Frequently Asked Questions
By Potential Guests
Q. How can I be admitted to the Winter Shelter Network (WSN)?
A. Potential guests can apply through the Get Assistance page on this website.
Q. Where is the WSN located?
A. The WSN operates in Douglas County, Colorado. Each night the shelter is open in a church in one of three communities within the county: Castle Rock, Englewood, Highlands Ranch, and Parker.
Q. How long can I stay in the WSN?
A. For the 2021-22 season, the maximum length of stay in the WSN is 60 days.
Q. Are men allowed in the shelter?
A. Male children, up to age 17, are allowed in the WSN with their families. Single men age 18 or older or families with adult males will be referred to other resources in the community.
Q. Are there any religious requirements for guests?
A. While the WSN is a faith-based initiative, guests are not discriminated against by their religious beliefs. Guests enter the shelter with the understanding that they will be staying in facilities that may have religious symbols and themes.
More information on referral guidelines can be found here.
By Churches and Volunteers
Q. How many churches are needed for the Winter Shelter Network (WSN) to operate?
A. There is no limit on the number of churches that can host our guests. In order to operate nightly, a minimum of 7 Overnight Host Churches is required. The more churches in our network, the less frequently each church is scheduled to host.
Q. How many volunteers are needed for each night of hosting?
A. Approximately 20+ volunteers are needed to host WSN guests each week. Those volunteers serve with meal preparation (5-10 people); setup (4 people); evening hosts (2 people); overnight hosts (2-8 people); cleanup (4 people); laundry (2-4 people); and supplies (2 people). More information about volunteer roles can be found at wintershelternetwork.org.
Q. How will the Overnight Host Church volunteers know how many guests to expect each night?
A. Knowing the number of guests is critical for meal preparation as well as set up. Volunteers providing a meal should expect to prepare for 20 guests (plus volunteers at dinner). Guests must reserve space at the WSN by noon each day. The guest database will be available to the volunteer coordinators by 3 pm.
Q. Who does the Overnight Host Church contact in case of an emergency?
A. In the case of an emergency that requires an immediate response, volunteers should contact 911. The WSN employs a part-time coordinator who manages the daily operations of the program. Overnight emergencies are handled by members of the WSN Council. This Council is made up of volunteers from each of our partner churches. Contact information of the Council member on duty is provided by the administrator.
Q. Our church wants to participate but doesn't have all of the requirements of Overnight Host Churches. Can we still be a part of the WSN?
A. YES! Members of our Council will meet with you to see how you can partner with us to serve the women and children of Douglas County who are experiencing homelessness. Some churches serve as Support and Affiliate Churches when they physically can not host our guests. Some Overnight Host Churches rely on Support and Affiliate Churches to help defray financial costs as well as for volunteer support.
