Like everyone, the RITI team has navigated a number of transitions since the COVID19 pandemic began.

In March,

we ended our winter shelter season early and refocused our remaining volunteer and staff energy into coordinated responses with other local organizations and agencies to continue serving our guests.

Our volunteer network provided over 6,000 meals from March 28-June 30 to the emergency women’s shelter operated by The Hospitality Hub. THANK YOU!

In April,

RITI’s Recuperative Care program began assisting local hospitals in the discharge process for people experiencing homelessness. Since then, we have accepted referrals from 17 locations and provided Recuperative Care shelter for 41 single adults and 3 families for a total of 310 nights in hotels. This is just the beginning! In the coming year, RITI plans to bring this program in-house and out of hotel rooms to provide even greater Holy Hospitality to these guests and more.

In June,

RITI partnered with the City of Memphis, Community Alliance for the Homeless, the Downtown Commission and Christ Community Healthcare to facilitate a COVID19 testing event. This has been the only event for homeless individuals in the city. 95 individuals were tested that day.

July 1,

We reopened the RITI Day Center with modifications to keep our guests, volunteers, and staff safe and healthy. Thanks to First United Methodist Church, we moved our operations into their fellowship hall where guests can have respite from the heat while keeping physical distance comfortably. Before entry, all staff, visitors, and guests go through a temperature check and health screening questions and are provided required masks. Anyone presenting with symptoms is offered assistance in contacting and coordinating providers for testing.

We could not have done any of this without the continued support of our volunteers and donors. As the world continues to change, your giving remains constant, and it makes a difference!

Look for more updates coming your way in August.

RITI has even more good news ahead as we seek new and growing ways to serve our guests this winter. If your congregation is interested in becoming a host to shelter those experiencing homelessness in a safe environment of hospitality, find more information at ritimemphis.org/becomeahost .