Birthdays are meant to be joyful—a time to celebrate life, receive warm wishes, and be surrounded by people who care. But for many of the men and women experiencing homelessness in our community, birthdays can be a painful reminder of isolation: no cake, no gifts, no texts, no family to acknowledge their day. At Portland…
Read MoreMeet Caryn (below)! She and her husband have been connected to Portland Rescue Mission (PRM) for several years. Over the years, they’ve donated a few used vehicles to Drive Away Hunger. They even purchased a car they desperately needed during a challenging season. Caryn donating her 2021 Toyota Camry to Drive Away Hunger. Back in…
Read MoreWalking alongside women participating in our New Life Recovery program at Shepherd’s Door is a privilege unlike any other. It’s even more of a privilege to witness them after twelve-plus months of deep and intense work. As a growth leader, I have the opportunity to invest in women who choose to stay beyond their initial…
Read MorePortland Rescue Mission (PRM) is thrilled to announce that Timothy Desper, Director of Burnside Services, has been honored with the 2025 Business Leader Award from the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health (GOSH) Conference. This award recognizes Timothy’s unwavering commitment to safety, health, and wellness at PRM’s Burnside Shelter, where he has worked for 17 years…
Read MoreLast week, our city was hit with extreme cold, bringing life-threatening conditions for those experiencing homelessness. When the temperature drops, a warm place to stay can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why we made it a priority to keep our doors open throughout the extent of the cold weather, ensuring that no…
Read MoreMichael’s journey to sobriety is a testament to the transformative power of hope, faith, and community—all of which he found at The Harbor, our men’s long-term recovery program at Portland Rescue Mission. For years, Michael struggled with addiction, starting with his first drink at age 12 and escalating to cocaine use after high school. Despite…
Read MoreNot only do interns invest heavily in Portland Rescue Mission’s ministry during their time serving, but they also have many opportunities to be poured into and built up as leaders. One of the values of the PRM internship program is that interns experience rich and deep mentorship from experienced staff and volunteers. Additionally, every year,…
Read MoreCharlie’s Role in Guiding Troy Towards a New Chapter of Recovery As a Growth Counselor, my role is to walk alongside each man on his journey to recovery, helping him build a foundation for lasting change. It starts with guiding them through the emotional turbulence that often accompanies early recovery. Once they’ve stabilized, we create…
Read MoreFor 75 years, Portland Rescue Mission has been a beacon of compassion, love, and grace to the community suffering from homelessness and addiction on the streets of Portland. It all began in 1949 with a simple act of kindness when our founders brought a big pot of soup and a warm smile to neighbors in…
Read More“One event compounded onto another. Before I knew it, I was out of job, homeless, and numbing my pain with alcohol. I was isolated.” Isolation is a major barrier to overcoming homelessness and addiction because it cuts people off from essential support networks and resources. Without connections, individuals lack the encouragement, accountability, and guidance crucial…
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