More Than A Soup Kitchen 004

MORE THAN A SOUP KITCHEN a St. Patrick Center Publication

FEATURE STORY: Rizia

PAINTING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HERSELF ISSUE 004

8TH ANNUAL

Thank you to everyone who came out and joined us for the 8th Annual Veterans Day 5K, presented by Keeley Companies, on November 11, 2023! It was a great morning filled with fun for the whole family. Over 1,100 participants came for the 5K, bounce house, and bubble bus — Fredbird and Louie even stopped by!

We had a great time joining together to raise over $165,000 and help transform the lives of veterans, individuals, and families throughout the St. Louis region!

Thanks to our many donors and partners, St. Patrick Center has several programs dedicated solely to helping veterans and their families transform their lives. One of these programs, Project HERO, serves veterans to improve their overall quality of life through mental health counseling, transportation access, and employment services.

Project HERO is housed at Freedom Place, a 50-unit apartment complex reserved for male veterans experiencing homelessness as well as with substance abuse disorders and/or mental health issues. The St. Louis community has become a better place for everyone to live and work because of the lives transformed through sustainable housing, employment, and healthcare —especially our veterans.

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO JOIN US AT NEXT YEAR’S VETERANS DAY 5K!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Keeley Companies Berra Family Charitable Foundation Bunge Emerson World Wide Technology Boeing Edward Jones Gerry Ortbals Graybar Jim and Pat McAtee JM Family Enterprises Luzco Missouri Athletic Club Strategic Staffing Solutions

Ameren Busey Bank Community Tire Retreading First Community Purina Precoat Metals Roeslein Bommatiro Automotive Group CrowdStrike Gigamon Lewis Rice Pfizer Sevco Security Truck Centers Inc.

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CEO LETTER

Amanda Laumeyer Thank you for reading the fourth issue of More Than a Soup Kitchen. 2023 has been a busy year full of change and exciting opportunities. Your generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure play a huge role in the lives of our clients! Thank you!

This time of year is challenging for many, especially for our unhoused neighbors.

It is important to remember them during this season.

While we face challenges, we face opportunities for growth and positive change.

As extreme winter weather affects our community, St. Patrick Center will be operating a warming center for anyone who needs to get out of the cold, enjoy a snack, and connect with our team. We also are expanding our Women’s Night Program to offer additional shelter space for 10 women. In this issue, you’ll read about how client Rizia’s life was transformed in this growing program!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year — and thank you for your continued support!

- Amanda Laumeyer, CEO

IN THIS ISSUE: 03 Teddy Bear Christmas Land 04 Donor Spotlight: Shannon Williams 05 Home for the Holidays: Rizia 09 Employee Spotlight: Debbie Bobo 10 Coming Soon: Sacred Grounds Café

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r a e B y d d e T

Christmas Land

A longtime holiday staple in the St. Louis community, Teddy Bear Christmas Land has brought Christmas cheer for over 30 years.

Every year, Jay and Susan Trevisano deck out their Crestwood home with a beautiful display of lights while also collecting donations to support St. Patrick Center. From teddy bears to nutcrackers and even Santa himself, you do not want to miss your chance to visit this display of Christmas magic!

Last year, over $12,000 was raised at Teddy Bear Christmas Land to support St. Patrick Center. Thank you to the Trevisano family for years of support. If you are interested in volunteering at Teddy Bear Christmas Land, contact Rachel Hansen, Volunteer Coordinator, at spcvolunteers@stpatrickcenter.org.

Make sure to stop by 9211 Laurel Hill Drive to check out Teddy Bear Christmas Land this holiday season!

Teddy Bea

r Christma

s Land 202

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT: Shannon Williams

Longtime St. Patrick Center supporter, Shannon Williams, was first introduced to St. Patrick Center in the early 2000s. At the time, she was an early-career lawyer in downtown St. Louis who would frequent the agency’s restaurant, McMurphy’s Grill, for lunch with her colleagues. Ten years later, Shannon began volunteering at St. Patrick Center with her family, and the opportunities to serve quickly became something they looked forward to every year. Her involvement with the agency grew when she began regularly donating to St. Patrick Center and joined the Board of Ambassadors. She has continued to give her time and treasure to St. Patrick Center for over a decade!

Shannon has volunteered in many ways over the years since becoming involved, but one of her favorite volunteer opportunities is serving dinner for the Women’s Night Program. For several years she has organized a group of women to prepare and serve dinner to the women in this program every month. “It is an empowering and humbling experience to be with both the clients and the staff. Amazing work is happening there every single night! I highly encourage other women to get a group together for monthly service there,” says Shannon.

Over the years, Shannon has seen many innovative programs begin and succeed at St. Patrick Center and is continually surprised and impressed by the programs’ impact on clients, and the dedication of the staff who run these programs.

The more Shannon serves through St. Patrick Center — participating on committees, attending events, and volunteering her time — the more she sees that her financial support is not only going to a worthy cause, but it is also being used wisely. Shannon encourages others to offer their time and treasure and get involved with St. Patrick Center, noting that opportunities for volunteer service at St. Patrick Center are well-organized and well-run.

“I am committed to supporting St. Patrick Center because I know what I do and what I give has a direct and immediate impact on people who are struggling with the most basic human needs.”

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Rizia: Painting a Brighter Future for Herself As a young girl, Rizia grew up bonding with her mom over their love of art. They loved painting together — a pastime that has preserved Rizia’s interest in art to this day. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, Rizia had big dreams — and as she got older, she often thought about what life would be like outside of her hometown.

When she met friends who shared the same passion for art, they decided to move to St. Louis together to pursue their dreams — a dream come true for Rizia!

She was excited to meet and live with these fellow creatives and for her big move. The group moved into a rental home and were getting familiar with the area. Rizia’s first few weeks in St. Louis were encouraging.

Then, suddenly, the group found themselves bouncing from place to place and the friendships between them began to strain.

The instability and uncertainty left Rizia deeply depressed. She left one problematic living situation, only to find herself in another.

She could live on the street, or in her car — two awful options from which to choose!

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Rizia knew she could not continue to grow and thrive in this situation; all she could do was just try to survive. She was so determined to figure things out on her own that she didn’t even think of asking for help.

When Rizia decided it was time to ask for help, she came to St. Patrick Center and enrolled in the Women’s Night Program. This program provides emergency shelter and supportive services to women experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders to prepare them for permanent housing.

Because of the program, Rizia finally had her own space. She was able to stay motivated and work hard each day because she had a safe place to go every night. She always asked her case managers if there were any programs or classes she could attend to better herself and improve her situation.

Rizia’s case managers at St. Patrick Center were caring and patient with her when she shared with them her anxieties about her future. Together, they helped Rizia set goals for her life and create a plan for accomplishing those goals.

Rizia’s fondest memories at St. Patrick Center are of the group sessions she attended with the occupational therapy staff. They would cook together, do crafts, and participate in a variety of other creative activities. She also enjoyed her time in Job Readiness Training, a part of our Workforce Development Program. This program prepares clients to enter the workforce by teaching soft skills, preparing for interviews, and providing training for various types of employment.

Rizia discovered a new passion during her time in Job Readiness Training. While in the program, she fell in love with learning about and how to prepare coffee. She looked forward to going to Barista Training each day and would even study the craft of coffee-making outside of the program.

“I wanted to learn about coffee, from the history to how to make it because in times when I was cold outside, I had a cup of coffee that warmed me up inside,” said Rizia. She never forgot that encouraging feeling and wanted to bring the same joy to others. She wanted to do something that made people happy and knew firsthand how coffee could bring a smile to someone’s face.

“I want to share my art with the world because I know artwork is everything to me.

It can speak volumes and hopefully also help somebody.”

-Rizia

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“Give everybody an equal chance because everyone deserves it, especially if they are kind and trying to do their best. Do what you can!” -Rizia Rizia continues to love art and being an artist. She loves working with acrylic paint and also likes drawing; she is even dabbling in animation and three-dimensional art. She likes the process of creating art, even when it gets frustrating. Rizia uses vibrant colors in her paintings because she feels they bring out the best in herself and others.

Today, Rizia works at the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis as a barista, where she combines her love of coffee and art with her career. She spends her days as a barista in this artsy café spot.

Whenever she has a break or when she is walking around the building, she takes time to appreciate the art around her.

The day we interviewed Rizia for this article, she also received the keys to her new apartment. She is excited to have a space she can call her own, where she can continue improving and healing herself. She cannot wait to fill her space with art, thrive in creativity, and bring more art into the world. Rizia is very excited to be home for the holidays.

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RIZIA’S ART

Rizia shared a few of her paintings during her interview.

Check out her work and some of her thoughts about these pieces!

“I feel that there are a lot of eyes around me, watching me and seeing how I move, how I can carry myself, and how I am to people. And while sometimes I feel as if I am alone, I see that there is love in other people. I see a lot of love in myself and want to be able to continue to work on myself, so I can give that love to people because I have so much to give. I love eyes — they are the window to your soul.”

“I like to focus on the details and add a lot of details [to my paintings]. I like using different hues, colors, and textures in my work. I like to make it pop!”

“I love portraying more melanin in the media because there is not enough of that shown. I want to get those artists out there, and get out there myself. We exist and have something to offer.”

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ST

O P S AFF

T H G I L T Debbie Bobo

Accounting Assistant

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT ST. PATRICK CENTER? 8 years WHAT ARE TWO THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT WORKING HERE? The work environment and our purpose of TRANSFORMING LIVES IF YOU COULD HOP ON A PLANE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Cincinnati, Ohio, to visit my sister WHAT IS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO? (NO CHEATING!) ‘Indescribable’ by Kierra Sheard WHAT IS ONE SNACK WE CAN ALWAYS FIND IN YOUR KITCHEN?

IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT WOULD YOU BRING?

Peanut butter!

A radio to contact HELP! IF YOUR LIFE WAS TURNED INTO A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE TITLE BE?

WHAT DOES A PERFECT WEEKEND LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? Spending the day getting a facial and a mani-pedi. Then going shopping!

‘It’s Complicated’ WHAT TV SHOW ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH RIGHT NOW? ‘Good Bones’ on HGTV

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COMING SOON!

Central Library | 1301 Olive Street St. Louis, MO We are excited to announce that our Barista Training program is expanding! Barista Training is a St. Patrick Center program that teaches clients new skills and on-the-job training in a coffee shop setting.

In collaboration with Catholic Charities of St. Louis and St. Louis Public Library, St. Patrick Center is opening Sacred Grounds Café at the Central Library in downtown St. Louis. Enjoy handcrafted drinks made by St. Patrick Center clients.

More Than a Soup Kitchen readers can use the coupon below for a free beverage made by the baristas at Sacred Grounds!

ONE (1) COMPLIMENTARY HOT OR ICED ESPRESSO BEVERAGE* *Coupon valid only at Sacred Grounds at Central Cafe in the Central Library. Physical coupon must be presented at purchase and cannot be used more than once. Coupon valid until March 1, 2024. Other restrictions may apply.

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St. Louis, MO 63101 stpatrickcenter.org

HELP KEEP MORE FAMILIES

Home for the Holidays Join our mission to bring St. Patrick Center clients safety, warmth, and happiness this Christmas.

Your gift gives families hope, comfort, and joy!

DONATE

Contact the St. Patrick Center Philanthropy Team: philanthropy@stpatrickcenter.org | (314) 802-0987 | stpatrickcenter.org