top of page

About Us

How It All Started

Richard in front of house

When Richard Howell was released from prison in 2009, he got turned down for housing again and again. He experienced first-hand the ways our rental and housing markets exclude returning citizens who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. “How am I supposed to be a productive citizen if I don’t have the basic need of housing?” he asks. It’s an urgent question for a state with around 5,000 returning citizens in a given year.

Rather than lose hope, his experience inspired Richard to work to find rental housing for people with felony backgrounds, while also helping them stabilize their lives.


This is one example of many where Richard sees opportunities where others see problems.  Richard sees opportunities everywhere — for connection, for change, or for new and better systems. He has launched addiction recovery programs, organized housing for people with felonies, collected resources for people to help them survive COVID-19, and supported young people to develop work readiness skills. Having participated in addiction recovery programs, Richard understood what had and hadn’t worked for him, and he uses this background to support Vita Nova residents.

​

Richard builds relationships to help share the opportunities he sees with his community. He views his work as a means to eliminate the barriers between people and resources, creating more direct lines of access to opportunity. 

​

​

Vita Nova Process Chart

Our Process

Vita Nova Resident Criteria

  • Men with felony backgrounds

  • On parole/probation

  • No sex offenses

  • Maintain sobriety - from legal (alcohol, marijuana) and illegal substances

  • Employed or seeking employment

  • Actively working with SOAR case manager
     

Vita Nova Resident Criteria

Rule violations will be handled by SOAR case manager and/or housing coordinator. Consequences may include removal from the program.

​

  1. Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. No drugs or alcohol on the premises including marijuana. Residents cannot come home if you are intoxicated or high.

  2. Zero tolerance for violence, sexual assault, damage to property, carrying a gun, human trafficking, selling drugs, theft.

  3. No bullying (defined as seeking to harm, intimidate, or coerce another person).

  4. No unwanted touching or sexual harassment

  5. Follow all parole conditions.

  6. Visitors allowed 7 am – 10 pm. No overnight visitors. 

  7. All visitors must follow house rules.

  8. No more than two guests without prior approval. 

  9. All visitors are required to sign in. 

  10. No pets or pet-sitting.

  11. Curfew 10pm unless given prior approval.

  12. Room inspections can be conducted at any time. 

  13. No smoking or vaping in house.

  14. No candles or incense in house.

  15. Keep your personal and common areas clean.

  16. Quiet time after 10 pm.

  17. No storing food in room.

  18. Treat people and their property with respect.

  19. Treat building with respect.

  20. Treat neighbors with respect.

Leadership and Board of Directors

Corinne Fader, Board Member

Re-Entry Specialist, True North Goodwill

​

Kyra Gustafson, Board Treasurer

Program Operations Manager,

Mediation and Restorative Services

​

Richard Howell, Board Chair and Founder

Housing Specialist, True North Goodwill

​

Katherine Mueller, Business Manager

Principal Consultant,

Flourish Nonprofit Development

​

Christine Ley, Bookkeeper

Evergreen Consulting

​

Lynn Nephew, Board Member

Realtor, RE/MAX

​

Stacy Radosevich, Board Member

Senior Planner, St. Louis County

​

Elise Strader, Board Vice Chair

Homeless Program Project Coordinator,

Human Development Center

​

Caitlin Vander Wal, Board Secretary

Planner, St. Louis County

​

Matt Whiting, Board Member

Chemical Health Counselor,

Genesis Recovery Services, LLC

​

bottom of page