BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - "Room in the Inn" helps provide shelter for those facing homelessness in the winter months.

From the beginning of November to the end of March, people who are homeless can stop into the nonprofit and register themselves for the program. "Room in the Inn" partners with about twenty local churches that provide shelter for the registered guests. Local churches rotate nights taking turns hosting those that need a safe place to sleep. "Room in the Inn" provides transportation to whichever church is hosting.

One of the churches involved is Bowling Green Cumberland Presbyterian Church. the church only has about fifteen beds, but church coordinator Gordon Hanna says it tries to help any way it can.

Volunteers from the church prepare warm dinners as well as pack them a brown bag lunch that will help them get through the day. Many people face homelessness for reasons that are out of their control.

“It takes about $900 to get into an apartment so when you’re homeless and trying to find a job you usually don’t have any type of transportation and that’s one of the biggest things and it’s hard to save,” said Hanna.

One of the homeless receiving help at the church is Lamar Smith. Only 25 years old, Smith has faced homelessness before. He has been homeless for the past five months, struggling with addiction and various mental health issues. 

Smith said,  “There’s nothing that I can do but hold on and be strong. I can’t let myself go, I can’t down myself, I cannot say who I’m not going to be, because I am going to be somebody just got to work hard to be that person.”

The church not only provides a safe place for the homeless to stay, but also offers them a sense of family.

“Churches are bringing the family to them; make them feel like a home. It makes them feel like they're welcomed, loved and that’s what they need.”

Beginning a new year, Smith hopes to find stability for himself by getting a job and reuniting with his family.