Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.

What Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. does

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. (MESI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating the only emergency shelter serving homeless men, women, and families in Riley County, Kansas. Founded on January 8, 1985, in response to a community survey identifying homelessness as the top local priority, MESI has provided continuous shelter services for four decades. The organization runs the 47-bed Caroline Peine Transitional Shelter at 416 S. 4th St. in Manhattan, Kansas, operating 24/7 with day staff and overnight coverage, and served 405 homeless individuals including 70 children in 2023.

MESI's core offerings include emergency shelter with case management, the Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP) for rapid re-housing funded through the Emergency Solutions Grant, and a Homelessness Prevention Program providing rental and utility assistance. A Supportive Housing Program operated until 2020, when HUD-level funding restrictions forced its discontinuation. Supplementary programs include a Home Cooked Meal Program serving approximately 30 individuals/families daily, in-kind donation channels via an Amazon wishlist, and annual fundraising events including the Bids for Bags Benefit auction, Holiday Mailing Campaign, and Adopt An Ornament program.

MESI has no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on traditional case management, physical facility infrastructure, and volunteer-driven service delivery. The revenue model is a hybrid of government grants (HUD/Emergency Solutions Grant, City of Manhattan), foundation grants (Caroline F. Peine Charitable Foundation, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, Konza United Way), monetary donations (covering approximately 20% of operating costs), and in-kind contributions. Emily Wagner serves as Executive Director with over 20 years of tenure, and the organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Jeff Sackrider.

Name

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.

Legal name

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.

Website

https://mesikansas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. (MESI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the only emergency shelter for homeless men, women, and families in Riley County, Kansas. Founded in 1985, it runs a 47-bed facility offering shelter, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Shelter Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Homeless housing programs
• Rapid re-housing assistance
• Homelessness prevention support
• Transitional housing facility

Headquarters

HQ city

Manhattan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: Monetary donations contribute approximately 20% of MESI's operating costs. Donations can be made via PayPal through the organization's website. Examples: $100 covers three nights of stay for a homeless individual; $500 provides utilities for hot showers and warm place to sleep for one week; $5000 funds two overnight staff for 14 nights.
2. In-Kind Donations: MESI accepts in-kind donations including household items (dishes, furniture, bedding, cookware) for individuals transitioning into permanent housing, as well as operational supplies (cleaning supplies, office supplies, medical supplies, food items). An Amazon wishlist is maintained for shelter needs.
3. Government Grants: MESI receives funding through government grants including the Emergency Solutions Grant (formerly Emergency Shelter Grant) which funds the Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding.
4. Foundation and Community Funding: MESI receives funding from foundations and community organizations including Caroline F. Peine Charitable Foundation, City of Manhattan, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, and Konza United Way.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. (MESI) operates a 47-bed emergency shelter facility providing year-round 24-hour housing and case management services to homeless individuals and families in Riley County, Kansas. The organization supplements core shelter operations with a Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP) for rapid re-housing, a Homelessness Prevention Program offering rental and utility assistance, and volunteer-driven support services such as the Home Cooked Meal Program. MESI is the only emergency shelter serving homeless men, women, and families in Riley County.

Product overview

Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. (MESI) operates as a non-profit emergency shelter organization providing a portfolio of housing and support services for homeless individuals and families in Riley County, Kansas. The core offerings include the 47-bed Caroline Peine Transitional Shelter (providing 24/7 emergency shelter and case management), the Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP) for rapid re-housing, and a Homelessness Prevention Program offering rental and utility assistance. These are supplemented by volunteer programs including the Home Cooked Meal Program, and donation programs for both in-kind goods and monetary contributions. MESI previously operated a Supportive Housing Program but this was discontinued in 2020 due to HUD funding changes. The organization is the only emergency shelter in Riley County serving homeless men, women, and families with children.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Caroline Peine Transitional Shelter
• Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP)
• Homelessness Prevention Program
• Home Cooked Meal Program

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2023, 405 homeless individuals including 70 children stayed in the Caroline Peine Transitional Shelter.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered historical and minor.

• First Presbyterian ChurchhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Presbyterian Church helped MESI open its doors for the first time on January 8, 1985. The church also provided the building at 831 Leavenworth which was returned to them in 2008 when MESI moved to its new facility.
• Manhattan Mennonite ChurchhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn July 2003, the Fremont House was leased from Manhattan Mennonite Church for $400/month to expand the transitional living program to better serve women and families. The property was sold by the Mennonite Church in 2006.
• AmazonminorOthersMESI maintains an Amazon wishlist for shelter needs allowing donors to purchase and donate items directly. The wishlist is managed by the Volunteer and Donations Coordinator.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA operates a nationwide network of diocesan agencies delivering emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, case management, and homelessness prevention. Comparable as a multi-site nonprofit social services provider, though its service lines extend well beyond MESI's shelter-and-prevention focus.
• Volunteers of America: Volunteers of America runs a national network of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable as a shelter-and-rehousing operator, with similar reliance on HUD and government grants plus community fundraising.
• Salvation Army: The Salvation Army operates one of the largest U.S. networks of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and homelessness prevention programs. Comparable to MESI as a multi-program emergency shelter and social services provider, but at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.

Others

• Community Action Partnership: Community Action Partnership is a national network of Community Action Agencies delivering anti-poverty and housing stability services, often funded through CSBG and HUD grants. Comparable to MESI as a community-based social services network addressing housing insecurity and homelessness.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a leading advocacy and policy organization focused on preventing and ending homelessness in the U.S. Comparable to MESI as a sector participant, but as a national policy/advocacy body rather than a direct service provider.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit focused on affordable home construction and homeownership for low-income households. Adjacent to MESI's mission of housing stability, but operating on a permanent housing/homeownership model rather than emergency shelter.

Direct peers

• Coalition for the Homeless (NYC): Coalition for the Homeless operates emergency shelter and re-housing services and advocates for homeless individuals and families. Directly comparable to MESI in mission and core services, though operating at much larger scale and in a major metropolitan area.
• Family Promise: Family Promise is a national nonprofit operating a network of local affiliates that provide emergency shelter, meals, and housing stabilization services to families experiencing homelessness. Highly comparable to MESI because both deliver shelter + rapid re-housing/prevention via a local affiliate/community-led model serving homeless families and individuals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manhattan-emergency-shelter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.