Build Hope,
Change Lives,
Work With Weshine
Whether you bring professional skills, lived experience, or both, WeShine offers a place where your strengths genuinely change lives. Join us in creating safe, supportive villages that help our neighbors rebuild stability and move toward long-term housing.
Why Work at WeShine?
We strongly encourage individuals with lived experience to apply.
WeShine operates transitional micro-villages that provide safety, stability, and a caring community for unhoused Portlanders working toward independent housing. Our staff play a vital role in helping villagers feel respected, supported, and empowered as they rebuild their lives.
We especially welcome applicants with lived experience. Your insight and compassion help create deeper trust with villagers and strengthen the quality of care we strive to provide. At WeShine, your experience is valued, your perspective matters, and your work directly contributes to someone’s path forward.
Community Connections
Work in a collaborative, relationship-centered environment where staff, villagers, volunteers, and neighbors come together to build supportive, welcoming communities.
Small Caseloads
WeShine prioritizes manageable caseloads so staff can offer thoughtful, consistent support and build genuine relationships with villagers.
Create Impact
Your daily work helps villagers build stability and move toward long-term housing, creating meaningful change in their lives and the broader community.
Rich Benefits Package
We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and long-term sustainability in this important work.
Great Supervisory Support
You’ll receive consistent guidance, mentorship, and encouragement from experienced supervisors who value collaboration and staff well-being.
Comprehensive Training Program
We provide ongoing training and professional development to help staff build skills, confidence, and alignment with WeShine’s trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach.
What Our Staff Say
We Need More Villages Like This
“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.”
Rachael Price
Volunteer
Permanently Moved Into Affordable Housing
“It’s a model that’s shown to work all over the country as far as getting people permanently moved into affordable housing.”
Chris Tanner
Co-Founder and Former Board Member
That’s How Well It’s Gone
“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.”
Jennifer Jackson
WeShine Board Member and Parkrose Village Neighbor
Story From Our Staff
Finding My Purpose at WeShine
My path to WeShine came through a former employee, and the moment I walked into the village, something clicked. I thought, This is what I’ve been waiting for.
Working in sales had drained my spirit. I wanted to support humanity, not quotas. WeShine felt like home. It was small enough to know everyone’s name and personal stories.
Being part of WeShine has changed me. It’s taught me perspective. The villagers’ stories, traumas, and triumphs all exist side by side. It’s taught me to trust the wisdom I’ve gained. I’ve learned how important it is to help villagers build community beyond the village, not just within it. Healing doesn’t stop at the gate. That’s why Our VCMs (Village Community Meetings) are everything. Staff and villagers sit together, talk, plan, troubleshoot, and check in. It’s connection without hierarchy. It’s the space where real community is built.
WeShine is growing slowly and intentionally, and I appreciate that. But the housing crisis is so severe that I also hope we can expand faster. And while the two-year stay limit is a good guideline, some people need longer – especially those without the support networks I had.
-Ash’s Story
Roles At Weshine
Who Thrives In These Roles At Weshine
People who are compassionate, adaptable, good communicators, and comfortable helping with a wide range of community needs.
Village Roles
Village staff are generalists, meaning everyone helps with whatever the community needs to stay safe, welcoming, and running smoothly. These roles combine direct support for villagers with hands-on tasks that keep the village organized and stable. Staff build trusting relationships, respond to daily needs, and help create an environment where villagers can focus on rebuilding their lives.
Common responsibilities include:
- Assisting villagers with resources, daily needs, and program guidance
- Helping maintain clean and organized community spaces
- Performing light maintenance (changing lightbulbs, simple repairs)
- Supporting community expectations and shared agreements
- Collaborating with teammates and administrative staff to ensure continuity of care
Administrative Roles
Administrative team members ensure that each village has the structure, communication, and support systems it needs to operate effectively. These roles manage scheduling, data, partnerships, and coordination so village staff can focus on direct service and community care.
Examples include:
- Organizational Leadership – Support WeShine’s mission and long-term growth by helping guide strategy, teams, and organizational priorities.
- Operations Support – Maintain the systems that keep WeShine running smoothly, including finances, applications, waitlists, and staff training coordination.
- Administrative Support– Provide essential organizational support through data entry, communication, and internal process management.
- Communications and Volunteer Managemen – Support community engagement through social media, website updates, and volunteer coordination and retention.
These roles work closely with village teams to ensure programs remain consistent, organized, and aligned with WeShine’s mission of safety, dignity, and community.
Summary of Our Villages
WeShine operates small, neighborhood-based micro- villages across Portland that provide safe, dignified transitional shelter. Each village includes private sleeping Pods with locking doors, shared community areas, and supportive staff who help villagers build stability and work toward their next step in housing.
Parkrose Village
Parkrose Community Village is WeShine’s first transitional micro-village in Northeast Portland, created to offer safety, privacy, hygiene, and community for neighbors working toward permanent housing. The village provides lockable sleeping Pods, shared kitchens and hygiene facilities, and on-site staff seven days a week.
Volunteers play an active role in community life at Parkrose, offering weekly meals, workshops, enrichment activities, and help with gardening, events, and village projects. Staff support villagers in reducing the harm of drug and alcohol use and in making progress toward their personal housing goals.
Since opening, Parkrose Village has helped residents move forward in meaningful ways-several villagers have successfully transitioned into stable, long-term housing. Parkrose continues to operate in close partnership with its host site, neighborhood groups, and local organizations to maintain a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.
Avalon Village
Avalon Village is WeShine’s second transitional micro-village in Southeast Portland, designed to provide safe, private, and dignified shelter for Portland neighbors seeking stability on their path to permanent housing. The village includes ten personal sleeping Pods, ADA-accessible units, and shared spaces for hygiene, cooking, meetings, and community activities.
Avalon offers secure, heated and cooled Pods with lockable doors, personal porches, lighting, and electrical access. The village is fully fenced and supported by both exterior and interior security features. Local volunteers help strengthen daily community life through engagement, activities, and ongoing support.
Developed in partnership with neighborhood stakeholders and supported by the Joint Office of Homeless Services and pro-bono contributors, Avalon Village reflects a collaborative effort to create safe, structured alternatives to unmanaged camping while helping residents move toward long-term housing.
St. Andrew’s Village
St. Andrew’s Village will be WeShine’s third transitional micro-village, opened in North Portland in mid-2025. Developed in partnership with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and supported by community stakeholders, the village will offer private Pods alongside shared amenities including a full kitchen, hygiene facilities, community meeting space, and offices. An ADA lift will ensure accessible entry for both congregants and villagers.
This village grew from a collaboration between WeShine, church leadership, local businesses, and neighborhood partners committed to creating safe, stable alternatives to unsheltered living. Supported by HomeAid Portland and a network of volunteers, St. Andrew’s Village will provide a structured, community-centered environment where residents can work toward long-term housing and increased stability.
Join the WeShine Team
WeShine is growing, and we’re looking for compassionate, community-minded people to join our team. If you believe in dignity, safety, and creating pathways toward stable housing, we invite you to explore our open roles. Each position plays an essential part in supporting villagers and helping our micro-villages run smoothly.
Click a listing below to learn more and submit your application, resume, and cover letter.
Program Specialist
The Program Specialist (PS) is a direct-service role responsible for supporting villagers through case coordination, goal-setting, crisis prevention, documentation, and community engagement. Program Specialists help maintain a safe and supportive environment while assisting villagers in achieving self-identified goals related to housing, health, stability, and personal development. Program Specialists build trusting relationships with villagers while modeling trauma-informed communication, supporting villager accountability, and contributing to a healthy, connected village culture.
Click the links below to learn more and apply!
Lead Program Specialist
The Lead Program Specialist (LPS) provides program leadership, coordination, and operational support within the village. This position builds upon the Program Specialist role by functioning as the primary support for the Village Manager, offering staff mentorship, providing accountability coaching to villagers, overseeing program operations, and ensuring consistent documentation and service delivery across the team. The LPS acts as the on-site leader when the Village Manager is off duty, ensuring alignment with WeShine’s principles of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, person-driven planning, and non-oppressive practices.
Click the links below to learn more and apply!
Village Manager
The Village Manager (VM) is responsible for daily operations, staff supervision, documentation oversight, community-building, and service coordination within a WeShine micro-village housing up to 10 adults. The VM ensures that services are delivered in accordance with WeShine values, policies, and trauma-informed practices. This role requires strong leadership, high emotional intelligence, operational stability, and the ability to respond effectively to both
routine and crisis situations.
Click the links below to learn more and apply!
Application Process
Our application process is simple and supportive. Here’s what to expect:
Submission and Review of Application
Initial Zoom Interview
In Person
Interview
Background + Reference Check
Applying through our website helps us identify mission-aligned candidates who are genuinely interested in working with our villagers and communities.
If you don’t currently see a position that seems right for you, but you would like to be considered for a future role within our organization, please submit your resume to jobs@weshinepdx.org. We will review and keep resumes on file for future consideration, and we encourage you to check back often as new positions are added frequently as our organization grows.
Ready to apply? We’d love to hear from you.
Send us your resume and cover letter when you apply. If you’re not ready to commit to a role yet, volunteering is a great way to learn more about WeShine and our community.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Avalon Village! Avalon Village is located in the lovely #hosfordabernethy neighborhood in SE Portland! It’s surrounded by supportive neighbors and businesses including a preschool! At WeShine, we believe our unhoused neighbors deserve all the same things housed folks do: community, safety, love, celebrations, plants, garden beds, opportunities and ways to be creative!
#valentinesday #portlandoregon #unhousedneighbors #microvillageshelters
This week we are bringing your attention to Judge Roosevelt Robinson (1941–2004) — a trailblazer in Oregon’s legal community and a champion for justice in Multnomah County.
A graduate of The Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, Judge Robinson dedicated his career to public service, serving with integrity and compassion on the Multnomah County bench. His leadership helped pave the way for greater equity and representation within Oregon’s legal system.
Today, his legacy lives on through the Roosevelt Robinson Scholarship at Lewis & Clark Law School, which supports students from diverse backgrounds pursuing careers in law. His life reminds us that representation matters — and that one person’s commitment to justice can open doors for generations to come.
#Legacy #Justice #PortlandOregon #LewisAndClarkLaw #RepresentationMatters
Come visit with WeShine staff and learn more about our micro-villages, our mission and ways to get involved! We are on the look out for new board members! Even if you aren’t interested In volunteering it will be an engaging conversation about how to support our unhoused neighbors!
You will also have a chance to view the stunning exhibit at Stelo Arts @steloarts about homelessness in Portland, @dearportlandexhibit by the amazing folks at @humansforhousingorg
RSVP at link in bio!
#homelessnessawareness #humansforhousing #weshinepdx #microvillageshelters #pdx
This week’s Black Oregonian History Makers feature: Margaret Louise Carter.
In 1984, she became the first Black woman elected to Oregon’s Legislature. In 2005, she became the first African American to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Oregon State Senate.
Her legacy is also being honored in a very Portland way: M Carter Commons, a new affordable housing community in Overlook with 62 affordable, accessible homes for residents 55+.
Her name is also on the stunning Technology Building at Portland Community College! Have you seen her name around? Or maybe you have seen her out and about in the neighborhood in Northeast Portland?
✨ Who should we feature next? Drop a Black Portland history-maker in the comments.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
#BlackHistoryMonth #oregonblackhistorymonth #margaretcarter #housingpolicy #weshinepdx
Why “Microvillages” you ask? The concept of “microvillages” is essential to WeShine’s specific model and mission! We want to change the narrative on what a homeless shelter can and should be: small, low staff/participant ratio, close in neighborhoods with great neighbors, businesses, jobs, resources and public transportation! WeShine stands for: Welcoming, Empowering, Safe, Habitation, Initiative with Neighborhood Engagement! ❤️🏡🚏🚐🌲🌲🌳
#unhousedneighbors #weshinepdx #microvillages #alternativeshelters #solvinghomelessness
Staff, board and our amazing PR consultant @bridget_jackson at @nexuspr_official celebrated the 2025 @giveguide last week with other great nonprofits! We love being able to participate in the Willamette Week Give!Guide! Looking forward to November!
#pdx #fundraising #weshinepdx #microvillages #solvinghomelessness
We are overjoyed to help spread the word about this amazing exhibition at @steloarts by our friends at @humansforhousingorg Please come join us at the grand opening of @dearportlandexhibit on February 7th from 11-3! There will be donuts, music, coffee and more! There is a link to RSVP in our bio!
#homelessnessinpdx #unhousedneighbors #humansforhousing #portlandoregon #weshinepdx
His words still ring true. We are grateful to have the access to Martin Luther King Jr’s words preserved for us and we are grounded in the messages he gave. At WeShine we know that there are policies that harm our unhoused neighbors and increase homelessness in our city! We strive for change and healing.
#drking #mlk #unhousedneighbors #portlandoregon #solvinghomelessness
Newsletter
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, The Village View. Read the latest edition below, and sign up here to get the next one in your inbox. The Village View highlights recent happenings in our current villages, exciting announcements, articles by staff on homelessness issues in our region, engaging stories about the folks we serve and more. Sign up today!