1. When was the Central Night Shelter started?
2. Who is eligible to stay at the Night Shelter?
3. How can I serve as a shelter volunteer?
4. Do you accept donations?
5. Why aren't women and children allowed to stay at the Night Shelter?
6. Is this shelter financed by the City of Atlanta?
7. What are the rules for guests staying at the Night Shelter?
1. When was the Night Shelter started?
The Central Night Shelter opened on January 14, 1981. It was housed in the fourth floor gymnasium of Central Presbyterian Church but run by an ecumenical group of
volunteers concerned about the growing problem of homelessness in Atlanta. Originally serving men, women, and children, Central Night Shelter has evolved into a winter night shelter for approximately 90-100 men, located jointly in the gymnasium of Central Presbyterian Church (capacity of 65-70) and the Church Hall of the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (capacity of 25-30). The shelter is governed by an ecumenical group of volunteers, directed by Katie Bashor, a member of the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and supported by the staffs of Central and the Shrine.
2. Who is eligible to stay at the Night Shelter?
The shelter is open to men who have received a referral from one of several designated Atlanta homeless service agencies or from the Central Outreach and Advocacy Center.
3. How can I serve as a shelter volunteer?
There are a number of ways to volunteer at the Central Night Shelter. Please visit our Shelter Volunteer page for more information.
4.Do you accept donations?
Yes! We are happy to accept donations of needed materials and money. Please see the guidelines posted on the Shelter homepage for more information.
5. Why aren't women and children allowed to stay at the Night Shelter?
Because we only have a certain amount of space available and the shelter is entirely supervised by volunteers, the decision was made to only serve homeless men at this site in order to adequately ensure the safety of both guests and volunteers.
6. Is the shelter run or financed through the City of Atlanta?
No. The Central Night Shelter receives no city funding and is entirely staffed by volunteers. Its limited budget comes entirely from donations, with some funding and support from the host churches.
7. What are the rules for guests staying at the Central Night Shelter?
The following rules govern the behavior of guests in the Central Night Shelter:
1. NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS-Guests found drinking or using drugs in the shelter will be asked to leave immediately.
2. NO WEAPONS--This includes anything that can be used to hurt someone, e.g., screwdrivers, knives, guns, etc.
3. NO FIGHTING--Anyone involved in a fight will be asked to leave immediately. Volunteers do not attempt to figure out who started the fight--everyone involved is out. [note: if a single provocateur can be identified, then that individual can be asked to leave before others get involved].
4. NO WANDERING--Guests are to stay in the shelter area--any guests found wandering will be asked to leave immediately. Be aware that the emergency exit doors at each end of the gym at Central are wired to an alarm that will sound if the doors are opened.
5. NO SMOKING--Smoking is not permitted in the shelter (not at Central, not at the Shrine). All guests are notified of this policy before being referred to the shelter. Guests should NOT be allowed to leave the shelter to smoke. Any guests violating the no smoking policy should be asked to leave the shelter.
6. NO DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR--This includes behavior that is disrespectful to the Volunteers and/or to other guests; disrespectful behavior includes (but is not limited to) swearing, hostile attitudes, racial remarks, improper dress, etc.
7. NO COMING AND GOING--Any guest who leaves after 7:15 pm will not be permitted back into the building that night. Those guests leaving early must be escorted out by Volunteers to insure that the guest is out of the building, that no new guests come in, and that the door is locked.
Volunteer Note: If a guest leaves before 5:30 a.m., please write the time of departure in the guest sign-in book.
8. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH–After lights out (8:30 p.m.) the shelter must be quiet enough for those men to sleep who want to sleep. If there are complaints, TV's, etc. will have to be turned down or turned off. No TV, card playing, etc. after 11:00 p.m. regardless. Volunteers are responsible for keeping the shelter quiet.
[Return to Night Shelter main page.]
