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.

The post Women’s Shelter Coming to NW Portland appeared first on Blanchet House.

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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Bob Wendover, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, and Eric Shumway at the Lend a Helping Hand Brunch held at the Portland Art Museum on March 2.

A Morning of Inspiration

We were grateful to be able to gather in support of Blanchet House & Farm at the annual Lend a Helping Hand Brunch on March 2, 2025, at the Portland Art Museum! Thanks to our community’s generosity, we raised more than $435,000 to provide food, shelter, and hope.

We were honored to hear from Mayor Keith Wilson, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and Representative Maxine Dexter, who spoke about the importance of coming together to care for our community. And Oregon’s First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson attended!

Blanchet’s Executive Director, Scott Kerman, urged us to do more to help, and inspired us with plans to open Bethanie’s Room, an emergency over-night shelter for women in 2025.

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Former residents Bob Wendover and Eric Shumway shared their journey from homelessness to launching their own handyman business, ActSpeak—a powerful reminder that second chances truly change lives.

We were so happy that Blanchet House co-founder Jim O’Hanlon Sr., 97 (pictured) made it out to brunch with us. Jim and his friends got together in 1952 to open Portland’s first House of Hospitality.

Blanchet House co-founder Jim O’Hanlon Sr. speaks with Katie Henessey at the Lend a Helping Hand Brunch on March 2, 2025.

Emcee Misty Marquam moved us with a personal story about reconnecting with her estranged father—who she later learned had once been a diner at Blanchet House. Her experience was an important reminder that our work impacts not only those we serve but also their loved ones. [Watch Video]

The morning was also filled with music, thanks to Maureen “Mo” Briare on the harp, and a heartfelt blessing from Father Gary Smith, who spoke about the isolation many of our guests face.

We had fun giving away beautifully crafted wood items from Blanchet Farm’s woodshop, including a special custom piece by Sam Cook. Plus, we drew the lucky winner of the travel raffle—congratulations to them! [Watch Raffle Drawing Video]

AND a huge thank you to emcee Rich Ulring for giving his time and reminding us of the power of small acts of kindness with a beautiful quote from Dorothy Day, the inspiration for Blanchet House of Hospitality:

“People say, what is the sense of our small effort? They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words, and deeds is like that.”

Hands-On Giving: Care Kits for Our Guests

We didn’t just raise money—we took action! Together, we packed 256 care kits filled with essential hygiene and comfort items for our homeless guests, which were handed out during meal services this week. Pictured is our guest, Mal, who picked up a care kit on his way out of the café. He shared that the bath wipes, socks, and gloves were especially appreciated. These small but meaningful items bring so much comfort and dignity to those in need. Thank you for participating.

Join Us!

Are you interested in attending or sponsoring next year’s Lend a Helping Hand Brunch? We would love to have you join us! Please contact Steve Cook at scook@blanchethouse.org or 503-241-4340 ext. 103.

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By Julie Showers

Mandy Brumbach’s older brother, Joe, battled addiction and homelessness for many years, a struggle that tragically culminated in his death at the age of 41. She graciously shared his story to remind us that behind every person we see on the street gripped by addiction, there are often family and friends who are forever grieving their slow painful descent into isolation.

A young Joe Brumbach proudly holds a fish he caught.

Growing up in Twin Falls, Idaho, Mandy and Joe were close despite hardships. Their father suffered from severe mental illness creating a difficult home environment and difficult relational trauma. But for Joe, life was made harder by the rejection he experienced after coming out as gay at 18, something he’d known since childhood. Raised in a conservative Catholic community, he felt alienated and unsupported, which marked the beginning of his emotional and mental health struggles. Seeking a place where he belonged, Joe moved frequently—from Idaho to Portland to California and even Las Vegas—but the community support he desperately needed remained elusive.

“The way I see it is it was a downhill spiral when he came out as gay in Idaho. That rejection severed his sense of self,” Mandy recalls. “He couldn’t find the community he desired in our town so he moved, searching for where he belonged. As he started meeting new people, he also started trying drugs.”

His vulnerability and naivety left him susceptible to exploitation.

“What he wanted more than anything was to find somebody to love. He wanted to be held. He told me once, ‘Nobody has held me in years,’” Mandy said.

Mandy recalls Joe as a kind and creative soul who loved animals, dreamed of becoming a movie director, and shared a close bond with his sister.

“He was the most tender loving, caring, teachers’ favorite, a good student, a good person, and was passionate about film his whole life. We were super close. Our parents divorced when we were young. I saw our lives as him being dealt a harder hand of cards,” Mandy said.

Joe Brumbach (left) with sister Mandy in front of the family Christmas tree.

The Harsh Reality of Homelessness

Life on the streets was brutal for Joe, his mental health deteriorated, and he experienced many arrests and hospital stays. There were moments of hope, such as a year-long inpatient treatment program and group home stays, but stability was fleeting. The trauma of homelessness left him in a constant state of fear and paranoia, often leading to combative behavior. This protective defense mechanism Mandy believes masked the pain of a deeply wounded individual.

“Inside, these are wounded people who want safety and security but that’s hard to see while they are living in these big adult bodies,” Mandy shared. “One small act of kindness toward this community can go a long way. Treating them with respect and dignity can go a long way. Smiling or responding when they are asking for something. Waving or giving them space when it seems like they need it.”

Despite his struggles, Joe retained his hopeful and caring nature. Mandy recalls how he would still call her from the streets to ensure she was okay.

The Importance of Compassion and Community Support

Mandy believes that help and healing start with understanding and compassion. She urges people to look beyond the surface behavior of those struggling with addiction and homelessness.

“These are not bad people. They are people who have lived through bad circumstances,” she emphasized.

Joe’s journey inspired Mandy to become a counselor and educator. She joined an organization, Shazaam PDX, whose goal is to empower children and adolescents and create safe spaces for all children, including those exploring their identities which she hopes will keep others from facing the kind of isolation her brother endured.

Joe Braumbach (left), cousin Jillian (center), and Mandy (right) enjoyed a day downtown Portland, OR.

His Memory is a Blessing to Others

Mandy and her family have taken steps to support those in need in honor of Joe. They established a memorial fund that has led to the implementation of an LGBTQ+ youth program with Southern Idaho Pride. The family also generously supports Blanchet House’s services to help others in similar circumstances.

“We’ve always wanted to help people like my brother,” Mandy says.

In an odd twist of fate, Mandy found herself at Blanchet House’s Pride event in 2024, which involved attendees helping to set a new meatball eating record.

“Meatballs remind me of my brother. Growing up we loved Jim Carry’s humor in the movie The Mask when he would say, “That’s a spicy meatball!’ We would say that to each other all the time,” Mandy fondly recalls. “So, meatballs and pride? What a great way to honor my brother.”

Through Blanchet House and her ongoing efforts, Mandy ensures that Joe’s life inspires change, fosters understanding, and, most importantly, spreads the message that kindness and respect can transform lives.

The post A Brother’s Struggle With Addiction and Homelessness appeared first on Blanchet House.

How To Volunteer on Christmas

We have many ways for you to help our community, including ways you can volunteer on Christmas Day from your home.

• If you would like to volunteer in our cafe on a different day of the year other than Christmas please sign up here.
• You can also find other organizations to volunteer with at Hands On Greater Portland. 
• Email info@blanchethouse.org with any questions.

Make Care Kits

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

Make Sack Lunches

Sign up to donate sack lunches that will be given out on Saturday at Blanchet House. Learn More

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.

The post Where to Eat for Free on Christmas Day appeared first on Blanchet House.

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

Sign up to donate sack lunches that will be given out on Saturday at Blanchet House. Learn More

The post Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities and Free Meals appeared first on Blanchet House.

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The event was MC’d by Executive Director Scott Kerman. Long-time board member Rich Ulring gave a blessing and led the crowd in a call-and-response sing-along. A new resident of the farm, William, shared a land acknowledgment and his appreciation for the opportunity to stay at the farm. Blanchet House Board President Mary Ann Walker thanked donors and staff who persevered to complete the project.

Lead donor Dr. Jeff Heatherington with The Heatherington Foundations for Innovation and Education in Healthcare spoke to attendees about the importance of supporting children through health care and school to set them up for healthier lives as adults.

Ross Sears, who’s managed the farm for more than a decade after going through the program to gain sobriety told the crowd, “When we get here, we don’t have a lot to feel good about. The farm gives you something to feel good about.”

The decorative saw used to cut the ribbon was hand-painted by Rob Moody while he was a participant in the program at Blanchet Farm. The saw will be hung in the new dormitory.

Pictured: Newberg, Oregon-based artist Angelina Octavia stands next to her oil painting of the landscape surrounding Blanchet Farm. The painting will hang in the new facility and prints will be given to donors.

Pictured: Guests at Blanchet Farm’s Grand Opening were asked to write messages of encouragement to hang on a plum tree that will be planted near the new facility.

Pictured: William, a resident of Blanchet Farm, stands next to the welcome sign made by previous resident Lucas Pattison. William spoke at the grand opening of Blanchet Farm’s new facility and delivered a land acknowledgment.

Members of Blanchet House & Farm’s Board and donors saw a ribbon at the Grand Opening of Blanchet Farm’s new facility. Also pictured are Director Scott Kerman, Farm Manager Ross Sears, and Dr. Jeff Heatherington who gave $1.25 million for the construction of the new building. The decorative saw used to cut the ribbon was hand-painted by Rob Moody while he was a participant in the program at Blanchet Farm.

Demand for inclusion into the farm’s unique rural program led the organization to embark on this ambitious project to construct a 14,000-square-foot mixed-use building. In addition to dormitories, there are now offices for social ventures like the farm’s honey and woodshop that will 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, will provide an elevated living space. The communal areas will provide room for Yamhill County residents to attend on-site Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.
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.
Schommer & Sons are the general contractors and SERA Architects are the project architects. Major funders for this project include the Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care, PGE Foundation, ECHO Fund, the Joseph E Weston Foundation, and HEDCO Foundation, along with other generous supporters.

–by Julie Showers

It’s not too late to support the important program at Blanchet Farm. Donate today and you will be invited to tour and celebrate the new facility at our community event on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10-1. DONATE >>

The post Grand Opening of New Facility at Blanchet Farm appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Emily Coleman, Blanchet House Programs Director

Almost daily, there are stories in the news regarding the mental health and addiction crises hurting people experiencing homelessness in Portland. There is no denying that both issues are significant challenges within this community. In the 2022 Point-In-Time Count (PIT) survey conducted among people experiencing homelessness, 37.9% of respondents self-identified as having a mental health disorder, and 37.1% identified as having a substance use disorder.

We tend to hear less about the physical health challenges faced by the homeless community, though these are far more prevalent among the unhoused. The PIT report shows that 25.6% of respondents have a physical disability, and 23% have a chronic health condition. Medical issues like these can be incredibly difficult to manage while living on the streets.

According to a 2019 National Health Care for Homeless Fact Sheet, people experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to have diabetes, hypertension, or experience heart attack, and die on average 12 years sooner compared to the average US citizen.

Staff with Project Access Now visit Blanchet House regularly to connect people experiencing homelessness with state-provided health insurance.

In Blanchet House’s Cafe, we observe many people living with physical disabilities, with visible infections or wounds, and with chronic conditions they struggle to manage. To help ensure that our guests can get their healthcare needs met, we’ve increased partnerships with organizations that can bring their services to us. Many of our guests experiencing homelessness lack access to a phone and computer, so it’s critical to their health that they be able to access care in a low-barrier way.

This spring, we started hosting teams from Project Access Now and Care Oregon during our lunch services. Both organizations help people sign up for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and connect to providers. Our guests can speak in person to their staff to understand the programs, make an appointment to complete the OHP application and ask questions to better understand their benefits and how to access services.

We also welcome mobile medical services that can address more urgent and immediate needs. The Multnomah County Department of Health sends an Outreach Testing Van to our parking lot bi-weekly to offer HIV and STD testing free of charge. Doctors and nurses with Portland Street Medicine bring their vans and set up to offer wound care and medical support. Central City Concern’s mobile health services team has also become a regular sight in the parking lot, offering primary care, mental health support, and much more.

Volunteer nurses tend to the feet of a man experiencing homelessness at a pop-up food care health clinic in Blanchet House’s parking lot.

Blanchet House also houses the Harrington Health Clinic (HHC), a nurse-led clinic that not only provides medical care for residents staying in our transitional housing program but also hosts pop-up foot care clinics in the parking lot for guests of our café. Poor foot health is common among people experiencing homelessness, given limited access to hygiene services, frequently wet feet, walking long distances to access services and injuries due to accidents or assaults. The HHC foot care clinics offer guests the chance to have their feet washed, treated, and massaged, and leave with a pair of fresh socks and shoes.

The people we serve have so many needs, and while we do what we can by providing food, hygiene items, and clothing, we know we can’t be everything to everyone. We’re lucky to be a part of an incredible community of collaborative organizations that come together to meet the needs of our most vulnerable.

For more information about collaborating with Blanchet House please email us at info@blanchethouse.org.

The post Increase in Health Services Teams to Meet Needs of Unhoused appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Julie Showers with Duke Reiss

Portland Street Response (PSR) has become an essential resource for homeless social service providers such as Blanchet House, as they navigate the complexities of aiding individuals facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction. In moments of dire need, Duke Reiss, a Peer Support and Housing Specialist at Blanchet House, turns to PSR, relying on their customized assistance to address the unique needs of those in crisis.

“Back in February, we had an elderly meal guest lying outside in the rain, naked, sobbing in the fetal position and shivering. Cops came out for a wellness check and she became escalated with them as they stood watching her. She needed someone to come, sit down with her, and develop rapport first,” Duke says. “Being able to meet people where they are at is important. PSR was able to connect her to Adult Protective Services which assigned her a case manager.”

A Portland Street Response team member talks with a person in crisis outside Blanchet House.

Portland Street Response Has Time to Build Rapport and Trust

When individuals experience mental health or other non-violent crises, calling the police or 911 may not be the most suitable course of action, but assistance is still needed. That’s where PSR staff excel. 

Without PSR, the elderly woman outside Blanchet House might have remained on the ground without aid to suffer alone. Vulnerable individuals like her cannot be forced to go to a hospital or shelter against their will unless they pose a risk of violence to themselves or others.

“I’ve connected a lot of veterans to Veteran’s Affairs (VA) and seniors to Adult Protective Services (APS) through PSR. Because they are mobile outreach they can follow up with homeless guests. That 24 hours can be the difference between life and death,” Duke says.

It’s a team effort between Duke and PSR to access help for someone in crisis. When the root causes for someone’s homelessness are multifaceted, it takes a web of providers to improve their circumstances.

Portland Street Response builds rapport with a woman in crisis outside Blanchet House.

Portland Street Response Can Streamline Access to Shelter

A recent call to PSR involved a homeless disabled woman with both legs amputated above the knees. Well-known to the staff of Blanchet House’s cafe, she exhibited disruptive behavior during lunch service, throwing cups, displaying altered perceptions, and shouting angrily. For the safety and peace of others, security asked her to leave. However, once outside, she fell to the wet ground beside her wheelchair. She was clearly not in a condition, physically or mentally, to be alone on the street that day. While staff had witnessed her resilience in the past, this situation was particularly distressing. Lying vulnerable on the rain-soaked sidewalk with only a tarp for shelter, she left the staff feeling shaken, saddened, and at a loss on how to assist her.

“She lay under a tarp next to her wheelchair for hours and refused assistance every time we offered it,” Duke recalled. “I called PSR to come to talk to her because I knew they would show her compassion and have ways to help. PSR arrived within 30 minutes, spoke with her, offered her supplies, and built some trust. She had altered perceptions and asked them to get away from her.”

In crises like this, what’s critical is the patient approach of the PSR team, who were able to dedicate time to her without issuing threats or demands. Individuals enduring chronic homelessness often harbor distrust toward police and care providers due to past traumas. Following the initial visit from PSR, the woman remained hesitant to accept transportation to care, but the following day, she showed signs of improved mental well-being.

Still lying outside when Duke arrived at work, the woman asked him to call the PSR team again. 

“They came and hung out with her and were able to coordinate getting her into a shelter,” Duke recalled. “They had a specialized cab to drive her. PSR is connected to the 211 shelters so they can streamline getting people in.” 

After days of declining assistance, she finally chose to go to the shelter. The staff at Blanchet House felt relieved knowing that the woman would now be in a safe and dry environment. With her most fundamental need for shelter fulfilled, there was hope that her other needs could now be addressed. 

Duke Reiss, a Peer Support and Housing Specialist, called Portland Street Response after talking with a woman in crisis outside Blanchet House.

PSR Can Follow-Up and Meet People Where They Are

Duke emphasizes the significance of PSR’s ability to do outreach and follow-up care. Duke emphasizes the significance of PSR’s ability to do outreach and follow-up care. Their influence within the community extends far beyond merely responding to immediate crises; the ongoing presence and support they provide hold significant value.

“By building rapport and offering ongoing support, PSR creates a lifeline for individuals navigating complex challenges,” Duke says. 

Moreover, PSR relieves the burden on first responders like the police and EMTs. 

“PSR is the best way to protect our first responders and prevent burnout. Firefighters should be focusing on fire. Police should be focusing on violence. It’s not helpful to turn these first responders into peer support and mental health providers when they already have so much on their plate,” Duke says. 

Duke has countless stories of PSR helping people on the street, particularly in cases involving psychosis.

“When someone is experiencing psychosis I can’t just put them in a cab and send them to Unity, [the city’s only mental health urgent care hospital.] In a cab, the person is still experiencing altered perceptions. How can they do an intake interview in that state? PSR will drive them to Unity and stay with them through the intake process,” Duke says. 

PSR is an advocate for people who have no one. Individuals in dire crises need the presence of empathetic and understanding caregivers who can accompany them physically to access services and provide essential follow-up care. In two years, PSR has become critical to assisting in crisis intervention at Blanchet House and contributing to the ongoing efforts to address individual homelessness in the city.

The post Why We Call Portland Street Response appeared first on Blanchet House.