August 30, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Patrick Center announced today that the agency’s Key Players have raised $528,000 to date for the Key Player Initiative, a community-wide effort to help move homeless clients into housing.

The $528,000 total has allowed St. Patrick Center to move 264 clients and their families from homelessness to housing. Money raised by Key Players in the community pays for rent, utilities, Livings Skills classes, case work and program costs.

The total, from August 2007 through June 2010, includes $116,000 raised by Key Players during the 2009-2010 school year.

“We continue to be impressed with the creative and generous fundraising efforts of Catholic Schools and others in the Key Player Initiative,” says St. Patrick Center CEO Dan Buck. “By helping us provide safe, dignified housing, our Key Players are catalysts in leading St. Patrick Center clients and their families to lives of independence and self-sufficiency.”

To date, the St. Patrick Center Key Players consist of 123 Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Schools and 19 individuals, corporations and foundations. Key Players are encouraged to use their creative resources to organize a variety of fundraisers.

For a complete list of current Key Players, visit www.stpatrickcenter.org.

Launched in August 2007 to raise needed resources for permanent, supportive housing, the Key Player Initiative was met with immediate success. Kellwood Foundation made a 5-year corporate commitment with a financial contribution totaling $195,000. Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic elementary and high schools raised $221,000 during the 2007-2008 school year. In November 2008, the St. Louis chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Key Player Initiative its Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award.

The goal of the Key Player Initiative, according to Buck, is to raise one million Housing Program dollars annually. At $2000 per client/family, one million dollars raised annually will end homelessness for 500 individuals and families each year.

“Housing is the first and most important component to stability,” adds Buck. “This aggressive housing effort by our community allows us to continue to implement the best practice Housing First model.”

Ending homelessness is a priority of President Barack Obama and his administration. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) in June 2010 unveiled Opening Doors, a comprehensive plan to prevent and end homelessness (available at www.usich.gov).

“Stable housing is the foundation upon which everything else in a family’s or individual’s life is built,” said President Obama. “The previous administration began the work to end chronic homelessness. Now is the time to challenge our nation to end homelessness across all populations – including families, youth, children and veterans.”

Corporations, foundations, parishes, churches, schools and social/trade organizations interested in joining the Key Player Initiative may contact Carla Wilson, St. Patrick Center Director of Corporate and Community Development, at 314.802.1987 or cawilson@stpatrickcenter.org.

Mission of Key Player Initiative:
The Key Player Initiative is a community-wide effort 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.

Mission of St. Patrick Center:
St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals achieve permanent, positive changes in their lives through affordable housing, sound mental health, employment and financial stability.

FOR MORE INFO:
Kelly Peach
Senior Director of Communications
St. Patrick Center
Direct line 314.802.0687
Cell 314.581.7126
kpeach@stpatrickcenter.org

Stephanie Rea
Writer/Producer
St. Patrick Center
Direct line 314.802.1968
Cell 314.853.8886
srea@stpatrickcenter.org 

www.stpatrickcenter.org

1. Melanie Squires

   September 9, 2010 at 7:52 pm

   I’m very interested in finding out information about the Key Players and any other programs available in helping with housing needs. Im a single mother and am facing homelessness. I’m also interested in any programs or assistence available for gaining employment. I lost my job about six months ago and am having a terrible time getting a job. Thank you very much for any help you can provide. I included my e-mail address above and my phone number is 314-540-2118.

   Sincerly,

   Melanie Squires
2. srea

   September 29, 2010 at 7:47 pm

   Please contact 314-802-0700 to be directed to our Housing Department. Thank you.