Dear Friends,
One morning when I was entering our building I was fortunate to walk in with one of the Family Inn families. The mother of two adorable children said, “I just love the bright painting on this wall, it makes me feel joyful and at home.” The pages of this celebration of another year of holy hospitality is inspired by the welcome mural on our campus. I know you are going to enjoy the beauty on each page as you see that Room in the Inn-Memphis continues to grow because of the generosity of donors like you.

In the past 12 months the number of guests achieving housing goals has grown enormously. Medically fragile guests who have spent decades experiencing homelessness are now living in their own home. Parents who find safety in our Congregational Shelter program often transition to the Family Inn where wrap-around services stabilize them so they can realize their dream of housing once again. The Mom who shared her love of the welcome mural has moved to her own home where she tucks her children into their own beds each night, knowing that RITI is always a call away when needed. Thank you for joining us in this welcome and for being part of these beautiful stories.

Peace,
Rev. Lisa Anderson
Executive Director, Room the Inn – Memphis

View the full report here, or keep scrolling for highlights.

A network of diverse congregations open their doors to provide food and shelter to people who are experiencing street level homelessness November-March and May-September each year. Guests are safely indoors during the brutal months of winter and summer thanks to volunteers from these dedicated faith communities.

Families experiencing homelessness live in the comfort and privacy of the
Family Inn, a community environment on RITI’s campus, as they work toward permanent housing. During their stay families receive meals and supportive care as they work on long term goals for their family. Educational and counseling programs for adults and children are available.

Unsheltered individuals who are medically fragile and in need of a safe place to recover from illness stay in private rooms with 3 meals a day. The staff coordinates care with medical providers and assists with the guests’ housing goals. Opportunities for occupational coaching and counseling as well as physical strengthening are part of the recovery process.

Successful transition to housing is strengthened by continued support for our guests. The Housing Stabilization Coordinator offers encouragement and guidance that begins on our campus and continues into their permanent situation.

Chuck came to us after surviving a random shooting incident, during which he was shot three times on his way to work. The severity of his injuries significantly impacted his ability to walk independently.

Thanks to four months of dedicated physical therapy—treatment he would not have been able to access without stable shelter—Chuck regained mobility and is now able to walk with the assistance of crutches. RITI provided Chuck with a safe and supportive environment, allowing him the space to heal physically and emotionally from the trauma he endured.

During his time with us, Chuck also experienced meaningful personal growth. He reconciled with his father after years of estrangement and made significant strides toward independence.

With the help of his advocates, Chuck was able to obtain disability benefits and, for the first time in his life, secure an apartment in his own name.

Chuck described his experience at RITI as a “game changer,”
a testament to the power of stability, compassion, and community in transforming lives.

Do you have a small group looking for a way to serve together? We’d love to have you provide and serve a meal with us!

• When you provide a meal, your group will bring food for our evening meal, prepare it in the RITI kitchen, and serve it to approximate 60 guests in our two dining areas.
• The RITI Kitchen Team will be present to assist you.
• After the food is made, volunteers will head into one of the dining rooms to join the guests and visit with them over dinner together.
• After dinner is finished, volunteers assist with cleanup.

To schedule a night to provide and serve dinner, please contact volunteers@ritimemphis.org