LaTasha St. Arnault joins IFM as Executive Director

LaTasha St. Arnault knew from an early age she wanted to be involved with non-profit management. After several years in Minneapolis she, her husband Henri and two sons have returned to Wichita, and she is now bringing her skills to IFM as executive director.

“I’m inspired by IFM’s commitment to helping those who need it most,” said LaTasha. “Poverty and homelessness are community-wide issues that we must tackle together. They have an effect not only on those experiencing them, but the community as a whole suffers when there are people in need.”

LaTasha added that she’s excited by the scope of IFM’s services and the research that is steering the growth of IFM.

“We know that locally we’re seeing an increase in the number of elderly experiencing homelessness, particularly elderly women,” said LaTasha. “That’s a big consideration when we think about how best to allocate our resources. Turning Inter-Faith Inn into a pet-friendly shelter is another example of how IFM has researched underserved segments of the homeless population and found a solution to fit their needs.

“I’m also impressed that IFM doesn’t just filter people through a shelter and then abandon them when they move out,” she said. “With our low-income apartments, outreach case management and Operation Holiday we keep in contact and continue to give support and encouragement. I’m also very interested in ways to work with people in the community to partner for education and employment opportunities to break the cycle of poverty so many of our clients experience.”

LaTasha graduated with University Honors in Nonprofit Administration from Lindenwood University in St. Louis. She worked with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Wichita, and she headed the Development and Alumni Relations Department of Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul.