About
What we do: providing shelter and support to Illinois Veterans.
Eagle’s Nest is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to empower homeless military Veterans to achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency and economic independence, and rejoin the community as productive members of society. The Joseph Center, which is a full-service living center providing supportive housing to up to 26 homeless Veterans, is the only one of its kind in the entire St. Louis metropolitan area.
We believe that by providing our U.S. Veterans a safe and comfortable space in which to live, we will be providing them the dignity and high quality of life they so deserve.
Our Community Vision
We envision a living center where the community is greatly involved with our Veteran activities, and where Illinois Veterans can be a productive part of this community. We are committed to making this happen in East St. Louis, and invite you to be a part of this venture here at The Joseph Center.
Past and Present Partners
- The Department of Health and Human Services
- The Department of Veteran’s Affairs Grant and Per Diem Program
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development/SHP
- East St. Louis Community Development Block Grant
- The East St. Louis Action Research Project
- The Neighborhood Technical Assistance Center, East St. Louis, Illinois
- Illinois Department of commerce and Economic Opportunity
- The Bonner Foundation
- Connections for Tomorrow CT4 Net
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago-AHP West Pointe Bank of Belleville, Illinois
- St. Louis Rams foundation
- Illinois Workforce Advantage
- St. Matthew Baptist Church
- Mt. Psgah Baptist Church
History
The Eagle’s Nest was the shared vision of Carl and Martha Watts. Martha and Carl began the quest for information and assistance with determining the need and feasibility of a transitional housing program for homeless veterans. With federal assistance, Carl and Martha surveyed homeless veterans at local shelters to determine the need for a transitional housing program and the types of supportive services needed for veterans to gain independence and self-sufficiency.
The Eagle’s Nest has been a long-term member of the Homeless Action Council, the Continuum of Care for St. Clair County (HAC) and is the only organization addressing the various needs of homeless military veterans located in a single facility.
A Board of Directors was established, and the Eagle’s Nest was incorporated in 1997, with Carl Watts acting as the first president. Sadly, Carl died in May of ‘97. Martha Watts now presides as the president of the board.
In fall of 2000, the Eagle’s Nest submitted a proposal to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Private Muldrow Center located at 5020 State Street in East St. Louis, a former military reserve center that had been designated for homeless shelter use under the McKinney Act. The Eagle’s Nest was awarded the property in March 2001.
In 2004, The Eagle’s Nest was selected to be part of a two-year Capacity Enhancement Program that is sponsored by the Non-Profit Services Consortium and funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Contact
For more information on the Eagle’s Nest and the Joseph Center, contact Martha Watts
- Phone – 314-680-2599
- Email – mmwatts [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
Address
The Joseph Center
5020 State Street, East St. Louis, IL 62202-0128