Imagine if you were homeless, maybe even without a car. How would you get the help you and your family need when the programs and services are located all over town?
The solution for many is The Partnership Center – the headquarters of St. Patrick Center, its 22 programs and 13 partners in downtown St. Louis. The Partnership Center at 800 North Tucker Boulevard is a one stop caring center, providing opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity since 2000. (Prior to that, St. Patrick Center was located in four other downtown locations since 1983.)
The Partnership Center was the dream of former St. Patrick Center Executive Director Leo Paradis. In 1995, Leo traveled the United States to learn best practices for serving the homeless and poor. He realized that most homeless people faced access barriers when trying to get the help they needed. Nowhere in our nation was there a one-stop continuum of care. So Leo’s dream was born. He envisioned The Partnership Center and hoped other cities would notice. He knew the concept could be a national model for the care and treatment of the homeless and impoverished.
In 1996, St. Patrick Center began a capital campaign to build The Partnership Center. Thanks to a generous gift from Sverdrup, the 100,000 square foot building at 800 North Tucker was chosen. More than $13 million was raised to realize Leo’s vision of programs and partners under one roof.
The Partnership Center opened in 2000, with 15 programs, five service providers and a
unique computerized central client intake and assessment system. St. Patrick Center and its partners were able to serve clients collaboratively in one building. From emergency to stabilization, from employment to housing to mental health, programs and services came together in one place.
The Partnership Center today has grown to 22 programs and 13 partner agencies. It is a national model for best practices, and St. Patrick Center has been recognized for innovation and successful outcomes.
In 2007, St. Patrick Center will complete The Partnership Center’s 4th and 5th floors. Thanks to a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, the newly developed space will include a trades training center and small business incubator.
We salute Director Emeritus Leo Paradis for his incredible vision and leadership!
