CARES, Inc.

About Us

Crisis Assistance Response Emergency Shelter
CARES operates the only emergency shelter for women and children in the Tri-Cities area. We serve the communities of Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Hopewell, Petersburg and Prince George. CARES also operates a Food Pantry and Clothes Closet for low-income residents of Petersburg. If you need help and are not sure where to turn, call CARES at (804) 861-0865.

CARES was formed by the United Way of Petersburg, Downtown Churches United, and Petersburg Social Services. In 1984, our emergency Shelter located at 244 Halifax Street was opened. It has been the agency’s core program for 30 years, evolving and responding to the needs of the community. The CARES Shelter is a 20-bed facility that operates 365 days per year. ?It serves as a gateway by providing women in crisis with safety and a roof over their head.

Our Mission is to serve the community by helping to alleviate homelessness and help those in crisis establish stability and independence. Through a network of community programs, CARES can help individuals and families when they are in crisis and unsure of where to turn.

Our goals are:

-To maintain an emergency shelter for the homeless in crisis situations

-To provide support services leading to self sufficiency

-To prevent homelessness and to aid those who suffer homelessness

-To assist the community with its efforts to develop affordable housing