St. Catherine's Emergency Night Shelter opened on April 1, 1996 in St. Paul's Episcopal Church. In its first year and eight months of operation, St. Catherine's provided shelter to 185 women and 155 children. The length is one night to several weeks. Many of the guests have never stayed in a shelter before. Their fears turn into relief and smiles when they see what a pleasant, clean, and safe place the shelter is. A shelter coordinator opens the shelter each evening and stays until everyone is settled. The coordinator leaves the shelter in the care of a volunteer and remains on call for the night. the volunteers stay overnight. They maintain a safe, relaxed atmosphere.
Volunteers are needed! If you feel you could volunteer one night a month, or one night a quarter, or serve as a volunteer substitute, please call Marcia Wicken, Lead Coordinator at 423-756-4222.
