Newsletter Archive

WE SHINE NEWS

WeShine Builds Small Pod-Villages as an Alternative Approach to Homelessness Solutions

https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2022/12/light-a-fire-portland-nonprofit-awards-weshine-homelessness-villages Microvillages, housing around a dozen people and small enough to fit into most any neighborhood, build community and give residents agency over their housing. By Matthew Trueherz  December 30, 2022 IMAGE: KAITLIN BRITO While some of her neighbors may have thrown up their hands in frustration at the persistent presense of camps in Laurelhurst Park, often cited as a symbol of the city’s homelessness crises, Jan McManus, a longtime Laurelhurst resident, saw them as an opportunity for change. A call for proposals of alternative housing issued by the Joint Office of Homeless Services was the perfect opportunity. “I had the skills and

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Parkrose Community Village Has Officially Opened!

Parkrose Community Village Has Officially Opened! The volunteer team has completed all the sleeping pods, and a temporary community kitchen and gathering space have been set up. With the power turned on, Phase I of the village is now complete! Six guests (plus watchdog Coco and kitten Luna) have currently moved in, with 1-2 guests joining each week until we reach full capacity at 12 guests. The outdoor kitchen provides for simple meal preparation until we can get our community buildings permitted and built. These 3 raised garden beds contain winter vegetables that were both planted and which. are maintained

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Our Village is Going Up, and We Want You to be A Part of It!

Through the rainy weather, our crew of volunteers was able to build 4 sleeping pods this past weekend! We have 7 pods to go, plus painting the interior and installing the floor and doors. We hope you can join us for one or more of the following work parties: Saturday, June 25, 9-Noon and 1-4Sundays, June 26, 1-4Saturday, July 2 9-noon and 1-4No work party on SundaySaturday, July 9, 9-noon and 1-4Sunday, July 10, 1-4 Use the link to let us know which dates and times you’ll be joining us: Work Party Sign-Up Location: 12505 NE Halsey at the Parkrose

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First Pod Goes up at Parkrose Village!

We are excited to announce that construction on the Parkrose Village is underway. Last Sunday, June 12th, we completed putting together our first pod! We are so grateful to Parkrose Community United Church of Christ and the surrounding neighborhoods for their incredible support. We also want to give a shoutout to all our amazing volunteer builders. You make all this possible! We are planning another big work party this weekend, weather permitting, from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm on Saturday, June 19th and from 1pm-4pm on Sunday, June 20th. The focus of this party will be assembling pods, installing doors, and (if

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Our donors put us over the finish line!

Our GoFundMe and other fundraising efforts netted $38,516. Those funds enabled us to purchase everything needed to build the sleeping pods, to buy insurance for volunteers, and to contract with a fabulous accounting firm. Importantly, having completed the off-site building, and having a solid foundation as a non-profit, made it quite clear to JOHS that we are ready!! Our heartfelt thank you to our generous donors!

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IN THE NEWS