ST. LOUIS - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay and Assistant U.S. Secretary of Commerce Sandy Baruah joined other leaders and dignitaries to honor the St. Patrick Center with the 2006 Excellence Award for Faith-based and Community Programs.  Mr. Clay also provided key support to help the center win a $3.5 million federal grant to create a small industry and business incubator at their downtown facility.

“The St. Patrick Center simply does what they do better than anyone else,” said Mr. Clay. “And I am very pleased and proud to support them with this infusion of federal funding to help with the vital services that they provide.  I want to commend the St. Patrick Center on this national award for excellence, and I especially want to salute Dan Buck and his entire staff for their endless compassion, healing and good work in our community.” 

The St. Patrick Center is Missouri’s largest provider of comprehensive services to citizens suffering from homelessness, drug abuse and mental illness.  The new small industry and business incubator will train hundreds of clients in building trades and light industry skills.  The goal is to help them become self-sustaining, productive members of our community.