“St. Patrick Center is real love and sometimes a person is lacking it. St. Patrick Center taught me how to love – I get it now.”

For DeShalle, homelessness came at an early age, brought on by addiction to drugs and alcohol in her teens. DeShalle also became pregnant through prostitution. She was living in vacant buildings in downtown St. Louis when she learned about St. Patrick Center from the agency’s Mobile Outreach team and decided to enroll in the Livings Skills class.

“I had given up, I didn’t want my baby, I was terrified,” DeShalle recalls. “I was so tired of not smiling and not liking myself. Not being happy just wore me out.” 

By taking SPC classes and participating in Shamrock Club programs, DeShalle says she got so much hope. She decided to keep her baby! She got housed, got help with her mental illness and got clean and sober. In addition, she got her first job in 20 years! Today DeShalle budgets her money and pays her rent and bills.

DeShalle says she’s grateful to the St. Patrick Center staff for the many great smiles and words of encouragement and advice. She is also thankful to the donors who made it possible for her to obtain food, clothing, furniture and more.

“My daughter is a very beautiful young girl, such an inspiration in my life and I’m so glad
I kept her,” DeShalle adds. “I was a child without a Mom and I thank God for St. Patrick Center.”

1. Raniece Allen

   July 22, 2011 at 5:18 pm

   I know her. I would see her in the streets growing up. I am blessed by her story and how she has changed. It is a great thing to see someone find all that they have been looking for. Thank you for sharing.
2. srea

   July 25, 2011 at 5:45 pm

   Kelly, we apologize it has taken us awhile to respond. Hopefully, you were able to find our contact information on our website and call to be directed to the appropriate department at St. Patrick Center that can help. If not, please call us at 314-802-0700. Best of luck.