About Us
Our History
Since its inception in 2019, St. Joseph Housing Initiative (SJHI) has had one primary goal: helping homeownership happen for moderate- and low-income residents in St. Louis City.
The Ferguson Commission confirmed alarming statistics about poverty and systemic racial injustices in our St. Louis Area, particularly regarding homeownership. Inspired by a desire to acknowledge and address these inequities and led by their faith and commitment to social justice, local leaders Bridget Flood, Executive director of the Incarnate Word Foundation and Mike England, President of St. Mary’s High School approached Archbishop Robert Carlson with a vision and a plan of action. Through their efforts and the work of many others, SJHI was formed.
As of 2024, more than a dozen families now live in SJHI homes, and we’ve since expanded our reach from Dutchtown and Carondelet, to also include homes in Baden in north city. Over 80% of the houses renovated by SJHI were vacancies prior to their renovation. In transforming these problem properties into owner-occupied homes, SJHI fulfills a second goal of creating vibrant communities. All this work is made possible through robust community partnerships, fueled by generous funders and donors, and supported by the dedicated service of SJHI volunteers.
Our Neighborhoods
Dutchtown & Carondelet
Baden
Our Team
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christy McCutcheon
Christy joined SJHI in 2021 as Director of Development and in September of 2024 assumed the role of Executive Director. Prior to SJHI, she has worked in not-for-profit fundraising for 30 years, most recently at the St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired as the Director of Development and Communications. She has experience in many aspects of development including annual and major gifts, grant writing, and events. Christy is a graduate of the 2022-2023 Class of Focus St. Louis’s Leadership St. Louis program, has an undergraduate degree from Stephens College in Columbia MO, and a Masters Degree from Lindenwood University. As a native St. Louisan, Christy is committed to this community and the people in it and inspired by St. Joseph’s mission to create vibrant communities and help families thrive, prosper, and build equity through home ownership.
OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER
Annie Purcell
Annie has been with St. Joseph Housing Initiative since 2019 and has enjoyed establishing and managing SJHI’s volunteer program as well as overseeing SJHI’s outreach, social media and communications. A graduate of Fordham University at Lincoln Center with a B.A. in Performance and an MFA from New York University, Annie worked as a professional actor for many years on Broadway and in regional theater, prior to her return to her beloved hometown of St. Louis City with her husband and young daughter. A storyteller and team player, Annie is proud to be a part of this wonderful team and help share the stories and work of this organization.
PROJECT MANAGER
David Rosen McGinnis
REAL ESTATE CONSULTANT
Stephanie Noecker
Our Leadership
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jesse Wise, Chair
Vice President - Corporate CRA Officer for Parkside Financial Bank and Trust
David Dodson, Treasurer
CEO of Bywater Development Group
Erika Ebsworth-Goold
Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, University Marketing & Communications Washington University in St. Louis
Michael F. England
President, St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School
Bridget Flood
Executive Director, Incarnate Word Foundation
Mildred Galvin
Senior HR Business Partner, Talent Development at FleishmanHillard
Will Hartzler
Wealth Management Advisor
U.S. Bank Wealth Management
Lucy McCalpin
Social Worker
Evelyn (Sunny) Sims
Attorney, Wasinger Daming
“Home is not just a building, it’s a safe place for family and community, a place where people gather and make memories as they come together to build community. As a board member, I try to keep this front of mind because what we are doing is so much more important than just affordable housing. It may not be easy, or cheap, but the work we are doing is making a long lasting impact in the community and for these families.”
– Jesse Wise, Board Chair, SJHI