Louisville churches expanding overnight winter shelter to serve growing population

After a successful pilot year, church congregations in Louisville are expanding their Room in the Inn program that provides overnight shelter during the coldest winter months.

The program is based on a model that started in Nashville and has since expanded to nearly 40 cities. Last January and February, Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral opened its doors to women and children experiencing homelessness, providing them with a warm meal and a place to sleep for the night. Volunteers from 17 church congregations helped run the program, which provided 526 nightly stays to 40 guests over the winter, according to organizers.

This winter Grace Immanuel United Church of Christ in Butchertown will serve as a second site for Room in the Inn. Rev. Erin Wathen said that will double the program’s capac