• 9/11 Hands On Birmingham
• Appalachian Trail Days Mission 2010
• Black Belt Missions
• Construction Missions
• International Missions
• Local Missions
  • Discovery Clubs
  • Firehouse Shelter
  • First Light Women's Shelter
  • Greater Birmingham Ministries
  • Holiday Giving Opportunities 2009
  • Linn Park Homeless Ministry
  • Medical Apartments Ministry
  • Monday Morning Flower Ministry
• Ministry Commitment

Firehouse Shelter

A study performed by The University of Alabama at Birmingham in March of 1995, estimates that there were 2,629 homeless persons found on the streets, in shelters and other facilities in our community. Counting those at-risk for homeless, this number could actually be as high as 32,428. The 2,629 represents an increase of 44% between 1993 and 1995, and 145% between 1987 and 1995. Most were residents of the Birmingham MSA.(Metropolitan Statistical Areas), 81% were within the city limits of Birmingham, with 15% found in Jefferson County and 4% in outlying counties of the MSA. 109 homeless families were found in this area.

About one in ten of the extremely poor become homeless. There are more homeless people in the United States than resources available to help them -- more than 750,000 homeless people on any given night and only 250,000 spaces available in shelters. A missed paycheck, a health crisis, or an unpaid bill pushes poor families over the edge into homelessness.

The Old Firehouse Shelter which began in 1983, is located in the historic Fire Station #6 of the Birmingham Fire Department. The building is located in downtown Birmingham on 15th Street and 3rd Avenue North and was built in 1906.

People in the community donate thousands of hours each month to continue this special ministry. A staff member directs all activities, and no special skills are needed - just a willingness to help.

Volunteers at The Firehouse work in each of the three areas of service:

SOUP KITCHEN: Volunteers cook, serve and clean-up the kitchen after the noon meal. The soup kitchen provides a hot, nutritious meal to about 150 people seven days a week, and is open to both men and women. Volunteers prepare the meal with foods provided at the shelter or brought from home. Volunteers arrive around 8:30 a.m. and leave around 12:30 p.m.

DAY PROGRAM: The Day program provides an opportunity for a smaller number of men to have access to educational, social, job training, and job placement opportunities as determined by the needs of the individual man. We are looking for caring volunteers who want to host guest and support the staff. We need volunteers to help in our laundry room, serve snacks and assist the guest. The Day Program is from 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. five days a week.

NIGHT SHELTER: Overnight volunteers are the soul supporters of this program. There are two groups of volunteers each night. One group donates and serves the evening meal and the second group registers overnight guest and spends the night at the shelter. This program operates from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. seven nights a week.

For more information, contact the Firehouse Shelter at (205) 252-9571.