A warm, safe space for Cold winter nights
The Tullahoma Winter Shelter project is a collaboration with other churches and organizations in our city to provide a safe, warm place to shelter overnight for our community members who are experiencing homelessness.
A handful of churches with available space rotate turns hosting the shelter over the course of the winter.
2024 - 2025 Shelter schedule
December 29-January 4 | Mt Zion Baptist Church
(931) 841-3949, 301 S Washington St, Tullahoma
January 5-January 11| Trinity Lutheran Church
(931) 455-9475, 705 Wilson Ave, Tullahoma
January 12-January 18 | The church of Christ at Cedar Lane
(931) 455-4665, 1200 Cedar Ln, Tullahoma
January 19-January 25 | First Presbyterian Church
(931) 455-9328, 204 E Grundy St, Tullahoma
January 26-February 1 | First Christian Church Annex
(931) 455-2200, 201 NW Atlantic St, Tullahoma
February 2-February 8 | The church of Christ at Cedar Lane
(931) 455-4665, 1200 Cedar Ln, Tullahoma
February 9-February 15 | Mt Zion Baptist Church
(931) 841-3949, 301 S Washington St, Tullahoma
February 16-February 22 | First Presbyterian Church
(931) 455-9328, 204 E Grundy St, Tullahoma
February 23-March 1 | First Christian Church Annex
(931) 455-2200, 201 NW Atlantic St, Tullahoma
FAQs
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The shelter locations open at 8:00 PM for guests to arrive and sign in, and the doors lock at 9:00 PM. Each of the shelters closes for the morning at 7:00 AM.
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The reason the shelter is only open during the nighttime is that there are other public, indoor places open during the day, such as the library or the DW Wilson community center.
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The shelter is for anyone experiencing homelessness. We do ask that participants do not bring weapons, pets, drugs, or alcohol into the facilities hosting the shelter. For the safety of other guests and volunteers, we ask that participants be sober upon arrival.
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This is a bit of a moving target, but the best estimates are that there are 30-40 people experiencing acute homelessness, without any shelter, in our community. However, we estimate that a small number of those will make use of a structured shelter program, depending on the severity of outdoor conditions. Currently, that number ranges between 8-15. The majority of participants will be males.
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No alcohol or drugs in the shelter locations.
No pets inside. (Pet crates available outside of some locations.)
No weapons allowed inside the shelters.
Do not disturb other guests.
Getting Involved
The greatest need is volunteer support. However, you can also donate blankets, sleeping bags, or items for gift bags to be distributed to guests.
Each of the locations have different needs for volunteers. Cedar Lane is requesting volunteers to stay overnight(9:00 PM- 7:00 AM), help with evening check-in (7:45-9:00 PM), or help with morning check-out (6:30-7:15 AM). Additionally, there is opportunity for those that might want to volunteer to prepare a meal for guests. (Meals should be available at 8:00-8:15).
Staying overnight may sound intimidating, but in the end it is simply an opportunity to connect with new friendships and hear the stories of people who are staying here. The Shelter project has been greatly blessed by the constant presence of Karl Smithson, who often stays up with guests at the different shelters. Occasionally there are guests who need to be let in a little later than normal because of work hours, etc.
Depending on your comfort level, volunteers can choose to stay in the gym or in our reception room area, where you can be quickly available via a phone call. You will be supplied with a panic button to alert the police department if necessary. You are welcome to bring your own bedding.
Anyone wishing to volunteer should fill out the form below. Let us know what you’re interested in, and it will be forwarded to our Volunteer Coordinator.