Hoyleton’s Ivonne Ogden Delivers Poignant Testimony During St. Louis’ Racial Equity Summit

The STL Racial Equity Summit: #Unflinching: A Call to Action, held Sept. 30, 2025, brought together regional stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to confront systemic racial inequities in the St. Louis area, including representatives from Hoyleton Youth & Family Services’ Puentes de Esperanza (Bridges of Hope). 

The STL Racial Equity Summit focused on three core goals: raising awareness of how race and ZIP code affect outcomes in education, housing, health, and other areas; deepening understanding of the root causes of inequity through shared stories and policy analysis; and mobilizing action — especially from local leaders of color — to build strategies and partnerships for lasting change. A Community Advisory Committee composed of 12 regional organizations helped shape the agenda, ensuring the Summit was grounded in lived experience and steeped in community wisdom.

Puentes de Esperanza Bilingual Community Programs Specialist Ivonne Ogden delivered a personal testimony during the event, which reflected the challenges faced by immigrant families in southern Illinois, but also—and more importantly —their resilience. Ogden was an undocumented child who crossed the Sonoran Desert with her family, and she grew up navigating fear, bullying, and limited opportunities. At the STL Racial Equity Summit, she stood not only as a speaker, but as a living example of how oppressive systems can be transformed when people are given voice, resources, and solidarity.

Puentes is a vital resource for immigrant families in the St. Louis community. The Puentes team meets Spanish speaking members of the community where they are and provides guidance, resources, and compassionate support to help these residents navigate the challenges of building a new life.

In her work at Hoyleton, Ogden channels her lived experience into advocacy and support for others facing those same struggles. Through services provided by Puentes de Esperanza, she connects immigrant families with essential resources—food security, housing support, legal aid, bilingual therapy, and access to healthcare—while also offering dignity and solidarity. Her words at the Summit underscored why this work matters: racial equity is not just about policy, but about ensuring safety, belonging, and opportunity for every family. 

In her own words, “Here’s the truth, friends, if we’re not safe, no one is safe. Your voice matters. Your actions matter. And together we can make our communities a better place for everyone.”

Watch Ivonne Ogden’s speech.