Firehouse Shelter

As an outreach program of The Cooperative Downtown Ministries, the Old Firehouse Shelter began serving the needs of the homeless in 1983. The shelter is located in the historic Fire Station #6 of the Birmingham Fire Department, which was built in 1906. The Firehouse Shelter’s mission is to provide to homeless men in the Birmingham area a nurturing and caring environment, while empowering each individual to reach his full potential.

On its first night, the Old Firehouse Shelter housed twelve men. Today, more than 175 homeless men find a safe, welcoming bed at a Firehouse Shelter facility. For over twenty-five years, the Firehouse Shelter has worked to improve and expand its programs and services for Birmingham’s homeless. Its success is seen in the fact that 90 percent of Firehouse Shelter clients leave its programs for permanent or transitional housing or for needed medical treatment.

The lawyers at Bradley Arant have volunteered at the Old Firehouse Shelter since its inception. Individual lawyers serve on its Board, cook for the men, and staff Pro Bono legal clinics, as well as serve in other volunteer positions. For over twenty-five years, our lawyers have cooked and served meals for the men at least once a month, cooking and serving twice each month since 2003.