Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved animals. Five years ago, I discovered my passion in animal welfare after I moved to St. Louis and started volunteering with Gateway Pet Guardians. The first few years, I was completely devoted to the animals. I fostered, volunteered at the shelter, worked at adoption events. I tried my hand anywhere and everywhere within the organization—taking on leadership roles and contributing wherever the organization needed me most. But early on, I discovered the Community Outreach Program. And it didn’t take long for me to be hooked. My love for people grew to equal that love for animals, and I had found my home.
Through my work with the Outreach Program, I’ve gotten to know hundreds of people and families and pets in the Metro East community. East St. Louis is an underserved community, with 45.8% of residents living at the poverty level. It is what we call a ‘resource desert,’ with no veterinary clinics and few pet supply/grocery stores available to obtain pet food. Even if residents are financially able to care for their pets, there are few resources within the community they can rely on. As I got to know the community, I discovered an abundance of good people—compassionate people who love their pets, just needing a little bit of help to give them what they need.
Providing resources is the easy part. But changing minds—that’s the challenge. The families I work with love their pets, and given the resources they need, they take great care of them. But love looks different in every situation. Your definition of love is different than my definition of love—and also different than many of the situations we encounter in the community. Just because an animal lives outside, doesn’t mean it’s any less loved. That love just looks different. And I’ve made it my mission to help others see that love. To celebrate it. Because that love is ultimately keeping animals alive and out of area shelters, not to mention bringing love and joy to the families we work with.
And now, for my exciting announcement. I’m in love with the Metro East Community, and devote as much time, energy, and money as I possibly can to empower families to care for their pets. But now, I can do this full-time as an employee of Gateway Pet Guardians! Starting Monday, I will become their new Community Director, leading the Community Outreach Program and providing resources and support to residents in the Metro East. I’ll be developing and strengthening relationships with community and government leaders, maintaining and developing new programming, and most importantly—continuing to build on the incredible work we’ve already accomplished. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—where work meets passion meets play. I’m so thankful that at 29 years old, I’ve not only discovered something I care so deeply about, but am able to pursue it as a career.
Here’s to new adventures!