The Urban Ministry Center serves people who are homeless and poor through tangible assistance and a wide variety of support programs. We offer many opportunities for volunteer service.

LOCATION: 935 N. College St near Charlotte's Uptown business district.

HOURS :8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. The Center is normally closed for weekly staff meetings on Tuesdays from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

ST.PETER'S SOUP KITCHEN offers a free midday meal seven days a week, including Saturday and Sunday, from approximately 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

SUPPORT SERVICES: We also provide showers, washing machines, a mail drop service and small lockers.

COUNSELING is available from 8:30 AM until lunch, and from 1:30 PM until closing. We have specialists to assist with housing and employment. We can also offer some limited assistance with medical and dental health on a part-time basis (please call 704-347-0278 to check the schedule).

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Our special programs are open to all. They include art, writing, yoga classes, soccer, gardening and Homeless Helping Homeless.

MEETING SPACE: We offer meeting space for groups such as NA.

VOLUNTEERS: For those who wish to serve, we offer volunteer training and support, and any number of volunteer opportunities. We also offer educational services to groups, including a Servant Leadership Institute. Volunteer group projects are often held on Saturday mornings, contact our volunteer coordinators to arrange an activity.

SABER is an outpatient, substance abuse treatment program for men. Applicants may be referred for a SABER interview by talking with an Urban Ministry Center volunteer counselor.

SORRY-NO OVERNIGHT: We cannot offer overnight accommodations at the Center, but we will let you know about available options.

ROOM IN THE INN does provide overnight shelter in churches and other settings during the winter. Assignment and transportation take place at the Center in the late afternoon. Visit Room in the Inn to learn more.

Our commitment is to the poor, the homeless, and others in need. Our mission is to address their needs with love, compassion and tangible help.

The Urban Ministry Center is an inter-faith organization. We welcome all, whatever their creed, cultural traditions, or personal beliefs, who wish to join with us to assist people in need. Working together with respect and good will, we gain strength and insight from our wide diversity.

We focus on ministries of compassion, providing both immediate assistance and empowering outreach programs. We create ways to encourage and engage volunteers to help in our efforts. The Urban Ministry Center serves as a community resource for the study and discussion of urban issues. We are constantly learning, through first-hand experience, research and listening with compassion, care and respect to the voices of those who come to us seeking help.

The Center is committed to making maximum use of existing resources and agencies, not duplicating such services.

In order that the plight of the poor might be addressed most effectively, the Urban Ministry Center is committed to developing and pursuing four levels of ministry:

Immediate assistance

• To provide on-site assistance with basic life necessities. Initial services include lunch (7 days a week), restrooms, telephone for outgoing local calls, showers, washer and dryer and a mail drop. Referrals to other agencies and direct assistance will be offered as appropriate.

Empowering ministries

• To encourage the movement toward self-sufficiency and to provide support for the poor and homeless through information and referral about housing, employment, health, help with obtaining personal identification and other concerns.

Consciousness raising

• To involve volunteers from the community in "hands on" work with those in need, thereby spreading information throughout the city about the realities of poverty and homelessness.

Study and education

• To work with other organizations to sponsor and promote community events, such as forums, on the causes of poverty. To serve as a field site for urban planners, churches, social service providers and others to examine the problems and proposals for making modern urban living viable.