July 6, 1961 – April 17, 2025

“TOUGH AS NAILS”

During my 21-year tenure at Justine PETERSEN, certain phrases and particular words became part of the office lexicon. The phrase “tough as nails” was reserved for a select few. It was a badge of honor, recognizing a JP client who redefined resilience, remained steadfast regardless of the circumstance, and above all, never gave up. Never.

I had the honor and privilege to work with Charlene Day on numerous occasions. Forever goal setting and forever embracing the future, Charlene sought a microloan for her notary public service, and a LIFEloan to address a personal financial matter. JP’s work with Charlene was foundational in that it would ultimately lead to the establishment of the ABLE small-dollar loan access products, namely ABLEbiz and ABLElife, capitalized in part from the federal CDFI Fund. JP’s inaugural application to the CDFI Fund for earmarked dollars for the ABLE loan products included Charlene as a success story. Moreover, Charlene’s story was featured in marketing collateral materials for EPIC, a JP pilot investment vehicle, and via webcast, Charlene shared her knowledge, experience, and wisdom to a national audience as part of a panel discussion hosted by the National Disability Finance Coalition.

Charlene resided at Council Towers at South Grand and Forest Park Avenue. She was a fixture on the SLU campus, and locomoted via her wheelchair to the JP office, attending Lunch N Learn seminars as well as holiday parties.

Charlene Day, center, with Galen Gondolfi, at JP’s 20th Anniversary Block Party in 2017.

Charlene was an ambassador for access and an insurgent for inclusion. She lived to witness a current socio-political landscape that is unable to hear her voice and unwilling to listen. I was at her bedside in her final hour, when she was unable to audibly speak, but you could read her lips. Her voice will never be silenced. Never.

Galen Gondolfi
Board President
Great Rivers Community Capital