Frequently Asked Questions...

What is the ChristNet Rotating Shelter Program?

The Christnet Rotating Shelter Program is a cooperative, interfaith, community-based effort to provide temporary overnight shelter to homeless men, women, and children (when accompanied by a parent or guardian). Guests may stay for up to 30 consecutive days while they seek a more permanent solution to their living situation.

Where is the shelter located?

ChristNet does not have any single location. Instead, it is hosted on a rotating basis, one week at a time, by various churches and community organizations throughout the Downriver and western Wayne County suburbs. Each church hosts our guests for seven nights, from Sunday evening through the following Sunday morning. Guests are driven away from the host church each morning and return each evening via our ChristNet van.

Although the physical location of the shelter changes from week to week, a central Intake Center has been designated for those seeking nightly shelter. This gathering spot, where guests are screened remains the same throughout the warming season. The Intake Center is located inside the lobby of the West Mound United Methodist Church at 22395 Eureka Road in Taylor (directly across from Southland Mall). Transportation is provided from this site to the host church on a nightly basis. No one reporting directly to the host site church on their own will be admitted or accommodated.

What are the shelter's hours of operation?

Registration at the intake center is from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. each night. Guests may begin lining up at the side door of West Mound at 6:30 p.m. Overnight accommodations run from 8:00 p.m. to approximately 7:00 a.m. "Lights out" is usually 10:00 p.m. Wake up begins at 5:00 a.m. All guests must be away from the host church by 7:00 a.m. or sooner so that there is no interference with the daytime use of the building.

How many persons can ChristNet accommodate?

Presently, the shelter can take up to 30 people per night depending on the physical layout of the host church. Smaller churches sign up for the beginning or end of the season when the weather is relatively mild. Only churches that can accept the maximum of 30 guests may host from November through April.

What services are offered by ChristNet?

Those staying overnight are offered a warm, clean place to stay, an evening meal, breakfast, and a bag lunch to go. Bedding consists of a mattress, pillow, sheets and pillowcase, and two blankets. Personal care items such as razor and shaving cream, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and tooth paste, etc. are offered. Some churches provide clothing. If a shower is available at the church guests are permitted to use it. Shower nights are scheduled at a nearby school gym or community building for those churches that do not have on-site showers.

Is the shelter supervised? What are the rules?

Yes. Each church provides three to six volunteers who stay the night and supervise the guests making use of the building. ChristNet has several rules to foster the safety and comfort of both guests and volunteers.

• Alcohol is strongly discouraged and guests receive a nightly breathalyzer exam. Guests with a reading of .100 or higher are not permitted to stay. Three positive readings, even if less than .100 result in dismissal from the program.
   
• Drugs and weapons are not permitted. Guests caught with either are permanently barred from the program.
   
• ChristNet does not allow foul or obscene language, fighting or arguing, rough horseplay, sexual harassment or innuendo of guests or volunteers, or teasing that is demeaning in nature.
   
• Guests are never allowed to "walk away" from the host church under any circumstances. All guests leaving the host church must do so by vehicle.

What does my church need to become a host site?

Generally speaking, a church does not need any "special" space. Some churches host in a large common room such as a gym or Fellowship Hall. Other churches use their Sunday School rooms. One Catholic church houses guests in an unused convent and another church uses its former parsonage!

Beds are allocated "dorm" style with the men on one side and the women on another. Special arrangement should be made for families staying at the shelter. All of the bedding, towels and wash cloths, and related equipment is provided by ChristNet. The host site is responsible for providing all of the food and all of the volunteer workers.

How can my church sign up to become a host site?

Thank you for asking! Your help is truly needed to provide effective, ongoing assistance to those in need of shelter and to expand the warming center season. Contact the executive director by clicking here or call us at 734-671-1300. The director and a member of the Board of Directors is available to speak directly with the leadership of your church or organization about participating in this worthwhile ministry.