• Is Urban Ministry Center a shelter?  No, we are a day center for the homeless.  We coordinate Room in the Inn, an emergency winter shelter program hosted at local congregations and schools, from December through March.   Mecklenburg County's Housing Specialist, Megan Coffey, has her office here, 704-926-0617.  She is able to assist those clients who have an income source.  A good resource in terms of a database of rentals properties in Charlotte: www.socialserve.com
   
• Do you accept clothing donations?  We do not have storage capacity to accept clothing donations here and usually refer donations to Crisis Assistance Ministry Center, 704-371-3000, ext 137.    This is where the neighbors here get their clothing needs met. 
  
• My church wants to help with Room in the Inn.  How do I find out about that? Contact Program Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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• Do you provide housing?  We are currently developing Moore Place, which will provide housing and support services for 85 chronically homeless adults and is slated to open in late 2011.  We also operate the Homeless to Homes program which is currently at capacity.
   
  
• Where are the shelters?  Charlotte has two year-round shelters:  Salvation Army Center of Hope, 704-348-2560, for women/children and some intact family rooms for single fathers or married couples with children.  Men's Shelter of Charlotte, for men only: 704-334-3187. 
  
• Does Urban Ministry have money for rent or utilities?  No, the main resource for emergency financial assistance is Crisis Assistance Ministry,  704-371-3001.
  
• How is Urban Ministry funded?  We raise our funds through private donations, and we are not a United Way recipient agency.  We receive limited government funding for our new supportive housing program, Moore Place. 
  
  
• Why do you call the people who come to you for help, your "neighbors?"  We are grounded in the belief that we are all each others neighbors, thereby providing a "ministry of presence," a sense of community and hope. 
  
  
• How many homeless people are there in Charlotte? Urban Ministry Center considers our neighbors to be the 7000 people in Mecklenburg County without a reliable and safe place to sleep--including those who live on the streets, in shelters, with friends or family, under bridges, in the woods, or in their cars.  They are fellow citizens who are dealing with a complex web of issues -- lack of affordable housing and healthcare, insufficient income, domestic violence, addictions or mental disorders, physical handicaps. 

Please email us with your additional questions. 

Thank you.