40th Anniversary Dinner just 3 weeks away!

Do you have your ticket yet?

The band is rehearsing, our guest list is growing, and we're finalizing the details for the big day! Saturday, September 12th is just a few short weeks away, and time is running out to purchase your tickets to this landmark occasion. Don't miss out on this fun packed event to celebrate 40 years of service to the community, and the launch of our next big project, the Resource Access Center - breaking ground in October! 

It's all happening at 6pm on September 12th, at the Tiffany Center. Local band The Usual Suspects will perform, with guest singing by Commissioners Randy Leonard, Deborah Kafoury, Judy Shiprack, and more!  Commissioner Nick Fish will be the musical emcee. You can find more information, and buy tickets, on our website.

Charles' Story:

from homelessness to housing

Charles never thought he would be homeless, but last summer he found himself signing up on the waitlist at Transition Projects Glisan Center men's shelter. He moved into the Glisan Center in September, and got right to work.

"I started working with Anthony, my case manager, and with a veteran's supportive housing program, in partnership with the Housing Authority," Charles says. "I went through the Ready to Rent class at Transition Projects, through the VA's Substance Abuse Treatment Program. There were a lot of steps to take, and a lot of hoops to jump through, but it worked out."

Transition Projects offers comprehensive services to help clients like Charles overcome the various barriers to permanent housing that they face. Case managers work one-on-one with individuals to make a housing plan, mental health specialists are available to individuals coping with mental health problems and addiction, and life skills coordinators assist with issues such as budgeting and time management, employment, and leading the Ready to Rent class, a tenant education program designed for individuals with potential barriers to housing.

"I moved into my new apartment in Hillsdale - and it's very nice! - in January. Things have been going great. Working with Transition Projects, and taking the Ready to Rent class, really did help a lot in getting approved for my apartment. For people with a history like mine - any kind of barrier, you name it: criminal history, eviction, bad credit, history with drugs and alcohol - there's just no way I would have been able to get through without the support from Transition Projects."

During his stay at the Glisan Center, Charles was also able to work on finding employment. He started a job working with the Easter Seals, a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities, in November.

"I train individuals with disabilities to use computers, and work on some job development. I have a background in computers, but hadn't been involved with teaching or job development before. It's working out pretty well!"

"I think the most beneficial aspect [of working with Transition Projects] was being off the street, having the opportunity to have a good night's sleep, to be clean and well dressed while looking for work and a place to stay - those things count for a lot," Charles says. "More than anything, I would say Transition Projects provided a launching pad - but even with that help, you still have to work for it. You get out of this experience what you put in."

"Where I Slept" Photo Exhibit

Throughout the month of August, Transition Projects' "Where I Slept: Being Homeless in Portland" photo exhibit will be on display at the American Institute of Architects, at 411 NW 11th Avenue. "Where I Slept" is a collection of photographs and thoughts by homeless individuals in Portland. The agency provided cameras to residents of their shelters and asked them to take photographs and share memories of where they slept before coming to the shelter. What came back was both surreal and moving.

Transition Projects decided to memorialize the photos and essays into a book, "WHERE I SLEPT," to commemorate this 40th year of the agency's operations. This book will be released this coming fall. If you are interested in being notified when the book is available for purchase, please contact Transition Projects at 503.823.4930 ext. 205.

In Their Own Words

Transition Projects Clients Speak Out

Megan Schulz has been a housing case manager at Jean's Place for over a year. One of her clients recently sent her this thank-you after moving into her new apartment.

Oh, Megan, we finally made it! I will never forget all that you have done for me. You gave me strength, hope, and reasons not to give up when I was barely hanging on.

I am going to miss you so much, but I'll be back to bother you!

Thank you, my friend,

L