- August 6, 2019 Social Justice
By Sarah Baker, Communications Specialist
On July 1, the first house blessing of the St. Joseph Housing Initiative (SJHI) was celebrated in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis. With the collaboration and hard work of organizations and volunteers, the Estrada-Mendoza Family of six moved into a place to call home.
"Everything is so exciting!" exclaims S. Mary Ann Nestel, SHJI board chair. "Everything just seems to be falling into place."
The St. Joseph Housing Initiative is a non-profit, faith-based organization created through a collaboration between Archbishop Robert Carlson, the Incarnate Word Foundation, St. Mary’s High School and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
The program’s mission is to create vibrant communities where low and moderate income families can thrive, prosper and build wealth through homeownership. The initial focus area is centered around St. Mary’s High School in the Carondelet and Dutchtown neighborhoods of south St. Louis city.
In January, this first house was purchased from the Schaper family who lived there for many years. When it was time to sell their family home, the Schapers heard about SJHI and reached out to them.
Soon after, renovations and construction began with the hard work and dedication of several volunteers from St. Mary’s, St. Louis University Transitional Workforce Academy, Fontbonne University and Wall Flower Design, along with many more individuals from throughout the area.
"We're collaborating with so many different groups," says S. Mary Ann. "I thing that's one of our big joys. People have just come out of the woodwork."
SJHI is currently working on their second home just a few blocks away from the motherhouse.
"We hope to possibly have two or three homes on that same block," says S. Mary Ann. "Our goal is really to make an impact on a block that needs some tender love and care."