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Stories of Hope

Art at the Burnside Shelter inspires hope, encourages creativity and dreams

It’s noon on a Thursday at the Burnside Shelter. Thursdays are a good day. The Guest Care Center door is open and art and color and the sharing of life takes place. Step inside and you’ll meet Andrew and Erin. Both on staff at Portland Rescue Mission, the two wanted to create a place where…

156 February 12th, 2016 0
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From Hawaii to Portland with nowhere to go, Megan finds safety at Connect

Little things make a huge difference for the women in our Connect program. Often coming from very difficult situations, and incredibly challenging circumstances, the women at our Burnside Shelter find blessings in the unlikeliest of places. “Just sitting on a couch compared to a hard chair is a luxury,” Megan described. “A hot shower is…

150 February 10th, 2016 0
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After ‘dying,’ Christine lives again at Shepherd’s Door

The fact that Christine is here today is nothing short of a miracle. “I’ve struggled with drug abuse and alcoholism most of my life along with the destruction that comes with that,” she said. “Jails, hospitals, psych wards, all of that. I’ve been suicidal most of my life.” But the pain Christine was feeling was…

143 February 3rd, 2016 0
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Kat’s love for plants realized in herself at Shepherd’s Door

Kat loves plants. In fact, she’s downright passionate about them. But there’s a flipside to that affection: Kat loathes fake plants – something she emanates to everyone around her. “Since Kat came in to Shepherd’s Door, she’s always been so authentic and real,” said Julia Richmond, a Growth Leader at the New Life Ministry for…

143 February 2nd, 2016 0
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Dan desperately wanted help, and The Harbor answered

At Portland Rescue Mission, we often see people come through our doors with wounded hearts and dim futures. But, many of those lives have been restored … and all through the hope given by your support. A perfect example of this is Dan, who might not be alive today without help from friends like you. He…

143 February 1st, 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…

136 January 15th, 2016 0
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Empty no more, Vivian finds the love she longed for at Shepherd’s Door

“Persimmon cookies,” says Vivian. “That’s what I remember most.” The warm, sweet smell of freshly baked cookies always filled young Vivian’s heart with such comfort. When her mom baked, the house seemed less empty, her mother less sad and distant. “My dad died when I was very young. My mom never remarried,” says Vivian. “I…

135 January 5th, 2016 0
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2015 in review, 10 ‘Stories of Hope’ from Portland Rescue Mission

With 2015 in the rearview mirror, it only seemed appropriate to look back at all the transformation you helped make happen at Portland Rescue Mission through your generosity. With your financial support, we have been blessed to be a part of all of these men and women’s journeys below and so much more. It has…

156 December 31st, 2015 0
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2015 at Portland Rescue Mission: More meals, more shelter, more transformation

Thanks to YOU, 2015 has been a banner year for Portland Rescue Mission. Your generosity in action has made it possible for us to serve more men, women and children than ever before. Without your compassion and kindness, our accomplishments over the last year would not have been possible. Every gift you give before the…

151 December 30th, 2015 3
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New Christmas memories, new perspective for Sherri, Kat and Raquel at Shepherd’s Door

The past can be a difficult thing to leave behind. After a lifetime of struggles, tragedy, disappointment, heartbreak, bad choices and other baggage, it can take a miracle to overcome—a miracle realized by the women and children right here in the New Life Ministry at Shepherd’s Door. For the women and children at Shepherd’s Door,…

149 December 22nd, 2015 3
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