From the November 2010 edition of Chronicles

The Shamrock Club Evening Program, known as the Alumni Club, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year. Nighttime is tough for St. Patrick Center clients dealing with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues, so the program has been a Godsend.

“I thank God for St. Patrick Center and the Alumni Club,” says member Michelle. “The Alumni Club is a place of new beginnings,” adds member Joe.

The Alumni Club began in 1995 as a safe, supportive, drug-free environment for clients and former clients, offering guidance and counseling while they work to maintain their sobriety and stability. Today, the Alumni Club operates evenings from 4-9pm in a relaxed atmosphere above the agency’s McMurphy’s Grill restaurant in Downtown St. Louis and includes a hot, nutritious meal. 

“The Alumni Club has created a community of people in recovery where they are offered hope and can continue to grow not only in recovery, but also in work, family and social situations,” says senior director of mental health services Ann Rotermund.

The Alumni Club provides guidance and training in four major areas: (1) recovery 12-step meetings; (2) daily living skills, including budgeting, household maintenance and nutrition; (3) employment skills, including resumes, job applications and job interviews; and (4) socialization skills, including leisure activities and interpersonal communications.

At a recent anniversary event, clients, former clients and staff gave testimony to the significance of the Alumni Club to its now annual membership of 168. “The Alumni Club is a place to be safe, sober and comfortable enough to maintain stability and continue to build permanent, positive change,” said longtime Alumni Club coordinator Tyrone Darris.