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1st Annual Winter Relief Outreach Event

It’s our 1st Annual Winter Relief Outreach Event!

We’re having a donation drive and would greatly appreciate your help!
October 1st – December 16th, 2016

Hundreds of individuals find themselves without shelter and forced to live on the streets and face the harsh winter conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Our goal is to help prepare as many individuals as we can with warm, waterproof, winter essentials.

*Financial donations for this drive are also encouraged.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS:

  • Waterproof backpacks
  • Waterproof boots (mens and womens)
  • Wool Socks, Hats, Gloves and Scarves

TOILETRY/MISC ITEMS NEEDED:

  • Baby wipes
  • Lip balm
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Tampons/pads
  • Brushes/Combs
  • Razors
  • Toilet paper
  • First aid kits
  • Lighters
  • Candles
  • Travel Coffee Mugs

FOOD ITEMS NEEDED:

  • Beef jerky
  • Crackers/Cheese packets
  • Trail mix
  • Pudding cups
  • Mints

Would you please help spread the word?

Link to event flyer: 1st Annual Winter Relief Outreach Event

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Tent City – Part 1

Saturday, 10/17/2015

We got together early Saturday evening to prepare sandwiches for our first community outreach that night. Tatiana spread on the peanut butter halves, as I spread on the jelly, and Jenifer placed the sandwiches into plastic baggies. We put Ronald and Doug to work placing the sandwiches into individual brown paper lunch bags with bags of chips. We made as many sandwiches as four loaves of bread would prepare. I was wondering if we had made too many, I didn’t want anything to go to waste, but I was assured by Doug that they would all be taken, no problem. We loaded them into the car, along with three cases of water bottles, and we headed out to ‘tent city’ in downtown Vancouver, WA.

As we pulled up where Lincoln Avenue meets West 13th Street, I knew instantly we had not prepared enough. We parked the cars, gathered the boxes of sandwich bags and cases of water bottles and began walking the block around where the men’s Share house stands. There were tents set up lining both sides of the block as far as we could see in both directions. So we just decided to start walking down Lincoln Ave and make our way around the block. As we began walking it hit hard and quick the reality that we faced. Men and women cuddled in tents, all their personal possessions in there with them. Garbage lined the streets also, filling the corners of the streets and gutters. In this dark place, the brightest light came from the faces that lit up as we walked around announcing, “Sandwiches and water bottles. Would anyone like a sandwich and water bottle?” People started coming out of the tents eager to receive what had. With every “Thank You” and “God Bless” it warmed my heart more and more. We hadn’t made it half way down the first side of the street when a lady yelled towards me, “Can I have two?!” I turned around to see a lady walking towards me quickly, repeating, “Can I have two?” I gave her two sandwich bags and she told me there are people around front of the street too. She was very concerned that they would miss out. Such a caring women, I asked what her name was. “My name is Nancy.” I asked Nancy if she knew how many people were living in tent city and she said at least 150 people. She talked about some of the challenges they face and the hardships of living on the streets. She explained that everyone is staying around the Share house because of the food program that is available. They serve three meals a day for the homeless community, although the first meal of the day is at 6:00AM, so if you miss it you don’t get to eat until 12:00 noon. They also allow 6 women to shower each day, but it is first come, first serve, so there are many women who miss the opportunity every day.

After chatting with Nancy for a while, I caught up with the rest of the group and we continued to pass out sandwich bags and water bottles. It amazed me that not one person was concerned about what type of sandwich or flavor of chips we were handing out, they were simply thankful for receiving the food. It was humbling for me, because I can be so picky when it comes to what kind of food I have to eat every day, and these individuals were simply thankful to receive whatever we had brought for them…

Michaela Byers, Founder/Executive Director
Jeffrey’s Dream

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The Columbian wrote an interesting article about Tent City also:
http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/21/vancouver-officials-tour-growing-tent-city/

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Saturday Outreach

Last weekend we had the opportunity to meet with Mercy Table and Hands of Favor and were truly amazed and blessed by the experience.

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Mercy Table at University Place United Methodist Church

Mercy Table opens its doors each Saturday afternoon for the homeless community of North Portland. When we walked in the doors we were warmly greeted by Nick and Rebecca Floyd, the pastors of University Park United Methodist Church. We were new faces to the place and Rebecca was very friendly in asking how we came to hear about the place and what we were interested in knowing. We explained we had heard about their outreach through Mr. Derek Thompson of Hands of Favor and really wanted to check out how things were done and what they were all about. She welcomed us to stay, take a look around, eat food, visit and participate in what they had going on that afternoon.

We were amazed by what they were doing. This small church had a large amount of clothing spread out, as well as an assortment of food items, welcome to take. The doors remained open, welcoming everyone who wanted to come in. The biggest thing that touched our hearts was how Nick and Rebecca had built relationships with the people that come to Mercy Table. They called people by name, chatting and tossing jokes around like they were all old friends. This differed from how we’ve experienced homeless outreach before, not just a formal line to walk through and receive your clothes, food, etc. but this was real relationship, true love that was shared and experienced.

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Portable shower unit provided by All One Community services

Outside there was a portable shower station setup, offering showers for those who wanted them. This mobile unit was provided by All One Community services, and we were completely in awe because we had never seen anything like it before. Chatting with the fellows setting it up, they explained they travel to different organizations around the Portland area four days a week offering showers to the homeless communities. They bring the mobile shower unit, and all they need is the propane and a water source to provide warm showers. They are willing to travel to more locations, but they do have a need to be met! The cost of fuel to drive to the different locations and the propane needed to offer the hot showers costs money. They are in need of donations in order to keep providing this amazingly loving and life-changing service. If you are able to help, or interest in supporting the mobile shower truck, we’d love to connect you with their organization and ways to help.

 

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Hands of Favor

Derek Thompson with Hands of Favor was setup in a side room, offering free haircuts. His lovely wife Regina, was making rounds and checking in with folks to see who was interested in getting their hair cut that afternoon. We had an awesome conversation with Derek and Regina both, getting to know more about Hands of Favor and the heart behind their ministry. We absolutely loved watching people get their hair cut. Their whole attitude and demeanor can change dramatically after this mini-makeover is completed. A new sense of self-confidence is noticed and all because of a hair cut. Something that most people may take for granted or seem minuscule, is a life-changer for a homeless person who does not have the means to acquire a shower or haircut on a regular basis.

We are looking forward to getting to know more about Hands of Favor, Derek and Regina Thompson, and what Jeffrey’s Dream can do in conjunction with their amazing ministry.

 

Thank you Mercy Table, All One Community services and Hands of Favor for all you’re doing in our community and allowing us to visit with you and get to know you all!