Shelter Facility
A Home Built on Hope
With homelessness rising across Macomb County — including more than 1,000 children experiencing housing instability — our community needed a shelter that offered more than a temporary bed. It needed a place where families could regain safety, routine, and the stability required to build a better future.
On April 8, 2022, MCREST opened its first-ever fixed shelter.
The MCREST Permanent Shelter at 215 South Main Street in downtown Mt. Clemens.
Once a vacant, deteriorating building, the site was transformed through a $1.6 million capital campaign into a warm, welcoming space designed specifically for women, mothers, and children experiencing homelessness. Today, it stands as a permanent anchor of stability in the heart of the city.
A Safe Haven for 45 Women and Children
The shelter can house up to 45 women and children at a time, offering stays of up to 90 days as families work toward permanent housing. Unlike the rotating church model of the past — where families moved week to week — this fixed facility provides consistency, routine, and safety for those who need it most.
Here, children have a place to play, study, and feel secure. Mothers have a place to breathe, regroup, and rebuild. And every guest receives the support they need to move forward.
Thoughtfully Designed for Comfort and Care
The three-story facility includes:
• ADA-compliant bedrooms on the first floor
• A women’s common room with comfortable seating and a fireplace
• A children’s playroom designed for safety, creativity, and joy
• A dining area where families share meals daily
• Secure sleeping areas designed to ensure privacy and dignity
Every detail reflects the heart of MCREST’s mission: to provide compassion, safety, and stability during life’s most difficult moments.
Learning & Resource Center: A Path to Independence
The shelter is home to an expanded Learning & Resource Center (LRC) — a dedicated space where guests receive one-on-one support and access to tools that move them toward long-term success.
Services include:
• Resume writing and job search assistance
• Employment certifications and training opportunities
• Access to computers, Wi-Fi, phones, and printing
• Support with benefits applications
• After-school tutoring for children
• Life-skills classes, self-improvement programs, and financial literacy support
The LRC reflects MCREST’s commitment to economic self-sufficiency: guests don’t just find shelter here — they find a path forward.
A Milestone in MCREST’s Evolution
For more than 30 years, MCREST operated through a rotating church model, moving families from congregation to congregation each week. While this model served thousands, it lacked the stability children especially need.
The opening of the Women & Children’s Shelter in 2022 marked a turning point:
✨ MCREST shifted from rotating shelters to a permanent, year-round facility that provides uninterrupted care.
Partnerships with our member churches remain strong, with congregations now providing meals, volunteer support, and direct financial assistance — but families no longer have to move week to week.
Looking Ahead
The Women & Children’s Shelter represents the beginning of a new chapter. As MCREST expands its capabilities and renovates additional space within 215 S. Main Street, the long-term vision is clear: to ensure every person experiencing homelessness — women, children, and men — can find safety, dignity, and a way forward under one roof.
