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2024 in Review

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3,505 individuals assisted

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2,696 birth certificates

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2,295 Missouri photo IDs

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2024 in Review - 3,505 individuals assisted - 2,696 birth certificates - 2,295 Missouri photo IDs -

Photos by Colleen O’Connell Smyth of C. Smyth Photography

Our Story

 

The St. Francis Xavier College Church ID and Birth Certificate Outreach Program was founded in 1993 after the parish recognized the need in our community for support with obtaining these vital documents for access to jobs, housing, health care, and more. Many people experience barriers to identification like covering the cost, identifying and locating the necessary underlying documents, understanding the often complicated process, and getting to the appropriate offices. Our program volunteers meet with community members each week to overcome these barriers and provide payment for the needed documents.

Over the years we have also recognized patterns in the experiences of our program guests, which have led us to build greater awareness of the systemic barriers to identification faced by Missourians. This recognition led to the founding of the Missouri State ID Access Coalition in 2019, a statewide coalition committed to eliminating structural barriers to identification. Since forming the ID Access Coalition, we have trained organizations across the state on how to offer ID and birth certificate programming, advocated for more equitable identification policies in Missouri, and built awareness about this important and often overlooked barrier. We ultimately envision a Missouri where everyone has access to the vital documents they need to thrive!

 

Photo by Colleen O’Connell Smyth of C. Smyth Photography

 
 

Meet The Team: Outreach Program Staff

Cynthia Enghauser, Director of Social Ministry

cynthia@sfxstl.org, (314) 977-7309

Cynthia is originally from Dayton, Ohio, but has called St. Louis home for more than 15 years. She is delighted to return to St. Francis Xavier College Church, having previously worked as the Outreach Coordinator for the ID and Birth Certificate program. 

Cynthia obtained a Master of Social Work degree from St. Louis University and a Master of Theology and Ministry from Boston College. She has worked in the fields of ministry and social work for almost 20 years. Cynthia has prior social work experience with grief/bereavement work and mental health therapy with children and adolescents. Her prior ministry experience includes college campus ministry at SLU, WashU, Boston College, and the University of Toledo. 

When not writing about herself in the third person, Cynthia enjoys coffee, reading, and spending time in Tower Grove Park with family and friends. 

Charlan Williams-Moore, OUtreach Coordinator

outreach@sfxstl.org, (314) 977-7311

Charlan is a purpose-driven leader with over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, program development, and community engagement. Charlan is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work with a clinical focus, further equipping her to support the St. Louis community with trauma-informed care that’s both strategic and deeply human. As a proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University, she lives by the motto: “Find a way or make one.” That spirit of resilience and determination guides her work and her walk with God—whether she is leading, learning, or simply enjoying time with family, creating memories that matter.

Madeleine Newman, Social Work PRacticum Student

Madeleine@sfxstl.org

Madeleine is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is a current student at the SLU School of Social Work. She is very passionate about social justice, mental health awareness, and providing service for others. Being involved in non-profit work, the SLU Social Work Association, and her work experience at a social services agency in Milwaukee has shown Madeleine that social work is the right career for her. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her pets. She is looking forward to getting field experience and getting involved in the St. Louis community.