RCS operates the only emergency homeless shelter in three counties, serving Pamlico County, Jones County and Craven County. The shelter can accommodate approximately 20 people – 12 men, 5 women and one family with separate dorm rooms for men and women and a family room reserved for a family with children.
Each shelter guest is assigned a bed and a locker to keep their clothes and belongings in. When a person enters the shelter they receive a toiletry bag with sheets, pillow and comforter for the bed. The shelter also includes an area where they can wash and dry their clothes and have use of a microwave and a small refrigerator.
Most residents will eat their lunch in the SOUP KITCHEN and then at night there are various churches that volunteer to bring food and fellowship to the residents. The SHELTER DINNER CALENDAR is available online.
Every Shelter guest is screened to ensure the safety of all residents. The screening process starts at the police department where the person is checked for outstanding warrants and the sex offender list. A picture ID is required. The police department will then escort them to the shelter where the RCS Admission Process begins.
The RCS Shelter admission process attempts to gather enough information to help staff determine how the person became homeless and how to best help them to get back on their feet. This process includes a 7 page questionnaire and an RCS Shelter Policy statement explaining the rules and regulations they must agree to follow while staying at the shelter.
The following day the new guest is required to meet with the Shelter Director for assessment and counseling. Shelter guest are expected to stay no more than 30 days, however exceptions can be made.
The following is an example of just SOME of the rules that are listed in the shelter’s admission package.
- Within Two (2) days of admission, meet with the Shelter Case Manager
- Within Four (4) days of admission, must have registered with the NC Employment Securities Commission and at least 2 temporary employment agencies.
- Within Seven (7) days of admission, set forth “in writing” their own Individual Plan / Goal that they will be working toward during their stay at the Shelter.
- Each day, complete their “daily log/inventory” to track their progress toward their Individual Plan/Goal.
- The Shelter is closed from 8:00am – 12 Noon every Monday – Friday (except Holidays).
- Night Curfew for all Shelter guests is 6:30pm. Any guest who is working, attending any 12 Step Meeting or any Church Function can “sign out” of the Shelter for that specific purpose.
- Guests are required to clean their own area and to assist in cleaning the common areas of the Shelter in accordance with the requests of the Staff or Shelter Trustees.
- Guests are expected to take a shower once a day.
- All prescribed medication is to be turned over to the Shelter Staff for safekeeping. (For the Safety of all, narcotic medication is not permitted even if prescribed.)
- Guests are to change clothing in the bathroom, with the door closed. They are expected to wear appropriate street attire at all times in the common areas, and appropriate sleep attire in their dorm room only.
- Parents must accompany minors at all times. Shelter guests are not permitted to babysit.
Attendance at any religious service or session is totally voluntary and is not required in order to receive Shelter services and / or any other service provided by RCS.
You can read some of the letters ad stories sent to us from our shelter guests here.
Do you have some content or a story, information, pictures or news that you would like RCS to see? You can send it to us by filling out this short form.




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