(Photo above: 2120 Bear Creek Road location | courtesy of Shepherd’s House)
The Shepherd’s House in Bend has opened a new home for addicted, abused homeless women with children at 2120 Bear Creek Road (at the corner of Bear Creek and Dean Swift).
This home is the first step toward a program serving as many as 40 homeless women and children, making this the largest shelter and program dedicated to homeless women and children in central Oregon.
The number of homeless people in Central Oregon, especially women and children, is high and on the rise. Bob Moore, of Deschutes County, in May 2015, reported that in Central Oregon “There was a rise in people that are either camped in cars or camped out in the woods in outbuildings not designed for human habitation. That population over the last three years has continued to increase and that’s a warning trend.”
This new home will be a safe place for these women with children and will provide a long-term program to help these women address the controlling behaviors that led to their homelessness.
Curt Floski, the executive director of The Shepherd’s House said, “We have been providing shelter, food and program services for men for nearly a decade, and we have all seen the need to provide services to homeless women. This new home will mean that we don’t have to turn away women who are desperate for our help.”
Gloria Hall will be The Shepherd’s House Women’s & Children’s director. Hall has a degree in sociology and psychology from the University of Texas and worked with homeless, addicted and abused women and children for over 25 years. She led similar programs in Tacoma, Seattle and Portland, and joined The Shepherd’s House in 2014 to help launch this new center in Bend. Hall said, “I am so excited to open this new center. We have so many churches, businesses and individuals bringing furniture, food, and other needed items. The community support is tremendous.”
The first resident is a single mom with a 4th grade son. They have been living in a car for three years.
People are invited to donate fresh meats, vegetables and basic food staples for the home residents.
The Foundry Church has put up a $50,000 matching grant to help launch this new program. People can log on to www.tshgive.com to make a matching gift.
The Shepherd’s House is registered at Bed Bath and Beyond for those who would like to bring a house warming gift.
Please contact Gloria Hall for more information: 206-271-2153 or log on on to www.MyShepherdsHouse.org for more information.
Contact Info:
Curt Floski
541-388-2096
curtf@myshepherdshouse.org
Gloria Hall
206-271-2153
gloriah@myshepherdshouse.org
