City, St. Patrick Center Receive $600,000 to Help Homeless Veterans

The St. Louis Department of Human Services and the St. Patrick Center announced today that they have each received a $300,000 federal grant to help homeless veterans get back on their feet. The grants from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program will provide homeless veterans with occupational, classroom, and on-the-job training, job search and placement assistance. The City also will continue to assist veterans with temporary and permanent housing.

 "Veterans have sacrificed for us. We need to be there for them,” said Mayor Francis Slay. “I am very proud to accept this grant on their behalf.”

 The City won the grant in collaboration with Employment Connection. It is the second straight year the City has received it.

The St. Patrick Center also received a grant to provide job training. St. Patrick is an important member of the City’s Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness.

 “The nation’s veterans are struggling with homelessness. St. Patrick Center offers several veterans’ programs that provide housing, employment and other opportunities to our veteran clients,” said Tom Etling, St. Patrick Center Chief Executive Officer. “This grant award will provide us with additional resources to help those who served our country build permanent, positive change in their lives.”

  “Almost 12% of homeless people in the City are veterans,” said Bill Siedhoff, Director of Human Services for the City of St. Louis. “We must be attentive to their needs. This program satisfies some of those needs by providing essential employment-related services that put people back to work.”

 The City of St. Louis is in the 6th year of its 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. It has received $52.5 million in federal grants to help homeless over the last five years. Since implementing the plan in 2005, the City has seen a 30% reduction in the number of homeless people.

 Homeless veterans can apply for these services by calling Employment Connection at 314-333-5627 or St. Patrick Center at 314-802-1953.

 

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