Get to know us…

Redeemer Center for Life (RCFL) is the non-profit partner of Redeemer Lutheran Church, a faith community that has been part of the Harrison neighborhood landscape for over 100 years. RCFL started in 1999 as a ‘beacon of hope’ in the Harrison neighborhood of North Minneapolis in response to the identification of three primary needs: job growth, attainable housing, and youth development. As a faith-based community development organization, we love our neighbors and we invest in the children and families who make the neighborhood their home.

Rev. Marilu Thomas, Executive Director

Marilu brings both organizational experience and relevant education to her position. She has a BA in Journalism and started her career as Assistant to the Art Director in the Advertising Dept. of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation. Her experience includes small business owner, magazine editor, middle-school/high school teacher, non-profit manager, youth camp co-director and peer ministry trainer of trainers. She earned a dual-degree Masters in Social Work in Policy Development and Program Administration from Augsburg College (2008) and Masters in Divinity (2009) from Luther Seminary and was ordained in August 2010. Most recently, she earned a certificate in Executive Director Leadership at the Opus School of Business at the University of St. Thomas.

Babette Chatman, Assistant Director and Director of Housing and Facilities

An Augsburg College graduate, Babette has offered distinctive presence and service at Redeemer Center for Life for the past six years. Under her direction, Redeemer’s housing program has developed into a highly effective and well-regarded model for resident empowerment and community building. Ms. Chatman also anchors Redeemer Center’s young adult Housing and Transition Program, mentoring young people towards healthy, confident adulthood through training in life skills, empower, building relationships with residents and organizations on a daily basis. She also serves on the staff of Augsburg College’s campus ministry as a collaborative partner.

Katharine Giteck, Finance Director

Katharine brought more than a decade of experience in finance, operations and human resources for non-profits with her to RCFL in June 2009. She earned an MBA with a finance concentration and possesses exceptionally strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. Ms. Giteck’s technical skills include financial and managerial reporting, financial and strategic planning analysis and advisement, operational and program budgeting, cash and investment management and financial software system conversion.

Kent Goodroad, Youth Engagement Director

Kent serves as the Youth Director for Redeemer Center for Life and Redeemer Lutheran Church, and has served in this position for one year. As Youth Director, Kent develops and directs programming for youth ages five to 21 years old which includes engaging middle and high school students in service, meaningful relationships, and issues of faith and justice, as well as youth-led organizing, sports and enterprise. Prior to his work at RCFL, he served a myriad of mentoring and coaching roles within a broad array of organizations. Kent holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Religious Studies.

Aster Nebro, Living Room Co-Manager

Aster facilitates hospitality, relationships, and resourcing within the Living Room and launched the Breakfast Club, an intergenerational, multiracial community-building conversation, which she hosts every Saturday. Aster continues to leverage the insights she cultivated living in Africa, Europe, and North America with her degree in human services and community leadership roles with the Jeremiah Program, Brian Coyle, and Our Savior’s Housing, to help engage diverse stakeholders in the Harrison neighborhood. She earned a 2010 Careership internship with LISC in community development training.

Ben Masters, LVC Daily Work Associate and Living Room Co-Manager

Ben serves as the Lutheran Volunteer Corps Daily Work Associate and Co-Manager of the Living Room. Ben assists residents of the Harrison neighborhood to develop job skills, find appropriate work, and improve each individual’s access to resources that sustain employment. Ben has completed training with Daily Work focused on Internet based job searches, employment counseling techniques, relationship building with clients, and barrier reduction techniques. Additionally, Ben has completed anti-racism training by Crossroads; prejudice reduction, diversity awareness and conflict resolution training from the National Coalition Building Institute; and leadership and anti-oppression training from the Center for Progressive Leadership. Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in conflict analysis and resolution.