Women and children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. In addition to those already on the street, thousands are “couch-surfing” and considered just one step away from homelessness. “Its hard out here on the streets. Its scary. I’ve put my life in danger, sleeping under the bridge where there’s nobody there…
Read MoreHeroes come in all ages and sizes. At Portland Rescue Mission, some of our biggest champions are second grade students at Oregon Episcopal School. With a heart to learn about their city and find the heroes making a change in Portland, several of the students wrote letters of gratitude to the staff at Portland Rescue…
Read MoreShe’s Back! Singer-performer-philanthropist, and Oregon’s beloved Miss America, recently filmed two new commercials for Portland Rescue Mission. Katie Harman has been an advocate and friend of Portland Rescue Mission for years. Harman has starred in a number of commercials promoting Drive Away Hunger, the car sales and donation program of Portland Rescue Mission. We…
Read MoreAlmost 70 years after John Van Diest, our founder, served home-cooked soup to hungry people facing hard times, Portland Rescue Mission holds true to that first vision. Begin by meeting people’s most urgent needs. Show them that they matter, that they are loved by God. They are not alone. Then, as hope emerges in their…
Read MoreSoft morning light gently wakes Anthony from a restful sleep. “Good morning, God,” he whispers. “Thank you for the chance to live this day.” It’s been a year since Anthony stepped out of his old life. In the soothing cascade of a hot shower, he remembers the stark contrast of life on the streets. Showers…
Read MoreWe know you like Mission Bar-B-Que. “I like that you get it really fast. I like that they have it already made, its hot, it comes right out. So if you are on a short lunch hour you get it really fast you don’t have to wait for it and its just wonderful. It is…
Read MoreIt was raining hard. Drops hitting her face, muscles aching, Marianne thought to herself, “I can’t do this. I don’t want to keep running.” She stopped, her tears mixing with the rain. The commitment to run and to persevere at something goes much deeper than training for a 13-mile race, these women are in the…
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…
Read MoreRecovery is a journey, and one that takes time—A journey in trusting again, in surrendering, in persevering. Each man and woman in our New Life Recovery program will probably tell you that the journey isn’t easy, but so worth it––worth becoming the new person they are today. Leslie* shared this letter recently with the…
Read MoreIn this winter season, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of countless individuals and businesses that have partnered with us, bringing light and hope to the men, women and children in our programs. One great example is the direct mail production company, AKA Direct. In addition to sponsoring our recent telethon events, they also…
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