The year was 1985, Ronald Reagan was President, Philip Hannan was Archbishop of New Orleans and the Saints had never won a Super Bowl. It was also the year that Mrs. Willie McPherson came to work at Christopher Homes.
           Mrs. Willie, as she’s called, was hired to work as a cook at Monsignor Wynhoven senior living facility 33 years ago. She’s retiring this month. During that time she transitioned from cook to housekeeper. Wynhoven was a relatively young property in 1985. It was named after Catholic priest Peter Wynhoven. Along with Christopher Inn on Royal Street, Wynhoven in Marrero, became one of the first Christopher Homes sites to open back in the 1970’s. The mission statement for Christopher Homes is to provide “safe, affordable and decent housing to the vulnerable in our community”. As a 33 year employee of Christopher Homes, Mrs. Willie is a large reason that mission statement holds true today.
               Christopher Homes has grown, shrunk (due to Hurricane Katrina) and has now grown once again. Finally back to full speed more than 8 years after the storm. Christopher Homes now manages 16 properties across 5 parishes. Our agency, a senior living ministry with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, houses more than 2,400 seniors in affordable, independent homes.
               Mrs. Willie says, “I had good days and I had bad days. My advice is just to keep going.”
               Along with Mrs. Willie, Ms. Genevieve Thibodeaux, has also spent many years at Wynhoven in Marrero. For the past 15 years, she’s working alongside Mrs. Willie and the others at our Marrero site. Mrs. Willie and Ms. Gennie, as she’s called, are the reason why Christopher Homes continues to do what it does. There are about 140 employees who walk through the doors of our 16 facilities spread out across Southeast Louisiana, and they are the reason why we’re able to provide housing to all of our seniors.
               Ms. Gennie is the face that has greeted hundreds, of people year after year along 4600 Tenth Street in Marrero. She’s the receptionist for the 350 person site. As for what she says she’ll do in her retirement, she says she’ll hang out with Mrs. Willie more.
               Nick Phillips, Community Manager at Wynhoven says, “I wish Ms. Gennie and Ms. Willie all the best in their retirement. Their dedication and many years of service to Wynhoven will forever be appreciated. They are two of the most generous employees I have ever had the pleasure of working beside.”
               Christopher Homes would like to thank Ms. Gennie and Mrs. Willie for their years of service.