Emergency Family Shelter
Services
Homelessness is prevalent in our world and even in our communities. The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family shelter offers families the unique opportunity to stay together while they work to rebuild their lives.
A Place to Call Home
The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter keeps families experiencing homelessness together during a very difficult time in their lives. We provide them with the resources, skills and tools needed to be successful while in an uplifting and supportive environment. Our experienced staff understands that homelessness is not a simple issue or the only thing that defines a person. While each family is expected to follow the same rules and expectations at the shelter, they are all provided with individualized case management.
Our 10-roomed facility works with families of all dynamics and provides a safe and welcoming space for all. Our goal is to help each family leave the shelter with stable housing, financial stability, and empowerment to live a successful, sustainable life.
Are you in need of shelter?
All families seeking shelter should contact Primary Healthcare Outreach, the Centralized Intake agency in our community.
515-248-1850
1200 University Ave #120, Des Moines, IA 50314
A Look Around the Shelter
I think Catholic Charities plays a vital role in keeping families together and helping families get off the streets and reestablished into society.”
– Isabella, Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter Client
Program History
The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter was established in 1990 when Catholic Charities acquired the Rufus Jones Shelter from the Kindred Community Trust to provide safe, clean and secure housing for families experiencing homelessness. Originally called the St. Joseph’s Shelter, we now serve this vulnerable community under the roof of the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter. At first, the shelter only offered five rooms for families. In 2010, thanks to the support of a generous donor, the received needed renovations and expanded to 10 rooms for families, making it the largest family shelter in Des Moines.
Become a meal provider!
Do you enjoy cooking and want a fun way to give back to your community? Become a volunteer meal provider for the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter! We provide dinner to all families staying at the shelter, seven days a week, and we are regularly at capacity. Volunteer meal providers help us feed those we care for who are working on becoming self-sufficient to provide for themselves and their families. Meals should serve around 34 people.
The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter works with Primary Health Care (PHC) for centralized intake. Centralized intake at PHC is the entry point for persons experiencing homelessness in Polk County. It is a collaborative effort of more than 30 community organizations. PHC’s Centralized Intake case managers meet with clients, conduct an assessment, and link them to programs or services based on their needs. Walk-ins only, no appointments.
515-248-1850 – 1200 University Ave #120, Des Moines, IA 50314
We are grateful for the support we receive from the community. Donations are accepted on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 – 3 p.m. If you cannot make these times, please call and schedule a new time.
Current Most Needed Items
- Cleaning supplies
- Kitchen items (plates, bowls, silverware, mugs, napkins, children eating utensils/dishes)
- Pillows and XL sheets/blankets
- NEW Men/Women’s winter coats (size L or XL)
- NEW diapers size 6
- NEW pull-ups size 4T/5T
Personal hygiene items need to be new and unopened. Consider shopping the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter Amazon Wish List. Items purchased off this list will be shipped directly to the Emergency Family Shelter.
**PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT CLOTHING, TOYS, FOOD, ELECTRONICS OF ANY KIND, OR FURNITURE**
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
Catholic Charities Food Pantry upholds the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement. The statement can be read here: https://www.usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement
Contact Us
