Beyond Housing

09/03/2026

A monthly gift may feel modest. Its impact doesn’t stay that way.

Ann Mandelstamm understood the power of giving consistently. Throughout her teaching career and retirement, she supported the causes she believed in with small monthly donations—including Beyond Housing for more than a decade.

The Ann Mandelstamm Monthly Giving Society honors her belief that when many people give what they can, month after month, it adds up to something meaningful.

Join us. Be like Ann: https://beyondhousing.org/ann/

09/01/2026

“We’re often speaking with people on the worst day of their lives, when they don’t know what to do.”

For Servpro Team Chestnas, those first conversations begin with listening. The family-owned SERVPRO team asks about each customer’s biggest concerns—and makes those concerns its priorities.

That commitment to meeting people where they are and helping them move forward is also what drew Jeff, Sandy and Kurt Chestnas to Beyond Housing’s new Community Chamber: a network of businesses working together to strengthen both their companies and the communities they serve.

Read how Team Chestnas found a shared purpose in the Community Chamber:

How SERVPRO – Team Chestnas found a shared purpose in Beyond Housing’s Community Chamber

08/27/2026

Kendra Holmes, President and CEO of Affinia Healthcare, has spent her career working to improve health outcomes across our region. But in this edition of Dear Lou, she reminds us that health is only part of a much bigger picture.

Education. Economic opportunity. Healthcare.

They all shape one another—and when more people have the opportunity to thrive, our entire region is stronger. Her Dear Lou message feels every bit as relevant today.

Watch below. Kendra's full letter is in the comments.

08/25/2026

“You can’t separate North County from the rest of the region. We are many neighborhoods, but one region.”

Midwest BankCentre Chairman and CEO Orv Kimbrough believes financial institutions are strongest when the communities they serve are strong, too.

In our conversation, he reflects on impact banking, human potential and why investing in North County creates greater prosperity for the entire St. Louis region.

Read “Investing in Possibility”:

Orv Kimbrough on impact banking, human potential, and regional prosperity.

08/20/2026

As students across the region begin a new school year, Lauren Bowers’ story feels worth revisiting.

Her path from Normandy High School to earning a law degree wasn’t always a straight line. But she kept going—and this spring, she returned to Beyond Housing to encourage the next generation of Viking Advantage graduates to do the same.

A new school year begins with possibility. Lauren’s story reminds us how far that possibility can lead.

Read her story:

Standing before a gymnasium filled with graduating Normandy High School seniors and their families, Lauren Bowers had a simple message to share: Success isn't always a straight line. It's a lesson she knows firsthand.

08/18/2026

This is an important moment in the evolution of Beyond Housing.

Our latest State of the Community explores the new Family Cohort—a bold next step designed to help more families achieve greater economic mobility through personalized support, deeper partnership, and long-term commitment.

The Family Cohort builds on more than 50 years of learning and is an exciting addition to Beyond Housing's broader strategy to create stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger St. Louis.

Read Part Two: https://ow.ly/H94w50ZB2LF

08/13/2026

“This is the Story of Good and what a little good can do.”

Watch our 50th Anniversary video to learn about the spirit that has guided our organization from the beginning.

08/11/2026

At first glance, The Verity Partners Group is a commercial cleaning company.

Look closer, and you'll find a company focused on something much bigger: developing people, building trusted partnerships, and leaving communities stronger than they found them.

It's a philosophy that made Verity a natural fit for Beyond Housing's Community Chamber.

Read their story:

The newly established Beyond Housing Community Chamber is an innovative network of trusted partners from the trades and related industries who share a deep commitment to community, service and collaboration. Together, these companies are building a network that strengthens businesses by strengthenin...

08/06/2026

Amy Ruebsam of ACG believes St. Louis has everything it needs to succeed—talented people, strong institutions, and a community that cares deeply about its future.

But she also believes lasting change will require something more: greater collaboration, new voices, and a shared commitment to moving our region forward together.

Her “Dear Lou” message feels just as timely today. Watch below and read Amy's full letter in the comments.

08/04/2026

In case you missed it, this moment is worth another look.

Tyresha Gaten and her son Josh joined Jayson Tatum on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle to share their journey to homeownership—and the joy of finally having a place to call their own.

Beyond Housing was proud to be part of that journey. Through our Homebuyer Education Program and down payment assistance made possible by St. Louis County, we helped Tyresha prepare for and take the steps toward purchasing her home.

Together with The Jayson Tatum Foundation, SoFi, St. Louis County, and other partners, we’re creating more pathways to homeownership for families across the St. Louis region.
Watch their story:

NBA champion Jayson Tatum created the Jayson Tatum Foundation to help St. Louis residents find stability and community in his hometown. Sitting down with TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones, Tatum is surprised by two recipients of his foundation’s generosity, a single mom named Tyresha ...