Our Newsletters

April 2023

Volunteers are the Village

At St. John Center, we celebrate every day of April. Not only will April 14th mark our 37th year of service, but April is Volunteer Appreciation Month! And Volunteers are our Village.

For 37 years, volunteers have been at the heart of the Day Shelter an Social Services Center.  Every day, 365 days a year, volunteers are here answering phones, greeting and helping guests, serving coffee, helping 

guests get their mail, monitoring the floor of the Day Shelter, and handing out towels and toiletry supplies. We simply would not be St. John Center without volunteers. Thank you! We look forward to celebrating all month long!

Wish List

• bleach for laundry

• small paper cups (Dixie)
• 3-in-1 shower gel
• rain ponchos

You may also consult the Amazon wish list or visit our website for more details.  For more information, contact Jim Fulkerson at jfulkerson@stjohncenter.org or 502-398-3505.   

Eddie's Story

This year at Raisin' the Rent, Eddie shared his story in a video created for us by Kertis Creative.  We are grateful to Eddie and to Kertis Creative for sharing the impact of our work.

Thank You

On March 4, St. John Center gathered over 500 people in a powerful act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness.  It was thrilling to be back together again in person - and we are grateful to our presenting sponsors Atria Senior Living, the Kramer Family, and LDG Development for making it possible! Mark your calendars for March 2, 2024!

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*

March 2023

Moving Home for Good

Every year, this community gathers to Raise the Rent for the people we serve at St. John Center. Raisin' the Rent is a big deal -- not just because it is a big fundraiser -- but because it directly results in people moving home.

Support from Raisin' the Rent provides heat when its cold outside and cool air when its hot outside. It provides hot showers.  Support from Raisin' the Rent provides highly skilled and compassionate Housing Navigators,  Housing Coordinators, Safety and Services Aides, and other staff all of whom work together to move people home. 

Last year, with your help St. John Center helped over 283 people move home.  We are so excited for Raisin' the Rent tomorrow night from 6:30 - 10:30 PM because we know that the result will be more smiling faces like these. Thank you for all you do to Raise the Rent!

Check in to Raisin' the Rent Now

If you have a ticket or are a guest at a table at Raisin' the Rent - don't forget to check in today! You can check in and avoid long-lines on Saturday night by downloading the Givi App on your smart phone.  Scan the QR Code below, sign in or create an account, and click "Join an Event." 

Raffle Chance Sales End Tonight

The Raisin' the Rent Raffle chance online sales end today at 11:59 PM.  If you are joining us tomorrow night at Raisin' the Rent you will have one last chance to purchase raffle chances before the live drawing at 8:30 PM.  Otherwise - today is the last day to take a chance on something wonderful and do something good at the same time! Use the link below learn more.

Kentucky Charitable Gaming License Number: ORG-0000323. Ticket sales for this raffle begin at 12:01 am on January 15, 2023 and end at 11:59 pm on March 3, 2023. The raffle drawing will take place at 8:30 pm on March 4, 2023 at the Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave, Louisville KY, 40206. You do not need to be present to win.

Wish List

• bleach for laundry

• 3-in-1 shower gel
• paper towls
• rain ponchos

You may also consult the Amazon wish list or visit our website for more details.  For more information, contact Jim Fulkerson at jfulkerson@stjohncenter.org or 502-398-3505.   

Silent Auction is all Online

While several Silent Auction items have already sold (!) -- you can continue to bid online until 8:30 tomorrow night , March 4th.

Thank You

We are grateful to our Sponsors of Hope who's support of Raisin' the Rent makes gathering in person possible this year! Thank you to BrightSpring Health Services, Fastline Publications, Goodwill, ISCO Industries, Modak, Mary and Dan Parker, and Y&L Consulting for helping St. John Center Raise the Rent and so that people can move home for good.

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*

February 2023

Last Year, With Your Help

In 2022, 2,756 people came to the Day Shelter over 47,000 times. 

No wonder things felt more urgent than ever before. We saw about 700 more guests in 2022 than in 2021. While volunteers and Day Shelter staff greeted our Day Shelter guests and connected them to services, the Street Outreach Team connected with 919 households living in encampments, in cars, in abandoned buildings and under highways in 24 of 26 Metro Council districts.

With your help and support, SJC helped 283 of the households who came to us move home for good.  That represents over 2,500 housing related services to 619 people, hundreds of calls to landlords, hundreds of dollars in application fees, and hours spend helping people obtain I.D.s and other documentation critical to applying for an apartment. 

We work so hard to move people into housing because we know that housing is the key to every step forward.  In 2022, 99% of the people living in our Permanent Supportive Housing program maintained their housing all year long. And 55% of them maintained or increased their income while they worked with their case managers to improve their health, increase their skills, and build stronger relationships.  

Thank you for every way you supported this work!

Don't Miss Your Chance to Join Us!

Raisin' the Rent is just one month away! Tables and tickets are selling quickly! This year tickets are $75 and include appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages, and open seating at the Mellwood Art Center on March 4th from 6:30 - 10:30 PM.  You may also purchase a wrist band for $10, which will provide access to the open bar with beer, wine, and spirits. For groups of eight that would like to be seated together, a limited number of reserved tables are available for $800.  

Raffle Tickets On Sale

Chances to the Raisin' the Rent 2023 Raffle are on sale now -- and chances on some prizes are selling fast.  You can take a chance on a Pot of Gold, 12 $100 gift cards to local restaurants, a river cruise, a whole hog butchered to your specifications, and a week in beautiful Asheville, NC.  Every chance supports services at St. John Center. 

Kentucky Charitable Gaming License Number: ORG-0000323. Ticket sales for this raffle begin at 12:01 am on January 15, 2023 and end at 11:59 pm on March 3, 2023. The raffle drawing will take place at 8:30 pm on March 4, 2023 at the Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave, Louisville KY, 40206. You do not need to be present to win.

Wish List

• bleach for laundry

• adult winter gloves
• hand warmers
• rain ponchos

You may also consult the Amazon wish list or visit our website for more details.  For more information, contact Jim Fulkerson at jfulkerson@stjohncenter.org or 502-398-3505.   

Silent Auction Opens on Feb 24

Whether Spring makes you thing of home repairs and cleaning, new kitchen appliances, vacation or staycation, or a Tiffany diamond necklace --- you'll find it all at the Raisin' the Rent Silent Auction. The Silent Auction is completely available on-line and you don't have to be present to take home a really unique package and support St. John Center services at the same time. 

The Silent Auction opens on Feb 24. Learn more at the link below. 

Thank You

We are grateful to our Presenting Sponsors, who's support of Raisin' the Rent makes gathering in person possible this year! Thank you to Atria Senior Living, the Kramer Family, and LDG Development for helping St. John Center Raise the Rent and help people move home for good. 

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*

January 2023

The Year Ahead

In April of this year, St. John Center will mark our 37th year providing shelter and services to people in our community without adequate housing.  As we step into 2023, we have plans to do something we have never done before. Working with our partners at LDG Development, we will create new housing to expand our Permanent Supportive Housing Program. 

In late spring of this year, we will break ground on a building with 80 one-bedroom apartments for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness and referred by the Common Assessment Team.  The development -- called Sheehan Landing after our founding director, Sister Mary Kathleen Sheehan, SCN -- will also house case managers' offices, a large community room, a Dare to Care kitchen, a health room, and consulting offices for our community partners.  The building will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The year 2023 will be one of significant growth for St. John Center. The result of that growth will be more supportive housing for the people in our city who need it. Thank you for all you do to support St. John Center as we take on this challenge.

Raisin' the Rent Tickets Go on Sale Soon

Raisin' the Rent tickets go on sale on January 15th.  This year tickets are $75 and include appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages, and open seating at the Mellwood Art Center on March 4th from 6:30 - 10:30 PM.  You may also purchase a wrist band for $10, which will provide access to the open bar with beer, wine, and spirits. 

For groups of eight that would like to be seated together, a limited number of reserved tables are available for $800. 

We are grateful for the support of our presenting sponsors - Atria Senior Living, LDG Development, and the Kramer Family.  For more information on how to sponsor, click here! We look forward to being together in person once again for Raisin' the Rent 2023!

Thank You

In December, temperatures in Louisville dropped dramatically.  Our Street Outreach Team worked overtime moving people living outside to overnight shelters.  The Day Shelter responded to anxious guests with as many gloves, hats, handwarmers, and hot coffee as we could possibly provide.

And YOU made this possible. The Louisville community responded in grand fashion - making gifts of supplies and financial support to ensure St. John Center could meet the need. Your support literally saved lives in December.

Thank you. Thank you.

Wish List

• bleach for laundry

• adult winter gloves
• men's underwear
• rain ponchos

You may also consult the Amazon wish list or visit our website for more details.  For more information, contact Jim Fulkerson at jfulkerson@stjohncenter.org or 502-398-3505.   

Raffle Tickets on Sale January 15

The Raisin the Rent raffle is back!  This year you will once again be able to take a chance (or many chances) on some of our popular raffle items.  Tickets go on sale on January 15th for the following:

• A Vacation in Beautiful Asheville, NC.  
• A Whole Hog raised by family farmers and butchered to your specifications.
• A River Cruise on an American Queen River Boat.
• A Pot of Gold worth as much as $10,000. 
• Local Dining for a Year, which includes 12 $100 gift cards to locally owned restaurants.

You can learn more about each of these raffle items and buy your tickets at the link below!

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*

December 2022

Season of Giving

At St. John Center, we are surrounded by gifts and giving.  Volunteers hand guests clean, new socks and underwear - gifts made possible by people throughout our community.  Often, a guest will enter with a gift in hand for a staff member or volunteer who helped him recently -- a card, or note, even a small stuffed animal.

On the most exciting days, St. John Center provides a plastic laundry basket filled with new towels, cleaning supplies, simple dishes, pillows, pots and pans to accompany a new set of apartment keys. These "move in baskets" are also gifts from our community given to people moving home for good. 

And there is the gift of being part of a community of care and support. These daily, active gifts are less tangible, but deeply felt.  Thank you for your support, which makes every day at St. John Center the season of giving.  

Remembering Elgin Bullock, Jr.

For three years, Elgin Bullock opened the doors of St. John Center each day to welcome in the people we serve. He knew their names and their stories.  Beloved by staff and volunteers, Bullock was often moved to tears by the power of the work of St. John Center. Elgin Bullock died on November 17. His love and service changed all of us forever. Rest in Peace, Elgin Bullock, Jr.

Memorial Service

Every year, St. John Center holds a simple memorial service. We gather to remember the people in our community we've lost in the last year. We hear their names sung aloud inside this old church building and remember the importance and dignity of their lives. We will live stream the service on Wednesday, December 21st at 10 AM at the link below. Join us!

Wish List

•  bleach for laundry

• reading glasses

• winter hats/toboggans

• adult winter gloves

You may also consult the Amazon wish list or visit our website for more details.  For more information, contact Jim Fulkerson at jfulkerson@stjohncenter.org or 502-398-3505.   

Tickets On Sale Soon

Tickets for Raisin' the Rent 2023 go on sale January 15!  Join us as we return to an in-person event at Mellwood Arts Center on Saturday, March 4th from 6:30 - 10:30 PM.  Tickets will be $75 and will include heavy appetizers and open seating. Reserved tables may be purchased for $800.  An open bar is available at $10 per guest.  Guests will enjoy games, the bourbon pull, our traditional silent auction, and good company! Learn more at the link below.

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*