December 27, 2017
There is Room at the Inn Room at the Inn serves as a temporary, emergency shelter for homeless women and families By Charlotte Beard To most St. Louis citizens, Room at the Inn has been a secret since its early stages in December 1988 and Development Manager, Troy Miles wants to change that in the coming year. Room at the Inn, located at 3415 Bridgeland Drive in Bridgeton, is a temporary, emergency shelter for homeless women and families, regardless of the age or gender of the children. Miles did share that assistance is extended to men who come with children as well and may sometimes involve a mother and father coming with children. With a facility that can accommodate only 20 people per day for sleeping, Room at the Inn partners with almost 60 churches that provide an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast the following morning to families in need. These interfaith churches fall under the Inn’s group of Night Site Partners, who also receive training. Each church serves a set number of women and families one night a month. Those requiring assistance are encouraged to go through the (From left) Gina Timme, Mary Kaminski and Troy Miles all work with Room at the Inn. Submitted photo St. Louis Regional Housing Helpline present-day Inn. transportation to and from school free of which refers people to the Inn and The Inn, a 501(c)(3) incorporated agency, charge, allowing them to attend the last school other facilities. Besides Miles and the Executive Director, which refers to the homeless they serve as where they were enrolled or the school they Tiffany Jackson, the day facility is staffed “clients,” collaborates with over 50 outside attended when they first became homeless. by five additional members. The idea for agencies to aid them in gaining independence. Schools also must register homeless children Room at the Inn originated in 1988 when a Among the many agencies are: Almost regardless of missing required documents, minister from McKnight Road Church of Home, BJC Mental Health, Dress for Success, such as immunization records or proof of Christ borrowed the idea from a program in Housing Authority, Life Skills Foundation, residence. Catherine Welsh, Night Site Coordinator Tennessee to use church space for housing and St. Louis Crisis Nursery. Room at the Inn is also one of 44 key for St. Norbert Catholic Church in Florissant the overflow from shelters. More churches in St. Louis County began partners in the St. Louis County Children’s and recent December host, shared that her housing the overflow from the Salvation Service Fund and receives funding to provide parish has been a host for five years. Welsh Army’s shelter on the weekends and during shelter to youth ages 19 and under. The fund has found that people have been very open in the winter. In 1992 the “inn model” for is a coalition of nonprofit agencies whose volunteering their time. Though the church does get outside the Salvation Army evolved to year-round mission is to “improve the lives of children, provisions after acquisition of a grant from St. youth, and families in St. Louis County by volunteers, she states that most have been Louis County Department of Human Services strategically investing in the creation and parishioners of St. Norbert. St. Norbert has and Housing Resource Commission, which maintenance of an integrated system of care their team of volunteers divided up into the enabled recruitment of more churches. The that delivers effective and quality mental following groups to minimize the burden: 1) setup and greeters who prepare the Sisters of Divine Providence, who currently health and substance abuse services.” Development Manager, Miles reported that accommodation areas of the church as well sponsors Room at the Inn, was asked to house the expanded day site at that time. In 1993 the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance as greet clients, 2) evening drivers who pick the Sisters made a commitment to provide a Act of 1987 makes it possible for youth to up the assigned overflow of clients from the portion of their facility. When they moved to get the assistance they need to still attend Inn, 3) evening food preparers and servers 4) the Bridgeton site in 1999, one-third of their school during this phase of their lives. More facility was designed to accommodate the specifically the act ensures homeless children See ‘INN’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 96 No. 52 | 636-379-1775
Around Town
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Community Voices By Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart. P.2
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Happier, Healthier Holidays. P.9
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