Category Archives: News

First night site leader to join the board

Room at the Inn recently approved a new board member. Rev. Dr. Jeff Moore, Senior Minister at Webster Groves Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is the first leader of the shelter’s 53 interfaith partners to join the board of directors.

“Through our involvement with Room at the Inn at Webster Groves Christian Church, I have seen both the needs and the response to homelessness in our area,” Rev. Dr. Moore stated. “I would like to aid Room at the Inn in any way possible as it fulfills its mission and improves its processes and services. I hope to continue to explore new ways to participate in solidarity with those who are without homes.”

Room at the Inn operates in partnership with religious congregations representing more than a dozen different faith traditions. During the day, program participants are at the shelter’s location in Bridgeton. In the evening, representatives from the partner congregations drive clients to their location, where they share a meal, companionship and overnight accommodations. After breakfast, clients are returned to the day site. Webster Groves Christian Church has welcomed the homeless as part of this program since 1992.

Rev. Dr. Moore has served on numerous boards and committees in areas of denominational and ecumenical missions, higher education, nursing care, and global justice. He spent four years as a missionary in southern Africa, where he worked with community development programs, striving to access needs, gather resources, and empower people regarding issues of poverty, homelessness, and HIV and AIDS.

In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Rev. Dr. Moore serves as an adjunct faculty member at Eden Theological Seminary. He is interested in classroom work to help identify and address ways pastors and future pastors can be equipped to work in partnership with community members to create compassionate and just responses and systems that foster safe and affordable housing for all.

Rev. Dr. Moore earned a bachelor of science in leisure and environmental resources administration from Aurora University, and both a masters degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Eden Theological Seminary. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa (degree expected 2010).

Room clients benefit from $3,600 gift

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis has awarded Room at the Inn a grant of $3,600 for the Client Self-Reliance Program. The Employees Community Fund of Boeing is a long-time funder of Room at the Inn.

Room’s Client Self-Reliance Program helps clients identify and correct the root-cause issues for their homelessness, allowing clients to become self-sufficient again as quickly as possible. Our clients receive the help they need to work their way out of homelessness, not only to promote self-reliance but also to discourage long-term social dependency.

This program consists of a three-step process of information gathering, planning and support. The program covers considerable breadth and depth of services to fit the specific needs of each client. Our approach is to help clients identify their individual needs and then refer them to off-site community services. They create a plan for their path to self-reliance, and Room staff helps to monitor their progress along that path.

The Self-Reliance Program is the “something extra” that sets Room at the Inn apart from shelters that offer only a place to stay.  We are very grateful to the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis for supporting this valuable program.