The JP UP Date: JP Recognizes 2022 Impactful Clients and Partners

Katie ArnoldThe JP UP date


Number 201                      December 16, 2022                                   St. Louis



Justine PETERSEN Recognizes 2022 Awardees

Justine PETERSEN recognizes individuals, small businesses and partners annually at our holiday party in December. Last week, five awardees were honored for their commitment to financial asset building and advancing wealth building in all communities. Emceed by JP’s Galen Gondolfi, the following were honored:

Family of the Year: Gazella Jefferson and Chatnee Patterson (mother and daughter)
Small Business of the Year: Lindsey Wold of Amygdala Co.
Lender of the Year: Paramount Bank
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sandy Stammer, Retired FCB Banks
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dennis Grubaugh, Retired Illinois Business Journal

CONGRATS to our awardees! And THANK YOU



JP Welcomes SLATE Intern Akayla Rhodes!

Justine PETERSEN happily welcomes Akayla Rhodes as Administrative Assistant! Akayla comes to JP through SLATE , St. Louis Agency on Talent and Employment, which provides internships and on-the-job professional development to youth entering the workforce. Akayla will primarily work with JP’s Credit Building Team, supporting client intake and outreach, data entry, and meeting coordination. Before becoming part of the SLATE program and coming to JP, Akayla held positions within the food service industry. As JP takes an extended break for the holidays coming up, Akayla is looking forward to “enjoying time spent with family and friends while relaxing.” Welcome, Akayla!



Congratulations to Tyler Janssen on Becoming a HUD Certified Housing Counselor!

Justine PETERSEN has a new HUD certified housing counselor in the office! Asset Building Counselor, Tyler Janssen, passed the HUD certification exam in on October 21, 2022. After a month of studying through a combination of group study sessions and self-guided learning modules and knowledge assessments, Tyler was able to pass the exam on his first go – a huge feat! While initially surprised by the amount of content included in the study materials, now practicing in the area, Tyler has found himself frequently revisiting the information and digging further into it, not only at work but also in his personal life. After becoming HUD certified, Tyler immediately began immersing himself with JP’s Housing Team, counseling clients with goals of home ownership. Fairly new to the St. Louis area himself, Tyler is really interested in contributing to restoration efforts taking place in disenfranchised neighborhoods through housing. “Homeownership is something that I think many people feel is out of reach for them, and sometimes do not realize the way homeownership builds both wealth and community. I really want to support clients in breaking down the generational and racial barriers that have been put up over the last several decades, especially here in St. Louis.”


JP Clients: Your Feedback Is Requested!

Each year Justine PETERSEN serves hundreds of clients in a variety of areas. We hope each one receives the same level of quality and integrity. In order to ensure this happens in 2023, we’re asking all clients for five minutes of their time in completing this survey. The feedback we receive in this survey help us better serve our existing clients, as well as new ones, in resources we provide, ways we communicate, and programs we develop. We appreciate the trust you have put in us and look forward to continue serving you and the community. Take the survey now!


JP Annual Holiday Party Returns in Full Force!

Last Thursday, December 8th Justine PETERSEN was excited to host our infamous holiday party after a two year hiatus! All the fan favorite staples were there: a delicious dinner buffet (catered by The Messy Kitchen Catering, Kay’s Kitchen and Desserts out the Jar & More), prompt bar service courtesy of JP staff, and a dance floor lit like a Christmas tree (DJ’d by Tashara Earl). This year also featured the (J)Pop-Up Marketplace featuring JP small business clients purveying an array of holiday gifts. A pre-party awards ceremony recognized JP’s 2022 Annual Award winners as well as inductees into JP’s 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame. We’re still reveling in all the merriment from the evening and are already looking forward to seeing everyone there again next year!