Mike Hentges, a 1992 graduate of Helias Catholic, is CEO of St. Raymond's Society, a Central Missouri-based nonprofit that works to support women facing unplanned pregnancies both before and especially after becoming mothers.

Mr. Hentges and Steve Smith founded SRS in 2010, gathering resources and networking with pregnancy help centers to support mothers on a path toward self-sufficiency. They quickly learned the most pressing need for these mothers was a roof over their heads. In 2012 SRS opened its first transitional home in Jefferson City, followed by one in Columbia in 2014.

“Now we are focusing our efforts right here in the heart of Missouri to increase our capacity to where we can serve a larger radius, and we are looking to create a model that other areas can replicate,” Mr. Hentges said.

SRS is purchasing the former Ronald McDonald House in Columbia to expand its transitional housing, with plans to open a preschool to serve clients and other families on a sliding fee scale.

The organization’s growth marks a new chapter for Mr. Hentges, who resigned from his career in commercial grounds maintenance in 2019 to lead SRS full time.

He credits his parents — especially father Ray Hentges, a longtime educator at Helias Catholic — for teaching him to discern God’s will.

“From as early as I can remember, especially with Dad’s involvement here as a religion teacher, what I was hearing in the classroom was what I was hearing in the living room at home,” he said. "The academic and faith formation at Helias was instrumental in helping me be the person God has called me to be.”

Know a Helias Catholic graduate living the Crusader way? Email featured alumni suggestions to alumni@heliascatholic.com.