Mayor wilson is committed to ending unsheltered homelessness- portland churches are invited to be involved in the process

Get Involved

  • Make It

    Expose

    Exposure to the need

    1) Supplies: Purchasing needed supplies that shelters are requesting such as socks, bottles of water, toilet paper, paper towels, dog food, etc.

    2) Prayer: For those experiencing homelessness, care providers, and the city of Portland.

  • Experience

    Low-commitment volunteer events

    1) Host: Volunteer to help set up an evening shelter for the night and welcome guests, or help clean up shelter in the mornings and dismiss guests.

    2) Partner: Volunteer and connect through established initiatives.

    > We All Have a Name:

    A new initiative that is run by City Team where volunteers can meet up in Old Town for an hour to outreach, connecting with unhoused neighbors, offering resources, etc.

    > Nightstrike:

    An initiative by City Team to meet needs of our unhoused community, meeting under the Burnside Bridge every Thursday evening.

    3) Beautify: A one time event to beautify a shelter space through requested projects such as painting, cleaning, gardening, decorating, etc to make a space more enjoyable for participants, staff, and volunteers

  • Engage

    Typically committed volunteer positions

    1) Overnight Shelter: Utilization of church space to create a new overnight shelter space. Churches would receive a monthly payment to use their space and the shelter would be run and staffed by an existing shelter operator.

    2) Musicians: Connect to be a part of a team of musicians who play & bring music to shelter spaces.

    3) Reunify: Volunteer to be a part of the team who support’s the Mayor’s goal of reunification for those who are unhoused.

If you would like to learn more, contact our City Liaison, Nicole Larson. Nicole represents TogetherPDX and the local churches to the Mayor’s Office and other nonprofit and government groups, creating strategic engagement pathways for the wider church of Portland to step into regarding homelessness and housing. She acts as a resource and connecter to church leaders as they discern their next steps with serving in this area. If you’re interested in exploring one of the steps above, Nicole would love to talk with you!

Let’s talk!

Join the list

We’re forming a list of people who want to hear updates on how to engage in this area. To join this list, add your contact information and we’ll make sure you get the next email.