When most of us lie down to sleep, we do so behind locked doors, under a roof, and with a sense of security. But for people experiencing homelessness, nighttime brings fear, discomfort, and vulnerability. For women living unsheltered, nighttime is especially scary and the most distressing time of day. Sleep isn’t just hard to come by, but it can be dangerous.

Safety Takes Priority Over Rest

For people who have found themselves forced to sleep outside, the dark and isolation of night bring a greater risk of assault, harassment, or theft. Women, in particular, are at high risk of sexual violence. They may avoid sleep or isolate themselves in hidden areas in an attempt to stay safe.

“Right now, I walk around all night. It would feel a lot safer in a shelter,” shared Kasie, a woman experiencing homelessness in Portland, OR.

Some women pair up with others, stay in less-than-ideal relationships for safety, form informal groups, or stay in public places that are well-lit to lessen risk. But even then, the stress of staying alert prevents deep, restorative sleep required for good health.

Lack of regular sleep can lead to health issues like a weakened immune system, poor mental health, and poor decision-making. A lack of sleep can even lengthen someone’s homelessness by making it harder to access services, attend appointments, or advocate for needs.

Reliable access to a good night’s rest, food, and hygiene is critical for someone to tackle the complex challenges of finding housing and resources. We’ve all likely experienced a difficult day after a lack of rest.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a lack of sleep weakens your immune system, making you more likely to get sick and slower to recover. During sleep, your body produces protective proteins called cytokines, which are especially important when you’re fighting infection or stress. Without enough rest, your body makes fewer of them.

The Lack of Shelter Beds for Women

Most emergency shelters are not designed with the specific needs of women in mind, and beds for single women are limited. On the west side of Portland, there is currently only one women’s shelter that doesn’t require a referral, the Salvation Army’s SAFES. Requiring a referral to access shelter can be a life-threatening barrier because it means having access to a phone or computer during business hours. Women must have access to shelters where they can sleep without having to plan ahead.

Because men make up the majority of people experiencing homelessness, 69% according to Multnomah County’s 2023 Point-in-Time Count, shelters are often designed and funded to meet their needs, leaving women with fewer options. In some cases, women avoid co-ed shelters altogether after experiencing or hearing about unsafe conditions and harassment. The result is that many women choose to stay outside.

Constant Movement Leads to Day Sleeping

Many women are forced to “sleep with one eye open,” always ready to move in case they are bothered or told to relocate by security. It’s not uncommon to witness people experiencing homelessness sleeping during the day because they weren’t able to sleep at night safely. Some individuals may use drugs, particularly stimulants like methamphetamine, to stay awake at night. This can lead to addiction exacerbating an already difficult life of being homeless.

“I don’t go anywhere by myself. I don’t feel safe,” said Melissa, who’s sleeping in a small tent with her partner in Portland. “I’ve heard what happens to women out here.”

For women who’ve experienced trauma, which is likely everyone who’s unhoused, their body is in a state of hypervigilance to keep them safe. Even when exhausted, their bodies can remain on high alert, making rest elusive or impossible.

A Homeless Shelter is More Than a Bed

Providing easy access to overnight shelter is more than just a place to sleep, it’s a place to feel safe. It’s a place to connect with others rather than remain isolated. Sleep is not a luxury, it’s a basic human need. Until all people have a safe place to sleep, we must keep working to remove the barriers that keep them awake at night.

Learn more about Blanchet House’s plan to open Bethanie’s Room, an emergency nighttime shelter for women. 

–by Julie Showers

The post Why Homeless Women Can’t Sleep at Night appeared first on Blanchet House.

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.

It’s time to retire the word “nonprofit” and adopt language that reflects the true identity and impact of social impact and public benefit organizations.

In the late 1960s, as it struggled to stand out in a cola-dominated market, 7-Up launched a wildly successful campaign by defining itself as what it wasn’t: The Un-Cola.  The strategy worked for 7-Up, but as a long-term brand identity, defining yourself by what you’re not is rarely effective. And yet, that’s exactly what many organizations in our tax-exempt human services sector continue to do. We call ourselves nonprofits, a name that literally describes what we aren’t.No one’s quite sure where the term “nonprofit” originated, but there are a few reasons it stuck. Funders, policymakers, and institutions commonly use it in contracts, grants, and legislation, so organizations adopt the term to stay aligned. Many avoid using the term “charity” because it can carry outdated or patronizing connotations by implying pity or dependency rather than empowerment and partnership.

Somewhere along the way, it replaced the word “charity” and became shorthand for “not-for-profit, intended to distinguish mission-driven organizations from for-profit corporations that return earnings to shareholders. Unfortunately, the term has also contributed to a harmful misconception: that it’s somehow wrong or even illegal for these organizations to have surplus revenue.

In reality, a well-run social impact organization must generate more revenue than expenses. That surplus allows us to reinvest in programs, sustain operations during lean periods, and build reserve funds for emergencies. Having a positive bottom line is not just acceptable—it’s essential.

It may surprise you to know that the IRS tax code (501(c)(3)), which governs tax-exempt organizations, rarely even uses the word “nonprofit.” It appears just three times, and mostly about specific types of health care and insurance pooling organizations. The label “nonprofit” isn’t imposed by law. It’s something we’ve chosen to call ourselves.

And that means we can choose differently.

Inspired by Romanita Hairston, the dynamic CEO of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, I’m committing to stop using “nonprofit” as our primary identifier. Instead, I’ll use language that reflects what we are: social impact, public benefit, and human service organizations.

That’s exactly what Blanchet House of Hospitality is. We offer dignity to people in need. We feed, clothe, and shelter those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and neglect. We create spaces of hope and healing for communities burdened by generational trauma and systemic exclusion.

And our work, like that of countless other social impact organizations, is economically significant too. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, these organizations employ 12.3 million people in the U.S. While they may be tax-exempt, their employees are not—and their wages generate substantial tax revenue. These organizations also spend nearly $1 trillion annually on goods and services, fueling local economies across the country.

But the true impact of our work can’t be captured in dollars alone. From frontline disaster response to long-term community care, social impact organizations save lives, offer second chances, and transform futures.

We are not defined by what we’re not. We are builders, healers, advocates, and changemakers. It’s time our language caught up with our mission.

The post It’s Time to Retire the Word ‘Nonprofit’  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.

The post Free Pet Care Clinic appeared first on Blanchet House.

Gardening and addiction recovery have a lot in common. Both take time, care, commitment, and the right environment to grow and heal. This connection is proven every day at Blanchet Farm in Oregon, where residents in recovery build skills, reconnect with the land, and grow nourishing food through gardening. 

We strive to offer opportunities for hands-on work outdoors while also being thoughtful stewards of the land we’re entrusted with. 

Blanchet Farm residents built raised beds for the garden.

Gardening offers people a way to experience and take part in recovery. Planting seeds, caring for growing plants, and harvesting food can be both healing and deeply symbolic for those working to rebuild their lives. It also provides a meaningful sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

“I find peace in the garden and I always have,” says W.D., a current Blanchet Farm resident. “I love being outside and working on something. You learn a lot of valuable skills along with it. You also get an amazing return.”

The vegetable garden at Blanchet Farm is well underway thanks to the leadership of a current resident with a green thumb. So far this spring, residents have planted greens, carrots, radishes, and onions, just to name a few. And several varieties of tomatoes are already starting to perk up around custom-built trellises. 

The first crop of radishes was sent to Blanchet House to be used for meals. 

Blanchet Farm is blessed with 62 acres in Carlton, and we strive to be thoughtful stewards of the land. This means working to improve current practices as well as implementing small-scale sustainable agriculture techniques.  

Permaculture and Sustainable Practices

Looking ahead, Blanchet Farm is establishing a perennial foodscape in partnership with Edible Landscapes of Yamhill County. The design will be guided by the permaculture ethics of Earth care, people care, and future care.  

In a permaculture food forest plants work together in tree guilds to help each other grow and thrive. The fruits and vegetables planted will return year after year and are low maintenance, so the crops will be self-sustaining and provide for current and future residents. 

James Vander Meide and Vicki Gunn of Edible Landscapes collaborated on the design for the Blanchet Farm food forest design. Both individuals have certificates in permaculture design.

Additionally, employing conservation best practices results in rainwater retention and erosion control. Soil-building methods, such as thoughtful use of companion plants, mulch, and cover crops, lead us into a regenerative system that not only feeds people but helps heal the earth.  

“On the human side, the data is clear that gardening has a host of therapeutic benefits. The people working in this food forest will see mental, emotional, and social regeneration. We are thrilled to collaborate with Blanchet Farm to bring this food forest to life,” writes Charlene Doland, the president of Edible Landscapes. 

Ultimately, with the Blanchet Farm garden and food forest, we hope to nurture and enrich the lives of our residents while cultivating a healthier landscape for years to come. 

Ways to Support Blanchet Farm’s Gardening Initiatives

• Visit the McMinnville Farmers Market. Residents will be harvesting crops from the garden to sell at the Blanchet Farm booth on May 29, June 26, and July 24.
• Donate plant starts for the food forest. Email Gabby at gthuillier@blanchethouse.org for the plant list.
• Email Michael at mseid@blanchethouse.org to inquire about group volunteer opportunities at the farm.

The post Blanchet Farm Uses Gardening to Heal People and the Land appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Scott Kerman, Executive Director

I recently discovered the remarkable M.F.K. Fisher, often described as one of the greatest food writers of the 20th century. But to simply call her a “food writer” feels inadequate—something the New York Times captured beautifully in 1991:

“Calling M.F.K. Fisher… a food writer is a lot like calling Mozart a tunesmith.”

What drew me in was one of her most iconic reflections on food writing:

“It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot think straightly of one without the others. So it happens that when I write about hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and the hunger for it … and then the warmth and richness and fine reality of hunger satisfied … and it is all one.”

Fisher’s insight resonates deeply with what we do at Blanchet House. Her understanding of food as more than sustenance—as love, as security, as connection—captures the heart of our mission.

A volunteer serves a meal to guests in Blanchet House’s free cafe in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Every meal at Blanchet is served with intention. Volunteers greet guests at the host stand and escort them to a table. A hot plate of food is placed before them with a kind word. Volunteers pour drinks with care. Tables are cleaned and reset with respect for the next person who will sit there. It’s not just a meal—it’s a moment of dignity.

I often say that people fall in love with volunteering at Blanchet House because serving a meal to someone in need is an incredibly intimate act. Little did I know I was echoing Fisher herself, who once wrote:

“Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.”

We take that sentiment to heart. At Blanchet, we do not serve lightly. We serve with mindfulness and reverence, knowing that our guests often arrive carrying the weight of trauma, hardship, and profound loneliness. That understanding guides our approach—we serve with dignity, because every guest possesses it innately.

Cookbook author and food critic Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher is shown in her office at her new home in Sonoma, Calif., April 28, 1971. (Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew)

And like Fisher, we believe that food can carry with it more than calories. It can carry love. It can carry security. These are things our guests long for as deeply as they long for a hot meal. They come not only to satisfy hunger, but to feel seen, welcomed, and safe.

Blanchet House is, above all, a house of hospitality. That word means everything to us: warmth, kindness, generosity, and compassion.

This week is National Volunteer Week—a time to celebrate the incredible individuals who make our work possible. Without our volunteers, we couldn’t serve more than 1,000 plates of food a day, or distribute clothing, sack lunches, care kits, and the countless small kindnesses that mean so much.

It’s also a week to invite others to join us, especially anyone who might be feeling a lack of connection, purpose, or warmth in their own life. Volunteer work isn’t just about giving. It’s about receiving, too. Because what better way to fill your own cup than by offering a warm meal, a cup of coffee, or a kind word to someone who needs it?

Come join us. Learn how you can volunteer here.

The post Soulful Work, What It Means to Volunteer  appeared first on Blanchet House.

At Blanchet House, we talk with people every day who are doing their best to survive under incredibly difficult and inhumane circumstances. Most of them have experienced significant trauma, mental or physical health crises, or systems that failed them long before they walked through our doors. On top of that, people experiencing homelessness are often dehumanized, judged by their appearance, lack of access to hygiene, and the conditions they’re forced to live in.

Here’s the answer to Why are people homeless? Homelessness isn’t usually caused by one thing; it’s the result of a cascade of unfortunate events explained below. The more we understand that, the more compassion we can offer—and the more effectively we can work together toward real solutions to end homelessness.

Common Reasons People Become Homeless

These are the most common reasons people share with us, supported by national reporting and research, and what we witness daily in our community.

1. Lack of Affordable Housing

Finding and keeping an affordable place to live has become increasingly difficult in Portland and across the country. For people with low or fixed incomes, even a small studio apartment can be out of reach, with the average rent around $1,444 a month. At Blanchet House, we talk with many people who are employed but still can’t afford rent.

Why are there so few affordable places to live? In Oregon, OPB reports that the following factors contribute to inefficient housing stock:

• Years of Underbuilding. Oregon needs to build about 29,500 more homes each year to keep pace with growth.
• Population Growth. Oregon’s population grew by nearly 11% between 2010 and 2020, netting Oregon an extra seat in Congress.
• Demographic Change. More people are living alone or with a partner.
• Short-term Rentals or Vacation Homes. Second homes and short-term rentals take away from permanent housing stock.

There can also be significant barriers to securing affordable housing, such as good credit, rental history requirements, and the need for a security deposit plus first month’s rent. Location matters too, especially if you don’t have access to a car or reliable public transportation.

​2. Mental Health Challenges

The impact of mental health challenges in our community is difficult to fully measure, in part because it relies on individuals self-identifying their struggles. What we do know is that mental illness doesn’t discriminate. Many of the houseless people we serve live with conditions like bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), brain injury, severe anxiety, major depressive disorder, or schizophrenia, without the ability to consistently access care. When mental health challenges go untreated, just getting through the day can be overwhelming, making it nearly impossible to maintain a job or stable housing.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 in 5 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. is living with a serious mental health condition. And once you become homeless, it becomes even harder to access care and housing. Without a phone, ID, necessary paperwork, or contact with loved ones, it’s easy to become lost to the streets and estranged from the systems needed to serve you.

3. Substance Use and Addiction

Addiction should be viewed as an illness, not a moral failing. Addiction can contribute to a person’s homelessness by leading to job loss, strained family and friend relationships, and eviction. However, some individuals begin using substances only after becoming homeless, as a way to cope with the stress and trauma.

About 38% of people experiencing homelessness self-identify as having an alcohol use disorder, and 26% report other substance use issues, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Recovery from addiction requires quick and easy access to treatment, counseling, and stable housing, resources that are often out of reach. However, there is a severe lack of detox programs, treatment facilities, and transitional housing for people ready to recover. Evidence shows that first having a safe place to live, also known as the Housing First Model, can improve the chances of successful recovery.

As overdose and homelessness rates rise, we need integrated solutions that treat both issues together.

4. Poverty and Job Loss

Many people in our community live paycheck to paycheck. A single financial emergency, like a rent increase, car repair, illness, or job loss, can push someone or a family into homelessness. A 2023 report from the Federal Reserve found that nearly 40% of U.S. adults couldn’t cover a $400 emergency expense with cash or savings. At Blanchet House, we regularly meet people dining in our free café who need a little help during lean times, who were recently laid off, or who can’t afford rising rent despite working full-time.

In Portland, OR, the minimum wage is $15.95 per hour. This equates to approximately $2,552 per month for a full-time worker. The average rent for a studio apartment is around $1,444 per month, leaving limited funds for essential needs like food, transportation, and healthcare.

Consider the average monthly costs for these necessities in 2025:

• $92 – TriMet bus pass

• $150–$200 – Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage)

• $60–$100 – Internet

• $40–$60 – Phone

• $500–$1,000 – Health insurance

• $400 – Food

The total estimated monthly costs (excluding rent) range from $1,242 to $1,852. When you add the average rent of $1,444, the full monthly cost of living reaches approximately $2,686 to $3,296. In other words, a full-time minimum wage earner in Portland would spend more than they earn each month. This is what we mean when we say many people are just one unexpected expense away from losing their housing.

It’s also important to recognize intergenerational poverty. Childhood poverty can hinder economic mobility in adulthood, creating a cycle of disadvantage that persists across generations. Where children grow up is strongly correlated with whether they experience poverty later in life due to access to resources like good schools.

5. Systemic Inequities and Racism

A person’s homelessness is not just about individual circumstances, it’s also about systems. Racism—both historic and ongoing—plays a major role in who becomes homeless and who has access to housing, employment, healthcare, and opportunity.

In Multnomah County, Black residents make up just 2.5% of the general population but account for 6% of people experiencing homelessness, according to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness. This disproportionate impact is not a coincidence. It reflects generations of policies and practices that have excluded people of color from stable housing and economic security. For generations, a white supremacist system denied home loans to Black families and other communities of color, locking them out of homeownership, the primary way American families build generational wealth.

6. Family Conflict and Domestic Violence

Many of the women and youth we serve became homeless after fleeing abusive homes. Without financial resources or a safe place to go, they often turn to shelters or the streets for survival. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women, with approximately 63% of homeless women reporting experiences of domestic violence in adulthood, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

This reality is especially stark for LGBTQ+ youth, who often face family rejection. In 2022, The Trevor Project reported that 28% of LGBTQ youth had experienced homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives.

7. Criminal Record

A report by the Prison Policy Initiative finds that formerly incarcerated people are nearly 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public. Incarceration can lead to the immediate loss of both housing and employment, leaving individuals without a place to live or a means of support upon release. People with criminal records often face discrimination when applying for housing and jobs. This makes it even more difficult to find stability and rebuild their lives.

A nonviolent felony, such as property damage, theft, or possession of controlled substances, can remain on a person’s record permanently unless it is expunged. Even if the offense occurred more than a decade ago, it can still prevent someone from securing housing due to fear and discrimination.

Why Understanding Homelessness Matters

When you ask Why Are People Homeless, know that there’s rarely a single reason why someone becomes homeless. But instead it is often the result of overlapping challenges. Homelessness isn’t a reflection of personal failure but of systems that have failed to provide support when it was needed most.

At Blanchet House, we see the humanity in everyone. Each person we serve deserves compassion, not judgment. Ending homelessness starts with empathy. Then continues through action by advocating for housing, supporting recovery, and building communities where everyone has the chance to thrive.

If you still have questions about homelessness after reading this, please email us at info@blanchethouse.org.

–Written by Julie Showers

The post Why Are People Homeless appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Scott Kerman

As the Executive Director of Blanchet House, I see the realities of homelessness and housing insecurity in Portland every day. While we all agree that permanent housing solutions are essential, I must emphasize that basic supportive services like food, hygiene, medical care, and social connection are just as critical. These services are lifelines, offering immediate relief while helping people take the first steps toward stability and self-sufficiency. 

The Reality of Homelessness in Portland 

Portland’s homelessness crisis is driven by rising housing costs, economic instability, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. While we must provide more affordable housing, the reality is that many individuals are not yet in a position to secure or maintain stable housing. Without easy access to food, clean clothing, showers, and medical care, they cannot begin to focus on rebuilding their lives. 

At Blanchet House, we serve more than 1,000 free meals each day. For many of our guests, our cafe is their sole source of food for the day. It’s not just about food, though. It’s about dignity, safety, and survival. Providing necessities is the foundation upon which people can begin to address larger challenges. 

A volunteer serves a meal to guests in Blanchet House’s free cafe in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Supportive Services Help Prevent Homelessness

Organizations like Blanchet House are on the front lines, offering direct aid to those in need. Filling the gap in our social safety net.  In addition to meals and supplies, Blanchet House employs highly trained staff who help people access shelter, housing, rehab, and more. Without our programs, individuals living unsheltered or at risk of eviction are left even more vulnerable to violence, illness, and despair. 

Supportive services are also preventative. Blanchet support specialists can connect people to critical aid and care to mitigate a personal crisis. Without these interventions, more people will fall into chronic homelessness, requiring far more intensive and costly services later. 

The Need for Continued and Expanded Support 

Despite their proven effectiveness, many of the services we provide face funding uncertainties amid shifting policy priorities and budget cuts. In fact, Blanchet House will not receive funding for its food and supportive services in the forthcoming Multnomah County budget, a loss of more than $400,000. Even so, Blanchet House cannot afford to turn away from providing these essential programs. The community we serve cries out for us to do more, not less. Blanchet House, then, must continue to invest in supportive services. And since we cannot rely on public funding to help, we must call upon our generous community of donors and supporters.  

A woman lies on the ground. (stock photo)

A Complex Problem Requires Diverse Solutions 

The homelessness crisis in Portland is complex, and no single solution will fix it overnight. However, continuing and expanding supportive services is a crucial piece to solving this puzzle. Ensuring that people have access to food, hygiene, and medical care can mean the difference between languishing on the street to being on a path toward stability. Supporting these essential services is not just an act of compassion—it is a necessary investment in the well-being and safety of our entire community. 

Please donate to fill the gap left by county budget decisions so we can do more, not less. 

The post Supportive Day Center Services Essential to Ending Homelessness appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Scott Kerman 

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, there is a great scene where Motel the Tailor tries to convince Tevye to allow his daughter Tzeidel and Motel to marry. This is not something Tevia wants to do, and he shouts at Motel, “You are just a poor tailor, Motel!” Motel shouts back, with more assertiveness than he has probably ever said anything in his life before, “I may be only a poor tailor, Reb Tevya, but even a poor tailor deserves some happiness!” 

A guest smiles while a volunteer serves them in Blanchet House’s cafe. Photo by Christine Dong.

This line, simple yet profound, carries a powerful message. It speaks to a universal truth: that every person, regardless of their wealth, status, or situation, deserves happiness and fulfillment. And this is just as true for those experiencing homelessness. 

In our society, homelessness often strips people of their dignity, their sense of self-worth, and their hope. For many, it can feel like they are invisible. But the reality, of course, is that these individuals are human beings with dreams, feelings, and the capacity to experience joy, just like anyone else.  

Happiness and joy matter in homeless services for many reasons. 

Happiness Improves Mental Health 

First and foremost, happiness is tied to mental health. Imagine waking up every day, unsure of where you will sleep that night, feeling disconnected from society, and constantly struggling to meet your basic needs. The emotional toll is immense, and often, these issues are compounded by the stress and trauma of poor living conditions. 

At Blanchet House, we find ways to promote happiness and create a safe space where people can begin to rebuild their sense of self-worth.  

Positive mental health and emotional well-being are critical for a person’s ability to accept and benefit from assistance. Happiness is not an abstract concept; it can mean the difference between someone feeling hopeless and someone finding the strength to take the next step toward stability. 

Happiness Builds Community 

Secondly, happiness is essential for creating a community and a sense of belonging. Isolation and loneliness are terrible consequences of homelessness and housing insecurity. But happiness is contagious. When we promote joy, kindness, and human connection in our homeless services, we not only improve the individual experience, but we also create a collective sense of community. Positive interactions and a culture of kindness can help transform a life that feels bleak into one filled with hope and shared humanity.  

When we bring joy to people’s lives, we also reduce stigma. Homelessness can be deeply isolating, and the judgment and dehumanization many experience only reinforce their sense of disconnection. By promoting happiness, we challenge the negative stereotypes that often surround homelessness. We remind everyone, both inside and outside the system, that each person matters. 

A donor wrote “SMILE!” on a care kit containing basic items like bath wipes, a rain poncho, a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Happiness Builds Self-Worth 

In addition, promoting happiness can be a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of homelessness. Studies have shown that when people feel a sense of purpose, hope, and self-worth, they are more likely to take steps toward addiction recovery and self-sufficiency. If we want to break the cycles of poverty and homelessness, we need to give people the emotional support and encouragement that fosters motivation. Happiness fuels action, and action leads to change. 

How To Promote Happiness in Homeless Services 

But how do we begin to promote happiness within homeless services? It starts with a shift in perspective. Instead of focusing solely on the hardships and deficiencies of those experiencing homelessness, we must take a more holistic approach. An approach that acknowledges their humanity, their potential, and their right to experience joy. This approach requires empathy, creativity, and a commitment to seeing the whole person. 

I’m proud to say that Blanchet House & Farm does much to promote happiness in our homeless services. During our meal services in the cafe, we offer live musical performances, special desserts, and holiday craft activities. We know that many of our guests delight in the colorful artwork that often adorns the sack lunches donated by supporters. Some have told us that they use the lunch bags to decorate their living spaces. 

Our nonprofit partners also assist in our efforts to bring joy. Street Books set up their mobile library outside the cafe every Thursday so that guests can check out books to read.  

In our residential programs, we know how important fun and happy experiences are for well-being. Many participants struggle to find hobbies and joy in sobriety after years of addiction and substance abuse. We provide social and recreational activities, such as hikes in the summer and tickets to local sporting events and performances. We even have a dedicated fund for these activities—the Erik Schram Resident Recreation Fund—named in memory of our former resident and staff member who passed away in 2021. Erik took great joy in our commitment to creating fun experiences for residents, and we know our continued efforts would make him proud.  

A Peer Support Specialist comforts a guest at Blanchet House.

Everyone Deserves Happiness 

Motel the Tailor was right. Everyone deserves happiness. Happiness should not be an afterthought but a priority. Because when we foster joy in homeless services, hope and dignity follow.  Creating opportunities for happiness helps restore the full humanity of those we serve, reminding them that joy and fulfillment are still within their reach. 

Read more by Scott Kerman and learn how you can invite him to speak at an event.

The post We Can Promote Happiness in Homeless Services  appeared first on Blanchet House.

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.

Watch Videos

Photo Gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

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.

The post Lend a Helping Hand Brunch appeared first on Blanchet House.