St. Patrick Haven began in 1984 as an outreach from St. Patrick Parish to provide shelter for homeless persons.  The Haven is presently sponsored by the pastor of St. Patrick Church and the Sisters of St. Joseph in the name of the President of the Congregation. 
            The original location was at 4th and Peach Streets where both men and women were provided with a warm place, coffee and a bed.   When that building was sold, HANDS purchased the present site at 147 East 12 St. with the understanding that when the mortgage was paid off the corporation of St. Patrick Haven would purchase the site from HANDS for $1.00.  This was accomplished in early 2002.
            With the move to East 12th Street, the Haven became a shelter strictly for men and has remained such.  Up to 21 men can stay at the Haven each night.  They come in the evening and leave, with all of their belongings, by 8:00 a.m. the following morning.  A man may return night after night as long as he follows the Haven’s simple rules:  no guns, no drugs, no alcohol, no fighting on site. Unlike other shelters, a man may come in even if he is drunk or high as long as he does not cause trouble. 
            Because the Soup Kitchen is closed on Saturday and Sunday, the Haven serves dinner on these days once the men have signed in. Different area churches supply the meals, primarily St. Jude the Apostle.
           The shelter is, and has always been, managed on a day-to-day basis by a former client who has been able to rise above their former status for some amount of time. The Haven has been fortunate that its present manager has been at the Haven nearly two years.  In the past, there may have been as many as 10 managers in a year’s time. The manager is responsible for opening the Haven each evening, being present to concerns and issues during the evening, responding to needs as they arise, getting the men out in the morning and cleaning.  The manager receives minimum wage and board.
            Each night a volunteer visits the Haven to be a presence to the clients and to the Manager. These visitors (called ministers) are primarily Sisters of St. Joseph and SSJ Associates. These visitors/ministers, along with Sisters Marie Eileen Moyer and Mary Fromknecht, are the Board of St. Patrick Haven. 
            St. Patrick Haven provides no counseling nor does it demand a change of behaviors in the clients. If a client asks for help, it is provided. The Haven’s goals are to provide a safe place to rest, enjoy camaraderie and be refreshed for the next day. 
            St. Patrick Haven has operates entirely through donations and grants.  Clients are not charged any fees. St. Patrick Haven is a 'purely public charity'.