Support women and children experiencing homelessness

Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral (CCC), in partnership with Uniting Partners (UP) for Women and Children, will begin a pilot program in January called Room in the Inn – Louisville. Each night of January and February 2025, CCC will open its Dean’s Hall space to house 15 women and their minor children.

The pilot program is modeled on Nashville’s successful Room in the Inn program, which was started by Fr. Charles Strobel, pastor of Holy Name Catholic Church. During a particularly cold winter night in 1985, Fr. Strobel opened the church to several unhoused neighbors sleeping nearby in their cars.

 Animated by that spirit, we envision opening up a space on our campus each night in January and February, 2025, to 15 women (and their minor children, as necessary). From intake at 6pm to departure at 6:30am the next morning, shelter guests will be welcomed into the Cathedral space for dinner, a time of quiet relaxation, and peaceful sleep before departing after breakfast.

The shelter will be staffed by volunteers – at least two at all times – during the hours between 5pm and 7 am. They will assist in welcoming the shelter’s guests, making and serving dinner and breakfast, ensuring that the evening’s program proceeds smoothly, that everyone makes it to bed and wakes up on time, and providing cleanup after departure in the morning. Volunteer orientation and training will be provided by Cathedral and UP staff.

UP for Women and Children, Louisville’s only day shelter for women, female-identifying individuals, and their minor children, has rented space on the Cathedral’s campus since 2017. UP is a crucial community partner who will provide guidance and logistical support for this pilot program. UP will handle the pre-screening and intake responsibilities for Winter Shelter along with technical assistance.

St. Frances of Rome and St. Leonard parishioners are invited to attend an information session at SFR on Monday, December 9 beginning at 6pm inside the Holy Trinity Clifton Campus Reception Hall.

Learn how we can volunteer to ensure mothers and their children have a safe and warm place to spend the night in the coldest months of the year.