Life was rough for JoAnn growing up. Both parents were addicts, and her father had extreme anger issues – JoAnn has vivid memories of him yelling and breaking things in their house. Surrounded by bad influences (JoAnn had her first alcoholic drink when she was just four years old), the turmoil and fear seemed like…
Read MoreIt’s that time of year again. For those who park outside, this week marks the first time in months that we need to scrape ice off the windshield in the morning. This chilly inconvenience for some of us is much more than just inconvenient for a man, woman, or child without a warm place to…
Read MoreAs a little boy, Hunter loved camping with his family. Those memories were always his favorites. One day, Hunter’s parents divorced and right before his dad left, he promised Hunter that he’d take him camping again. Hunter waited years for that call. One day the phone call finally came. But it wasn’t the call he…
Read MoreIn a given year, roughly 3.5 million people are likely to experience homelessness, equating to about 1% of the US population (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty). Children make up more than a third of this number. This week, communities around the nation are shining the spotlight on homelessness. From the National Coalition for the Homeless:…
Read MoreThe John Van Diest Chapel at our Burnside Shelter has been a Portland Rescue Mission classic for decades. Each day before breakfast and dinner are served, homeless guests walk in off the streets and have a seat in the chapel for a brief announcement and prayer before the meal. At night, we lay out mats…
Read MoreFor people in the Portland area, it is no mystery that there is a significant homeless population here. It’s a topic of much contention among Portlanders and the debate rages on as to how to best help these people in need. A recent article by KGW’s Evan Senoffsky points out the following statistics: The most…
Read MoreAs the holidays approach, decorations are set out and festive plans are made. Families are drawn together and lasting memories are formed. However, many people in our city won’t have a joyful holiday season this year. They don’t get to be with their families on Thanksgiving, and they won’t receive any…
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