We Stand with the Underserved
Grassroots Redeeming Love is a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting St. Louis’ most underserved residents, bridging communities across neighborhood lines, and showing up in real ways for the people who need it most.
Our Story
On May 16, 2025, an EF-3 tornado ripped through St. Louis — leaving nearly $1 billion of damage in its wake. Ginelle Bess headed to North City in the aftermath and was met with splintered homes, scattered belongings, and broken spirits.
While the recovery crews rushed to other areas of the city, real people stood waiting for support that would never come. That moment was Ginelle’s turning point: if the resources weren’t available, she would build them herself.
Meet the Board
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Ginelle Bess
Executive Director & President -
Alexa Gibson
Vice President -
Sharon Moore
Treasurer -
Hannah Boxerman-Kohrs
Secretary
Ginelle Bess
Executive Director & PresidentMy why is them. The look in their eyes the morning after the tornado is forever embedded in my memory. One of desperation, grief, defeat. I could feel the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Ignoring the devastation 2.4 miles away from me was never an option. It’s been the most challenging and healing time of my life. Yet, I am completely devoted to a fully recovered and restored community in North City, St. Louis.
Alexa Gibson
Vice PresidentMy why is because I want to help ensure families have the resources and hope they need to rebuild stronger than before. They are great people and families that deserve all the love and support.
Sharon Moore
Treasurer“When the tornado tore through North City, it didn’t just damage buildings — it struck at the heart of the community already too familiar with hardship. But in that devastation, I saw something unshaken: the spirit of the people.
North City is more than just a place on a map. It’s a living story of culture, legacy, and perseverance. My participation in Grassroots Redeeming Love is rooted in the belief that rebuilding isn’t just about bricks and roofs. It’s about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and honing the history and future of a neighborhood that deserves respect and renewal.”
Hannah Boxerman-Kohrs
Secretary“St. Louisans have a chip on our shoulder. We’re so proud of where we come from. The tornado tested and devastated us, but the recovery is a chance for us to show the world that we’re built different.
This is a city that shows up for its neighbors and is proud of its history. Getting involved felt like a no-brainer. I hope others choose to join Grassroots Redeeming Love, because even these tiny steps are making a big impact.”
Members
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Jeff Simmons
Resident Liaison -
Sarah Jane Hunt
Legal & Client Advocacy -
Porsha Key
Event Director -
Elise Munroe Hawkins
Assistant Event Director -
Carah Lowery
Assistant Secretary -
Haley Christinidis
Local Outreach Committee Lead -
Mary Pagano
Local Outreach Committee -
Mykia Owens
Local Outreach Committee -
Taquera Walker
Local Outreach Committee -
Alenka Kuzma-Bartz
Social Media Marketing Coordinator
Jeff Simmons
Resident Liaison“Fountain Park has been my home for 19 years. The tornado destroyed our family home and our neighborhood. Months later, nobody has really come to help us. We really appreciate everything Ginelle is doing for us — she was the first to show up, and her care for us remains.
I’m doing this because I want my home to stay my home. It’s our — we don’t want to go nowhere else. I’m retired, but I’ve been there every day at the house helping the volunteers and other neighbors clean their homes. We want the City to do its part so we can go back to our normal lives. I will get to know my neighbors better and show up to the meetings to address our concerns and needs.”
Sarah Jane Hunt
Legal & Client Advocacy“I have lived in the St. Louis region my entire life, and I know firsthand that there has never been true parity in how residents are treated depending on which side of Delmar they call home. Our city deserves more than cautious leadership — it deserves bold, transformative action.
As a local civil rights attorney, I see every day how inequities hold our community back. That is why I am honored to join the board of Redeeming Love. The work ahead is critical, and I am committed to building a St. Louis where justice and equity are not aspirations but realities. “
Porsha Key
Event Director“My passion for serving underserved communities has been shaped by both my personal interests in community prosperity and professional experiences working as an engineer. Equitable access to resources, opportunities, and support can transform lives, and I want to be part of that transformation.
At Grassroots Redeeming Love, I aim to contribute my skills, time, and perspective to empower North Saint Louis. As a Black woman, I am acutely aware of the systemic challenges that underserved communities face, and this awareness fuels my commitment to advocating for change. I’ve witnessed the barriers that many people in Fountain Park navigate, and I understand the importance of representation and leadership.”
Elise Munroe Hawkins
Assistant Event Director“I know what it feels like to be overlooked and excluded because of the color of my skin. I was the only Black student in my school, and often felt the sting of being different in a space where I didn’t fully belong. Seeing North St. Louis receiving little to no help after a devastating tornado while surrounding white neighborhoods were supported immediately is a painful reminder of the inequities that still exist.
I understand the resilience needed when the odds are stacked against you. This work is about more than rebuilding houses — it’s about restoring dignity, equity, and hope. I am honored to work with and help people who are MORE than deserving.”
Carah Lowery
Assistant Secretary“I’ve always been big into community — I love my city. Being part of Grassroots Redeeming Love lets me give back and work with people who care about St. Louis City as much as I do. This is home, and I want to be part of making it even better.”
Haley Christinidis
Local Outreach Committee Lead“I fell in love with St. Louis soon after moving here. There’s a history within the community of supporting local people. It’s time we support the most incredible underserved communities in our area.
There’s always been an innate feeling inside of me to help others. North City is a beaming light of brightness on our map, and I’m very committed to helping the families and community come back stronger.”
Mary Pagano
Local Outreach Committee“Throughout my life, God has called me to a life of service — to love and care for others. When the tornado hit, many of us in Saint Louis went back to normal life. Just moments after, the sun came out and people were outside. But many did not, have not, cannot, and will never go back to normal.
As a social worker in the mental health field, I do not take the call to meet the needs of those in need lightly. There are basic human needs that must be met — lives are dependent on it. North and West Saint Louis City need resources poured into their community to help with this crisis! Brick by brick, Grassroots Redeeming Love will build one Saint Louis!”
Mykia Owens
Local Outreach Committee“The people in St. Louis have a way of making the community feel personal — neighbors become friends and friends become family. There’s a deep sense of pride in the culture, history, and traditions that shape this city, and it’s reflected in the way St. Louisans show up for each other.
What I love most about St. Louis is how even the smallest actions can create a meaningful ripple of impact. This city has taught me that you don’t have to make grand gestures to spark change. Sometimes, it’s the small, consistent efforts that matter most. St. Louis is more than just my hometown — it’s where my love for people and helping others has truly found its roots.”
Taquera Walker
Local Outreach Committee“Being an STL native who grew up right on the Delmar Divide, I’ve seen and experienced neighborhoods being left behind to eventual gentrification, and North City doesn’t deserve that. St. Louis has work to do, and this non-profit has chosen to take it head on. And I couldn’t imagine showing up any different”.
Alenka Kuzma-Bartz
Social Media Marketing Coordinator“I moved to St. Louis four years ago. In that time, STL became the place for me to slow down and heal. I have grown a deep love and appreciation for this city. We all deserve safety and care to heal after something traumatic occurs in our lives.
Humanity lives within us all, but society has made some lose sight of that. At Grassroots Redeeming Love, I want to get back to building community and loving thy neighbor. In today’s climate, we need more love and compassion. My hope is that, in helping our neighbors to heal their hearts and keep their land, the rest of the community starts to join in and, in doing so, creates less segregation in this city.”