White Flag
Shelter from the Cold
Those who are homeless or heatless can seek shelter from the cold through our community White Flag program.
White Flag guarantees adult individuals a warm place to stay at our two largest shelters—Evansville Rescue Mission and United Caring Services—even when those shelters are at capacity.
These shelters, along with Central Library, also offer daytime protection from the elements for anyone.
White Flag Shelters
Click on each tab for information on Evansville’s White Flag shelters. During severe conditions, other locations may become available.
Evansville Rescue Mission (ERM) initiates its White Flag program at its men’s shelter when the wind chill is 35 degrees or below. During White Flag, ERM’s night shelter is only available to adult men, but anyone can seek shelter at ERM during daytime hours.
- Overnight guests must be male, at least 18 years old and able to pass a breathalyzer test.
- Those with minor violations of ERM policies are welcome during White Flag, but will be asked to leave if a rule is broken.
- Individuals who’ve been permanently suspended from ERM or on the sex offender registry are not allowed.
- Nightly check-in begins at 8:00 p.m.
- Morning check-out is 6:00 a.m.
- Overnight guests have access to laundry and showers.
- ERM’s day shelter is open to men, women and children needing shelter from 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Meals are served daily to anyone in need. Meal times are 6:00-7:00 a.m. (breakfast); 12:00-1:00 p.m. (lunch); 5:00-6:00 p.m. (dinner).
500 E Walnut Street, 812-421-3800
Google Map
Big news! United Caring Services (UCS) has expanded its White Flag program to include every night. That means adult men and women will always have a place to sleep, regardless of weather conditions or shelter capacity.
- Overnight guests must be at least 18 years of age.
- Individuals barred from UCS will be allowed in during extreme cold temperatures (40 degrees and below) or extreme weather conditions (tornados, etc).
- Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the property.
- Nightly check-in begins at 7:00 p.m. (Overnight guests may not leave and return after check in.)
- Morning check-out is 6:00 a.m.
- UCS’s day shelter is open to anyone needing shelter.
- Guests have access to laundry, showers and meals.
- Meals are served daily to anyone in need. Meal times are 9:00-9:45 a.m. (breakfast), 12:00-12:45 p.m. (lunch), 5:00-5:45 p.m. (dinner).
324 NW 6th Street, 812-422-0297
Google Map
Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library’s Central branch always serves as a warming or cooling center during normal operating hours. Other branches may be designated warming or cooling centers during extreme conditions.
- Guests must follow the EVPL Code of Conduct.
- Anyone who has been suspended from the library is not eligible.
- Hours are 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Friday; 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday; and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday. Hours may change during winter storms or EVPL may close all locations.
200 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 812-428-8200
Google Map
How to Help with White Flag
When temperatures drop, the need for extra supplies rises. The Evansville Rescue Mission and United Caring Services typically need bottled water, sleeping cots and mats (gym mats, yoga mats, etc), blankets and more. Specific needs likely will be requested through the media and each organization’s social media. You can help by directly donating items or making monetary donations to these organizations to purchase needed supplies.