Meet Rachelle. There was a time when she had no hope and spent much of her time running away. Running away from hope and any sort of real direction in her life. Rachelle had “lost sight of everything.” She’d spend her days working and taking care of her kids while, deep within her soul, there…
Read MoreOur Give Hope telethon is today! For many of us, the holiday season is a time for family, friends, and good food. But for thousands of hurting, homeless people in Portland, this season is just another reminder of their pain. Make a difference this year by donating during our telethon! Your telethon gift… Helps feed…
Read MoreBill had never been homeless before. He’d worked, married, and had several children during his life. He even remembers driving past Portland Rescue Mission and seeing homeless people outside waiting to get fed. “I remember thinking, ‘Boy, I never want to be in that situation.’ Well, here I am.” Alcohol had been a problem for…
Read MoreWhen Tina found herself homeless, she did everything she could to avoid sleeping on the streets – she’d stay at friends’ houses, in cars, any place that would offer her more protection than the streets. “I was lost, in despair, on my knees begging God to help me.” At Shepherd’s Door, our New Life recovery…
Read MoreQ: For those who don’t know your story, could you summarize your journey to the Mission? J: I was born and raised in the church. My family moved up to Oregon in 1996 when I was most of the way through high school. I failed to get plugged in to church, I failed to get…
Read MoreSean first turned to drugs in high school to fit in with the “cool kids.” But before long, drugs took vicious control of his life, leading him down a path to homelessness and despair. He finally decided to flee from everything he’d ever known. “I needed to run away from everything I’d done. All my…
Read MoreBarbara had reached her end. Abused as a child, she took her first drink at age 12. For years, her alcoholism betrayed her – leading Barbara down a path of broken relationships and pain. She was ready to be done. “I completely gave up. I checked into a motel room ready to end my life.…
Read MoreYou may have seen this story we launched earlier this spring featuring Doug, a man going through our New Life Ministry addiction recovery program. WATCH: Doug’s Story of Hope video Since his story and video were released about 2 months ago, Doug has received overwhelming feedback and encouragement from friends and family. “They say I’ve…
Read MoreRachel awoke on a pile of dirt, freezing cold. It took her a minute, but then she remembered what happened. She had entered Shepherd’s Door, our addiction recovery program for women, but a series of poor choices led to her having to leave. Now she was alone, back on the streets, a place she’d vowed…
Read MoreDoug knows what it’s like to try to fall asleep on the streets. Lonely. And cold. “I remember waking up soaked to the bone. Freezing rain was falling on me. Someone at a gas station gave me some coffee, but I couldn’t even drink it. Every time I’d bring the cup to my lips, it…
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