By Wendy Todd, Grants Writer, SVdP Archdiocesan Council of St. Louis
May 16, 2025 began as a bright and sunny day, but at 2:39 that afternoon, everything changed.
A tornado darkened the skies and tore through parts of St. Louis, damaging over 5,000 homes. Five people were killed. North St. Louis, an area that has historically been underserved and overburdened, was hit the hardest. It only took 27 minutes to change people’s lives forever.
Through meetings with a collective of nonprofits, Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in St. Louis learned of 18 senior citizens who had lost their homes and all their belongings. Julie Komanetsky, interim executive director, and Varietta Anthony, who is the neighbor advocate and Vincentian support associate, helmed the efforts to assist the north St. Louis residents in securing transitional housing and recuperating.
With financial support from the Sisters of Charity, SVdP St. Louis was able to rent a floor from Peter and Paul Community Services and provide the group temporary housing. Each was able to move into their own room with a bathroom and receive three meals a day. They were also given clothing and personal items. The floor was named Vincentian Haven.
SVdP St. Louis, in collaboration with Housing Options Provided for the Elderly (HOPE) St. Louis, assisted the residents of Vincentian Haven with finding new homes and providing move-in deposits and some furnishings.
The group was extremely grateful to receive this act of life-saving kindness. It provided Arlee Hayes Jr. much needed stability in his time of crisis.
After his home of 16 years at the Roosevelt Apartments was destroyed, Hayes Jr. also known as “Butch,” stayed in a shelter and slept on an old Army cot. When he learned he’d be transferred to Peter and Paul Community Services, he was thrilled at the opportunity to have his own room and comfortable bed.
“The transition wasn’t easy, but thanks to the compassionate support of staff members Julie Komanetsky and Varietta Anthony, the process was made smoother,” Hayes Jr. said.
Komanetsky understood the impact of the temporary accommodation and what it meant to the group to feel cared for and protected. All but three of the residents have found new homes. The remaining guests will be relocated soon.
“Done in the spirit of our three essential elements – friendship, service, and spirituality – Vincentian Haven offered safety, comfort, and time for survivors to regroup and find their next home.”
In support of Vincentian Haven and the Archdiocesan Council of St. Louis, SVdP’s National Council and Disaster Services Corporation have awarded $20,000 to SVdP St. Louis to continue to support our neighbors in need with housing and other disaster-related initiatives.
