and cash! Because of your generosity and kindness,134 children at the City and County detention centers and the Division of Youth Services facilities will have a gift to open during the holidays. ECM Chaplains tell the kids that the gifts are from people who care, because each of them is so much more than their worst mistake. Thank you to the 8 congregations who sent donations: St. Timothy's Creve Coeur St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Carondelet - St. Louis St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville, Mo. Episcopal Church of All Saints and Ascension Emmanuel Episcopal Church-Webster Groves St. Francis Episcopal Church The Church of St. Michael & St. George Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, with special thanks to Emmanuel Church and staff for their hospitality. If you weren't able to participate and would like to make a donation, just visit ecitymission.org.
#DioMO #STLjuvenilejustice #EpiscopalCityMission, #hopeandhealing #juvenilejustice #youthatrisk #joyatChristmas #ChristmasGiving

ECM's chaplains are unique in that they work with children in detention, but like the chaplains mentioned in this article, they also, "offer a listening ear..." and, “validate what a person is feeling and give them some sense of hope or stability in the midst of chaotic times.” Thanks be to God for our chaplains Clive E. Ponnuraj, Deborah Burris, Norman Malloyd and Kevin Aldridge!

We honored and thanked the Detention Center Staff for their hard work and dedication to the care and safety of the children we serve. The kids are in crisis, with many challenges, and the staff have a difficult job. We treated them with snacks to show our appreciation for them and the work they do and to wish them a happy Thanksgiving.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1-3)
We give thanks to the Lord for ALL of you who bless our ministry with the youth in the Juvenile Justice System. We are especially grateful for The Rev. Tamsen Whistler and all our friends at Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles for blessing the 90+ children in detention with hand-decorated Thanksgiving Goody Bags. Happy Thanksgiving! Truly we are blessed!
#DioMO #STLjuvenilejustice #EpiscopalCityMission #hopeandhealing #juvenilejustice #youthatrisk

We're grateful year round for our faithful volunteers and congregations who host monthly birthday celebrations for the kids at St. Louis City and County Juvenile Detention Centers. As we approach Thanksgiving, we give thanks for Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion and St. John's, Tower Grove for hosting the November celebrations. We know the kids are thankful, too!
#DioMO #STLjuvenilejustice #EpiscopalCityMission #hopeandhealing #juvenilejustice #youthatrisk