It’s 3:00 a.m. and he’s wide awake. The cold, misty light of a street lamp casts a long shadow over a lonely park bench and Brian’s slumped silhouette. The city is sleeping, but there’s no way he can rest. Fear pierces his heart like the icy winter wind chilling his tense body. Regrets echo endlessly…
Read MoreAs 2016 draws to a close, I find myself deeply grateful for the changed lives here at Portland Rescue Mission. What a tremendous year of healing for so many hurting men, women and children who came to us for help in their darkest times. You’ve probably seen the overwhelming need in our community. The…
Read MoreHarsh winter conditions are especially detrimental for men and women living outside. “Being homeless is beyond difficult, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But being homeless during the winter can be deadly,” said Guest Care Manager Andrew Hall. Life becomes all about survival for men and women on the streets. “I remember walking…
Read MoreThis is a season of remembering and giving thanks. One of our favorite ways to stop and celebrate at the Mission is by sharing “Glimmers”- short stories of hope that each of us encounter. Below are a collection of our recent favorites from the Burnside Shelter, shared by director Tim, and Guest Care Manager, Andrew.…
Read MoreOctober 10th marks the 6th annual World Homeless Action Day. Since it’s founding in 2010, this day has been observed in several dozen countries with the goal to raise awareness about homelessness as well as celebrate and support local efforts to care for men, women and children experiencing homelessness. At Portland Rescue Mission, we are…
Read More“You look like a guy who could use a cup of coffee.” Shivering from Portland’s winter rain, Don* gratefully accepted the hot mug, treasuring its warmth in his cold, stiff hands, feeling it radiate through his body. The simple, kind gesture by a Mission staff member grabbed Don’s heart. Once again, he was amazed. These…
Read MoreTake a tour of our facilities, all from the comfort of your own home! You may be surprised. Many people think we are a soup kitchen, but Portland Rescue Mission functions as a multi-facility program that serves men, women and children facing addiction, homelessness and hopelessness. Since 1949 Portland Rescue Mission has been giving hope…
Read MoreThe heat is on for Portland’s growing homeless community… Already this summer, we’ve been scorched by some long stretches of very hot days. Sweltering heat hits hard for men, women and children already struggling without food and shelter. Not just the literal heat that comes with the rising summertime temperatures here in the Rose City,…
Read MoreIt started to rain. A small tree above me, branches spread wide, helped to slow down the soaking that had already begun as cold water covered my blue sleeping bag. I didn’t care. Inside was warm and dry and I wanted to enjoy this moment of rest. Now I knew. I knew how valuable a…
Read MoreWe don’t always know what we need. But we usually know what we want. Men and women like Bradley, our featured story in our 2016 Summer Newsletter, want more than anything to their agony. Usually, long before people become homeless, they experience loss and trauma. In a desperate attempt to deal with the pain, they turn…
Read More