FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 22, 2008
 

ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS RAISE $221,000 FOR KEY PLAYER INITIATIVE

(St. Patrick Center, St. Louis) In a student-hosted news conference at St. Patrick Center, Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Schools today announced that they raised $221,000 this school year for the Key Player Initiative.

The Key Player Initiative is a community-wide effort of Catholic Charities and St. Patrick Center to help build permanent, positive changes in the lives of the homeless and poor. Launched in August 2007, Catholic Schools took the lead when they became Key Players and started raising money for permanent, supportive housing. Money raised by Key Players in the community pays for rent, utilities, Livings Skills classes, case work and program costs.

“Our students put into practice what they are taught about treating others as Jesus would,” said Superintendent George Henry. “Through the Key Player Initiative, they learned that the homeless and poor are right here in St. Louis, and did their part to make this city a better place for all of us to live.”

The news conference was hosted by student ambassadors from St. John the Baptist School. Ten elementary and secondary schools from across the Archdiocese shared stories of their creative fundraising: Sacred Heart-Florissant; St. Joseph-Manchester; Holy Spirit School; Annunciation School; Our Lady-Festus; St. Joseph-Bonne Terre; St. Patrick-Wentzville;
St. Vincent-Dutzow; Rosati-Kain High School; and St. Mary’s High School.

BANK OF AMERICA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AWARDS $16,500 GRANT TO KEY PLAYER INITIATIVE

Also today, in response to the students’ success, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation announced a grant to help grow the Key Player Initiative. St Patrick Center was awarded $16,500 to fund a graduate student internship to help engage additional schools, companies, corporations and community organizations in the years ahead.

“The fundraising work of the children of our Archdiocese has inspired parents, teachers and corporate presidents like myself,” said Bank of America Missouri Market President Pat Mercurio. “We hope their success will motivate individuals and businesses to become Key Players as our community comes together to end homelessness.”

“Today we are amazed and humbled. We learn to never underestimate the power of children and the support of our community,” said St. Patrick Center CEO Dan Buck. “One child, one school, one corporation at a time, compassion binds us to tackle this social ill. Today homelessness ends for dozens of individuals and families.”

The goal of the Key Player Initiative is to raise one million Housing Program dollars annually by Fiscal Year 2011. At just $2000 per client, one million dollars each year will end homelessness for 500 individuals and families.

In addition to more than 100 Catholic Schools, Key Players include Margaret Benz, Timothy Colvin, Commerce Bank Community Service Committee, Marsha & Ron Davis, Ginger & John Denneen, Francis Howell High School, Anthony Hausladen, Interco Charitable Trust, Kellwood Foundation, Major Brands, Kurt Mechelke and Ruth Murray.

KEY PLAYER MISSION:
The Key Player Initiative is a community-wide effort of Catholic Charities and St. Patrick Center to bring hope and opportunity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. By raising money for permanent, supportive housing, Key Players in the community help build permanent, positive changes in the lives of individuals and families in need.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kelly Peach
Director of Communications
St. Patrick Center
Direct Line 314.802.0687
Cell 314.581.7126
kpeach@stpatrickcenter.org
www.stpatrickcenter.org

go to the Key Player Initiative page