Father Gary Meier is a Catholic priest and co-founder of North Grand Neighborhood Services (NGNS). It was begun in June 2005 by area residents, parishioners, and business leaders voicing their need for affordable housing and community programs. Our mission is to develop low income housing and community programs for the stabilization of the North Grand neighborhood. Solomon Project was created to build affordable housing in the North St. Louis community. There have been a total of 28 developments. The percentage of abandoned and neglected homes in the area has decreased from 42 percent in 2005 to less than 10 percent in 2013. Every house that is renovated or built helps another family realize their dream of home ownership.
Angel Baked Cookies, another project of NGNS, was created in 2007 with the goal to empower area youth with the skills necessary to own and operate a small business. We currently employ 16 youth and two leaders. In 2008, the St. Charles Lwanga Center, an agency of the Archdiocese, awarded Fr. Meier, a lifetime achievement award for the work he does in North St. Louis through North Grand Neighborhood Services and Angel Baked Cookies. Father Gary served as dean of North City from February 2010 through June 2012, working as the Archbishop’s representative in the North City Deanery.