Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Right 2 Dream Too: Portland's Homeless Camp


The Right 2 Dream Too is a a temporary shelter for the homeless. Right 2 Dream Too staff monitor's the camp, and there is a code of conduct visitors will be asked to follow, including abstaining from fighting, stealing and the use of drugs and alcohol.  The staff provides information to the homeless about services and the help that is available to them.
There are tents set up where the homeless can sleep at night.  Large group tents are for those who stop by for a few nights there is a tent for men, one for women and for families. Those who become members are allowed to set up their own private tents and can stay for longer.  All of those who use the facilities are required to help keep the camp functional.  They rotate for night watch, cleaning, watching the "gate" and other needed functions.  They hold meetings, write grants and apply for funding to help them maintain the cost of operating.  
It is not easy to stay at the camp, water pours rain just about everyday in Portland and puddles of water like the tents, the streets and the sidewalks. It is cold at night and they do not allow any fires to cook with our keep them warm.
Local Portlanders stop by and offer food, blankets and clothes or stay a while for a chat. Even students stop by and take tours of the camp as a class group.  
They are located in Chinatown in downtown Portland.  The non-profit is renting the land from the land owner who has not been able to develop the property.  They are allowed to remain on the property until the land is sold.  R2D2 is under constant rebuke from the city of Portland and local business groups in the attempt to close them down.  
The Right 2 Dream Too is a a temporary shelter for the homeless. Right 2 Dream Too staff monitor's the camp, and there is a code of conduct visitors will be asked to follow, including abstaining from fighting, stealing and the use of drugs and alcohol.  The staff provides information to the homeless about services and the help that is available to them.
There are tents set up where the homeless can sleep at night.  Large group tents are for those who stop by for a few nights there is a tent for men, one for women and for families. Those who become members are allowed to set up their own private tents and can stay for longer.  All of those who use the facilities are required to help keep the camp functional.  They rotate for night watch, cleaning, watching the "gate" and other needed functions.  They hold meetings, write grants and apply for funding to help them maintain the cost of operating.  
It is not easy to stay at the camp, water pours rain just about everyday in Portland and puddles of water like the tents, the streets and the sidewalks. It is cold at night and they do not allow any fires to cook with our keep them warm.
Local Portlanders stop by and offer food, blankets and clothes or stay a while for a chat. Even students stop by and take tours of the camp as a class group.  
They are located in Chinatown in downtown Portland.  The non-profit is renting the land from the land owner who has not been able to develop the property.  They are allowed to remain on the property until the land is sold.  R2D2 is under constant rebuke from the city of Portland and local business groups in the attempt to close them down.  





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