Fall 2008 issue of Horizons

GUEST ARTICLE Dan Buck, St. Patrick Center

Once a prominent St. Louis television anchor and radio host, Dan Buck made the choice five years ago to leave his high-visibility career and lead one of the city’s largest charitable institutions. As the chief executive officer of St. Patrick Center, Buck heads up the largest provider of homeless services in the state of Missouri. In an in- depth conversation with Buck, the HORIZONS editorial staff discussed the numerous examples of leadership he displays and witnesses in the St. Louis community every day. The entire landscape of corporate giving has changed in recent years. At one time, company philanthropy was mainly focused on an executive’s pet project, with little input from the company’s employees. Now, more and more executive leaders are sensitive to community needs and the philanthropic desires of their employees. These employees have more say- so than ever in the company’s choice for community contributions. I commend corporations for gaining this type of insight. Also, they like to see their employees get involved in hands-on volunteer opportunities, and we truly appreciate that encouragement and commitment as well. 2008 has been our most challenging year since I began, with $10 million in new capital projects in the works. Thanks to grant funding that partners public and private resources, these projects will be free of any capital debt moving forward. The first major project is Rosati House, a new 26-unit living facility for the chronically homeless. These residents are those who’ve been on the streets for years and are often fighting substance abuse, as well as mental illness. We expect this permanent, supportive housing project to be completed in October of this year. The second major new initiative is happening within our Partnership Center. The fourth and fifth floors have been dedicated to a new trades center and small business incubator. The center will offer training for a variety of trades, like carpentry, heating and air-conditioning, plumbing, hospitality training and other high-growth employment areas. Our goal is to see this project finished in September. What changes have you observed recently in corporate giving? What are the center’s main goals for 2008, and how are you progressing toward those goals?

St. Patrick Center: Leading the Fight Against Homelessness in St. Louis

23 ◆ fall 2008 issue