Today our programs meet many different needs:

• Emergency Shelter: Serves up to 60 men nightly, 365 days per year. The basic needs of shelter, food, showers, laundry, lockers and staff support are available nightly. Most importantly, the shelter provides a warm, safe, caring alternative to living on the street.

• Meals Program: Provides an evening meal 17 days each month for residents of the shelter as well as those in the surrounding neighborhood living on limited or fixed incomes. Each month, more than 500 volunteers from area churches and service organizations help prepare and serve food to as many as 200 men, women and children each evening.

• Transitional Housing Program: Provides transitional housing and assists up to 10 homeless men in setting goals, learning living skills, establishing a regular income and savings plan, with the goal of moving into independent living. The Transitional Housing Program also includes the Arts Collaborative, a program in conjunction with community artists that allows clients to see themselves in a new and different light to help them determine what they are capable of through the process and production of dimensional art, writings, photography, etc.

• Benedict Joseph Labre Center: A residential care center (licensed through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health), which serves as a transitional facility for up to 15 men who are homeless and mentally ill. Psychiatric nursing, occupational therapy and case management services are provided in addition to basic housing needs.

• Positive Directions Program: Provides housing and community-based supportive services to more than 80 homeless men and women annually who live with HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and/or substance abuse issues.

• Club Cathedral: A service provided in partnership with Centenary Methodist Church providing a simple breakfast for up to 220 persons who are homeless each weekday. Professional staff members assist clients with vital resources in the community.

Too often, shelters are forced into situations of simply warehousing "street people." Beyond their immediate physical needs, some require direction in recovering from substance abuse; some need help in finding employment; some lack money management and budgeting skills; and some simply need to be motivated to provide for themselves. Helping those who are homeless to change their circumstances is the primary focus of all our programs.

To learn more about PPCS, our programs and services, or to volunteer please call 314.588.7111 ext. 206.