The Rev. Eugene W. Morse LifeWise Impact Award recognizes partners of LifeWise StL who exhibit a passion for our mission, invest their time and talents as volunteers, support our work financially, and connect others to the work LifeWise does in helping people achieve a better life.
The 2026 Award winners include:
- Bob & Becky Courtney
- Laura Brozka
- Andy Matthys-Pearce
- Chris & Kelli McDonald
- René Vences
- Mike and Chris Scavotto
Surrounded by LifeWise StL supporters and staff, honorees enjoyed an evening together at Busch Stadium watching the Cardinals from the comfort of a boxed suite. Thank you to our honorees for your unwavering support these many years!
Bob & Becky Courtney
Bob and Becky Courtney have been steadfast supporters of LifeWise StL, investing not only in our work financially
but in the vision behind it. Over the years, they have watched LifeWise evolve from Kingdom House into an
organization focused on helping individuals and families build brighter futures through relationship-based,
transformational programming.
As longtime members of Kirkwood United Methodist Church, the Courtneys have seen that evolution firsthand.
Bob is impressed by LifeWise’s ability to reach an increasingly diverse population—including through the work of
LifeBridge, the Kirkwood UMC program modeled after LifeWise and serving the local community.
“I’m impressed by LifeWise’s ability to evolve with the changing needs of our St. Louis community,” Bob says.
Becky shares Bob’s enthusiasm for an organization that focuses on opportunity and long-term change. “I’m a huge
fan of St. Louis and an even bigger proponent of organizations that give under-resourced citizens a leg up—not a
handout,” she says. She is especially drawn to LifeWise’s shift from crisis intervention toward helping people
address the challenges that stand between them and their goals, with measurable steps toward brighter futures.
The Courtneys also recognize the importance of LifeWise stepping up when our community faces a crisis. Becky
points to our disaster case management for seniors affected by the 2025 tornado as another example of the
organization’s growth and forward focus.
For more than 15 years, Bob and Becky have continued to invest in LifeWise because they believe in what we are
building: an organization that walks alongside people, builds relationships, and helps individuals and families
achieve their own goals. We are grateful for their enduring partnership and their belief in the power of LifeWise to
help St. Louisans move forward.
Laura Brozka
Laura Brozka first connected with LifeWise StL during COVID, volunteering to help with food distribution. In
early 2022, she began spending every Thursday with our YSP scholars, helping them plant, tend, and harvest
their own garden. What began as a way to continue serving LifeWise and reconnect with the joy of working
with children has grown into a meaningful relationship that has enriched both Laura and the young people
she serves.
The kids absolutely love Ms. Laura. She meets them where they are, listens to and encourages their ideas,
and gives them the time and attention they need to learn and grow. Laura gives scholars the opportunity to
choose what to grow, then guides them as they care for their plants and watch their hard work take root. At
harvest time, they turn what they’ve grown into delicious dishes, learning that fresh food can be both
nutritious and fun to prepare. In winter, Laura brings fruits and vegetables into the classroom, teaches
simple recipes, and helps scholars start seedlings under a grow light, keeping their curiosity growing all year
long.
For Laura, the experience has been about more than gardening. After retiring from teaching, she found
herself missing the connection she had with children. “I was glad to retire from teaching, but I found myself
missing the interaction with kids and feeling pretty sad,” Laura reflected. “Working with the kids has been a
real learning experience. These kids are more than they know. The gifts I’ve gotten from them add up to so
much more than what I give.”
Laura’s commitment reflects the heart of the LifeWise Impact Award. She gives her time, talents, and energy
each week, while also supporting LifeWise as a dedicated monthly donor. Through both her generosity and
her service, she creates opportunities for scholars to learn, explore, make healthy choices, and take pride in
what they can accomplish. We are grateful for the impact Laura continues to make—and for the joy she
brings to Team LifeWise.
Andy Matthys-Pearce
Andy Matthys-Pearce first came to LifeWise StL as a volunteer through an opportunity with his employer at
the time. What started as a chance to give back quickly became a much deeper commitment to helping
LifeWise scholars succeed.
As a father of two daughters, Andy had already seen firsthand how engaging technology could make learning
math fun. Both of his daughters had used DreamBox Math, an adaptive online learning platform that
provides individualized, research-based instruction that adjusts to each child’s pace. They loved it. Andy
began to wonder: Why not make this same opportunity available to children who might not otherwise have
access to it?
So he made it happen.
Andy essentially spearheaded the introduction of DreamBox at LifeWise, helping bring the program into our
Early Childhood Center preschool classroom and elementary afterschool program. Today, scholars use
DreamBox to strengthen foundational math skills, build confidence, and develop critical thinking through
interactive, age-appropriate lessons.
For Andy, the technology is only part of the equation. He shows up every week to work directly with scholars,
offering encouragement, answering questions, and patiently helping them work through challenges.
Volunteers like Andy ensure that technology enhances, rather than replaces, the personal attention and
relationships at the heart of LifeWise programming.
Andy took something that benefited his own children and used his time, talents, and initiative to open that
opportunity to others. We are grateful for his commitment, his willingness to see what was possible, and the
difference he continues to make for LifeWise scholars.
Chris & Kelli McDonald
Chris and Kelli McDonald have been financial supporters of LifeWise StL since 2014, first introduced to our
work through their church, The Gathering. For more than a decade, they have continued to invest in LifeWise
because they believe in the difference our programs can make for individuals and families across St. Louis.
The McDonalds have a particular connection to LifeWise’s Economic Wellness programming and its focus on
helping families set and reach financial goals, build assets, and move toward a future beyond generational
poverty. They appreciate an approach that gives people the tools, support, and relationships to make
meaningful progress in their own lives.
Chris has also helped LifeWise build new connections in the St. Louis community. He was instrumental in
introducing LifeWise to Kennedy Capital Management, which has supported our work for the past three
years as an All-In-One sponsor. His willingness to open doors and connect LifeWise with others who share
our commitment has helped expand the circle of people investing in our mission.
“We’re happy to help support the efforts of LifeWise to strengthen the St. Louis community,” Chris and Kelli
shared. “The organization’s physical, economic and wellness programs are incredibly impactful. Thank you to
LifeWise for doing this meaningful work in our city!”
For more than a decade, Chris and Kelli have demonstrated that partnership is about more than writing a
check. They have invested in LifeWise financially, championed our work within their own community, and
helped connect us with others who want to see St. Louis families thrive.
We are grateful for their longtime commitment, their confidence in our mission, and the many ways they
continue to be part of Team LifeWise.
René Vences
For more than 15 years, René Vences of Carrollton Bank has been a dedicated partner of LifeWise StL,
sharing his time, expertise, and passion for financial education with our participants and staff. As a
volunteer instructor for our Financial Education classes, René helps participants build the knowledge and
confidence they need to pursue their financial goals.
René brings energy and enthusiasm to every class. Participants describe him as “funny, charismatic, and
humble,” with a genuine passion for teaching. He has a gift for making financial education accessible and
creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where participants feel comfortable asking questions,
reflecting on their habits, and putting what they learn into practice.
His commitment extends well beyond the classroom. René is always willing to help LifeWise staff navigate
complex financial situations and has provided specialized training to strengthen our team’s ability to coach
participants pursuing homeownership. His expertise directly supports participants working toward goals
such as purchasing a home, starting a business, and building long-term economic mobility.
René also understands that strong organizations are built on strong relationships. He has generously
supported our staff as well, creating opportunities for them to connect, celebrate, and recharge together.
One Economic Wellness staff member shared, “What stands out most is his undeniable, contagious passion.
He is a clear and engaging presenter who truly cares about making financial education accessible to
everyone.”
René’s impact reaches far beyond the classes he teaches. He strengthens our staff, encourages our
participants, and gives generously to the broader St. Louis community. We are grateful for more than 15
years of partnership and for the knowledge, encouragement, and kindness René brings to Team LifeWise.
Mike and Chris Scavotto
For nearly two decades, Mike and Chris Scavotto have been committed supporters of LifeWise StL, believing
in our work to walk alongside individuals and families as they work toward brighter futures. In recent years,
they have been particularly concerned about the uncertainty and fear facing immigrant families in our
community, and they value LifeWise’s commitment to supporting families navigating those challenges.
Last year, Mike and Chris found a creative way to put their support for LifeWise into action. Mike proposed a
benefit concert featuring his band, Reunion Jazz. In May, Mike brought band members to St. Louis from as
far away as Portland, Oregon, while Chris helped coordinate the many details and spread the word about
the event.
It had been years since Reunion Jazz had played together—their last performance was before COVID—but
you never would have known it. The band delivered two fantastic 45-minute sets that had the audience
wishing for more. The concert raised funds for an important and timely need: LifeWise’s tornado recovery
work supporting seniors affected by the May 2025 tornado. Every dollar given through the free-will offering
went toward that effort.
The concert was a wonderful example of the Scavottos’ generosity and commitment to LifeWise. They didn’t
simply make a financial gift; they shared their time, talents, resources, connections, and passion for our
mission to bring others into the work.
Mike and Chris are already looking ahead. They hope to bring Reunion Jazz back for another LifeWise benefit
concert in 2027, giving our community another chance to enjoy great music while supporting our neighbors.
We are grateful to Mike and Chris for nearly 20 years of support and partnership and for the many ways they
continue to show what it means to be part of Team LifeWise.
