Now a ministry provided under the steady canopy of the Help Center, Shoals Shelter has a rich history, just not by our current name. We stand on the shoulders of Room in the Inn Shoals and Home Free Haven as a homeless service that aims to provide shelter to our homeless neighbors in the Shoals community. We provide shelter, meals, and distribute supplies throughout the coldest months of the year - November through March - hosting our guests in local church buildings.

This program has always been unique because of the involvement of local congregations. This ministry brings together all types of congregations, no matter their denominations, leadership style, or beliefs because we all believe that Jesus sent us here to serve. We all aim to exemplify Jesus’ charge in Matthew 25 to serve and aid “the least of these” and we do so with the knowledge that we all fall under that category.

The leadership at Shoals Shelter goes into each conversation, meeting, presentation, shelter night, and individual interaction with the goal of growing each person or congregations’ ministry. We are not here to ask for your services without hearing your needs. Instead, we are here to provide you with a catalyst, an example, or a blueprint that you can use to dive further into your current mission of serving, however it will look when you have finished crafting it.

We are grateful to live in a community that seeks out ways to serve their neighbors, and we capitalize on that in order to meet the needs of everyone who comes to us seeking shelter. Our current model is providing shelter every Sunday and Thursday, as well as nights that reach freezing temperatures (32 when dry and 40 when accompanied by precipitation) in different church buildings. We serve dinner and breakfast while providing a comfortable, friendly, and safe environment for fellowship and meeting physical needs. Many of our congregations have shower facilities, but all provide toiletries each night for guests to carry with them when they leave. During our guests’ time with us, we engage in conversation, games, assistance with housing/job applications, educational assistance, and, for those interested, Bible studies and mentorship.

We look forward to hearing how we can partner with you: whether you are a guest, a volunteer, or a congregation, we are praying for you and look forward to meeting and serving with you.