What org helps Portland OR homeless people the most?

May 2, 2022 4:32 PM

I'm moving to Portland, OR this month and am super-excited! From past visits I know that homelessness seems to be an even worse problem than it is where I live now. I want to be part of the solution in my new city. Who should get my money? (If a Christian org helps the most, so be it, but non-religious orgs are preferred.) Thanks!
posted by pH Indicating Socks to Society & Culture (10 answers total)

"helps the most" is obviously complicated since "help" can mean a lot of different things to different people.

Myself, I like harm reduction for drug users, so something like portland peoples outreach would be my first choice.

Also, get a narcan kit yourself and learn how to use it (here the pharmacist will teach you how to use it and it's free, but I'm unsure in the US - though I do think you guys have a nasal spray, which is a lot easier than the injection kit we get in canada) in case you see someone overdosing - street drugs are super adulterated and unreliable right now, and even experienced drug users are accidentally overdosing. It doesn't hurt to have more people equipped and prepared to deal with it - also a good tip is that if you ever see someone overdosed/ing, still call 911 right away, and they will walk you through the procedure of administrating naloxone, even if you think you know it.
posted by euphoria066 at 6:04 PM on May 2, 2022

Response by poster: Thanks, euphoria066, valid point. I mostly want to help with shelter and hot food -- it rains a lot in Portland, and snows too.
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 7:19 PM on May 2, 2022

Sisters of the Road
posted by JaneTheGood at 7:55 PM on May 2, 2022 [1 favorite]

Two useful links:
Overdose prevention from Multnomah county
Stay Safe Oregon
Pretty sure there are more resources, but this is the info I saved when I was looking for the it.
posted by stormyteal at 8:02 PM on May 2, 2022

Oh, and the Street Roots site and /book (also accessible online) might give you a list of ideas, too.

After the crazy heat of last summer, I anticipate there will be a high need for cooling shelters this year, too. Everyone is leaning toward being safe rather than sorry yet again.
posted by stormyteal at 8:03 PM on May 2, 2022

Portland: Neighbors Welcome is a group working on housing policy that I respect. Portland has powerful neighborhood associations that are a barrier to addressing the housing crisis, and I think that P:NW might actually be able to win that fight. From what I’ve seen, they also consistently treat unhoused people as neighbors and not a problem.

https://portlandneighborswelcome.org/our-campaigns

Street Roots is a longstanding organization that centers unhoused folks and last I checked they have a wishlist for things like clothing and personal items as well as things for running the paper if you want a more direct action org.
posted by momus_window at 8:43 PM on May 2, 2022

Rose Haven, rosehaven.org, helps homeless/at risk women in downtown Portland with clothes for women and children, and with other needs. There are the usual charities , e.g., the Salvation Army, etc. There are also many places that feed the hungry like Blanchet House. (Say Blan-shay and you will seem like a native.) And the river is Will- AM - ette.
posted by Cranberry at 1:05 AM on May 3, 2022

Central City Concern: https://centralcityconcern.org/
posted by knownfossils at 9:18 AM on May 3, 2022

Best answer: Do Good Multnomah focuses on housing.

Portland Rescue Mission does good work, but with a religious bent.

Blanchet House

Catholic Charities has a tiny house village and provides support to those residents as well as many others.
posted by hydra77 at 9:47 AM on May 3, 2022

Equitable Giving Circle has programs to promote food security and housing stability.
posted by middlethird at 10:59 AM on May 4, 2022