Room in the Inn
Room in the Inn (RITI) is a coalition of member congregations that provide hospitality for up to 14 men experiencing homelessness in Fort Worth one night a week during the coldest and hottest months of the year. We provide delicious food, a safe place to sleep, and fellowship. The purpose of RITI is to build bridges of relationship, mutuality, and respect between guests and hosts. It takes a team to offer this hospitality, so please consider using your gifts as a disciple to extend a warm welcome to guests this winter. Opportunities include greeting guests, driving the church bus for pick ups and drop offs, setting up beds, and providing dinner. Above all, RITI volunteers provide a warm welcome, friendly conversation, and service with dignity.
Opportunities to Serve: We engage and host our guests each Monday during July, August, December, January and February. Our current request for donations are monetary, NEW nail clippers and NEW washcloths.
For more information or to learn ways you can serve, contact the Rev. Dr. Robyn Michalove or Becky Quick.
History: This ministry began in Tennessee during the winter of 1985 when Father Charles Strobel opened the doors of his parish to individuals in the parking lot seeking sanctuary from the harsh elements. By the next winter, four more parishes had joined in the efforts, and continued to expand each year. It would become a ministry model for like programs in 36 other cities. In 2007, Mary Sumner of Broadway Baptist Church, after reading about the program and visiting Nashville, engaged Ray and Corbie Brown of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in discussions about the program. They sought support from city leaders and other non-profits to bring Room in the Inn to Fort Worth. First Pres joined the efforts just two years later in 2009. The Day Resource Center provided many years of support to the program by screening and registering guests, and a providing a central location for pick up and drop off. After the two-year break during the pandemic, True Worth picked up the mantel of being the partner organization to connect churches with the guests they welcome. Volunteers are the heartbeat of Room in the Inn, providing needs through set up, drivers, meal providers, hospitality, laundry, inn keepers, and clean up. For more information on Room in the Inn visit here.
Check out Room in the Inn in the news! Fort Worth Star-Telegram article and an interview on KRLD