One guest, still wearing the coat she received, let us know several days later how thankful she was to have a coat that fit her well, had a good zipper and was keeping her warm and dry.

Thanks for helping us meet practical needs and build meaningful relationships with hurting men and women. The clothing, food and shelter you help provide truly give them hope.

Portland Rescue Mission recently was awarded a four-star rating by Charity Navigator. This highest possible rating reflects the Mission’s ongoing commitment to financial accountability and transparency.

“We’ve made great strides in recent years in improving our ministry effectiveness,” says Executive Director Eric Bauer. “The needs of homeless men, women and children are as great as ever. With the public’s continued support, we’ll provide even more meals, shelter and recovery care to restore the lives of hurting people.”

Charity Navigator provides in-depth reports on thousands of non-profit organizations across the country. The independent ratings can be useful for donors to determine a non-profit’s trustworthiness and financial effectiveness.

>> See the Mission’s Charity Navigator profile and write a short review showing your support.

Manchester-based photographer Lee Jeffries is an accountant by profession, but for the past few years he’s traveled around the world photographing people he encounters on the streets, particularly the homeless.

He spends time getting to know each of his subjects before shooting them, which I think is completely evident in his work, as the stark portraits seem to suggest details of each individuals life, taking a hard unflinching look at their personal condition.

Jeffries was just announced as the Digital Camera Photographer of the Year and you can read more about him at the Independent.

>> See more of Lee’s portraits on his Flickr photostream

Give a Happy Birthday to a hurting person

Many homeless men and women watch their birthday come and go uncelebrated. But thanks to the generosity of Fred Meyer and Air1 and your thoughtfulness, our homeless guests will know they’re not forgotten this year.

On Thursday, March 8, we’ll throw a birthday party complete with gifts, cake, cards and colorful decorations.

You can be a part of our annual Birthday Party for the Homeless when you send a birthday card with an encouraging note to let a hurting person know you care. See the instructions below to send a card through postal mail.

Or create a custom card. Make an online donation here and include your customized birthday card greeting. We’ll print your message on a special card and share it with a homeless man, woman or child at our birthday party.

Send A Card

1. Write a message in a store-bought or homemade card.

2. Please do not include any personal information other than your first name.

3. Enclose your card in the matching envelope, but do not seal it.

4. If you like, include a donation to Portland Rescue Mission. Just $1.88 provides a hot, nutritious meal to a hurting person in need.

5. Place the card and matching envelope in a larger envelope and mail by March 1 to:

Birthday for Homeless
Portland Rescue Mission
P.O. Box 3713
Portland, OR 97208-3713

For additional information, contact Brian Merrell at 503-906-7799 or brianm@pdxmission.org

Items to Include:

A typical Care Kit consists of a watertight gallon-size zipper lock plastic bag filled with items like:

NOTE:

When you give your Care Kits away…

Photo: Saint Andre Bessette Catholic Church

From Oregonlive.com:

Many in the Portland faith community believe it’s their core duty to help the destitute, and they don’t think their congregations are doing enough. At the same time, the prospect of doing more flummoxes them.

Paul Schroeder understands the dynamic that freezes churches in place. As coordinator of the New City Initiative, put together by the nonprofit JOIN, he’s working to reassure congregations: Yes, it’s possible to gently move forward. Yes, you can step up your commitment to house the homeless without getting in over your head.

Schroeder’s “ask” is not a small one. A church or several churches together agree to furnish $2,400 — or $800 a month for three months — toward rent and utilities for a homeless family. Human Solutions matches that amount, covering another three months of the family’s bills.

The money covers basics, but the church’s commitment is not only financial. The church must also agree to send a core group of three to five volunteers to a special training; help the homeless family move in; celebrate with a welcome party and some food and household items; then keep in touch and provide some emotional support for a few months.

>> Read more…

Steve Stratos is the vice president of business development for Qmedtrix, a senior consultant for Wellspring Group, an executive coach and teacher of executive coaching at Western Seminary. He has a doctorate degree from Western Seminary in Leadership Development. Stratos and his wife Leslie have four children: Jesse, Charity, Jasmine and Jamiel. Steve and his wife attend Imago Dei Community.

Stratos has been a dedicated volunteer for Portland Rescue Mission for the past five years. He cooks and serves meals for homeless guests, teaches classes to recovery program residents, and mentors men committed to changing their lives.

“Steve’s leadership and communication skills are a tremendous asset to our board. We are blessed to have him,” says Executive Director Eric Bauer.

How many students in Portland’s school district are homeless?

Answer in the embedded poll below, or at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S9TZTSD.

Did the answer surprise you? Talk about it in the comments of this blog post.

Cindy has both housing and employment. Watch Cindy’s video story of hope.

Eddie has a job and is back on his feet. Watch Eddie’s video story of hope.

Thanks for giving all three of these graduates a new chance at a healthy, productive life.

Homelessness ends!

*Name changed for privacy

Standing in line at the store, one of our Outreach Staff thought he recognized the girl at the checkout counter.

He couldn’t quite place how he knew her, but the cashier definitely remembered him.

“You look familiar,” he said. And the she began to tell her story…

Not long ago, she had been homeless for the first time in her life and didn’t know where to get help. She was alone on the streets, and scared.

She had stopped by the Burnside Shelter for a free breakfast. The staff person spent time giving her resources where she could get help.

“Thank you for being there,” the cashier said through tears. Today, she’s off the streets, has her own apartment, and a job.

Homelessness ends. Thanks for your support that makes it happen.