The Hope Community Center can continue to operate a homeless shelter in the coming months while the organization seeks a permit from the city to permanently keep its doors open, Charlottesville’s zoning board decided on Thursday.

When an interfaith group of Charlottesville-area congregations joined together in 2004 to host a rotating homeless shelter over the winter months, pastor Sam Massey of First Presbyterian Church described its mission as ensuring that there is a “pillow for every head.” Friday evening, the group, People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, gave Massey its highest honor — a golden pillow — in recognition of his aid to the Charlottesville region’s growing homeless population.