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About Homelessness

When no bed is available, blankets are a lifeline for Portland’s homeless

It’s evening and shelters are at capacity. It’s raining, it’s cold and it’s time to seek out a place to sleep. Where do you go if you have nowhere to go? How do you stay warm? Will you find somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep? For anyone dealing with the troubling reality of life on…

86 March 8th, 2016 0
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‘Tales from the Lighthouse’: Generosity, transformation at the Burnside Shelter

Life on the ‘other side of the yellow door’ at the Burnside Shelter can be life-changing for those who come through Portland Rescue Mission and take steps toward a new life. It’s where guests off the street can start to receive the hope and restoration they’ve needed for many years. We wanted to give you…

80 February 25th, 2016 0
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One family makes a difference, inspires a Portland school to make care kits

Did you know there are about 4,000 people on the streets of Portland experiencing homelessness? Did you know that YOU can change that statistic? There are many creative ways to join the fight against homelessness. Every time you volunteer, give or even talk about Portland Rescue Mission, you make a difference. IT ALL STARTS WITH…

80 February 2nd, 2016 0
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When the ice came to Portland, Burnside Shelter answered the call

It’s freezing outside, ice is surrounding you and you’re living on the streets. Where do you go? How do you warm up enough to feel your fingers and toes again? What will it take for you to just survive the night? These questions only begin to highlight what our guests were asking themselves when the…

78 January 20th, 2016 0
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Then and now: Melissa sees life through a different lens at Shepherd’s Door

Meet Melissa, who just one year ago walked through the doors of Shepherd’s Door. We asked her to take a look at her badges and think for a moment about then versus now. How has she changed? What’s different about her spirit and her outlook on life? Here’s what she said … (She looks at…

76 January 15th, 2016 0
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Homelessness in Portland, beyond: Videos that make you think

A story is a powerful thing. Everyone who walks through the yellow door of our Burnside Shelter comes with a story of how they got there. We hear of loss, struggle, sickness, hunger and addiction. But, in time, those stories can grow into testimonies of hope, strength and restoration. It takes time, food, shelter, prayer…

74 January 13th, 2016 0
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‘Tales from the Lighthouse’: Stories from the Burnside Shelter

For those who don’t get to experience The Mission ‘behind the yellow door’ on a regular basis, we wanted to give you a glimpse at life at Burnside, courtesy of our Guest Care Specialist Andrew Hall: Clean, sober and finally housed “I have to share the good news! I finally got a place of my…

77 December 11th, 2015 3
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Students at ACCESS Academy inspire school to build care kits

“Why don’t we just feed them?” “Can we help them get a home?” “Why didn’t you stop and help them?” These are just some of the compassionate, yet very important questions a couple of us on staff here at Portland Rescue Mission have heard our kids say before. They are also questions that some of…

84 December 9th, 2015 0
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Tim Lang says yes to ‘strange adventures’ at Portland Rescue Mission

Tim Lang made a decision: No matter what Portland Rescue Mission asked him, his answer would be yes. “I told God I’m here, this is where you want me to be and so obviously, anything the Mission wants from me is what you want from me, and I’m going to say yes,” he explained. “It’s…

81 December 9th, 2015 0
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‘Rucksgiving’ comes to Portland Rescue Mission, adds creative spin on giving

While many people spent their long Thanksgiving weekend after the annual holiday festivities on Thursday decorating for Christmas and shopping for gifts, a group of 20 people from FEAR Platoon and BEASTS Obstacle Course Racers made other plans. They spent Saturday celebrating the first ever “Rucksgiving” in the Portland area. Hiking through downtown Portland, each…

83 December 3rd, 2015 0
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