• Joe's Place

    Joe’s Place is an innovative idea born from a dramatic need in our community. On any given night in St. Louis, there are around 1,500 homeless teens. In the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District, there are at least 30 students each night who find themselves without a home due toDrawing of Joe's Place serious family difficulties. These students sleep and eat wherever friends will let them settle for a time.

    As the MRH School District struggles to find a safe haven for these youngsters, we find again and again that teens between the ages of 14 and 18 have few support nets in our social welfare system. Homeless teenagers are the invisible children in our society and are often skillful at masking their homelessness from adults.

    Joe’s Place tackles a complex problem with a straightforward approach: to collaborate as a community in providing a safe environment for some of our neediest teenagers, allowing them to pursue high school graduation.

    Through the dramatic collaboration of the MRH School District, Crossroads Presbyterian Church and other local churches, and a number of committed volunteers, the non-profit Joe’s Place was launched. The program offers a group of teenage boys what every kid should be able to expect from life: a warm place to sleep, regular meals, and someone to provide guidance and affection.

    No single entity within our community can take care of this issue alone. In fact, it is reasonable for us to shrug these students off as someone else’s problem. In the end, however, the quality of their lives affects the quality of ours.

    In 2012 the MRH School District was named one of three national grand prize winners in the American School Board Journal’s (ASBJ) and National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) 18th annual Magna Awards program for Joe’s Place.

    Angela and Brandon

    Joes’ Place is thrilled to welcome new House Parents, Angela and Brandon Marty to serve the critical role of guides and advocates for students living here starting in the fall of 2022. 

    Angela graduated from the University of Missouri St. Louis and St. Louis Community College and currently teaches 4th Grade in Clayton.  Beyond her job as an educator, she has a history of mission trips to Guatemala and coaching kids’ teams.  Her partner, Brandon Marty, is an IT professional with a background in educational technology.  Together, they hope to help kids throughout the year and support new developments at JP in both the program and the physical space.   

    Angela (AM): "We started in September. I’ve been in education for six years now but have also been working with kids in various roles my whole life. My aunt is on the board, and she reached out to us too."

    Brandon (BM): "I also used to work in IT for a school district. So, I’m also just used to the student environment and community effort." 

    AM: "We have a lot of support around here. It’s been really great to work with everyone from the school. Right now, we have two kids. Once the basement gets fixed up, we will have more opportunities for more students to be here. We’re anticipating that for next year. That’s the big focus right now." 

    BM: "And now Joe’s Place is working to update to open it up from boys to all young persons in need."

    AM: "Our dog, Oakley (a friendly, lean Siberian Husky), loves being here and he enjoys the backyard. Some of the boys in particular really love having him here too." 

     

     

     

     

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  • Spring 2023 Newsletter
     
     
     
     
    Here at Joe's place, I am given structure . . . . If I was not at Joe's Place I would not have food, stability, or accountability and it would be nearly impossible for me to succeed in school.
    Joe's Place Graduate, Class of 2020
     
    A Message from Board President
    Stacey Kelley


    Hello Joe’s Place Community,

    As I step into the role of board president, I want to thank Facundo Oyenard for serving as board president over the past year. Facundo’s passion for serving the MRH community, spreading the word about Joe’s Place across the community and strengthening the Joe’s Place alumni program have helped move the organization forward during a very challenging period.   

    When I joined the board in November of 2019, I couldn’t imagine the challenges and changes we would experience individually and as an organization. As we step into 2023 and reflect on the past year for Joe’s Place, it has been a year of renewed focus, re-building, and renewed engagement.  

    Renewed focus:  In the summer and fall of 2022, the board met in person to . . . CONTINUE READING
     
     
     
     
    Thank You Staff at Maplewood Mattress

    Anyone living with teenagers knows they can be tough on furniture, and replacing furniture can be costly. That's why we were especially grateful to John Schaffer and his staff at Maplewood Mattress. John donated two custom mattresses for the house. His generosity, like so many other local businesses and residents, keeps our life-changing program going. Thank you, John!
     
    Calling all House Painters

    Joe's Place prides itself on providing our residents with a safe home. Sometimes that means investing in the maintenance of the house. Right now, all the rooms inside the house need a fresh coat of paint. So if you enjoy painting, have been waiting for an opportunity to help our program, or have a connection with a paint store, then please send an email to joesplacestl@gmail.com or call 314-446-1776.

     
     
    Give STL Day Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary on May 10

    Please mark your calendars for this year's Give STL Day on Wednesday, May 10. In celebration of their tenth annual giving day, Give STL Day is adding ten extra hours of giving and more opportunities for nonprofits to win prizes - ending the event at 10 AM on May 11. As always, we appreciate your participation and support!
     
    Thank you to our ongoing supporters!

    Clifford Willard Gaylord Foundation
    Dana Brown Charitable Trust
    First Church of Christ Scientist
    First Unitarian Church of St. Louis
    Florence Heiman Charitable Trust
    Lesley McIntire Charitable Fund
    Maplewood Richmond Heights School District
    Maplewood United Methodist Church
    Margaret Mudd Fletcher Charitable Foundation
    Marian Foundation
    Old Newsboys Fund for Children
    Regional Business Council
    Saigh Foundation
    St. Louis Community Foundation
     
    Our Mission

    Joe’s Place offers unhoused students in the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District a caring home environment that supports them for high school graduation, self-sufficiency, and positive transitions into their adult lives.
    Click to Fund Their Futures
     
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    Our mailing address is:
    Joe's Place
    P.O. Box 434057
    Maplewood, MO 63143
    (314) 446-1776

    www.joesplacestl.org

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