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Building Hope, One Village at a Time

WeShine creates safe, supportive micro-villages that help Portland’s unsheltered adults find stability, community, and a path toward permanent housing. Together, we’re transforming lives and neighborhoods—one home at a time.

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Micro-Villages Built

80+

Villagers Sheltered

30+

Active Volunteers

40+

Community Partners

Our Core Mission in Action

WeShine empowers Portland’s unhoused adults through community-driven solutions. From building safe micro-villages to inspiring volunteers and sustaining hope through donations — every effort creates lasting change.

Villages

Safe, supportive micro-villages offering transitional housing and wrap-around services that help villagers rebuild their lives with dignity.

Volunteers

Our dedicated volunteers bring warmth, skills, and compassion — the heart behind every WeShine initiative and success story.

Donations

Your generosity powers WeShine’s mission — every contribution helps provide shelter, safety, and hope to those in need.

Parkrose Community Village

WeShine’s very first micro-village, Parkrose Community Village provides a safe, inclusive space for adults — especially those identifying as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC — to rebuild their lives with dignity and community support. Through on-site staff, volunteer engagement, and wrap-around care, residents gain stability and take steps toward permanent housing.

St. Andrew’s Village

Our most recent village, located on the property of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, opened its doors in April 2025. St. Andrews Village provides safe, accessible shelter for adults over 45 or those with disabilities. With a full kitchen, ADA access, and strong community partnerships, St. Andrews Village represents WeShine’s most recent step toward expanding hope across Portland.

Location: 7600 N. Hereford Avenue, in North Portland
Site partner: St Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Construction parter: Home Building Foundation-HomeAid Portland
Opening date: April 2025
Capacity: 10 Sleeping pods

Avalon Village

Avalon Village offers secure, transitional housing for women — prioritizing those who are older, BIPOC, or living with disabilities. Designed for comfort, safety, and connection, Avalon combines thoughtful architecture, volunteer support, and a spirit of belonging to help residents regain confidence and independence.

Together, We Build Hope

Volunteers are the heartbeat of WeShine. Whether you’re lending a hand at a village site, helping organize supplies, or supporting residents as they transition into permanent housing — your time and energy make a real difference. Every act of kindness adds up to a brighter, stronger, and more compassionate community for all. Join us in bringing light, safety, and opportunity to Portland’s unhoused neighbors.

How to Get Involved

Joining WeShine as a volunteer is simple — and every step you take helps create lasting change. Here’s how you can start your journey with us:

Sign Up Online

Fill out our short volunteer application form to tell us a bit about yourself, your skills, and how you’d like to contribute.

Attend Orientation

Join our orientation session to learn more about WeShine’s mission, safety guidelines, and volunteer opportunities.

Start Volunteering!

Once approved, you’ll be matched with a village or project that best fits your interests. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and make an impact!

What Our Volunteers Say

“People at WeShine can stay for up to two years. That is shown to be working as far as long-term, actually getting someone into housing and a new job. We need more WeShine villages. We need more villages like this.”

“What I like about it is they help more disadvantaged homeless people.”

“Nobody wanted them there. We went to a meeting. It was terrible. People were yelling, screaming. After two years, it’s amazing. I’d be happy to have 3 or 4 more in my neighborhood. That’s how well it’s gone.”

“The WeShine model of having smaller villages with less pods and more support is really the way that folks can get the help that they really need to transition to permanent housing.”

“It’s a model that’s shown to work all over the country as far as getting people permanently moved into affordable housing.”

Together, We Make Change Happen

Your generosity powers everything we do at WeShine. Each contribution helps us design, build, and operate safe micro villages that provide transitional shelter, community support, and essential wrap-around services for Portland’s unhoused adults. With your help, we can offer more than just a place to sleep — we can offer a pathway to stability, dignity, and hope.

Whether it’s a one-time gift or ongoing monthly support, every dollar goes directly toward building brighter futures for our neighbors in need. Your compassion can help someone move from surviving on the streets to thriving in a supportive, stable environment.

In the News

Portland Church Will Open Housing Village

Portland Church Will Open Housing Village Church Life By Lauren Anderson-Cripps March 10, 2025 In a city with a shortage

March 10, 2025 No Comments

New North Portland village to offer transitional shelter for up to 10 individuals

by Sana Aljobory LINK: https://katu.com/news/local/north-portland-prepares-to-welcome-new-transitional-housing-village Sat, March 8th 2025 at 5:21 PM NORTH PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — North Portland is set

March 8, 2025 No Comments

We Shine opens 3rd micro-village in Portland

Multnomah County We Shine opens 3rd micro-village in Portland by: Tim Steele Posted: Mar 8, 2025 / 04:11 PM PST

March 8, 2025 No Comments

In Partnership for Change

weshinepdx

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WeShine stands for Welcoming, Empowering, Safe Habitation Initiative with Neighborhood Engagement.

Come see us at the lovely free event in NoPo! Next Saturday November 22nd starting at 5:30! Bring friends and neighbors. Hear music, eat food!

@oregonbravo @portlandchambermusic
#freeneighbirhoodconcert #northportland #weshinepdx #giveguide #community #unhousedneighbors #kidsorchestra #freefood

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18377659477151664

Come see us at the lovely free event in NoPo! Next Saturday November 22nd starting at 5:30! Bring friends and neighbors. Hear music, eat food!

@oregonbravo @portlandchambermusic
#freeneighbirhoodconcert #northportland #weshinepdx #giveguide #community #unhousedneighbors #kidsorchestra #freefood

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We should always be advocating and supporting our transgender family, friends and community members! WeShine cherishes our transgender staff and villagers and WeShine does not shine without their unique voices and perspectives on the work we do!

#transgenderawareness #trangenderawarenessweek2025 #transgenderswarenessweek #lgbtqia2s #weshinepdx #unhousedneighbors #advocacy #loveourtranssiblings #protectthedolls🏳️‍⚧️ #protecttranskids #portlandoregon

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18072389690600197

We should always be advocating and supporting our transgender family, friends and community members! WeShine cherishes our transgender staff and villagers and WeShine does not shine without their unique voices and perspectives on the work we do!

#transgenderawareness #trangenderawarenessweek2025 #transgenderswarenessweek #lgbtqia2s #weshinepdx #unhousedneighbors #advocacy #loveourtranssiblings #protectthedolls🏳️‍⚧️ #protecttranskids #portlandoregon

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#unhousedneighbors #weshinepdx #solvinghomelessness #alternativeshelters #microvillages #ittakesavillage #pdx #giveguide
#nonprofits #donatingisgood #multnomahcountyhomelessservices

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18062744108179271

#unhousedneighbors #weshinepdx #solvinghomelessness #alternativeshelters #microvillages #ittakesavillage #pdx #giveguide
#nonprofits #donatingisgood #multnomahcountyhomelessservices

...

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Meet our staff! Ash has been with WeShine at Parkrose Village (our village that focuses on LGBTQIA2S+ folks) for almost two years! Ash has excellent peer support training and they take pride in helping our villagers get housing. Ash is our Program Specialist but they are also our resource guru! Ash loves to network with other non profits and is a treasure to work with. We don’t know what we would do without them. They make WeShine shine!

#ourstafftrulycares❤️ #unhousedneighbors #findingshelter #houselessnessawareness #houselessinpdx #weshinepdx #alternativeshelters #microvillageshelters #solutions #resources #nonprofits #portlandoregon #safety #programspecialist

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18183844036342238

Meet our staff! Ash has been with WeShine at Parkrose Village (our village that focuses on LGBTQIA2S+ folks) for almost two years! Ash has excellent peer support training and they take pride in helping our villagers get housing. Ash is our Program Specialist but they are also our resource guru! Ash loves to network with other non profits and is a treasure to work with. We don’t know what we would do without them. They make WeShine shine!

#ourstafftrulycares❤️ #unhousedneighbors #findingshelter #houselessnessawareness #houselessinpdx #weshinepdx #alternativeshelters #microvillageshelters #solutions #resources #nonprofits #portlandoregon #safety #programspecialist

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Yes it’s Big Beach Day and #stdame loves our beautiful Oregon Coast! It’s also our day of partnership with our buddies in the Give!Guide, the fabulous @1000oregon

@1000oregon defends the land use system that keeps Oregon’s farms productive, housing affordable, and communities thriving. In the Portland metro area, they’ve spent over 50 years stopping sprawl and pushing for smarter housing and transportation choices. They love our beautiful region as much as we do! Find them in the @giveguide

#1000friendsoforegon #landuse #affordablehousing #givelocal #portlandnonprofits #endofyeargiving #missiondriven #giveguide #beachgiveaway #weshinepdx #communitypartnerships #unhousedneighbors #missionalignment #oregon #solutions

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 17891627871363539

Yes it’s Big Beach Day and #stdame loves our beautiful Oregon Coast! It’s also our day of partnership with our buddies in the Give!Guide, the fabulous @1000oregon

@1000oregon defends the land use system that keeps Oregon’s farms productive, housing affordable, and communities thriving. In the Portland metro area, they’ve spent over 50 years stopping sprawl and pushing for smarter housing and transportation choices. They love our beautiful region as much as we do! Find them in the @giveguide

#1000friendsoforegon #landuse #affordablehousing #givelocal #portlandnonprofits #endofyeargiving #missiondriven #giveguide #beachgiveaway #weshinepdx #communitypartnerships #unhousedneighbors #missionalignment #oregon #solutions

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Hooray! It’s Big Beach Day!

Support your favorite non profit with a donation today through the fabulous @giveguide and you could win this package prize:

* 2 nights at Headlands Coastal Lodge in Pacific City
* $200 dining credit
* An exclusive “Sunset Bonfire on the Beach” Experience

You can donate as little as $10 to as many non profits that you love and align with your values for EXTRA chances to win!

There is a link in our bio! Support WeShine’s mission today.

#freebeachgetaway #oregoncoast #oregancoastgetaway #pacificcityoregon #headlandscoastallodgeandspa #kapekiwanda #localnonprofit #donatelocal #portlandoregon #giveguide #willametteweekgiveguide #endofyeargiving #givelocal #community

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18087198523945026

Hooray! It’s Big Beach Day!

Support your favorite non profit with a donation today through the fabulous @giveguide and you could win this package prize:

* 2 nights at Headlands Coastal Lodge in Pacific City
* $200 dining credit
* An exclusive “Sunset Bonfire on the Beach” Experience

You can donate as little as $10 to as many non profits that you love and align with your values for EXTRA chances to win!

There is a link in our bio! Support WeShine’s mission today.

#freebeachgetaway #oregoncoast #oregancoastgetaway #pacificcityoregon #headlandscoastallodgeandspa #kapekiwanda #localnonprofit #donatelocal #portlandoregon #giveguide #willametteweekgiveguide #endofyeargiving #givelocal #community

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Only 6 hours left! Donate at our link in bio to win $500 at @portlandnursery St. Dame particularly loves the native plant section!

Get excited cuz Big Beach Day is right around the corner! 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

#willametteweekgiveguide #giveguide #giveguide2025 #weshinepdx #donatetowin #portlandnursery #gardening #plantloversofinstagram #nativeplants #gardening #oregon #unhousedneighbors

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18048168353401230

Only 6 hours left! Donate at our link in bio to win $500 at @portlandnursery St. Dame particularly loves the native plant section!

Get excited cuz Big Beach Day is right around the corner! 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

#willametteweekgiveguide #giveguide #giveguide2025 #weshinepdx #donatetowin #portlandnursery #gardening #plantloversofinstagram #nativeplants #gardening #oregon #unhousedneighbors

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18065043590135417

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Get in Touch with WeShine

Have questions, ideas, or want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our team, and together we’ll find the best way for you to support or connect with our mission.

Email

info@weshinepdx.org

Location

1817 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97212