Lynn McPherson, formerly homeless herself, is a homelessness advocacy champion and volunteer at Portland Rescue Mission. Lynn provided cupcakes for our Birthday Party for the Homeless and walked last summer to raise awareness about homelessness. She was recently interviewed by Second Act to talk about her passion for helping people in need. From Second Act:…
Read MoreIn a two-part series, the Portland Tribune looks at the new Bud Clark Commons, a $47-million government-funded building that will provide housing for 130 of Portland’s most vulnerable homeless men and women. The first article provides an overview of the project and raises certain concerns. In the second article, the Tribune tackles the question of “wet”…
Read MorePortland’s most vulnerable homeless men and women have a shot a free housing. The new Bud Clark Center will house 130 people — but will it work? From the Portland Tribune: Tribune Photo: Christopher Onstott John hasn’t had a place to live in four years. Being in and out of jail is the closest he’s…
Read MoreWhen a pet owner becomes homeless, what happens to their beloved animal? Portland Rescue Mission, like most shelters, can accept only service animals due to health and safety concerns. The choice of keeping a pet while homeless can be a difficult one. From CNN: James has an unlikely reaction when he watches his gangly black…
Read MoreFrom OregonLive.com: Every Wednesday for the past two years, [N. Scrantz] Lersch, a trained artist, has come to p:ear to draw for and teach art to the young adults who go there. “I just come in and start drawing,” Lersch said. “I’m trying to give them a voice.” P:ear, now in its ninth year, offers…
Read MoreFrom the Las Vegas Sun: Not long ago, [Shay] Kelley was just like any other 20-something. She was “living the life of luxury” with running water, a roof over her head and a job paying the bills as a sales representative for AT&T. She moved from Illinois to Jackson, Miss., when the company relocated her…
Read MoreFrom the Flying Thoughts blog:Anka volunteered at our recent Birthday Party for the Homeless. I’ve drove [sic] past the Portland Rescue Mission many times and saw the long line at it’s entry door, only I never dared to stop by and say ‘hi’ to any of the people waiting in line, mostly because I never…
Read MoreFrom the Homelessness Law Blog:The willingness to talk to a panhandler reveals V’s story. “Baby, can you do something for me? It’s a big favor.” I nodded, trying to look encouraging. “You see, I’ve got this abscessed tooth on the left side –” She peeled her lip down to show me charcoal gums. “Hurts like…
Read MoreZetaman is an ordinary guy doing superhero deeds in Portland, Oregon. In his spare time, he dons the Zetaman costume and walks the streets looking for ways to help men and women in need.From Zetaman’s Blog: On 5th and Yamhill, we noticed a guy sitting in a doorway. He had a jacket but was trying…
Read MoreFrom 60 Minutes: In some areas of the country, schools are seeing 5-10 more homeless students every day. School buses make regular stops at low-budget hotels to pick up kids whose families have no other place to live. How does homelessness affect kids? How do they survive? What will the long-term effects be on this…
Read More