One day, in the early 1980s, a social worker named Edith Cunnane, witnessed a scene that piqued her curiosity. A group of people was outside on a bitterly cold day. When she asked the group as to why the answer she received compelled her to establish the St. Patrick Center in St. Louis.
With a mission to transform homeless services and end chronic homelessness within the St. Louis region, the St. Patrick Center provides programs and opportunities for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The center helps individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives.
When KLCares volunteers learned of a chance to support the organization and local community, they quickly created a plan. KnowledgeLake employees launched a drive to collect winter coats, scarves and gloves to bring to participants at the center. With a culture of servant leadership, the team then turned their efforts to other ways to serve the St. Patrick’s community.
During the Thanksgiving holidays, one crew of #KLCares volunteers checked into the center’s kitchen to serve more than 250 people at the Shamrock Club lunch. The following day, another crew of our volunteers provided the meal, desserts and beverages for the Women’s Night Dinner and had the opportunity to get to know and chat with the staff and participants.
St. Patrick Center provides assistance to about 7,200 individuals and families within St. Louis City and St. Louis County each year. The programs are designed to empower those in need in order for them to:
- acquire safe and affordable housing
- address physical health issues as well as behavioral health issues that come from mental illness and substance abuse
- attain employment and financial stability through job readiness training, skill advancement and job placement
What’s next (and now)?
KLCares volunteers are currently working with St. Louis charity, Great Circle. The organization seeks to open new doors and fresh pathways by providing behavioral health services for children, individuals and families tackling some of life’s toughest challenges. K-Lakers are on a mission to ensure the children have presents to unwrap this holiday season. K-Lakers are ‘adopting’ children or families struggling through times of crisis by providing the everyday essentials, basic toys and games asked for.
Learn more about KnowledgeLake’s company culture by visiting our “About Us” page here.
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