Manassas Hope
For the Homeless

Donations will be even more needed now due to the chances people without housing will be in the weather continuously through this season. A list of needs is below. If you are thinking about donations, please check with Jay Sharpe at 571-277-0728 or jay@mbcnova.org; he will let you know exactly what we need.

NEW: Men’s Socks and Travel-size shampoos.
Always needed: Always needed: Gloves, warm winter clothes, thermal underwear, bug repellents, Water, Socks, Men’s and Women’s underwear, Batteries: triple A, double A, and D’s.

All donation items are relevant. Although we may not be in the season to use what you wish to donate, donations are collected all year and will be distributed at the appropriate times.

Volunteers are needed to help in the shelter. Volunteering occurs in shifts of at least four people. All volunteers must go through a short training session.

Typical time slots are as follows:
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
10:00 pm – 6:30 pm

The shelter uses SignUpGenius, Inc. to coordinate volunteer slots. Once you are added to the volunteer group, you will be invited to volunteer via this tool. We appreciate your sacrifice and your service to help our homeless friends. Jay Sharpe coordinates shelter volunteers and activities.

Volunteers who wish to serve as part of the Food Service (usually dinner and breakfast) would help with food preparation including snacks, meal preparation, serving and cleanup activities, and receiving meal donations. Once meals are finished at the shelter, the food volunteers are free to leave as directed by the food services coordinator and are not held to do shift times like shelter volunteers. Dinners are served shortly after our guests are registered and set up for the night. Breakfast is typically in a pre-made format that can be distributed by shelter volunteer personnel in the morning.

Hours of Operation During the Hypo Season
(Nov 1- March 31)
General Hours: 7:00 PM to 6:30 AM
Wednesdays Only: 8:30 PM to 6:30 AM
Sundays Mornings Open Until 8:00 AM or 8:30 AM depending on staff availability.

The shelter will be open daily when temperatures are 32 degrees or below OR when it’s raining and below 40 degrees.

Our goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone who stays here. To make this possible, all guests, staff, and volunteers are expected to follow the Rules and Regulations outlined in this document. These rules are in place to ensure safety, promote fairness, and maintain a peaceful environment in this shelter.

By entering or staying in the shelter, you agree to these expectations. Violation of these rules may result in removal from the shelter and, in some cases, being barred from the shelter and church property.

Rules and Regulations:

1. Admission

• No person will be denied shelter on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, or disability.
• The shelter has limited resources and may be unable to accommodate certain needs or situations. Individuals whose medical, behavioral, or other care needs exceed what the shelter can safely provide—including those under the influence of drugs or alcohol—may be refused entry.
• All guests admitted to the shelter will have a photo and basic information recorded to help staff manage the shelter, maintain up-to-date resident records, and meet reporting requirements. Records may be updated annually as needed.
  
  

2. Prohibited Items and Substances

• Alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, firearms, knives, or any other items capable of causing harm are strictly prohibited. Any prohibited items found on shelter property will be confiscated and will not be returned.
• Possession or sale of illegal drugs or controlled substances not prescribed to the individual will result in immediate removal from the shelter and notification to law enforcement authorities. Offending individuals will receive a ban from the shelter.
  
  

3. Behavior and Conduct

• Guests must treat all staff, volunteers, and other guests with respect. Verbal abuse, harassment, threatening gestures, or any action intended to provoke or intimidate others is prohibited and may result in immediate removal.
• Disruptive, unruly, or offensive behavior—including shouting, arguing, or use of abusive language or slurs toward staff, volunteers, or guests—will not be tolerated and may result in removal.
• Physical altercations will result in removal and a one-year ban from the shelter and adjacent church property.
• Stealing of any kind will result in immediate removal and a one-year ban from the shelter and adjacent church property.
  
  

4. Personal Belongings and Storage

• Each guest may bring a maximum of two bags. All belongings must fit within this limit.
• Personal Items may not be stored in the shelter; all belongings must be taken when leaving.
• Personal items may not be left outside the facility overnight. Any belongings left outside will be considered abandoned and will be removed or discarded.
• Blankets must remain in designated blanket bags. Personal items may not be stored in these bags.
• Guests must address personal hygiene issues if staff receive a complaint. Guests are required to take available measures, as suggested by staff, to remedy the situation (e.g., showering, changing clothes, using hygiene supplies).
  
  

5. Medications

• All controlled prescription medications must be stored in the shelter office and distributed as needed.
• Other prescription medications may be kept by the guest but must remain securely stored in personal belongings.
• Guests must notify the shift leader if they need access to medications kept in the office.
  
  

6. Facility Use and Cleanliness

• Guests are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. This includes disposing of trash, clearing food from tables, tidying the shower after use, and keeping bed areas neat.
• Blankets must remain in designated blanket bags; personal belongings may not be stored in these bags.
• Only bottled water is allowed in sleeping areas.
• Showers are available until midnight. Time limit is no more than 15 minutes depending on demand. Individuals with long hair may receive up to 5 additional minutes if needed with prior staff approval. Morning showers are not available.
  
  

7. Shelter Schedule and Meals

• Shelter hours are 7:00 PM to 6:30 AM when the shelter is operating in season. Wednesdays only, the shelter will open at 8:30 PM instead of 7:00 PM.
• Sundays only, the shelter may remain open until 8:00 AM or 8:30 AM.
• Guests may not be on adjacent church property outside authorized hours without prior permission. Violations may result in removal and a ban from one night up to one year.
• When the shelter is open, dinner is served from 7:30–9:00 PM (Wednesday: 9:00–10:00 PM). Guests will be asked to line up when dinner is ready, with women served first.
• Shelter updates and announcements will be made before dinner after guests have lined up for food.
• A prayer of gratefulness and thanksgiving is offered before meals. Participation in the prayer is optional and not required to receive meals or other resources the shelter provides. However, we expect guests, staff, and volunteers to be quiet and respectful of those who do participate.
• Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 5:30 AM. Noise, including phone or media use, must be kept to a minimum. Phones may only be used with headphones or earbuds, and staff may turn off the TV at their discretion.
  
  

8. Leaving and Reentry

• Guests may not leave the shelter once admitted without permission from the shift leader.
• Authorized breaks, such as for smoking, must occur near the shelter entrance.
• Leaving without permission or going beyond the approved area may result in removal for the night.
  
  

9. Food and Beverages

• Outside food is not permitted.
• Guests may bring unopened drink bottles into the shelter only.
  
  

10. Animals

• Verifiable service animals are allowed entry with a guest after receiving prior approval from the shelter director.
• Other pets are not allowed in the shelter or left outside.
  
  

11. Smoking, Vaping, and Dress Code

• Smoking or vaping inside the shelter is strictly prohibited. Supervised smoke breaks outside the shelter are available at 11:00 PM, and in the morning after lights on.
• Guests must dress in a modest and socially responsible manner, appropriate for mixed company in shared spaces. Clothing must cover undergarments, not be see-through, and not be excessively revealing.
• A clothing closet is available until 10:00 PM to provide suitable clothing for overnight guests.
• Guests must address any personal hygiene issues if staff receive complaints, including offensive body odor, and follow available measures suggested by staff.
  
  

12. Disciplinary Actions

• Shelter staff have the authority to enforce all rules and determine the consequences for violations. Consequences may include removal from the shelter for the night, temporary bans, or permanent bans from the shelter and church property. All disciplinary actions will be applied fairly and consistently, based on the nature and severity of the violation.