About

What we do: providing shelter and support to Veterans.

The Joseph Center Program has a mission to empower male homeless Veterans to achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency, economic independence, and rejoin their communities as productive members of society. In November of 2009, The Joseph Center, a program under the Eagle's Nest of St. Clair County opened a 26-bed, secure transitional housing facility in East St. Louis.

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
• Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago-AHP The Bank of Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois
• Community support; local veterans associations, churches, civic organizations, and individuals.

History

The Eagle’s Nest was the shared vision of Carl and Martha Watts, RN.  Martha and Carl began the quest for information and assistance with determining the need and feasibility of a transitional housing program for homeless veterans. 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 is a member of the Homeless Action Council, the Continuum of Care for St. Clair County (HAC) and continues to address the various needs of homeless male military Veterans.

A Board of Directors was established, and The Eagle’s Nest was incorporated in 1997, with Carl Watts acting as the first president.  After Carl passed away in 1997.  Martha Watts became the president of the board prior to becaming the executive director in November of 2009.

In the fall of 2001, our current property was awarded to be used for the homeless under the McKinney Act.