FAQs
Q: So what is a day shelter, anyway? Why does it matter?
A: Imagine, for a moment, that you suddenly find yourself homeless. While you might be able to find a safe place to sleep for the night – a local overnight shelter, perhaps, or even your car – you have some important daytime needs, too. Think about it: it’s tough to focus on getting that next job if you’re not sure where your next meal is coming from, or how to get out of the rain. And it’s next to impossible to respectably show up for a job interview or a legal appointment if you don’t have a place to store your things during the day, toiletries to freshen up with, or a spot to wash your clothes.
For reasons like these, daytime shelters meet a critical need for our homeless population, and help build a bridge to a better life. Whether our guests just need a place to rest out of the heat, or a place to clean up, grab a hot meal and find daily work, RAM House is here, seven days a week.
Q: Does Roanoke really have a homeless population? What does that look like?
A: Homelessness in Roanoke, VA, is a reality for many. While some individuals are experiencing temporary homelessness, others struggle with what is classified as chronic homelessness, and these individuals often face underlying challenges that make finding stable housing particularly difficult.
RAM House is a critical link in a chain of local services that help homeless individuals stay safe and work toward a more stable life. In 2019, we served 31,940 meals to more than 1,500 unduplicated guests hosted in our shelter. We provide emergency financial assistance, work opportunities for a wage, toiletry items, mail services, and laundry facilities. (Statistical information taken from Homeless Management Information System managed by the Council of Community Services).
Q: RAM’s mission statement says you work to prevent homelessness. How does that work?
A: In many cases, homelessness happens because of a sudden, unexpected event: a job loss, a domestic dispute that shatters a person’s sense of home, a medical crisis, or an immediate, unforeseen expense that prevents someone from being able to make rent or mortgage payments for several months. This is where our emergency financial assistance (EFA) comes in.
The EFA can provide temporary funding for individuals who might be able to avoid homelessness, particularly if they received a critical injection of funding at just the right moment. EFA clients work one-on-one with case managers, who ascertain what they need to find or keep stable housing. In 2019, RAM was able to serve 3,799 EFA clients, helping 1,276 children aged 17 or younger. To read more about this program, click here.
Q: What about your Day Labor Program? What can I hire your guests to do?
A: Daily work allows our guests to experience the dignity of employment, and the ability to save money to move forward toward their goals. You might consider hiring a RAM House guest to help with yard work, clean out a garage, or mow the lawn. If you’re a business owner, you may want to considering hiring a guest from RAM. To find out more about our daily work program, click here.
Q: Who funds RAM House?
A: Since 1971, RAM House has been generously supported by ordinary folks living right here in Roanoke. While RAM receives some regional and national grant funding, the organization is primarily funded and truly couldn’t survive without individual donors, who assist by writing checks, donating online, contributing to the Roanoke Times Good Neighbors Fund, making estate bequests, or by donating cleaning supplies and food. This is a real grassroots community effort, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Q: How can I donate items? What do you need?
A: The best way to keep up with our week-to-week needs is to check out our website where we post updated needs lists. To see a general list of our most-needed items, click here.
Q: What do volunteers do at RAM?
A: Volunteers are the lifeblood of RAM, serving food in the kitchen, donating their time in the clothing closet, or helping with front desk check ins and administrative duties in the office. Volunteering with your church group, friends or work associates can be a genuinely fun way to give back in your community.
Looking for an internship? Interning with RAM allows students to gain a holistic experience where they get to apply knowledge from their college programs to our organization. Whether their field is social work, humanities, business, marketing, hospitality, etc. we have a wide range of opportunities for those who want to gain school credit, while making a difference in the community.
To find out more about our volunteer opportunities and fill out a volunteer application, click here.
Q: Can I make a legacy gift or other planned-gift donation to RAM?
A: Absolutely! Your planned giving through wills, bequests and trusts can make a world of difference for RAM’s guests … for years to come! To talk with us about a planned giving strategy for RAM, give us a ring at (540) 345-8850.
Q: Do you offer any charitable events I can attend or sponsor?
A: Yes! In recent years, one of our best-loved events has been the Big Lick Coffee Fest, a celebration of local and regional craft coffees, held in the fall. We also participate in the Salem Red Sox Pack the Park event, shoe drives, benefit walks, auctions and volunteer dinners. To keep up with the latest news about our events, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter.
If you have an event and fundraising idea, contact us here!
Q: I’m not homeless, but I’m hungry. Can I join for lunch?
A: You bet! Anyone who needs a hot meal is welcome to join us at noon each day. And by the way: if you know of someone else in need, please spread the word.
Q: I’d like to bring my youth group/home school group/Girl Scout Troop/Boy Scout Troop to serve at RAM. Can we do that?
A: Absolutely! When young people visit RAM, they learn valuable life lessons about serving those in need in their community. Meanwhile, our guests benefit from their fun-loving energy and vitality. It’s a win-win! We do want to advise that older children and teens are usually a best fit, considering that homelessness is an issue sensitive nature and sometimes hard for younger audiences to comprehend and witness. Child volunteers are chaperoned and will also receive an orientation to help them better understand the guests they’ll serve at RAM House. To find out more, call us at (540) 345-8850.
Q: I think my workplace could really benefit from volunteering at RAM. Can we come by and serve for a day, or do we need to make a more long-term commitment?
A: Serving lunch at RAM (or participating in other volunteer activities) is a great team building activity for you and your coworkers, and it might just be one of the most uplifting moments in your week! We love one-time visits from volunteers, and we’ll give you all the information you need to confidently serve our guests with know-how and grace. Call (540) 345-8850 to chat about how we can work together.
Q: I really love what RAM House is doing for the Roanoke community, but I can’t really donate funds right now, and I’m not in a good place to volunteer my time. What else can I do?
A: You don’t have to spend a dime – or volunteer for a single hour – to make a world of difference for RAM. To help promote our good work, consider liking us on Facebook, following us on Instagram, or simply telling a friend or your local faith community about our mission. Spreading the word is one of the best gifts you can give to our guests!