Memphis Family Shelter provides transitional housing and supportive services for homeless mothers and their children. Mothers and children live together in a safe and caring environment while they work to achieve independent living. Mothers achieve their goals through participation in a careful and well rounded learning program.
 

Memphis Family Shelter is a non-profit charitable organization formed in 1992. We opened our first shelter in 1996 in quarters rented from St. John's United Methodist Church. With room to serve only four families, it was clear from the beginning a larger facility would be needed.  In December of 2000, we moved to a new $1.6 million facility made possible by community support from concerned individuals, churches, civic organizations, and the local and federal governments.

Homelessness is a devastating experience for families. It disrupts virtually every aspect of family life, damaging the physical and emotional health of family members, interfering results in separation of family members.

Families with children make up approximately 40% of people who become homeless, and single mothers are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population.

Domestic violence also contributes to homelessness among families. When a woman leaves an abusive situation, she often has nowhere to go. This is particularly true of women with few resources. Lack of affordable housing and long waiting lists for assisted housing mean that many women are forced to choose between abuse and the streets.


The situation is often hardest on the children. Homeless children experience more health problems, more developmental delays, more anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and lower educational achievement than their housed counterparts.

Success is not always achieved right away. But, research has shown that once a woman has spent time in a transitional housing shelter, she is less likely to return to the streets - and more likely to return to a program or shelter and receive help should she become homeless again.