SLCM staff
(she/her)
Clare Rutz Wallace
Executive Director
Clare grew up in Upstate New York and attended Syracuse University where she earned a dual B.A. degree in Policy Studies and International Development. After school she traveled throughout Asia vetting and consulting nonprofits for the GlobalGiving Foundation, and then moved to Washington, D.C. to work on their team. Clare spent another two years “in the field” with the Peace Corps as an agriculture volunteer in Senegal, after which she found her way to Kentucky. She’s since made South Louisville her home. Formerly the Director of Development at Americana World Community Center, she also serves on the board of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition, Metropolitan Housing Coalition, and is the Chair of the Association of Community Ministries.
(she/her)
Kate Husk
Assistant Director
Kate joined the SLCM team in 2001 after moving to Louisville from London, England. There she had serviced with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. coordinating international young adult volunteers throughout Great Britain. Prior to that she worked extensively with children and youth in churches, camps, and community centers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kentucky and West Virginia (where she grew up). She has a BA in International Relations from The College of Wooster. Passionate about diversity and helping others find hope, Kate has found her calling at SLCM. Her home life involves adventures traveling, hiking, camping and creating with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of pets.
(he/his)
Jerry englehart
care Coordinator-FAMILIES
Jerry loves being outdoors and in nature--whether that is a hike, biking or climbing rocks. Jerry graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. From there he married the love of his life, Rebecca Lumbrix, and moved to Louisville, KY! Before joining the team at SLCM, Jerry was an AmeriCorps VISTA member and VISTA Leader at Americana World Community Center's--Where Louisville Meets the World cohort for over two years. Jerry has also interned and/or been published around the country in organizations such as ZUMA Press, the Orlando Sentinel, LOOK3: Festival of the Photograph, Eastern Surf Magazine and numerous others. An interesting photography related fact about Jerry, is a portrait series he took in Duquesne Cremone, Cote d’Ivoire is part of the permanent collection at the Southeast Museum of Photography in Daytona Beach, FL.
(she/her)
jessica egbert
care Coordinator-SEniors
Jessica is the Care Coordinator for Seniors at SLCM where she brings compassion, dedication, and a strong commitment to helping others. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Administration. Jessica is passionate about advocating for individuals who may not be able to advocate for themselves. Her upbringing—spending time between South Louisville and summers in Breckinridge County—gave her a deep appreciation for both city and rural communities, which she draws on in her work every day. Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her large, blended family, including her children, stepchildren, and significant other.
(she/her)
Denise Thurston
Immediate needs coordinator
Denise grew up in Wetumpka, Alabama until she returned to Louisville her 6th grade year. She went on to graduate from Atherton High school and took two years of community college at JCC. She studied and was certified at the Kentucky Health Care Training Institute where she became a Certified Nursing Assistant. She was also involved in various organizations such as Louisville Youth Alliance and The Neighborhood Youth Boards of Louisville. That's where she earned the job training award for great leadership. She also got recognition from the mayor of Louisville who picked her slogan, UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY, to be the best one for the stop the violence era in the 90s.
Abigail Day
Financial Assistance Coordinator
Abigail grew up in Susquehanna, PA in a very rural area. She then attended college at Cairn University in Philadelphia earning her B.A. in Community Arts and fell in love with the dynamic energy of city life. After graduation Abigail moved to Louisville in 2019 to participate in the Love Thy Neighborhood gap year program. In this program she interned at a local community arts ministry as well as learning what it is like to live at poverty level. During this time Abigail collaborated with other interns to start an art club at Recenter Ministries, participated in free community medical clinics, and volunteered with various non profits in the city. After her gap year program , Abigail worked a career in childcare and then as a barista for a bit. She realized the common thread of what she enjoyed about these jobs was the relationships she was able to build with the people she served. Abigail is currently working as the financial assistance coordinator. She enjoys getting to sit down with the neighbors and getting to know them. Outside of work Abigail enjoys traveling, hiking and camping, 3rd wave coffee culture, and thrifted fashion.
James Bryant
Neighbor Network Intake Coordinator
James was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky and has lived here for the majority of his life. James joined the team in December 2024. Before pursuing his degree, he primarily worked with food- particularly organic agriculture and working in kitchens. James has a BA in Sociology from the University of Louisville. He volunteered at SLCM as part of his culminating undergraduate experience, his final paper being a materialist analysis of barriers to accessing SLCM’s food pantry. In college, he also volunteered with the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, doing voter outreach. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music, cooking, reading, gardening, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He plays a variety of musical instruments including guitar, keyboard, and saxophone. James has lived in Louisville’s South End for the past 6 years, and currently resides in Beechmont with his wife, dog, and two cats. He is passionate about social and economic justice, and strives for his work with Neighbor Network to reflect this.
JONET WRIGHT
HOUSING NAVIGATOR
Jonet was born in Dayton Ohio and raised in Greene County Indiana. I am the baby of six children but also have several extended family members. I attended Vincennes University for Pre-Med and Massage Therapy. I was a part of the track team, (BSA) Black Student Association, (TBW) Today Black Women, and secretary of Student Senate.
Today I am a mother of three, I have 10 years of sobriety, I am a homeowner, I am a business owner of I Am My Reflection, Certified as an Adult Peer Support, Community Support, Traditional Health Worker, CPR/AED, Mental Health, and have my Osha 30. My passion is drawing, helping people, writing music, but most importantly family time. I am also alumni of VOA, Hope Sisters, Choose-well Community Inc., and (SMU) Single Mom University.
I joined the SLCM team a year ago as the Housing Navigator. I love the work I do, my team, and the experience and knowledge I have gained while working with SLCM.
(she/her)
Janeth Zuniga
Neighbor Navigator
Janeth Zuniga grew up in St. Paul Minnesota and moved to Louisville 6 years ago.
Janeth assists with Spanish Interpretation at South Louisville Community Ministries; she is also a Neighbor Network Navigator at (SLCM).
She received Community Health Worker Training through the Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness.
She enjoys spending quality time with her children. She loves plants and enjoys watching football and Nascar.
(she/her)
Melisha Rivera
Client Support Specialist
Melisha was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and moved to Kentucky in 2011. She graduated from Eastern High School in 2013 and is currently pursuing an associate degree in Automotive Technology and Science, having transitioned from JCTC to Ivy Tech in Indiana.
As a member of the "HERO TASK" team at SLCM, Melisha contributes her skills and is fluent in both Spanish and English, often assisting with translations.
She is a proud mother of two wonderful children and three cherished fur babies. In her free time, Melisha enjoys playing video games and visiting petting zoos with her family. Driven by her deep passion for animals, she aspires to one day open her own animal sanctuary.
(she/her)
Cheyanne Fenwick
Client Support Specialist
Cheyanne was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She joined the team as part of our senior social inclusion program–checking in with our homebound neighbors to provide connection. She is currently a vital part of our HERO team working as a client support specialist, where she demonstrates her adaptability, assisting SLCM with the pantry, reception, intake, creative projects, and much more.
She attended Iroquois High School and is currently working completing GED. She is a mother of three children. She is artful, loving, caring, patient, and a pet enthusiast. In her spare time, she loves to craft, cook, and anything family oriented. She especially loves the warm weather to go swimming and to be outside in nature.