“Project HERO gave me the new start I was looking for.”

Kitrell Fields never imagined living where he is today. After serving his country in the Armed Forces and returning home, Kitrell developed an addiction to crack and alcohol. This addiction led him to pass bad checks and eventually spend six months in prison.

After his release, Kitrell knew that he had to clean up his life. He enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program and found his way to the Project HERO program at St. Patrick Center. Launched in 2008, Project HERO is the first program of its kind in the St. Louis area providing intensive care and solutions to formerly homeless veterans in the community.

And the program has made all the difference for Kitrell. Clean since April 11, 2008, he says Project HERO has given him a chance to live independently. He is currently employed with the Downtown St. Louis Clean Team and is preparing to finish college to obtain a degree in computer programming. Kitrell continues to show his commitment to maintaining his sobriety and employment as he takes the next steps in his life.

“It’s nice here,” Kitrell says of his downtown apartment. “I never dreamed of living downtown where all the lofts and condos are… none of this would be possible without the support of Project HERO.”

Kitrell’s story was in the February 25, 2009 edition of the St. Louis Post Dispatch!