A SAFE PLACE TO BEGIN AGAIN


Located in Northwest Portland, the West Women’s and Children’s Shelter has been serving homeless women and their children for more than 24 years. The shelter is owned and operated by The Salvation Army with funding provided by community donations and various government contracts.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter is to intervene in the lives of homeless and abused women and children, providing opportunities for self sufficiency through shelter and support services.

The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter is located in Northwest Portland in a quiet neighborhood, and although it is a confidential location women and children in need of a safe place to stay have no trouble finding it.

The shelter assists more than 500 individuals each year, of which 25% are children. Approximately 95% of people served are survivors of domestic violence. The average length of stay is 13 months for families and nearly 7 months for women without children. Statistically, the longer period of time a woman is able to stay at The West the greater her chances for lifelong stability in the community.

The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter provides the following services to women:
• Food, shelter, clothing
• Transportation assistance
• Health referrals
• Job search assistance
• Counseling
• Parenting skills training
• Tutoring for GED completion
• Networking with other service agencies
• Individual guidance and support in a caring, home-like atmosphere

The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter provides the following services to children:

• Therapeutic preschool program in a nurturing environment
• Individual development assessments
• Appropriate activities and special outings
• Play therapy sessions by qualified personnel

Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to sort donations, serve as children’s aides, help with clerical work, and for light maintenance projects. Food - West Women’s has NO food budget and relies solely on donations.

Contact Information: Pat Mohr, Director (503) 239-1254 Open 365 days a year

On Sunday, April 3rd, a crowd of over 250 people gathered to celebrate the rededication of a building. The building had been there for years, was in a state of disrepair, although still extremely useful, and if The Salvation Army did not meet a certain deadline for improvements, the City of Portland would be able to buy the building back for just $10.00. Major Kenneth G. Hodder, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Cascade Division had a wide smile on his face when he said, “Not only has The Salvation Army succeeded in building a new, safe, home for the women and children of Portland, but we have saved the City of Portland $10.00”. He was joking, of course, and the entire crowd seemed to nod in understanding. The value of that building is far greater than $10.00. It is even far greater than the 2.2 million dollars that was donated by the members of the community to rebuild it.

The Shelter
The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter is a symbol of safety, hope, and opportunity that many families thought they would never see. There is an emergency shelter consisting of a dormitory for “single” women (women with no children), rooms for families, (women with children), a common room for gathering, and a place for women and children to shower, do their laundry, and live in a safe environment. The women and children at West Women’s receive 3 hot meals a day in a community dining room, and can receive all types of services in order to help them feel stable, cared for, and safe.

West Women’s also has an entire floor dedicated to transitional living for single women as well as women and their children. There are apartments that are filled with light where 2 families share a common room and kitchen where they can gather to study, eat, and prepare meals. Each apartment also has 2 large bedrooms where the women and their children sleep and know that they are going to be safe, warm, and comfortable. The single women also have warm, inviting, spaces, and all of the women are invited to gather in the common room if they like.

Peace
There is a room on the first floor where all of the women of West Women’s and Children’s Shelter are welcome to read, study, worship, talk, and generally feel comfortable in their surroundings. This room has a beautiful silver cross hung on the wall as a gentle reminder of The Salvation Army’s mission, …” to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

The Children
The Annex at the shelter houses a childcare center, a place where the children of The Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter receive care during the day. There are family advocates that are available to work with teachers and counselors as well as family members. The children are able to play outside on a beautiful playground built by community volunteers, and see their mothers receive the care and treatment they deserve.