On November 16, 2010, faith communities throughout Portland and Multnomah County will observe a “Day of Homelessness Awareness.” The primary goal of the Day of Homelessness Awareness is to create a movement among faith communities dedicated to ending homelessness. The Day of Homelessness Awareness will include an early morning “Walk of Awareness” on November 16, and opportunities for participants to donate coats, blankets and other needed items, or make a financial contribution. The Day of Awareness will also provide opportunities for people to learn more about what faith communities are already doing about homelessness, and how they and their congregation can become involved.
The most recent One Night Shelter Count found 4,187 people homeless, over half of which were families (2,333 or 56 percent). Of these, 1,700 people were sleeping on the street because there was nowhere else to go. Although such figures are daunting, the good news is that there are over 500 congregations in Portland. If every congregation were to commit to building relationships with just 10 people, we could literally touch the life of every person without a home in our city.
The Day of Awareness has a threefold purpose:
1. To raise awareness about homelessness within faith communities, particularly as the cold, rainy weather starts and need increases
2. To raise funds and collect donated items (blankets, socks, coats, etc,) for the emergency warming shelter network in Portland
3. To foster information sharing and encourage the development of innovative partnerships between faith communities, non-profit agencies, and local government for the purpose of ending homelessness.
Here’s how to get involved:
1. Take the “Walk of Awareness”: At 7 a.m. on Nov. 16, people are invited to assemble at Downtown Chapel Roman Catholic Parish (6th and Burnside, known to the downtown community as “the Red Doors”) and walk from there to the new 13 Salmon Family Day Center at First Unitarian Church for a light reception. People who are homeless must often rise early to break camp and start walking; consider this an opportunity to gain awareness of how it feels to be in their shoes. You can also bring a blanket, socks, or a coat to donate and drop them off at the Day Center.
2. Make an “Altruistic Splurge”: Consider forgoing a coffee break or a snack, and then donating the money you would have spent to support the Homeless Families Warming Center at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. This small deprivation can serve as a reminder of the enormous challenges faced by people who are homeless. To make an online donation, go to www.joinpdx.com/dayofawareness.html.
3. Create a Connection: There are many non-profit agencies and organizations in Portland that offer educational, volunteer, and partnership opportunities. On the Day of Awareness, consider contacting one of these agencies and asking for someone to come out and speak to your congregation or small group about how you and others can get involved. For a sample list of agencies offering volunteer and partnership opportunities, go to www.joinpdx.com/dayofawareness.html.
The Day of Homelessness Awareness is being organized by JOIN's New City Initiative, in cooperation with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the Oregon Board of Rabbis, the Oregon Area Jewish Committee, the Muslim Educational Trust, Downtown Chapel Roman Catholic Parish, and city and county governments. For more information about the Day of Homelessness Awareness, contact Paul Schroeder, Coordinator of Faith-Based Resources at JOIN, at (503) 913-7853, orpschroeder@joinpdx.com.