Desperate. Destroyed. Directionless. Crazy. Mad. Before Obi came to Portland Rescue Mission, all are words he uses to describe his life. “When I came to The Harbor, I was at the lowest point of my life,” Obi said. “All those things that can give you inspiration, or help you triumph and give you a smile…
Read MoreA note from Eric Bauer (Executive Director of Portland Rescue Mission) … Every year as Thanksgiving approaches, I think of the holiday meal that first brought a hurting man or woman to Portland Rescue Mission. A hot dinner that filled their stomach, but also stirred their heart. A smile from a volunteer, an encouraging word. .…
Read More“My life spun out of control, and I went off the deep end,” Mike explained about his life before Portland Rescue Mission. “I was a mess, and I told God ‘I’m done, just take me.’” But God had other plans. He wasn’t finished with Mike. Prior to coming to the men’s New Life Ministry at…
Read MoreHow will you spend World Homeless Action Day? October 10th marks the 5th 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…
Read More(UPDATE: PROJECT SLEEP SAFE IS FULLY FUNDED! Thanks to everyone who contributed). Portland is known to be one of the wettest places in the country over the fall and winter months. Coupled with stretches of very cold temperatures, the Portland area can become miserable for people experiencing homelessness and living on the streets. That is why we are…
Read MoreSteve didn’t know who he was, or why he even existed. Stuck down in southern California, and surrounded by nothing but isolation in “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Steve was homeless and addicted to drugs. He wanted out, and he saw two paths: End his life, or do whatever it takes to get better and recover…
Read MoreIn-kind donations are greatly needed as Portland Rescue Mission prepares for the fall and winter season. Cold, wet weather brings misery to men and women with no home. Your gift of warm, dry clothing along with a hot meal and a safe place to rest bring comfort when hurting people need us most. Portland Rescue Mission…
Read More“I had every intention of staying married until we were old, building a life together and raising our kids,” says Lazara. Like most of us, she wanted a happy life and a loving home. More than anything, Lazara yearned to save her children from the kind of pain she’d experienced growing up. Though her family…
Read MoreI heard a speaker recently who succinctly captured a deep truth behind much of what we do here at Portland Rescue Mission. “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.” There are many reasons a person might become homeless. But relational isolation is experienced by all, especially if addictions are…
Read MoreLife transformation is one of the most exciting things to witness, and here at Portland Rescue Mission, it is something we are extremely passionate about. It is why our New Life Ministries exist along with our Hope and Pathway Ministries. We also love a good story—which is why we want to share one of our…
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