WeShine micro-villages are neighborhood-based and neighborhood-supported temporary outdoor shelters, on small parcels of leased land, in the heart of Portland residential and business neighborhoods. Each village has 8 to 10 personal sleeping pods for a community of 8 to 15 people.  

The villages are designed for a small community of 8 to 15 people who seek to transition to permanent housing within 6-24 months. Each private sleeping pod has a lockable front door and window, and contains a bed, desk, storage, AC/heat, ….porch… 

All of our village infrastructure is designed for easy dis-assembly and removal, as any of our leases or use agreements come to an end, all village structures will be quickly moved and reassembled at a new leased site. The site will be returned to the same condition as it was before our occupancy and use. 

Our longer-term vision is to develop and operate a coordinated network of temporary neighborhood-based micro-villages distributed fairly across the city.

Location and design

After first carefully assessing and securing a site, WeShine undertakes village design, with licensed architects and engineers. The designs provide privacy and safety – including wooden fencing, a security system, and locked gate. Only authorized visitors are allowed in a WeShine micro-village.

Community buildings offer shared space for basic hygiene and sanitation: laundry, showers, toilets; and community buildings for meetings, service connections, and to support development of guests’ community interactions and social skills.

Volunteers

Volunteers help the village with art, building and gardening. Villagers collaborate and decide on optional features, such as dog runs, gardens, and artwork. 

Guests and volunteers walk together in the neighborhood to do outreach, and encourage any nearby campers or RVs to find resources elsewhere. Volunteers also help guests with food, pet care, and setting up their pod. (Join us as a volunteer.)

Staff and Services

Guests receive wraparound services. 

Paid onsite staff guide guests through tailored programming designed to meet individual needs. 

The WeShine Model is designed to help villagers regain confidence and skills so they can prepare for success in their next step – work and housing. 

Each villager is supported in – and responsible for – their own success. 

Sub Navigation

• Parkrose Community Village
• Avalon
• St. Andrews 
• Host a village (insert current application that is on the website., include Site details )

• Villager Voices 

From the service model page

Within each village, we will provide basic hygiene, sanitation and kitchen facilities  as well as

WeShine does not offer permanent housing. Our pods are not tiny houses. They are safe sleeping places. Camping will not be allowed on the property outside or adjacent to our leased area. Villagers, volunteers, and staff will work together to keep the community grounds and parking lots adjacent to each village safe and clean for all.

Description of Micro-village Sites

WeShine minimum site criteria include:

• under-utilized parking lot or unimproved land
• commercial, multi-family residential, or employment zoning OR property owned by a faith community OR public property
• minimum of 5,000 sq. ft.
• easy access to public transit as well as to a commercial area with a variety of stores, services, and food sources
• owner willing to grant at least a 4 year lease.

WeShine is open to working in any Portland or metro-area neighborhood with an appropriate site and the ability to recruit and support at least ten dedicated, long term volunteers. 

Benefits to the property owner include a modest monthly lease payment, liability insurance, and guest assistance in protecting the property from vandalism and graffiti.

Each WeShine micro-village will include:

• Paid WeShine staff, including a live-in Village Support Specialist (part-time), and at least two full-time Program Specialists.
• Lockable 8’ x 10’ sleeping pods for each individual. Couples will be offered two sleeping pods to share. 
• Two toilets of which one will be accessible 
• An accessible shower
• garbage and recycling containers
• An on-site office pod for both WeShine staff and on-site service partners to use
• An accessible kitchenette with a washer & dryer
• An accessible community room for meetings and group activities;
• plantings and artwork to promote  a sense of community
•  a perimeter fence and gate  with coded lock, as well security cameras and lighting. 

1. the provision of safe, welcoming, empowering shelter and amenities.

Resources and outtakes

Source material: Service model  (out of date, do not use)

From the report from the 2022 retreat

Village timeline [Scott’s timeline]

Add this when info is complete? Could also go on the History page.