“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 MoreRhea’s been “flying a sign” for two years in east Portland. “I hadn’t done it in a long time,” she says. “I didn’t think I’d ever have to do it again, ya know?” Some people’s signs tell lies to gain sympathy, but Rhea can’t make herself do that. “I just have to be honest about…
Read More“When I first lost my job, I still had my van,” says Shane. “I would drive to Washington and collect cans. I could make $100 a day.” But when Shane’s van broke down, he couldn’t afford to fix it. He lost his ability to recycle for an income. Panhandling seemed like his best option. That…
Read MoreAt Portland Rescue Mission, meeting the needs of thousands of people suffering from hunger, homelessness, addiction and abuse takes more than 3,000 volunteers and 30,000 donors every year. Church partners are a core part of this dedicated team giving hope and restoring life when people need us most. For many years now, passionate people from…
Read MoreA Greyhound bus station is an unlikely place for a miracle. Steve had been living on the streets of California for over a year. Addicted for years, he’d long since sold his car and every last valuable he owned on one last drug frenzy. Steve had now given up on life. After manipulating every family…
Read MoreKelcey wanted a friend. He’d do just about anything to fit in to be accepted and known. “I thought alcohol would help me be this nice guy, that it was going to help me relate to people,” says Kelcey. He’d invite people over to his house or to a bar, hoping they’d chat all night…
Read MoreTravis Vice was ready to be challenged. After serving as a local pastor for some time, he was commissioned to start a new church in the Parkrose neighborhood. Travis jumped at the chance to bring his passion to life – developing a supportive community of Christ-followers focused on bringing healing to hurting people. “I had…
Read MoreEarlier this month we posted two Story of Hope videos right here on our blog featuring Sean and Barbara, a couple residents in our New Life Ministry addiction recovery program whose lives have been transformed over the last 12 months. Did you know that these stories are just one part of our summer newsletter? If…
Read MoreAllen never knew his father. His mother walked out when Allen turned 18. As an adult, Allen walked out on his own wife and kids. It’s the type of relational brokenness that’s all too common in the lives of men and women who come to us for help. Thanks to friends like you, Allen’s story…
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