Our Mission, History and Vision
St. John Center is on a mission to help people experiencing homelessness address the barriers to housing and self-sufficiency so they can leave homelessness for good.
With the support of this community, we’ve been providing resources and services for those experiencing homelessness in the Louisville area since 1986. We are located in a former Catholic church built in the 1850s as a safe haven for immigrants. Today, our staff and volunteers carry on that welcoming spirit to provide refuge to some of our community’s most vulnerable people.
Our vision is a city where all people experiencing homelessness have the resources and support they need to leave homelessness for good.
Join us and become part of the place where those who are on the streets seek help, find hope, and move home by applying to volunteer or supporting our mission.
Our Values
Dignity
We believe in the dignity of every human being. We strive to call each person by name. We recognize that homeless individuals have experienced a high level of trauma, so we strive to be a refuge and a safe haven.
Usefulness
We strive to be useful space, providing the best possible opportunities for those experiencing homelessness to continue their path toward greater self-sufficiency.
Volunteers
Volunteers are valued as an integral part of St. John Center’s mission.
Partnerships
We value partnerships with other agencies in order to be useful to clients and resourceful with limited space and funds.
Learning
We strive to foster a workplace that supports continuous learning, applying new skills, research, and evidence-based practices to our work.
Housing as a Right
We believe housing is a right.
Advocacy
We operate with the understanding that people rarely become homeless because of just one issue or incident, but rather people become homeless because of both personal circumstances and systemic issues. We take seriously our role as advocates for the homeless and embrace opportunities to educate the community about the causes of, and solutions to, homelessness.
Meet the Team
Street Outreach
T.J. Martin
Outreach Manager
Carrie Dorton
Lead Peer Outreach Worker
Robert Sutton
Peer Support Outreach Worker
Vernon Nixon
Outreach Worker
Brian McAdams
Outreach Worker
Rebecca Sanders
Outreach Worker
Day Shelter and Social Services Center
Cortney Foster
Day Shelter Manager
Wright Gordon
Safety and Services Manager
Shannon Frey
Volunteer Coordinator
Keesha Gardner
Employment Specialist
Tom Parmenter
Housing Counselor
Elgin Bullock
Safety and Services Aide
Robin Harrod
Shelter Case Manager
Ella Franklin
PRN Safety and Services Aide
Hailey Culp
Safety and Services Aide
Permanent Supportive Housing
Sarah Buckler
Supportive Housing Manager
Amanda Hay
Housing Case Manager
James Alexander
Housing Case Manager
Laura Farkas-Bowser
Housing Case Manager
Whit Stodghill
Housing Case Manager
Ronda Maddox
Housing Case Manager
Kevin Stallard
Housing Peer Specialist, AmeriCorps
Building Services
Decorick Curry
Custodian
Administrative
Board of Directors
Anne-Britton Arnett
VP, Information Mgt and Analytics, Humana
Chair
Julie Boatright
Chief of Staff, Central Division, Humana
Vice Chair
Mark Metcalf
CPA, Mariner Wealth Advisors
Treasurer
Danielle Wakaba
Assessor, Seven Counties Services
Secretary
Russell Smith
Realtor, Kentucky Select Properties
Immediate Past Chair
Tomas Aguilera
Construction Management Consultant
Jessica Bartell
VP, Provider Relations, OptumRX
Thomas Bell
IT, Papa John’s
Susanne Binford
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
John Desmarais
Senior Director, Natl. Accounts, GE Appliances
Kevin Dunlap
Executive Director, REBOUND, Inc.
Gabe Fritz
Director of Development, Winterford Development
Ricardo Goodin
Case Manager, Phoenix Health Center
Andy Kaelin
Loan Review Officer II, Republic Bank
Whitney King
Community Home Lending Advisor, Chase Bank
Don Kavanaugh
Retired; IT volunteer
Phani Konduru
Vice President and Chief Enterprise Architect, Humana
Amanda Loehle
Relationship Manager, number8
Brian Mangan
Manager, Care Mgt & Clinical Effectiveness, Norton
Healthcare
Kevin Manring
Building Inspector, Louisville Metro Government
Smith Rodes
Housing Development Researcher
Brandon Rodgers
Senior Analyst, Retail Operations, Constellation Energy
Tom Simms
Attorney, English Law Office
Roy Welch
Attorney, Welch Law Office
Aaron Watt
Assoc VP Risk Management, Humana
Lauren Wernert
Assessor, Seven Counties Services
Keep in Touch With St. John Center
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