Women's & Family Shelter

The Montana Rescue Mission Women’s & Family Shelter is a Christian ministry whose purpose is to provide food, clothing, shelter, chaplain services, counseling, case-management, and laundry facilities to women and families who have become homeless. Recognizing that these people are in crisis, we extend encouragement and equip those who are in need through spiritual counsel, life skills training and empowerment for a better future. Located at 2520 1st Avenue North, provisions and services are offered to:

• Women with children
• Single women
• Single men with children
• Married couples with or without children

We are committed to serving our residents in the best possible way and whenever appropriate, we direct people to outside agencies where they may access help that is not available through our services. We provide access and referral to many other community agencies through our joint venture with the Deering Clinic (Health Care for the Homeless Clinics). Other area provider services are offered on-site and include:

• Human Resources Development Council
• Billings Housing Assistance
• Better Babies
• Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
• YWCA’s Gateway House
• Yellowstone Aids Project
• School District #2

Educational Support and Services:
Education and training is promoted as a part of a better future. During the school year, a homeless education liaison for School District 2 provides tutoring for children staying at the shelter and also makes sure that these children get to school. Bus service to the area schools is provided and children who are 17 and younger are required to attend school when it is in session. Adult residents of the shelter are also provided with opportunities to attend adult educational services offered through the Lincoln Center.
 

Case management extends assistance with crisis situations, life skills training and referrals to any needed outside providers. Healthcare for the Homeless also provides on-site counseling through a chemical dependency counselor and a licensed clinical therapist.
 

Meals, Provisions, and Dorm:
Three nutritious meals are prepared and served to the residents seven days a week through the help of staff, residents and volunteers. Basic items such as toiletries, bedding and laundry facilities are also supplied.
 

The shelter offers an initial 30 day stay and extensions are granted if a resident is working toward improving their life; by saving money, etc. Regretfully, the Women’s & Family Shelter is not handicap accessible – there are no dorm rooms on the first floor and no elevator to the second or third floor. There is always a need for more rooms and we have designed a process to use the space we have as effectively as possible. Single women are assigned a dorm before being moved into a room with double occupancy. Families with less than 4 people usually stay in a small room complete with a bunk bed - a double bed on the bottom and a single on top. A limited number of larger rooms are available for families with 4 or more people.
 

For spiritual growth and encouragement, residents may attend non-denominational chapel services, which are offered 3 times per week. Chapel services are not mandatory unless a resident has been at the Shelter 60 days or longer. Spiritual needs are also supported through Championship Briefing; a Bible study that is held on Thursdays for adult women and men.
 

If you have any questions about the Montana Rescue Mission Women’s & Family Shelter or if you would like to volunteer, please call us at 406-259-3105.