New 24/7 homeless shelter opens in Lynchburg, serves meals and provides overnight accommodations

The new 24/7 homeless shelter in Lynchburg, Virginia, has officially opened, offering a critical resource to address local housing insecurity. Operated by Ramp Church International, the facility, known as The Refuge on Memorial, occupies the former site of the Euclid Avenue Christian Church on Memorial Avenue. This low-barrier shelter is designed to provide immediate assistance to individuals regardless of their circumstances or documentation status.

The shelter is staffed by employees and community volunteers and is open around the clock, seven days a week. Once the second phase of construction is complete, the facility will be able to accommodate up to 50 people overnight and 120 during the day. Daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, are provided to all who seek shelter.

Founder S.Y. Younger emphasized the shelter’s mission to ensure no one is left without support, regardless of their background or legal status. “Our desire was to have a shelter that no matter what someone’s issues were, no matter what their background was, and even if they didn’t have all that documentation, that no one would be left out in the cold of the winter and no one would be left out in the heat of the summer,” Younger explained.

Ramp Church, where Younger serves as senior pastor, acquired the property eight years ago. The decision to transform the building into a homeless shelter came after the City of Lynchburg highlighted a significant shortage of homeless beds two years ago. Younger and church leaders chose to repurpose the space rather than sell it, recognizing the urgent need for shelter in the community.

Executive Director Claude Gardner reiterated the shelter’s commitment to serving all who seek help. “Don’t disqualify yourself,” Gardner said. “We’re here to serve you in dignity and respect.” The facility reflects a growing effort to address homelessness through compassionate, accessible care, aligning with the biblical call to care for the vulnerable, as seen in Proverbs 31:8-9, which urges believers to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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