Catholic Charities Opens Emergency Shelter in Morgantown

Catholic Charities Grace Shelter provides emergency shelter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(From left: Sara Lindsay, CCWVa Chief Program Officer; Mark Phillips, CCWVa Chief Executive Officer)

Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) has officially opened Grace Shelter, an overnight emergency shelter for adults experiencing homelessness in Morgantown. The shelter, located within Hazel’s House of Hope on Scott Avenue, will now be operated by CCWVa after transitioning from Bartlett Housing Solutions.

“This new emergency shelter reflects our mission to serve the most vulnerable among us. In opening these doors, we offer not just shelter, but hope, compassion, and dignity to those in need,” said Mark Phillips, CCWVa Chief Executive Officer.

Grace Shelter provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals experiencing homelessness. The facility is open 24 hours a day and offers 28 beds, with separate dormitories for men and women, as well as access to various on-site amenities through Hazel’s House of Hope—a collaborative network of nonprofit organizations.

“Catholic Charities brings a lot of credibility to Hazel’s House,” said Lyn Dotson, board member of Morgantown Community Resources, which operates Hazel’s House of Hope.

“When we were looking for someone to take over shelter operations, Catholic Charities was a natural choice with their spotless reputation, and their experience with shelters and the homeless population,” said Dotson.

Several other CCWVa programs are housed within Hazel’s House of Hope, including the agency’s Child Care Resource Center, WV Birth to Three, Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services, and Emergency Financial Assistance program.

CCWVa operates Grace Shelter with a commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed care, ensuring that all individuals receive respectful and empathetic treatment. Funding for the first year of the shelter was provided by the City of Morgantown and by Monongalia County.

“Our goal is to find housing for individuals as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Jessica Thompson, CCWVa Grace Shelter Director. “In the meantime, we provide them with a safe space and the services they need to get back on their feet.”

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