St. Patrick Center Key Player Initiative

In August 2007, Catholic Charities and St. Patrick Center launched an aggressive, new housing initiative. The Key Player Initiative is a community-wide effort that raises needed resources for permanent, supportive housing. Key Players are catalysts in leading St. Patrick Center clients to independence and self-sufficiency.

THE 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.

“Housing is the first and most important component to stability,” said St. Patrick Center CEO Dan Buck. “In order for us to continue to implement this best practice Housing First model, we are recruiting key community players to help us provide safe, dignified housing for individuals and families.”

The goal of the Key Player Initiative is to raise one million Housing Program dollars annually by Fiscal Year 2011. Money raised pays for rent, utilities, Livings Skills classes, case work and program costs. At just $2000 per client, one million dollars raised annually will end homelessness for 500 individuals and families each year.

:: read more about the Key Player launch
:: view the Key Player Initiative video

:: view the Key Player corporate video
:: view the Key Player school video

:: view the Key Player fact sheet

When the Key Player Initiative launched in August 2007, it was met with immediate success! Kellwood Foundation took the corporate lead and made a 5-year commitment to the Key Player Initiative, with a financial contribution that will total $195,000. And Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Schools took the lead when elementary and high schools committed to raise $100,000. In an April 2008 news conference, Catholic School students announced that they raised $221,000 during the school year!

:: read more about the Key Player news conference
:: view the Catholic School student Key Player news conference video

The Key Player Initiative is a unique way to engage youth in philanthropy. In November 2008, the St. Louis chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Key Player Initiative its Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award.

:: read more about the Key Player award

Key Players are being recruited from corporations, foundations, parishes, churches, schools, and social and trade organizations. Key Players are encouraged to use their creative resources to organize a variety of fundraisers.

:: view a list of current Key Players
:: view a list of creative Key Player fundraisers

If you would like to be a Key Player, a team captain for a Key Player group, or help solicit Key Players, contact St. Patrick Center Director of Corporate & Community Development Lindsey Porlier at 314.802.1987 or lporlier@stpatrickcenter.org.