In a concerted effort to provide essential services to those in need, the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) has distributed additional funding to several organizations in Portland, facilitating an expansion in day services for the homeless and individuals with HIV. A report by Multnomah County highlights the significant impact of these funds, which have allowed local organizations to offer more than just meals but a foundation for future stability.
The funding has been particularly crucial for the HIV Day Center, operated by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, providing services like laundry, showers, and crucial healthcare connections. With pre-COVID service hours restored, the center has seen an improved capacity to assist its clients. Taylor Silvey, the organization's public relations and public health coordinator, mentioned in a statement obtained by Multnomah County, “It's allowed us to extend our hours. It’s allowed us to provide more meals and provide more support in the community."
New Avenues for Youth also benefited from this funding, investing in its downtown Portland Drop-In Center to help more homeless youth connect with vital services. The center serves as an entry point to long-term support for youth aged 18 to 24, offering meals, showers, and clothing. Sarah Nedeau, senior director of programming for New Avenues, told Multnomah County, “Our role is to provide those basic needs and then wrap the rest of the services around them." With more community partners now able to engage thanks to the center's extended hours, youths can access a broader array of support, including healthcare sign-ups and domestic violence support.
Operation Nightwatch, faced with potentially closing its doors, received a crucial lifeline from the funding allocated by the Joint Office. The organization provides meals and services in a low-barrier setting out of a southwest Portland church. Thanks to the additional resources, Operation Nightwatch expanded its hours and improved its facilities. Judy Johnson, the board co-chair, shared with Multnomah County the significant role the funding played in sustaining service continuity and enhancing their mental health support program. Strengthening the connection between mental health specialists and the visiting individuals, Johnson emphasized, "You’re not just providing coffee and a meal, you're actually building relationships that help people move forward with their lives."
This fiscal year, the initiative's expansion continued with the Board of County Commissioners approving two new day spaces, ready to open in FY 2025: St. Johns Day Center and the Trans & Queer Services Center.
