Photo courtesy of Pneuma33
Homelessness has become a big issue in Central Oregon. Despite the improvement in the economy, we see homeless camps popping up, more people begging on corners, and people ask me all the time “How do we solve this?”
This is not just a problem in Central Oregon. In Portland, Ted Wheeler, the mayor elect, said the number one issue facing the City of Portland is homelessness. Wheeler most likely won the election on this issue and it’s true in Central Oregon as well. And sadly, one of the fastest growing sectors of homelessness in our area is women with children.
Ten years ago, for the most part, Shepherd’s House Ministries served homeless, addicted men. We now receive dozens of calls every month from women with children desperate for help, but we just don’t have the space to serve them all. The fact is our region has seen explosive economic growth and along with it we are seeing increasing need for the addicted and broken.
Affordable housing gets further out of reach for the working poor, but cheaper housing alone is not a solution. The addicted, mentally ill, and the abused need counsel, support and care along with a safe, warm place off the streets, especially with winter setting in.
Shepherd’s House Ministries just opened a small new center for homeless women with children and has plans to expand services to more homeless men and women with children. We are working on new plans to partner with churches and businesses to provide emergency cold shelter and a hot meal on nights when the temperature drops below freezing, and also plans to expand residential care.
If you would like to learn more about our emergency cold shelter programs or our long-term residential program visit us atshepherdshouseministries.org.
Curt Floski
Executive Director
Shepherd’s House Ministries
541-388-2096
