Meet The Team

Calvin Garner is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Living With Purpose. Calvin began his professional journey at the age of 16 years old through a high school program which led him to hold many rewarding positions. Those positions led him to a career wanting to help others while servicing the public. Calvin has worked with children and adults living with developmental disabilities for several years, he has served as a teacher and program coordinator in the Saint Louis Public Schools and he has worked with Saint Louis City Courts and Criminal System as a Deputy Juvenile Officer and a Criminal Investigator. Calvin worked with Places for People for over 5 years supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health concerns. Calvin completed his AA in General Studies at Forest Park Community College and he completed his BA in Criminal Justice at Harris Stowe State University. Calvin holds certifications in CPR/First Aid, Mandt and Med Level 1 Aide.

Kimberly Jones, MHE is the Chief Financial Officer and CPR/First Aid Instructor at Living With Purpose. Kim has served as a professional tax preparer for over 12 years, investigator of child abuse and neglect with the State of Missouri and has worked as a manger in a large retail store for over 5 years. Kim began working with the public at the age of 16 years old and over the 25 years she has developed strengths as an educator, advocate, team player, critical thinker and effective communicator. Kim completed her BA in Human Services at Columbia College, and she completed her MA in Health Education at Walden University and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Health Education with a focus on Behavioral Health at Walden University. Kim holds certifications as a CPR/First Aid Instructor, Certified Life Coach, Zumba Instructor.

Denise Martin, BA is the Program Coordinator at Living with Purpose. Denise obtained her BA in Criminal Justice from Harris Stowe University. Denise has over 20 years of experience servicing individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness through working with the Special School District as a teacher, a Program Specialist at Magdala Foundation and as a Case Manager for Places with People. Denise enjoys giving back to the community and helping individuals with disabilities develop and learn independence through their goals and informed choices.

Djuna Saddler is the Human Resources Director and Mandt Instructor at Living with Purpose. She attended school for Childhood Education and Computer Science at Southeast State University. She previously served as a House Manager at Help at Home and a Support Tech Home Manager at Sunny Hill, Inc. She also worked at the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office in their Victim Services Unit. 

Rashonda Thornton is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a 20 years of Behavioral Health experience across multiple disciplines of Community, Business, Educational, and Private Sectors. She is passionate when serving disadvantaged and unserved populations and considers herself a Champion for advocacy, program development, community engagement, wholistic care, and establishing agency collaborations in effort to increase one’s quality of life. Rashonda holds a B.S. in Criminology obtained from UM-ST Louis as well as M.A. Graduate Degree in Counseling earned at Lindenwood University. In addition, Certifications in Not-for -Profit Leadership & Management, Domestic & Civil Mediation, First Responder Provider, Bronze Level Lean Process Improvement, Substance Use and Trauma. Rashonda is committed to being a yielded vessel through counseling, educating, and developing innovative pathways to individuals and organizations she connects with.

Halisi Muhammad has a Bachelor’s in Education from Harris Stowe State University, and a Master’s of Counseling from Chicago State University. As a former classroom teacher, and school counselor, he offers a wide variety of skills to work with youth, adults, and families. 

My name is Ronald York. I am the Director of Education and Workforce Development / Supported Employment Services. I graduated from Mehlville Senior High School. I earned my Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University in Computer Information Systems and Marketing. In addition, I received my Masters in Management degree from Fontbonne University. I am a certified teacher. I have tutored, taught, and mentored youth and adults for over 20 years. I also have over 15 years of experience in workforce development, job development, career planning, servicing varies communities in Jefferson City, St Louis City and County.

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