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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

Parkrose Village Remodel Announcement Flyer

April 21, 2026 No Comments

WeShine’s 5th Birthday Party Flyer

April 2, 2026 No Comments

2026 WeShine Board Member Search Flyer

March 7, 2026 No Comments

In Partnership for Change

weshinepdx

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WeShine builds and operates micro-villagers that serve some of the most vulnerable folks experiencing homelessness in Portland Oregon.

Like many non profits in the homeless services sector, we are facing severe budget shortfalls this coming fiscal year! Help us keep celebrating the luminosity of WeShine’s direct impact on some of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Portland! You are part of the WeShine family no matter how big or small a donation you give!

#unhousedneighbors #tinypodshelters #solvinghomelessness #homelessservices #weshinepdx

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18080978567175778

Like many non profits in the homeless services sector, we are facing severe budget shortfalls this coming fiscal year! Help us keep celebrating the luminosity of WeShine’s direct impact on some of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Portland! You are part of the WeShine family no matter how big or small a donation you give!

#unhousedneighbors #tinypodshelters #solvinghomelessness #homelessservices #weshinepdx

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Look what arrived this morning from Seattle! The first batch of BRAND NEW PODs from our new best friends, @soundfoundationsnw Thank you to our delivery drivers from @nwshedsllc and our amazing pals at @lmcconstruction
Our new pods are going to be in the parking lot at @parkrosecommunityucc until we can lift them into our redeveloped Parkrose Community Village! WeShine has so much to celebrate this month! @multco_hsd

#tinypod #microvillage #ittakesavillage❤️ #unhousedneighbors #solvinghomelessness

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18117707482776469

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We held a panel discussion with 3 of our villagers: one from each village, AND a village graduate! We are in awe of the folks we serve at WeShine! This discussion was part of the celebration at our 5th Birthday Party Celebration at the lovely @westprespdx May 15th, 2026! We are still over the moon 🌙 about the whole evening!
#unhousedneighbors #solvinghomelessness #alternativeshelters #microvillages #weshinepdx

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18169642543422238

We held a panel discussion with 3 of our villagers: one from each village, AND a village graduate! We are in awe of the folks we serve at WeShine! This discussion was part of the celebration at our 5th Birthday Party Celebration at the lovely @westprespdx May 15th, 2026! We are still over the moon 🌙 about the whole evening!
#unhousedneighbors #solvinghomelessness #alternativeshelters #microvillages #weshinepdx

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Our hearts are still full from last night’s incredible event! Look at our beautiful staff, our fantastic board, our amazing Governor, our inspiring villagers. The space was packed with people who LOVE WeShine and care for our unhoused neighbors! WeShine is solutions focused. We want to change the narrative about what folks experiencing homelessness need to succeed and feel safe and nurtured while in shelter!
@multco_hsd

#unhousedneighbors #portlandoregon #tinypodsforthehomeless #anniversary #multnomahcountyhomelessservices

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18111557926848203

Our hearts are still full from last night’s incredible event! Look at our beautiful staff, our fantastic board, our amazing Governor, our inspiring villagers. The space was packed with people who LOVE WeShine and care for our unhoused neighbors! WeShine is solutions focused. We want to change the narrative about what folks experiencing homelessness need to succeed and feel safe and nurtured while in shelter!
@multco_hsd

#unhousedneighbors #portlandoregon #tinypodsforthehomeless #anniversary #multnomahcountyhomelessservices

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We had a party! Look who came! Our supporters, our neighbors, our villagers, our staff, our board members, @lewfrederick @councilorjamiedunphy @govtinakotek
It was phenomenal! Huge thank you to our amazing villagers! We are deeply grateful, inspired and proud to know you!

#housingservices #weshinepdx #microvillages #unhousedneighbors #solvinghomelessness

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18098735326877917

We had a party! Look who came! Our supporters, our neighbors, our villagers, our staff, our board members, @lewfrederick @councilorjamiedunphy @govtinakotek
It was phenomenal! Huge thank you to our amazing villagers! We are deeply grateful, inspired and proud to know you!

#housingservices #weshinepdx #microvillages #unhousedneighbors #solvinghomelessness

...

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It’s #mentalhealthawarenessmonth and we are highlighting the importance of safety and community at WeShine. Our micro-villages are safe places to heal from the trauma of living outside. We must to do more to care for our unhoused neighbors. Homeless shelters should not be places that create more uncertainty and lack of respect! People heal best when living in community with others!

#homelessnessandmentalhealth #traumainformed #homelessshelters #communitylove

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18137704090554647

It’s #mentalhealthawarenessmonth and we are highlighting the importance of safety and community at WeShine. Our micro-villages are safe places to heal from the trauma of living outside. We must to do more to care for our unhoused neighbors. Homeless shelters should not be places that create more uncertainty and lack of respect! People heal best when living in community with others!

#homelessnessandmentalhealth #traumainformed #homelessshelters #communitylove

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Just Three Days AWAY! We are having cake, empanadas from @elpilonpdx yummies from @elephantsdeli Join us to celebrate, learn and hear from staff, villagers and a few elected officials! But PLEASE RSVP on Eventbrite at our link in bio!

#nonprofitanniversary #unhousedneighbors #microvillages #weshinepdx #tinypodsforthehomeless

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 17968618704058515

Just Three Days AWAY! We are having cake, empanadas from @elpilonpdx yummies from @elephantsdeli Join us to celebrate, learn and hear from staff, villagers and a few elected officials! But PLEASE RSVP on Eventbrite at our link in bio!

#nonprofitanniversary #unhousedneighbors #microvillages #weshinepdx #tinypodsforthehomeless

...

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We adore the Saint Andrew’s Village staff team. Look at how adorable they are at the entrance to our village. Our staff are incredible ♥️ @multco_hsd

#weshinepdx #homelessservices #microvillages #unhousedneighbors #weheartourstaff

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Open post by weshinepdx with ID 18051375110566958

We adore the Saint Andrew’s Village staff team. Look at how adorable they are at the entrance to our village. Our staff are incredible ♥️ @multco_hsd

#weshinepdx #homelessservices #microvillages #unhousedneighbors #weheartourstaff

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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