Western Carolina Rescue Ministries - Asheville, North Carolina

Amber G.

I found myself homeless in a strange city and was grateful for a place to stay. However there are some major problems. Problem number one is this unfair system with people they call core. These people are just as homeless as everyone else but are given special privileges. They can stay in the dorm all day and sleep all day while everyone else has to leave. So forget about getting rest on your only day off from work. Which by the way a large majority of core don’t work! They can shower whenever they want without having to wait all day. Want to lay down after a long day at work? Well if you’re not a core, you can’t! They have access to the fridge and can have cold drinks. The rest of us had to keep our drinks in a box on a shelf at room temp. A lot of these “core” members were nice and were unfairly judged. However there were some who were bullies! Homeless ordering other homeless around is ridiculously unfair… The daily chores I understand that but I felt like if you had a job you shouldn’t have to volunteer. I felt like volunteering should have been for the jobless. When you work 6 days a week and have to spend all day in a basement doing shelter laundry on your only day off, it’s a little disheartening. What also really bothered me was the meetings in the day room. After working all day, I just wanted to shower and lay down but nope not an option! I was exhausted and depressed out of my mind… I was grateful for the help but for the 5 months I was there, I felt hopeless… 😭

Joshua C.

Look I’m no saint I have a problem with alcohol. I went to this location wanting help and a safe place to stay. So I tried to get a bed and I was meant with an attitude and disrespect as soon as I came in . I inform them about my drinking before I even came and they told me to come anyway. ( Tony) that would be the person. My problem is this I have a problem and you use that problem against me after me being honest about it . Then turn me away.

Ross E. (. S.

Don't be so thrilled about going here to stay. This is not a place for anybody who is homeless to remain in for the long term. Just like with all other "day shelters", the staff person's at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries have an illogical rule where they expect everybody to be out of the shelter by 8:00 a.m. every single day! (-_-)

And even worse than this, most of the people here, be they staff members or other "patrons" have little to no compassion or care for anybody else here, whatsoever! And you WILL be stuck in a room with 15 or 20 other people of the same gender as you. So, if you are a man like me, this basically means being in a big room You will have to share with lots of strange men! And for the most part, you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be every man for himself.

Having to share sleeping quarters with all manner of strange men is bad enough. However, this is made worse by the fact which you will have to share bathroom quarters with all those men, as well. And, showering absolutely every single day or night is mandatory here. So, Good luck with competing against all those men for a spot in the shower at some point every single day or night!

If all of this injury to one's own morale was not bad enough, wi-Fi is non-existent here, because it does not exist. Meals will be served, but none of those are mandatory, thankfully. The chores they have are mandatory, however. And so is the Christian based double weekly worship service, which is another thing I almost forgot to mention. So, if you are not a Christian, you are a very likely going to be out of luck just by coming to stay here.

And, if another suspicious man happens to confront you while you are outside on the streets, you won't be offered much in the way of comfort. And again, virtually no compassion for you! It's every single person for themselves at Western Carolina Rescue Ministries; The Christian Church shelter, which is barely even a cut above all the rest of the day shelters, in Asheville.

Also, just forget about including any photos and videos for those who decide upon reviewing it, like me! If the stock members don't outright murder you for any kind of photography, then at least one or more of the patrons here definitely will!

Timothy B.

Today was a good day until I showed up here. Now usually I come here everyday except for the weekends to grab meals. On this particular day as I do every other day pulled up in my car blasting music so everybody can enjoy the music that has no lyrics in it. Well it just so happens that one of the so-called employees that work there told me to turn my music down. I did so. Then they started serving meals so I walked over there to get in line kind of frustrated seeing that the lady that told me to turn my music down got into her car and began to leave. So I walked past their car talking to somebody else asking them why people can't mind their business? This lady got out her car went and told on me and she told them that I was selling drugs at this location. I know nobody doesn't know me but I do NO drugs I have no reason to be in rehabilitation I have no reason to have a shelter the only reason why I'm up there was to get a meal. So for her to go behind my back go to these people and tell them a lie when they are a Christian community and then get me banned and get me search by police is demonic the place is a cult. And I refuse to say any good thing about this place so from this point on. I will definitely NOT recommend this place to go to for anybody to shelter at. NEGATIVE REVIEW

Tracey S.

I went there after I was attacked. There's a lot of double standards. I found a job working almost 60 hour sa week. They have people that do absolutely nothing but sleep which I thought was odd because just working 8 hours on Friday and Saturday and getting off at 1:30 I still had to hangout till 2:.30. I wouldn't go back here. Everyone there claims brain seizures very odd. If you want to do better do it on your own. They wont help you.

Shelly K.

I was totally unaware of this facility until recently. Some coworkers and I were given a tour. The scope of what this place offers is a wonder! They are a safe place for men and women, to get the resources they need to get their lives back on track. They have a mental health professional as well as visiting medical personnel every week. There's an after school program for kids. A great place helping our neighbors that need time to heal. Consider giving them your time and/or money.

Celandiya W.

I love this place. If it wasn't for them, i would be on the street. They provide three meals a day, the bathrooms are clean, the women are nice. Some keep to themselves, but if you keep your attitude in check, you'll be just fine. You have a locker for all your stuff, and if there isnt enough room, there's a place right around the block to hold your extra stuff. Great experience. Love it!!!

Nic F.

Thank God for this resource, no it's not a 5 star hotel but it sure is better than sleeping out in the rain. They feed three times a day and I promise you won't leave hungry.