Freedom and independence … it’s what this time of year is all about when we celebrate the Fourth of July. And for the many men and women that come through our New Life Ministry at The Harbor (for men) or Shepherd’s Door (for women and children) and graduate from the program, that means freedom and…
Read MoreSix months ago, Stewart was homeless, lost and hurting. He came to our Burnside Shelter for meals and was grateful for everything the Mission provided – restrooms, shelter, socks, toiletries and mail service. But he didn’t expect an art class. Every Thursday afternoon, our Guest Care Center offers an open workshop with free art supplies…
Read MoreWe don’t always know what we need. But we usually know what we want. Men and women like Bradley, our featured story in our 2016 Summer Newsletter, want more than anything to their agony. Usually, long before people become homeless, they experience loss and trauma. In a desperate attempt to deal with the pain, they turn…
Read MoreBradley laughed at the dark irony. For the last 30 years, he justified his growing addiction with the shallow, comforting thought. “I might be an alcoholic. But no matter how bad it gets, I won’t be living in a tent or under a bridge.” But he was wrong. Walking out of the hotel with just a…
Read MoreIf you have a genuine compassion for people in need and you’re seeking a job you can be passionate about, then you’re the perfect candidate to join the team at Portland Rescue Mission as the Women’s Connect Night Associate! Connect is our three-month program that’s designed to help both men and women transition quickly from…
Read MoreMel Hoffman and his wife, Janice, appreciate a good adventure. And as outdoor enthusiasts, they were ready to find something they could not only drive on those adventures, but would add an element of fun and excitement that would also make an impact in other ways as well. Mel bought a convertible from Drive Away…
Read MoreSix years ago, John received the one phone call he never thought he’d get. It was his son. Even though John had abandoned him years before, his son reached out, desiring reconciliation in their relationship. John’s son wasn’t going to give up on his dad. Even while the days and years passed by, he continued to believe…
Read MoreStop by the Burnside Shelter on a Wednesday evening and you might run into Kyle Earlywine. Volunteering in the Guest Relations Office each week, Kyle greets everyone with a kind smile and an eagerness to see each guest facing homelessness get the help they need. Sometimes it’s answering a call and reassuring someone in distress.…
Read MoreXavier was finished with failure. His whole life had been filled with it, and he knew that if he were going to ever stop perpetuating the cycle of brokenness, fear and destruction in his life, it would have to be now. No more excuses. Xavier was desperate for something different in his life. “From the…
Read MoreMelissa lived a life of chaos. Before coming to Shepherd’s Door, she was heartbroken, overwhelmed and confused about who she was and what sort of value her life had. “I came in here with a lot of baggage, and I really had to be willing to let go of it all,” Melissa explained. “I wanted…
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