Portland Rescue Mission History and Participants

The Portland Rescue Mission (PRM) was founded in 1949 as a mens overnight shelter then called the "John 3:16 Mission." Their central focus has not changed since as they continue to provide breakfast every day at 7:00 am and dinner at 6:00pm, pray with everyone and anyone, and opens their doors each evening for up to 120 homeless men each night. Unfortunately, there are many times when they must turn away men because of the lack of space. They hand out blankets to help provide warmth for those who are forced to sleep outside.

The Mission helps with the first phase such as offering 24/7 safe restrooms for men, women and children. Places where one can brush their teeth and shave and some benches to sit down for a while and rest away from the cold.
They also serve up to 700 meals every day with a 7:00am breakfast and a 6:00pm dinner. Sometimes they have extra socks, underwear, and toothbrushes to hand out to who ever needs them.

Today, the needs of the homeless changes because in the past shelters first started out as a place for 'hobos' who were mostly men who did not really want to stay in one place for very long.

Train hopping hobos is at the verge of extension and the need for stability increases. The Mission has a New Life Recovery program that offers 12-18 months of a safe environment to stay for 45 men. They focus on addition recovery with counseling, education and life training skills with the central focus on spiritual renewal.

Once the men are finished with the program, they are guided into housing, employment a home church and after-care support.

The Mission is committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness since the day it has opened its doors.

The participants from the Mission are:

Michael:  He is from the Mid-West, 45 years old and has been in Portland for six months. He lived in Portland in the early 90's and came back to change his life and heal.  He loves Portland because of the beauty and he feels like it is a city that is living on the edge of the earth because of all the green.

Jonathan:  Has lived in Portland for 16 years and is now 32 years old.  He feels like a dinosaur and one day wants to be a pirate. 

Jamie:  49 years old and feels like he has been a gypsy for the past 10 years.  He arrived in Portland 10 months ago to change his way of life for the better.

Justin:  26 years old, born in Forest Grove near Portland but his family moved to Wisconsin and back to Portland when he was 14.

I handed out the first camera's so everyone could get a feel for how the camera took pictures.  The first roll was just to take images of anything that they wanted, with some tips on getting closer, using angles, careful with lighting and don't forget the flash!

The camera's have a flash, but from my past experience, I know they do not have a large distance for light.  I recommended taking images outside during the daytime unless they had someone to hold an extra light on the subject!  

4 Days Left - Portland's Homeless Project

We are counting down. Tick Tock Tick Tock

Remember if you pledge then you will be a part of our project by having automatic emails about the progress of the project, images, events, problems, and laughs.  You will have the opportunity to be a part of the project as if you were there yourself!  That is a good deal for a sweet pledge to ensure that this kicks off and we can hear the voices and stories of Portland's homeless and they can learn how to take great images!

Everyone should have the opportunity to learn some form of art.  Art heals.  Photography heals and is a great form of expression.  Below are some images from the Right 2 Dream too homeless camp in downtown Portland.  Their kitchen and a tent that is for those who are passing through and only want a place to sleep for one night.  The image of the people with their dog are waiting in line for the mobile shower.

You can do two things to help us:  1) Click on the video on the left and go to the Kickstarter page to make your pledge or 2) Click on the social network links and spread this project along to all your connections for support!

crossing borders project: On the Streets in Portland, Oregon

crossing borders project: On the Streets in Portland, Oregon

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.