Welcome
St. John Center is an emergency day shelter and social services center located in Louisville, KY. Its mission is to create an atmosphere that encourages homeless men to envision a life of hope, take shelter, and find rest by treating each person with dignity and respect, and supporting them in addressing the problems that lead them to homelessness.
This mission is accomplished by implementing three complementary programs: the day shelter and social services center, a residential recovery program for those with drug and alcohol addictions, and a permanent supportive housing program for the chronically homeless.
St. John Center is where homeless men seek help, find hope, and move forward.
Busy volunteer still makes time for St. John Center
At 36, Marcus Warren is a talented financial advisor, a managing partner in J. Hagan Warren & Associates. He and his wife Natalie have two beautiful children, a 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. The couple is expecting their third child in July. As you can imagine, things are pretty busy in the Warren household.
Despite the challenges of his life and career, Marcus has been volunteering weekly at St. John Center since February 2007. In July 2008 he took his support of the Center to a new level and became a member of the SJC board of directors.
According to Marcus his commitment to St. JohnCenter is due to three things - giving back to his community, the gratitude of the men he serves and the passion of the St. JohnCenter staff.
“I learned early on the significance of serving others. My family always found ways to do things for other people in need so I grew up wanting to help. In my position, time is tight, but my schedule is flexible enough that I can make time for St. JohnCenter,” said Marcus.
It was one of his firm’s employees that first directed Marcus to St. JohnCenter. “When I came in for a tour I was impressed with what Carmel (volunteer coordinator CarmelDavis) told me about the needs of the men who come here, especially those suffering from mental illness and the veterans,” Marcus said.
As an SJC volunteer Marcus has worked in the coffee room, at the sign-in desk and in the shower room. “When I first started I was taken aback by the number of guys that were expressing their gratitude to me for helping out. I was just handing out towels and toiletries but they recognized that I was new and thanked me,” admitted Marcus.
Marcus witnesses the daily interaction of the St. JohnCenter staff with our guests. “I’ve noticed that the staff is very passionate about the Center’s mission and the safety of the guys who come in. I never see anyone trying to impose their will on a guest. Instead of demanding respect, the staff gives each guest respect,” Marcus explained.
Marcus notes respect is evident in the fact that those who frequent St. JohnCenter are referred to as “guests.” “A guest is someone who is welcome in your home. You want to make sure they are comfortable and have everything they need,” he said. “That’s how it is at St. JohnCenter and that’s why this is a special place.”
Thanks Marcus.