I am so excited to introduce you to four people I got to capture this week for #STLMade and #314day but first let’s explore what #314Day is! Of course, it’s March 14th but in St. Louis it’s become a day of highlighting local businesses, talent and people. You can find discounts online from so many small businesses as well as in stores, restaurants and other places around town.

The way I decided to interpret #314Day was to capture 4 small business owners or nonprofit directors and then highlight them here and on social media. I gifted them a headshot session for just $3.14 (normal cost is $100) because it can be hard to invest in yourself so I wanted to make it easy. This is something I am considering doing on an on-going basis as a way to give back to the small business community here (I will share more details soon).

SO – without further ado please let me introduce 4 people doing great things in St. Louis to you!

Meet – Kate McKearn:

I am proud to be #STLMade. Almost five years ago, I returned to my hometown to teach in St. Louis Public Schools. During my tenure at SLPS, one student in particular changed my life. I could see that he was struggling both academically and emotionally, but I also noticed that he was squinting to see the board, so I worked to get him a pair of glasses. To say a simple thing like a pair of glasses changed his life is an understatement. By the end of the school year, he went from a third grade reading level to a sixth grade reading level, was off of his ADHD medication and won an award for most improved behavior. This experience inspired my career change, after twelve years in the classroom, I made the decision to transition into a role that would allow me to help even more kids. It’s been my privilege to lead the Eye Thrive team in dispensing more than 15,000 pairs of free prescription glasses to kids throughout the STL metro in the last four years. I’m so proud of the work we do, and the best part is that I still get to visit my former student during his annual exam on-board our Mobile Vision Clinic – and yes, he’s still reading above grade level!

Eye Thrive has a singular focus.  To help kids see.  Our Mobile Vision Clinic eliminates the barriers of access, transportation and expense that often impede the ability of families facing adversity to receive even basic health services. We travel directly to schools and provide children with their eye exam and prescription glasses in about thirty minutes, with minimal disruption of the school day. But our mission, which is to ensure no child in our community fails to thrive simply because his or her family cannot afford glasses, goes far beyond reading an eye chart. We empower children, instilling pride and confidence they need to truly thrive – all with the simplest of tools – a pair of glasses.

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MEET Bishop Michael L. Robinson

Bishop Dr. Michael L. Robinson, affectionately known as “Pastor Mike” and “Bishop Mike” is a global servant leader whose life has been dedicated to serving the least, lost and less fortunate. Using creative and relevant means, he brings awareness of social, political, and economic ills that plague the nations. Michael is a kind and compassionate individual who has the ability to move individuals from deep places of despair to their God-ordained destiny. He is constantly searching for new opportunities to serve the nations.

City Hope STL provides immediate shelter for individuals in the Saint Louis Metropolitan Region experiencing homelessness, or at risk of being homeless, during the winter season.

4371 Cook Avenue (Cook Ave. and Newstead Ave.)

5631 Wells Avenue (Willing Workers Church, Wells Ave, west of Clara)

351 Chambers Road (Not open at this time)

1444 Goodfellow Avenue ( Open Wed, Thur, Fri and Sat)

In addition to shelter, we also address other aspects of immediate and some long-term needs possibly identified as the case manager oversees the intake and assessment process. The assessment seeks to identify potential situations or challenges which might be remediated in the individual’s best interest, such as medical conditions or social service needs. The staff case manager we will also be supported by members from various housing/social service agencies that will visit and meet with community members. Our goal is to have the necessary resources present in the shelter so that they could possibly end the cycle of homelessness within their family.We also invite community service agencies to help address some of the specialized needs of those that we will be serving, including mental health professionals, substance abuse counseling, medical professionals, employment recruiting officers, and financial banking representatives.

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MEET Megan Sanders:

I often refer to myself as a “difference maker“. More than just a physical therapist, more than Massage Therapist, I’m a person that wants to stand next to another human being and affect change in their life. If I can offer them just the slightest insight to their body how it moves and how it reacts to daily stressors of life or trauma and if I can remove some of those factors , I’ve given them the greatest gift, which is hope. I’m not trying to be the entire difference, just a catalyst. I truly believe that once people experience hope for less pain, hope for easier mobility ,or hope for a better life then they will reach out and choose it for themselves. And that’s why am here. That’s why SubZero Wellness exists.

Subzero wellness was created with the intent to give the residents in St. Louis city and option besides traditional healthcare. Not in replacement of, but rather to walk alongside to minimize the use of prescription drugs and need for surgery. I wanted the people in my city to have access to the same cutting edge modalities they offer in California, New York ,Chicago etc. right here at home. We couple of the use of whole body cryotherapy, stretching, Massage, and Norma tech compression all to decrease inflammation, increased circulation which will allow for improved healing from injuries or recovery from every day training. The intent is to help us focus on the things we can change and control in our every day lives. It’s truly my goal to walk alongside people in their journey to wellness to help them problem solve their own health and refer to other amazing practitioners outside my scope of practice. We couple of the use of whole body cryotherapy, stretching, massage, and Norma tech compression all to decrease inflammation, increased circulation which will allow for improved healing from injuries or recovery from every day training. The intent is to help us focus on the things we can’t change and control in our every day lives. It’s truly my goal to walk alongside people in their journey to wellness to help them problem solve their own health and refer to other amazing practitioners outside my scope of practice. I’m all for a healthier STL!

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MEET Amanda Doyle:

I always call myself a St. Louis writer and civic champion; as a transplant, I’ve had to put some time and energy into figuring out this town, and I’m endlessly interested by its neighborhoods, its people, its hidden gems, and even its clear shortcomings. Now, two decades, several day jobs, two kids, and three mortgages in, I still find more to do and think about than I’ll ever get to. This is a place where you can know and be known, and where you can still make a difference and a splash with good ideas and willing hands. I love that!

My books and other writing about St. Louis highlights the off-the-beaten-path as well as the obvious: from neighborhood hangouts and insider tips to peeks into the history that help explain how we got to be who and what we are, I hope what I share gives people both an appreciation for what we have and a drive to keep making us better. I write books so that I can get out and talk with people about what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s next in St. Louis.