St. John Center 35th Anniversary Blog

Miss Kitty and Robert The best way to introduce you to my client Robert is to introduce you to his cat, Miss Kitty.  Miss Kitty is a small gray and white cat with one eye. She lost the other in an unfortunate run in with a mean dog. She is … [Read more...] about Meet Robert – and Miss Kitty

On April 14, 1986 when the doors of St. John Center opened, Larry Otto stood on the front steps to welcome guests. He knew many of them by name already. April 14, 1986 – Larry Otto on the steps of St. John Center Larry spent months cleaning and … [Read more...] about Larry Otto – St. John Center’s Founding Volunteer

Do you know what a Podicep is? If you’re an ornithologist, or attended Bellarmine or worked at St Johns Parish in the 1960’s, you might know. If not, then Google can provide one answer, and this article another. Google says Podicep is a bird … [Read more...] about Podiceps and St John’s

At St. John Center, we know that safe, affordable, and supportive housing makes the best things in life  possible - like a place to welcome our beloved pets, companions, and friends. Bill and Turtle's story is truly one of the … [Read more...] about Bill and Turtle’s Story

Sister Pat Worley, SCN, arrived at St. John Center just a few months after the day shelter opened in 1986.  She joined Sister Kathleen Sheehan as the second paid staff person for the organization and served St. John Center and our guests for … [Read more...] about A Legacy of Love: Sister Pat Worley, SCN

Jack and Jackie Lydon Next year, Jack Lydon will mark his 30th year volunteering at St. John Center.   And while it is true that he has come into this building almost every week for 30 years to answer phones, greet guests, pour coffee, … [Read more...] about A Lifetime of Service at Muhammad Ali and Clay

Clockwise: Clinic staff member Cindy Bolton in 1994, dentist Bill Weutcher, and St. John Center and clinic staff in early 1998 In the mid-eighties when homelessness was growing at alarming rates, our community quickly realized that the many … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the St. John Clinic

April 14, 1986.  Thirty-five years ago, St. John Center opened our big front doors for the first time.  Sister Mary Kathleen Sheehan, SCN, was there to greet our guests. She set the tone for compassion, integrity, professionalism, and order … [Read more...] about Our Founding Director: Sister Mary Kathleen Sheehan, SCN

Genio and I are a team.  I support him in the housing program at St. John Center and he is my pastry chef.  When I first started visiting Genio in his home, I noticed with a bit of impatience that he was always ready to eat a meal when I got … [Read more...] about Genio’s Cooking Show

In 1986 I was a congregant at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Louisville. I had survived the five years since my divorce, during which I had faced loneliness but was buoyed by the presence of five lively children, some of whom were in … [Read more...] about Early Days at the St. John Center for the Homeless