The UCS Women’s Emergency Night Shelter, located in Ruth’s House at 321 E. Walnut, offers a safe, clean, supportive shelter for up to 26 women — 22 emergency overnight shelter beds and (up to) 4 respite beds.
New guests can begin checking into the Women’s Shelter at 5:00 pm (if there are open beds that are posted in the Day Shelter at UCS) or 6:00 pm for returning guests. All guests must be in by 10:00 pm unless they have verified employment that keeps them out later.
Ruth’s House provides evening and morning snacks (meals when available) for guests, but it is not a Day Shelter, so guests must leave by 7:00 am Monday through Friday. Women’s Night Shelter guests may; however, stay in on Saturdays and Sundays. [ATTENTION: Weekend hours are currently suspended due to a staffing shortage. September 2022] They are not required to leave. Guests of the women’s medical respite program are allowed and encouraged to stay during the day during the week to aid in their recuperation.
The Women’s Shelter is often filled to capacity. Each guest has her own bed and two totes in which to store personal belongings.
UCS provides pillows, sheets, blankets and towels, and personal hygiene items for each guest. All guests are “breathalyzed” each night upon entry and must adhere to all intake protocols and procedures to ensure Ruth’s House remains a safe and clean environment.
Guests are also required to fulfill duty assignments around the house as a condition of their stay — helping to maintain a safe and sanitary environment. Guests are allowed to stay up to 90 days (3 months); however, positive, documented progress toward stability and permanent housing will allow exceptions for longer stays and increase success.
An Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provided by the City of Evansville, Indiana helps to partially fund some of Ruth’s House operations. #EisforEveryone
124 Women
had a safe, clean, supportive place to sleep for the night in 2021
3,985 Showers & 2,932 Loads of Laundry
were provided for women’s night shelter guests in 2021
HMIS Statement of Privacy 2023
Women’s Shelter Program Guidelines 2021
