EAST ST. LOUIS - A grand opening is planned next week at Southern Illinois' first state-funded shelter for homeless veterans.

The Joseph Center will provide housing, 24-hour care, help with life skills, health services and job training for up to two years.

A nonprofit organization, Eagle's Nest of St. Clair County, developed the center with the help of $900,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority and other state and federal grants. It will be the culmination of years of effort by Martha Watts, who is the board chairman of Eagle's Nest. The center was named for her late husband.

The center is located in a renovated building at 5020 State Street. The grand opening is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Friday.