Stable housing opens door for Ronald to reunite with his children
“Every day is not going to rain. The sun’s going to come out sooner or later.”
Ronald and his 15-year-old daughter, Ronnaeja, enjoy writing inspirational quotes like this. They tape them on a wall inside their room in the transitional shelter at our Domestic Violence Program.
The words are powerful reminders of the life ahead. Not a perfect life, but a better life to come. It’s not always been an easy road for Ronald, who also has a 14-year-old son, Ronald II.
At 6 foot and 3 inches tall, Ronald can come across as intimidating, though he’s a gentle giant.
“People don’t really know what I’ve been through,” said Ronald, who is 36 years old. “I have my own trauma too. The hardest thing I’ve been through is not wanting to live, but now, I’ve got a reason to live. I know the mission. It’s my kids and grandkids and people I love, to put them in a position where they don’t have to go through the same struggles our generation did.”
Ronald grew up in his grandmother’s home with one of his siblings on the west end of Louisville. While his mom struggled with substance use, his father
sold drugs and was in and out of prison.
As a senior, Ronald dropped out of Seneca High School with only four credits left because of a job offer to make money under the table.
Unfortunately, the promise didn’t last long, and he has been in and out of seasonal work. As a young adult, he sometimes learned the hard way.
In 2021, Ronald lost his mother and grandmother.
“For the past five years, it’s been kind of hectic and dark,” Ronald added.
Last spring, Ronald’s teenage children were involved in a domestic violence situation with their mom’s boyfriend. He gained temporary custody. Though Ronald was living with his sister, things went south and they moved out.
As experiencing homelessness often does, it breaks up the family. Ronald couldn’t see his children because he didn’t have stable housing. His daughter moved back in with her mom, while Ronald and his son slept on the streets at times. The local shelter he was able to get into wouldn’t allow his son to stay with him.
Last October, Ronald became a resident of our Domestic Violence Program. The housing stability has allowed for him and his children to reunite.
“It has been nice,” he said. “They’ve been with me. It gives me a preview of what it’s going to be.”
Lately, Ronald and his children have enjoyed riding electric scooters together around the city.
“This place allows you to concentrate on your goals and your future,” Ronald said.
Ronald earned his high school diploma and graduated from Goodwill’s RISE Program, which is a two-month job-readiness training program empowering individuals who have multiple barriers to obtain gainful employment.
“St. Vincent de Paul has been great. If a person understands what SVDP provides, it’s an opportunity to get yourself together mentally, physically, or financially. You don’t really need for anything while you’re there. Food is provided. A bed is provided. Your own room is provided. You want to wash yourself? That’s provided. You want to use the restroom? That’s provided. You want to wash your clothes? That’s provided.”
With help from our housing department, Ronald and his children are close to moving into a three-bedroom apartment. This is second component of our Domestic Violence Program, where families can receive up to 12 months of rental assistance in a scattered-site unit.
“I’ll be moving onto the next chapter,” he said. “I’ve never had my own place. It’s exciting, a little scary, but I can breathe a little bit. I’ve been looking for stability for a long time.”
Ronald wants to enroll in trade school to become an electrician.
Another affirmational quote Ronald and his daughter wrote is, “Just because you failed at something doesn’t mean you’re not good at it. It just means you try again or try it a different way.”
Like many of us, Ronald has fallen down. But, he’s gotten right back up and is moving forward with his life.
The Good Samaritan
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Tony Nochim Communications & Public Relations Coordinator
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Community Corner: ChooseWell partnership offers
As someone who experienced homelessness and lost her children, Hannah Cotton would come to the Open Hand Kitchen for a warm meal. Now, she’s on the other side of the serving line.
“I absolutely love being able to interact more with the people, cooking food, and seeing them happy when they get it. It brings me joy. It reminds me where I was at a couple of years,” said Cotton, who interns in our Feeding Programs.
Since August 2025, SVDP has collaborated with ChooseWell Communities as a partner in its KYNSHIP WORKS program. Through this partnership, we employ program participants in shortterm internships across our organization.
“The partnership between ChooseWell and St. Vincent de Paul represents what workforce development should look like. It is intentional, supportive, and rooted in real opportunity,” said Stephen Bernard, ChooseWell Workforce Development
Manager. “For many of the men and women we serve, this internship is more than temporary employment—it is often the first real step toward stability, purpose, and a future they can build for both themselves and their families.”
ChooseWell’s mission is to create a community that equips families in recovery with children under the age of five to choose well for their futures. ChooseWell offers the resources and tools necessary to reintegrate into society and become better parents.
The internship really feels like the best opportunity to get their foot back in the working world. It’s awesome to see their confidence grow, that they can do these things. Our partnership with St. Vincent de Paul has been great and gives our interns another chance to succeed. Honestly, I was familiar with SVDP and some of the things that they did, but I was unaware of how much SVDP does for the community. It takes a lot of folks to coordinate those services.
—Dewey Olivieri,
ChooseWell Intern Coordinator
ChooseWell interns work at SVDP four days a week for typically three months.
Allison Skinner, Administration Building
When Skinner experienced homelessness as a young mom of a two-month-old, she lived in a permanent supportive
St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
offers second chance for mothers with young children
housing unit on our Special Works Campus from 2016-2018.
“It’s kind of a full circle for me,”
Skinner said. “I’m not directly working with clients, but I am still at St. Vincent de Paul and that means a lot to me … I just really love this organization and they’ve stuck with me.”
Skinner, who has four children, works at the front desk in our Administration Building.
“I love it,” Skinner added. “It’s been great so far and very easy to understand everything. Everyone is super sweet and respectful. I’m learning more office-type work, things that I’ve never done before, so I enjoy it a lot.”
Amber Heflin, SVDP Drop-In Center
The SVDP Drop-In Center, which opened last December in the Family Success Center, is a safe space to help adults navigate barriers to obtaining housing and employment. Guests have access to computers, free internet, and free charging stations.
“It’s been awesome since day one, open arms from everybody, whether staff or people who come to the SVDP Drop-In Center,” Heflin added. “It’s a safe place. I just love being a part of our community, and I’ve been there and done that, so now being a part of the solution is the best.”
Heflin, who has six children and currently custody of three of them, was recently hired as the SVDP Drop-In Center’s Resource Navigator, where she will help connect adults to resources in the community.
“God’s had His hand on me for this,” Heflin added. “I love meeting people where they’re at, and St. Vincent de Paul definitely does that. SVDP has been around for more than 170 years. It’s consistency and people can count on you all.”
Chelsea Horton, Domestic Violence Program
With a year and a half of sobriety, Horton works in our Domestic Violence’s transitional shelter, which serves up to 37 women, children, or men. Horton, who has one daughter, ensures residents are safe and secure upon entrance or departure of the facility.
She has held classes for residents with topics on how to rebuild your life and parenting.
“I think St. Vincent de Paul is a really good resource in the community,” Horton said.
UPCOMING EVENTS at ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LOUISVILLE
Louisville Visual Art Free Public Art Reception
Monday, June 1, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Open Hand Kitchen
Our thanks to Louisville Metro Government for their support
June Podcast
Carey Addison, Family Health Centers-Phoenix
In our 50 th episode, Carey shares his extensive experience in homeless services, housing policy, and more. >>> www.svdplou.org/svdp-podcast
Stock the Shelves or Shelters
The need is year-round. Whether you would like to purchase non-perishable items for our Food Pantry, or support those in our housing programs with bedding or basic personal care items, your partnership is vital to serve those in need. >>> www.svdplou.org/ >>> “Get Involved”
Jim Carrico's legacy lives on at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Carrico, whose life was defined by service to those in need. Jim passed away at the age of 84 on April 2, 2026.
A longtime supporter of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, Jim served on our board from 2005 to 2023 and as Board Chair from 2011 to 2016. He was on the Thrift Stores and Finance Committees, as well as an attendee at fundraising events. Jim’s friendly face and warm smile to our staff, volunteers, and clients will be missed.
“Jim was very kind and thoughtful,” said Pat Carrico, his wife of 61 years. “He loved St. Vincent de Paul, and cherished the time he was there. It kept him busy and he really enjoyed it. We always went together
to the annual Santa Shop. It was very rewarding.”
Jim got involved because of Bob Higgins, who invited him to serve after he retired because of his leadership background.
“Jim was proud ofthe work being done at St. Vincent de Paul. He found value at SVDP to make meaningful change and impact people,” said John Higgins, his son-in-law. “He really enjoyed taking care of people. He was a caretaker. That’s what he valued at SVDP, meaning the richness of activities to help those in need so that they can eventually help themselves.”
Jim’s humility and ability to be present with people was tangible to those around him.
“He was a wonderful, walking advertisement at SVDP, and he would roll up his sleeves and get involved in it,” John added. “He would do anything for anybody. He had that smile that people gravitated towards. Whether it was at restaurants or Churchill Downs, people wanted to talk to him. No matter what was going on, Jim would be there for others.”
One of Jim’s most valuable assets to SVDP was mentoring board members.
“Jim was an outstanding mentor to me,” said Carleen Herde, former SVDP Board Member for 13 years. “He was absolutely the biggest advocate for St. Vincent de Paul that there ever was. His knowledge of business and finance was incredibly helpful. Jim was a man of outstanding character, faith, dedication, and a gentle giant. Faith, family, friends, and SVDP were next to his heart always.”
Ed Wnorowski, former CEO & Executive Director from 2009-2022, says that Jim made a lasting impact on the sustainability of St. Vincent de Paul.
“Jim was an incredible mentor, advisor, and friend,” Wnorowski said. “He brought all the skills of decades in business which allowed him to serve as the perfect sounding board for evaluating long range planning and implementation of initiatives in a very complex organization. Jim also brought an extensive number of personal relationships to assist in providing the financial support of St. Vincent de Paul’s programs and mission. Jim Carrico was a near perfect Board Chair.”
Jim is survived by Pat, his daughter Tanya Higgins (John), and his grandchildren, James, Connor, and Tori Higgins.
