New Congregations
WANT TO JOIN
Each congregation that participates in the Winter Shelter program coordinates its own volunteers, meals, and additional services. To serve Room In The Inn guests at your congregation, connect with your congregation’s Winter Shelter or Outreach coordinators.
If your congregation is interested in participating in our Winter Shelter program, see the New Congregation Packet and sign-up sheet below. You can also email info@ritilex.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Each congregation chooses the night it will host Room In The Inn based on building usage and volunteer availability. The program operates seven days a week, and beds are needed every night.
Some congregation’s welcome guests once per week while others once or twice each month. Each congregation plans its own schedule.
Room In The Inn believes smaller groups provide more safety and the opportunity for conversation and relationship. Congregations typically take 12 guests, but each faith community decides how many guests it can comfortably accommodate in its facilities.
A congregation’s existing liability coverage will cover Room In The Inn. No congregations should have to purchase extra coverage since liability policies cover all visitors. RITI Board of Directors has purchased D&O Insurance that extends to our volunteers.
A shower is not required to host Room In The Inn.
Most congregations use folding cots or vinyl-covered mattresses. A few use air mattresses, but these can puncture with heavy usage. Make sure whatever bedding you use can be cleaned easily. Never use a cloth-covered mattress. Room In The Inn congregations usually purchase their own cots or mattresses.
Sheets and pillowcases are provided by the congregation and laundered by volunteers at the congregation. Often members will donate bed linens to the congregation’s Room In The Inn program.
If a situation is life-threatening or dangerous, congregations should call 911 immediately. For all other concerns or questions please call one of the individuals below. Please also follow up with an email to ritilex@gmail.com.
Steve Clark Dispatch Coordinator at 859-221-0009
Renee Gibson Chairman at 859-619-5502
Guests love simple, hearty, home-cooked food. For some guests, it could be their only meal of the day. Some guests may have dental issues, so it is a good idea to cut food like carrots and apples into slices and avoid crusty bread and harder foods. It is also good to have some food choices for people with high blood pressure or diabetes.
For breakfast, some congregations prepare a hot meal while others prefer a continental style breakfast with cereal, pastries, and fruit. Either kind of meal is appropriate.
Most congregations give each guest a sack lunch. Items in the lunch should not need refrigeration since guests have no access to a refrigerator.