Restoring Hope Through Opportunity

For generations, Dan & Louis Oyster Bar has been serving Portland’s Old Town, known not just for its food, but for its commitment to the community it serves. As a family-owned business rooted in tradition, Dan & Louis understands that strong communities are built when people invest in one another. 

Today, that commitment is showing up in a powerful way through its partnership with PRM. 

Through this collaboration, guests from PRM’s Burnside Shelter Connect Program are finding more than a job. They are finding purpose, dignity, and a pathway towards lasting transformation.

Recovery Through Opportunity

At Portland Rescue Mission, transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. One that includes stability, support, and opportunities to rebuild. Employment plays a critical role in that journey, especially for guests working to recover and regain independence. 

The Connect Program at the Burnside Shelter helps guests take practical steps forward, including job readiness, skill-building, and connections to employers who believe in second chances. Dan & Louis Oyster Bar has become one of those employers, opening its doors and welcoming guests as valued members of the team. 

From the Streets to Stable Living

For Robert Swanson, a participant of the Burnside Shelter’s Connect Program, this opportunity marked a turning point. After finding himself back on the streets, Swanson felt hopeless, until he was given an opportunity that made recovery seem possible.  

Swanson (shown in the video above) has worked at Dan and Louis for 11 years, currently serving as the lead line cook. His journey is a powerful example of what can happen when someone is given opportunity and support. Hope is never truly lost.

Giving Back as Part of Transformation

At Portland Rescue Mission, giving back is a vital part of the transformation process. When guests are empowered to contribute, to work, and to be seen for their strengths, transformation takes root. 

Partnerships with local businesses like Dan & Louis Oyster Bar make this possible. By choosing to invest in people, employers become an essential part of the recovery story, helping guests move from survival toward stability and purpose. 

We are Grateful for Our Community Partners

We are deeply grateful to Dan & Louis Oyster Bar and other local businesses who choose to walk alongside our guests. Their willingness to offer opportunity doesn’t just fill positions; it transforms lives. 

Together, we are seeing what happens when community investment meets transformation: hope is restored, recovery is strengthened, and lives begin anew. Click the link below to read the full story.