Details
Room at the Inn, sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a community-based program providing emergency shelter for women and families dealing with the complex issues of homelessness. Holy Spirit Parish is one of sixty “Nite Sites,” serving approximately ten clients of Room at the Inn on the first Saturday evening of every month and the fifth Wednesday when they occur (four per year). We are hosts to the homeless volunteering in various ways such as transporters, greeters, cooks, activity helpers, and overnight “Inn Keepers.” Please feel free to call for more information about volunteering for this ministry.
Contact(s)
Audrey Konopka 314-739-9850 audrykonopka@sbcglobal.net
Clare Duffy 314-291-2144
More from Room at the Inn...
Room at the Inn is a temporary, emergency shelter for homeless women and families, regardless of the age or gender of the children. We empower program participants to create their own solution to their homelessness through education and referrals.
We serve about 200 people per year, including single mothers with their children, single women, two-parent or single-father families. With a capacity of 20 people per day, we assist the homeless in all districts of St. Louis County.
We are bolstered by more than 800 regular monthly volunteers, representing 15 different faiths and a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. We collaborate with more than 50 outside agencies to make needed services available for our clients.
We are the catalyst that allows the community to help the homeless.
Room at the Inn History
The concept behind Room at the Inn originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It was designed to provide families without homes temporary shelter in unused church space. In 1988, the idea spread to St. Louis County, and churches began providing overflow housing to the Salvation Army on weekends and during the winter.
In 1992, under the direction of Barbara Bixler Vogel, Room at the Inn received a grant from the St. Louis County Department of Human Services and Housing Resource Commission. With this grant, the Salvation Army was able to recruit more congregations as overnight sites and expand Room at the Inn to a year-round shelter. The Sisters of Divine Providence were approached to house the expanded day site. They donated the use of the fourth floor of their provincial house, Mount Providence. In 1992, the Sisters made a corporate commitment to families without homes and became the formal sponsors of Room at the Inn. The Divine Providence Community provides the facilities, utilities and many professional services.
In 1999, the Sisters moved their administrative offices to the present site in Bridgeton, where one-third of their building was designed to accommodate Room at the Inn.
What makes Room at the Inn innovative is its partnership between the sisters and nearly 60 interfaith congregations, as well as its collaboration with nonprofit and governmental agencies, foundations, businesses and individuals. The program serves families in need only through the generous sharing of time, hospitality, food and facilities of our faithful partners.
Details
Room at the Inn, sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a community-based program providing emergency shelter for women and families dealing with the complex issues of homelessness. Holy Spirit Parish is one of sixty “Nite Sites,” serving approximately ten clients of Room at the Inn on the first Saturday evening of every month and the fifth Wednesday when they occur (four per year). We are hosts to the homeless volunteering in various ways such as transporters, greeters, cooks, activity helpers, and overnight “Inn Keepers.” Please feel free to call for more information about volunteering for this ministry.
Contact(s)
Audrey Konopka 314-739-9850 audrykonopka@sbcglobal.net
Clare Duffy 314-291-2144
More from Room at the Inn...
Room at the Inn is a temporary, emergency shelter for homeless women and families, regardless of the age or gender of the children. We empower program participants to create their own solution to their homelessness through education and referrals.
We serve about 200 people per year, including single mothers with their children, single women, two-parent or single-father families. With a capacity of 20 people per day, we assist the homeless in all districts of St. Louis County.
We are bolstered by more than 800 regular monthly volunteers, representing 15 different faiths and a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. We collaborate with more than 50 outside agencies to make needed services available for our clients.
We are the catalyst that allows the community to help the homeless.
Room at the Inn History
The concept behind Room at the Inn originated in Nashville, Tennessee. It was designed to provide families without homes temporary shelter in unused church space. In 1988, the idea spread to St. Louis County, and churches began providing overflow housing to the Salvation Army on weekends and during the winter.
In 1992, under the direction of Barbara Bixler Vogel, Room at the Inn received a grant from the St. Louis County Department of Human Services and Housing Resource Commission. With this grant, the Salvation Army was able to recruit more congregations as overnight sites and expand Room at the Inn to a year-round shelter. The Sisters of Divine Providence were approached to house the expanded day site. They donated the use of the fourth floor of their provincial house, Mount Providence. In 1992, the Sisters made a corporate commitment to families without homes and became the formal sponsors of Room at the Inn. The Divine Providence Community provides the facilities, utilities and many professional services.
In 1999, the Sisters moved their administrative offices to the present site in Bridgeton, where one-third of their building was designed to accommodate Room at the Inn.
What makes Room at the Inn innovative is its partnership between the sisters and nearly 60 interfaith congregations, as well as its collaboration with nonprofit and governmental agencies, foundations, businesses and individuals. The program serves families in need only through the generous sharing of time, hospitality, food and facilities of our faithful partners.