The UCS Women’s Emergency Night Shelter, located in Ruth’s House at 321 E. Walnut, offers a safe, clean, supportive shelter for up to 24 women.
New guests can begin checking into the Women’s Shelter at 5:00 pm (if there are open beds which are posted in the Day Shelter at UCS) or 6:00 pm for returning guests. All guests must be in by 10:00 pm unless they have verified employment that keeps them out later.
Ruth’s House provides evening and morning snacks (meals when available) for guests, but it is not a Day Shelter, so guests must leave by 7:00 am Monday through Friday. Women’s Night Shelter guests may; however, stay in on Saturdays and Sundays. They are not required to leave. Guests of the women’s medical respite program are allowed and encouraged to stay in during the day during the week to aid in their recuperation.
The Women’s Shelter is often filled to capacity. Each guest has her own bed and two totes in which to store personal belongings.
UCS provides pillows, sheets, blankets and towels, and personal hygiene items for each guest. All guests are “breathalyzed” each night upon entry and must adhere to all intake protocols and procedures to ensure Ruth’s House remains a safe and clean environment.
Guests are also required to fulfill detail assignments around the house as a condition of their stay — helping to maintain a safe and sanitary environment. Guests are allowed to stay up to 90 days (3 months); however, positive, documented progress toward stability and permanent housing will allow exceptions for longer stays and increase success.
An Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provided by the City of Evansville, Indiana helps to partially fund some Ruth’s House operations. #EisforEveryone
103 Women
had a safe, clean, supportive place to sleep for the night in 2020
5,203 Showers and 5,223 Loads of Laundry
were provided for women’s night shelter guests in 2020
