Top left: George Powell, left, holds Desirae Evers' service dog outside of Room at the Inn on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. George stand outside the warming shelter at First Baptist Church an hour before opening and talks with friends like Desirae's mom, Jenni Evers.
Top right: Jenni Evers, left, kisses her puppy while hanging out with Valerie Burch, right. While Valerie stays the night at Room at the Inn, Jenni while drive back home with her family. Jenni was unhoused at the age of 16 and empathized with the unhoused community in Jefferson City. "We used to sleep in boxes, that's why I no longer get cold," Evers said. Evers now brings her family to hand out hand warmers and soda to Room at the Inn guests.
