Places for People (MO)

Our Leadership
United by our belief that human connection and compassionate care lead to recovery, our leadership creates an environment of innovation and authenticity.

In July 2020, the Places for People Board of Directors announced that Laura McCallister was hired as Places for People’s new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Joe Yancey when he retired in August 2020.

Laura began her career at Places for People as a community support worker in 1989 then, as PfP expanded, transitioned into a variety of fiscal/administrative roles until 2001. In 2004 she went to Community Alternatives as the CFO of the newly-developed non-profit organization. She remained with Community Alternatives until 2011 when CA merged with PfP. Before being named CEO, Laura served as Vice President of Finance. Laura has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Work from UMSL, and received her MBA from Fontbonne University in 1997. She was a member of the 2018-19 Leadership St. Louis class. She serves as the CFO Committee Chair for the Missouri Coalition of Community Behavioral Healthcare and a member of a state-wide committee working on IT/Billing payment system restructure.

Places for People provides an unparalleled toolkit of programs, services, and resources for people who have serious mental illnesses, typically accompanied by complex and multilayered challenges: chronic homelessness, substance abuse disorder, primary health disorders, and trauma. Our mission statement reflects our commitment to serve the most vulnerable people in our community:

Our Mission

“To improve the physical and behavioral health of the individuals, families, and communities we serve and those who support the provision of these services.”

Our Vision

Through the provision of accessible, efficient, effective and accountable treatment services; individuals and families served will reach their full potential for a purposeful and meaningful life.

Hopeful
"Illuminating the possibilities" and working collaboratively with those we serve to design a path toward a meaningful life.

Comprehensive

Addressing all aspects of health and well-being for those we serve.
Effective
Identifying and delivering services that are proven to promote positive change.
Excellence
Constantly looking for ways to improve processes and services for the highest quality outcomes for those we serve and for the organization as a whole.
Empowered
Providing the people we serve the services and skills necessary to achieve their personal goals and ensuring our staff are well-trained, well-supported and well-compensated.
Flexible
Embracing innovation and technology understanding that our industry is still evolving and will be continually changing.
Partnerships
Developing effective relationships with funders, other providers and the community in order to successfully achieve our mission.
 

Culturally Competent
Respecting the diverse backgrounds, individuality and "lived experience" of the people with whom we serve and work.

Since 1972, Places for People (PfP) has served people who have the most serious mental illnesses in the St. Louis area. PfP was formed initially to provide housing and services for people who had been discharged from the State Psychiatric Hospital. Over the years, the agency expanded to address new needs, including chronic homelessness, substance abuse disorders, and medical disorders.

While PfP was growing, another agency, Community Alternatives, formed in 1995 with a focus on providing therapy and other programs for people who were not well served by mainstream providers. Community Alternatives specialized in assisting younger people, people who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in addition to serious mental illness, and people who had experienced significant trauma.

In 2011, Places for People merged with Community Alternatives, with the goal of maximizing the benefits of both agencies and the vision of creating an agency with the most robust toolkit of recovery-focused service.