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Our Staff
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Brother Leo Guerts, OFM
Executive Director
Bro. Leo began working here at the Franciscan Connection way back in 1992. His years of experience in business management and accounting have been a invaluable in tracking our emergency financial aid program. His training in pastoral studies makes him a "good listener" for clients who come in often distraught and in a panic about their situation. Bro. Leo was raised on the farms of northern Minnesota, and he still loves collecting tractors. |
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Brother Doug Collins, OFM
Associate Director
Bro. Doug is one of the newest members of the Sacred Heart Province, having just made his Solemn Vows last September. He hails from Cleveland, Ohio, but had lived in St. Louis for several years before entering the Order.
During his final year of formation, Bro. Doug worked here at the Franciscan Connection, helping Bro. Donald with the home repairs ministry. Over the last year, he lived at Cross in the Woods Shrine in northern Michigan where he assisted with the local food pantry and other outreach ministries to the poor.
Bro. Doug returns to help Bro. Leo with the emergency aid program, assisting low-income families with high utility bills. He also coordinated our recent Back-to-School Drive which equipped over 460 needy children with supplies and tools for the classroom. |
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Brother Donald Lachowicz, OFM
Home Maintenance Coordinator
Bro. Donald hails from the Back-of-the-Yards neighborhhood on the south side of Chicago. Though his background was originally in elementary education, he finds his new niche of doing home repairs very much a "teaching" experience for all our volunteers and family members. Bro. Donald enjoys live theatre and performs annually in the Little Flower Parish Theatre Group. |
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Bro. Benignus Scarry, OFM Cap
Senior Services Advocate
Bro. Benignus is a Capuchin friar from the Mid-America Province. Born in Pennsylvania, he was originally trained as a tailor. Having always enjoyed working with his hands, though,
he quickly got involved in maintenance of the friaries and schools where he was stationed. For the past 15 years,
Bro. "B" has been a construction manager for Habitat for Humanity in Lawrence, KS and then for the Family Center here in East St. Louis. As our new Senior Services Advocate, Bro. Benignus has helped us begin to tackle the long waiting list of repair projects for the widowed, home- bound or frail elderly of our neighborhood.
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Karen Schumacher
Home Maintenance Assistant
Karen hails from Cody, WY and is a recent graduate of the College of Mount St. Joseph.
As a member of the Gateway Vincentian Volunteers, Karen will spend the year here in St. Louis serving the poor. Her background in Interior Desigh has already come in handy on some of our home renovation projects.
She has jumped right in with building porches, unclogging sewer lines, running electrical circuits, and patching roofs.
At the same time, she helps in the FC office with everything from updating our resource directory to drafting grant proposals. |
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