Announcements Archives - Blanchet House

Women’s Shelter Coming to NW Portland

webadmin — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 22:16:41 +0000

June 06, 2025 – Statement From Blanchet House on Plans to Open Women’s Shelter, Bethanie’s Room, in NW Portland

Blanchet House is planning to open a 75-bed overnight shelter for women in the city’s NW neighborhood. Named Bethanie’s Room, the shelter aims to provide a safe sleeping environment and connect women to life-improving services. Currently, there is only one same-day emergency shelter for women to access on the west side of Portland, at the Salvation Army. Other shelters require cumbersome referrals during business hours and have long waitlists.

“So glad we will have another spot to refer the women we serve at City Team Portland‘s Night Strike! Thank you for stepping out and taking this on! I know that it is NO SMALL endeavor!” wrote Lance Orton, Director of City Team.

Shelter is a Matter of Life and Death

Named in memory of Bethanie, a Blanchet House guest who died while sleeping outside due to a lack of nearby shelter options, Bethanie’s Room aims to prevent similar tragedies. Her story is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for more compassionate, community-based solutions to homelessness. Bethanie’s struggles with mental health led her to be homeless. She was known and cared for by the staff at Blanchet House.

Bethanie as a teen in an undated photo from her family.

“Bethanie’s Room is not just a program—it’s a moral imperative. We’ve lost too many women like Bethanie. We’ve also served countless others who arrive for breakfast after surviving another night of violence, terror, fear, and trauma,” says Scott Kerman, Blanchet House’s Executive Director.

The shelter will occupy a long-vacant building at 1015 NW 17th Ave, near Interstate 405 and Radio Cab’s depot. Blanchet House has been searching for an affordable and nearby building to its Old Town location. The Blanchet House board will vote soon on purchasing the property. If approved, renovations and permit processes would follow, with the goal of opening as soon as October, before cold weather sets in.

A Critical Shortage of Beds for Women

“There is a critical shortage of beds dedicated to women experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The vast majority of these women have experienced physical abuse or sexual violence, making coed shelters feel unsafe. Rose Haven is thrilled to be in collaboration with Blanchet House,” said Katie O’Brien, Executive Director pf Rose Haven, a day space for women that offers laundry and shower facilities within walking distance of Bethanie’s Room.

Blanchet House had previously explored a different location in Southwest Portland at the former St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, but pivoted after determining the site would not allow for the shelter model they envisioned. The Slabtown location offers an opportunity near women’s day services, such as Rose Haven and Blanchet House, where trained Peer Support Specialists work with individuals to address challenges to housing.

“I sleep in a doorway or walk around all night. It would feel a lot safer in a shelter,” says Kasie, who is experiencing homelessness in Portland.

Blanchet House is committed to being good neighbors. We want the women we serve to feel safe, as well as our future neighbors. We’ve already begun introducing ourselves to nearby residents and businesses, and we want to hold another community meeting when we can secure access to a larger space.

The shelter will be privately funded through the generosity of Blanchet House’s donors, without financial support from the City of Portland or Multnomah County. Blanchet House plans to raise the remaining $1.3 million from compassionate donors this year.

“Why is Blanchet House & Farm opening an overnight emergency shelter for women?” says Kerman, “Because it will save lives. It’s that simple—and that urgent.”

Blanchet House Executive Director Scott Kerman answers questions from neighbors at a community event on May 31, 2025, at The Triple Lindy tavern—located across the street from the future site of Bethanie’s Room.

Neighborhood Engagement

The first neighborhood information session took place Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. The generous owners of The Triple Lindy, across the street from the proposed site, hosted more than 50 people. The event served as an introduction between Blanchet House and its future neighbors. Blanchet House’s Executive Director spoke and answered questions from attendees. Brandy Westerman, Portland’s Emergency Humanitarian Director, spoke. She will brief the mayor on neighbors’ concerns and priorities related to the project.

“Bethanie’s Room is an important step in the future that Portland is building, one in which no one is forced to live unsafe on the streets. It is more than a shelter, it’s a testament that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and hope,” said Portland Mayor Keith Wilson.

Blanchet House also operates a free meal program and men’s residential program in Old Town and at Blanchet Farm in Carlton, OR. Though this is a private undertaking, the organization is working closely with the City of Portland to address neighborhood livability concerns.

We all want to see our city thrive. And we believe everyone, including women suffering outside, deserves the chance to be safe and rest. We want our community to feel proud of what we’re building and strive to create a model of a women’s homeless shelter done right.

We will announce the next community meeting on our website and notify neighborhood associations. Following the initial meeting, Blanchet House plans to meet regularly with interested neighbors to help ensure the shelter’s success. Find more information about Bethanie’s Room at blanchethouse.org/bethaniesroom.

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Free Pet Care Clinic

webadmin — Mon, 26 May 2025 17:24:44 +0000

There will be a FREE pet care clinic hosted by Blanchet House and Oregon Humane Society on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lan Su Chinese Garden parking lot across from Blanchet at 310 NW Glisan St. in Portland, Oregon. Veterinarian Dr. Robert Mack and his team will provide free vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, pet food, leashes, collars, and more. No appointment is necessary. All are welcome. First come, first served.

Vaccinations offered include:

Rabies (dogs and cats)
DAPP for dogs (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
FVRCP for cats (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

Questions? Email Dr. Robert Mack at robertmackdvm@gmail.com.

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Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities and Free Meals

webadmin — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:12:29 +0000

How To Volunteer on Thanksgiving

Blanchet House is closed on Thanksgiving. We know that many of us think about giving back to others during this time of year, so thousands of compassionate people search for volunteer opportunities at soup kitchens like Blanchet House. However, most charity kitchens only have a few volunteer spaces available per day or are closed on Thanksgiving. These spots tend to be filled in advance by regular volunteers. But, don’t let that discourage you from making a positive impact on the community this Thanksgiving! There are so many ways for you to help besides serving meals.

Sign up to volunteer on a different day of the year please sign up here. We need volunteers Monday to Saturday all year!
Search for other organizations to volunteer with at Hands On Greater Portland.
Sign up to make care kits or sack lunches from home with your family.

Where to Eat for Free on Thanksgiving

Blanchet House’s cafe is closed on Thanksgiving Day but we have compiled a list of other places offering meals. Please confirm with the organizations listed. Some kitchens serve a traditional Thanksgiving plate of food but others may offer something else.

Last updated: 11/22/2024

Proper’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, 12-4 p.m. at Celebration Tabernacle, 8131 N. Denver Ave.

Contact ProperPDX.org

City Team

5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thurs., 11/28/24. All welcome!

526 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Portland Rescue Mission

A Thanksgiving meal will be served on Wednesday, 11/27/24, at 5:45 p.m.

Regular meal services will be open on Thursday 11/28/24.

Breakfast – 7 a.m.
Dinner – 6 p.m.

111 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
503-906-7690

Union Gospel Mission

Serving a meal from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Thurs, 11/28/24.

3 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-274-4483

St. John the Apostle Church (Oregon City)

Takeout 11:30 to 1. Dine in 11:30 to 2:00.

417 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045

We will update this list as we learn about confirmed meal providers. If you want to be added to our list please let us know at info@blanchethouse.org.

Collect or Make Warm Clothing

Knit or crochet hats for adults experiencing homelessness.
Hold a drive to collect gently used and new adult-sized socks, gloves, beanies, or other cold-weather items.

Learn more about the types of clothing we need and drop-off hours. Email us at info@blanchethouse.org with questions or to let us know your plans.

Make Care Kits

Pack hygiene supplies and more. They will be distributed to guests at Blanchet House. Learn More

Make Sack Lunches

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Poet Mimi German’s Flowers of the Litter Book Launch

webadmin — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 21:21:21 +0000

Blanchet House will host Portland’s New Beat Generation Poet Laureate, Mimi German along with poet KarlosTheUnhappy for the launch of the book Flowers of the Litter on Sept. 29, from 2-4 p.m. Also in attendance will be poets working with Street Roots who will read their poems from Flowers of the Litter and take questions from the audience.

Flowers of the Litter, a brand-new publication featuring poets from unhoused communities along with housed poets from around the world all coming together to bring a little joy to those who are struggling on the streets.

The author will sell this new book at the event, so please bring cash or Venmo. We encourage you to buy a book for yourself and one for someone on the streets. In this way, we step further into our humanity as we gracefully work toward ending the divide between housed and unhoused people.

We look forward to sharing these poems with you. There will be a book signing at the event too. You can purchase the book before the event at https://amzn.to/3X0b82t.

RSVP

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New! We Wrote a Children’s Book, Toby Finds a Home

webadmin — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 01:26:52 +0000

Toby Finds a Home is more than a story, it’s a call to action, inviting children and their communities to come together in the spirit of kindness and service.

We’re excited to announce the release of Toby Finds a Home, a story about homelessness and helping each other, beautifully illustrated by Eva Wrzesinski. In Toby Finds a Home, published by Blanchet House, young readers follow a stray cat as he searches for food, shelter, and friendship. A key tenant of Blanchet House’s mission is to alleviate suffering by building compassion for people experiencing poverty, hunger, and homelessness–an aim this book seeks to achieve.

Toby’s nose carries him to Blanchet House’s free cafe, where he meets a diverse cast of characters who are also experiencing homelessness. Through Toby’s encounters, children learn about the many ways someone can come to find themselves experiencing homelessness, humanizing a complex issue.

Service and Discussion Guides

As homelessness becomes more visible to young children, they may ask tough questions about what they’re seeing. Often parents and educators don’t know what to say. Toby Finds a Home can serve as a starting point for learning about the causes of homelessness. If children feel inspired to help after reading, we have suggestions for ways they can get involved in the guide, Fostering Compassion: 5 Ways for Children to Help Their Neighbors in Need. From hosting clothing drives to packing sack lunches, Blanchet House offers actionable ways children can help those in need, encouraging empathy in a tangible way.

In addition to the service guide, teachers can download a free discussion and classroom activity guide to facilitate deeper conversations and learning.

Toby Finds a Home co-authors, Marie and Julie Showers.

Co-authors Marie and Julie Showers wrote a simple yet meaningful story that invites children to think deeply about the world around them. Parts of the story and its characters were created in collaboration with students from the graphic and design department at Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). Students include Michele Saiz, Emmy Wilkinson, Mikayal Greg, and Jonah Zayas.

The vibrant illustrations by Portland-based artist Eva Wrzesinski (they/them) bring the characters to life.

Proceeds from the sale of Toby Finds a Home will help fund the Blanchet House’s critical social services and programs.

The book is available for purchase directly from Blanchet House and local bookstores like Green Bean Books, Broadways Books, and Powell’s Books.

Purchase Toby Finds a Home for $19.95 plus shipping.

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Celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week

webadmin — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 09:14:02 +0000

Volunteer Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the incredible people who give their time and energy to make our community a better place. We want our volunteers to know that Blanchet House’s services are only possible because of them. Learn more about a few of these special people and why they give their time to serve others. Thank you to all of our volunteers!

Volunteer Spotlight:
Katie Hennessy

Many people volunteer at Blanchet House serving in the cafe, but only one, Katie Hennessy, gives their time and friendship to men staying in the residential program. A semi-retired clinical social worker, she volunteers Tuesday mornings on the floors above the cafe where the residential program is housed. She nurtures connections with men who have sometimes lost it all.

“There seems to be something deep in me that connects with our Blanchet residents,” she reflects. “I am very comfortable here.”

Read more >>

Volunteer Spotlight:
Dan Pippenger

Meet Dan Pippenger, the Chief Aviation Officer at the Port of Portland, responsible for overseeing operations at PDX, Troutdale, and Hillsboro airports. While his professional life revolves around high-stakes decisions and intricate planning, his volunteer work offers a different kind of reward.

“I volunteer once a week,” Dan shares. “It’s changed my perspective, making me more thoughtful about what people are going through.”

Whether serving drinks or assisting with other tasks, he believes in doing whatever is needed.

Read more >>

Volunteer Spotlight: Marsha Sleeth

Marsha Sleeth, 74, a native Oregonian and retired landscape designer, volunteers in the café at least four shifts a week.

What makes you want to volunteer here?

I’m retired, so I have all the time in the world to do something, and this is something I enjoy doing. I like giving back to the community, and homelessness is an issue that I really care about. I’m concerned about these people. I love the people, and the program is so organized.

Why do you care about homelessness, say, more than other issues?

Because it’s just so ridiculous. There’s no reason for it. The way housing prices have gone up, there’s just such a large portion of the population that can’t afford to live. And then, of course, the mental health problems and the addiction problems just compound it.

What do you think people should know about our guests?

They can’t afford to eat. And we don’t just serve homeless people. We also serve people who have homes but don’t have enough money to feed themselves.

Have you learned anything new since being here?

Yes, how big a mental health problem homelessness is. I didn’t know that before. Last month, It was raining and cold outside, we served a girl and all she had on was a plastic blanket over her shoulders, and she had on a sleeveless top. And I think that she was schizophrenic. She could not communicate, so they couldn’t give her a jacket. It. She wouldn’t accept it, but she didn’t know what she was doing. It was heartbreaking. I don’t know how she survived out there. Statistics put it at 60 to 67 % of the population.

Ways to Volunteer and Get Involved

You can make a positive difference in the lives of your neighbors going through a hard time. Join Blanchet House in offering aid to anyone who comes to our doors by volunteering onsite or from home. There’s never been a better time than now to get involved!

Care Kits

Pack a bag with essential items like hygiene products and socks from home with your friends and family. Learn how.

Sack Lunches

Make sandwiches to fill brown bags that can be easily handed out to our meal guests for a portable lunch. Learn how.

Donate Clothing and Sleeping Essentials

Living without access to a washer and dryer makes it difficult to keep your clothes clean and maintained. Blanchet House offers adult-sized clothing, shoes, and sleeping basics daily. Learn how.

Volunteer

Blanchet House needs volunteers Monday-Saturday to help prepare and serve meals. Choose from one of many 1-3 hour shifts throughout the day. Sign up to serve or prepare meals onsite.

Volunteer Spotlight:
Kevin Scanlon

Kevin knows first-hand how important a free meal and welcoming space are to healing.

“It’s about giving back a little bit because the place kept me alive for years when I ate at the old Blanchet House. Back then, I would get a job, and I’d mess it all up with drinking and drugs. Today, I’m over 12 years clean and sober.

There are no questions asked. Just come in the door. That’s important because there’s a lot of anger and shame when you’re homeless. There were a lot of years I was not interested in getting clean and sober because I felt so bad. It’s very hard once you’re homeless, to get back into being a productive person. There are a lot of setbacks. Life is not fair and we know that. Where would we be without places like this? What would happen to society?”

Volunteer Spotlight:
Jennifer Krazit

Jennifer volunteers to serve lunch every week.

“I found Blanchet House through a work volunteer day, and I liked it so much I started coming on my own. Volunteering at Blanchet has been one of the highlights of my year. My employer, VMware gives employees 40 hours of PTO each year to volunteer. Employees who complete their 40 hours of service can direct a company donation to a nonprofit of their choice. When I hit my 40 hours and I asked them to make a donation to Blanchet House. The thing I appreciate most is it allows me to connect with my local community.”

Volunteer Spotlight:
Emily Coleman

Emily gets up early to serve hot coffee and breakfast.

“I’m up early anyway and it’s a perfect thing before starting work. I really value the relationships I’ve made in the cafe. I get to have hundreds of interactions each morning with people happy to be there.

The service Blanchet House provides is so important, mostly because it’s so humanizing. It’s dehumanizing to be homeless. And the way they’re treated, and often ignored, can make them feel so invisible. Guests aren’t just going through a cafeteria line, they’re being served.”

Volunteer Spotlight:
Sadao Sasaki

“I have so many reasons why I want to volunteer. One is being from Japan so many people helped me here in America. I would like to give back. When I volunteer I feel it gives me instant meaning to my life. If I had the brain for it I would be a doctor and help people. This is something everyone can do. This is the best investment of my time. I feel happy to be here. You see the direct result of what you’re doing.

I found the Blanchet House to be not political or religious. No ideology which is why I like it. Eating here is a communal experience. When people say thank you it really has a lasting impact on me and means a lot. Blanchet House does so much for the community. There are so many vulnerable people and they don’t know where to turn. None of us are immune to becoming homeless. For some people, they are just one paycheck or just one hospital bill away from becoming houseless. It is heartbreaking. Volunteer even once and you will have a great experience. You will never regret any time that you spend here.”

Read about more of our special volunteers. Of course, there are so many more!

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Funding Blanchet Farm, $1 Million Away From Opening New Doors

webadmin — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 20:48:03 +0000

Blanchet Farm Needs Funding to Complete Construction and Open Doors to Oregonians in Need

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yamhill County, OR [April 09, 2024] — Blanchet Farm, a one-of-a-kind rural program for addiction recovery, is nearing completion of new facilities to meet the growing need for recovery spaces in Oregon.

With addiction rates soaring across the state, the demand for free and effective recovery services has never been greater. Blanchet Farm, nestled in the countryside of Yamhill Country, has long been a refuge for individuals battling addiction. Founded in 1962 by Blanchet House, the farm offers a hands-on approach by immersing participants in meaningful work with animals and gardens. There’s also a woodshop to learn new skills and express yourself.

Recognizing the urgency of the addiction crisis, Blanchet House embarked on a bold plan to expand the farm’s capacity by constructing a new 24-bed dormitory for men. Once open, the spaces will provide a pathway to overcoming addiction and homelessness that will benefit families, communities, and the state.

Blanchet Farm’s new dormitory is nearly complete and scheduled to open in September 2024. Photo by Michelle Lagos.

However, Blanchet Farm cannot open the doors to the new building until it raises the final $1 million funding to complete construction. The organization is calling upon the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations across Oregon to help raise the funds needed to complete construction and support its ongoing programs.

The new farm facility will operate using clean solar energy. Blanchet House was selected by Portland General Electric’s 2022 Renewable Development Fund to receive a grant for a solar energy program at the farm. The Renewable Development Fund, which awards grants for clean energy projects in the community, is fully funded by PGE’s Green FutureSM customers.

Capital Campaign

To learn more about Blanchet Farm and how you can contribute to the fundraising campaign. Click Here >>

Finish the Farm Campaign

There are many fun ways you can get involved to help raise money for Blanchet Farm. Click Here >>

Media Information

Note to producers and editors: High-resolution images, interviews, and additional information are available upon request. For inquiries, please contact Julie Showers at jshowers@blanchethouse.org.

Donate

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K103’s Helping Hands Charity of the Month

webadmin — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 02:56:21 +0000

We are grateful to be selected as K103’s Helping Hands nonprofit charity for the month of January. This incredible opportunity allows us to further extend our impact and reach even more individuals in need. Throughout the month, K103’s Mornings with Stacey & Mike will be shining a spotlight on Blanchet House, sharing our mission and stories of impact with their listeners.

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2022 Annual Report

webadmin — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 22:21:50 +0000

Nonprofit Annual Report

2022 was a year of incredible impact thanks to Blanchet House’s generous supporters. Volunteers, staff, and donors are the driving force behind every meal and night’s stay in one of our programs. Their giving of themselves, their resources, and their time sustain our community of support. Blanchet House continues to fill the often-overlooked need for human connection.

View Annual Report

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Blanchet House Announces Campaign to Rebuild Blanchet Farm

webadmin — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:34:51 +0000

Blanchet House Announces Building Pathways Home Campaign, to Rebuild Facilities for Addiction Recovery at Blanchet Farm

Oct. 1, 2023 — The public phase of Blanchet House’s campaign to rebuild Blanchet Farm, located in Carlton, OR, begins today. The Building Pathways Home campaign aims to raise $9 million by the Fall of 2024 with construction already underway.

Ground was broken for a more than 14,000 square feet mix-use facility on May 31, 2023. The new building will benefit the rural and urban community by providing a pathway for up to 25 men to overcome addiction and homelessness. There will be offices for social ventures to support the nonprofit mission of the farm, a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area, space for job skills education, as well as communal areas for the community. The communal areas will provide room for Yamhill County residents to attend on-site Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.

Blanchet Farm was opened in 1962 as a place of refuge and recovery for people struggling with addiction and other challenges. Its facilities are in disrepair and desperately need to be rebuilt. Unlike traditional recovery programs, Blanchet Farm offers a hands-on approach by providing an opportunity to care for animals, tend gardens, and gain job skills through woodworking.

Blanchet House Executive Director Scott Kerman observes the construction of a new facility at Blanchet Farm, August 2023. Photo by Michelle Lagos.

“Our farm program has been incredibly successful at helping people change their lives for the better. But the facilities are worn out. They were not designed with a recovery program in mind,” says Scott Kerman, Blanchet House’s Executive Director. “What we’ve learned is that helping someone become housed takes time, a safe place, and individualized support.”

The new facility will operate using clean solar energy thanks to a grant from Portland General Electric’s 2022 Renewable Development Fund. The Renewable Development Fund, which awards grants for clean energy projects in the community, is fully funded by PGE’s Green Future customers.

Schommer & Sons are the general contractors and SERA Architects are the project architects.

In announcing the public phase of the campaign, Blanchet House announced that $6 million has been raised toward the total goal of $9 million. The total major gifts from the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care, PGE Renewable Development Fund, the Joseph E Weston Foundation, and HEDCO Foundation, along with other generous supporters.

In support of the public phase, on Oct. 3, Blanchet House will participate in a day of giving with live interviews throughout the day on KATU Channel 2 in Portland.

For more information on the Building Pathways Home campaign, visit the campaign website at https://blanchethouse.org/blanchet-farm-capital-campaign.

MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Showers, Communications, jshowers@blanchethouse.org, 917-620-7627

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