From Homelessness to Housing: How to Help the Most Vulnerable in Grant Park
By Kelsey Stark, Volunteer Program Manager, Transition Projects
Grant Park Neighborhood Association | Fall 2025
Transition Projects — a leader in homelessness and housing services across the metro area since 1969 — helps individuals, couples, and families transition from homelessness to housing. To accomplish this, the organization’s 350 team members assist 10,000 people annually through eight shelters across the metro area, three affordable housing complexes, a resource center, robust Veterans services, and so much more. In 2024 alone, nearly 900 formerly homeless people found safe, affordable housing in the four-county area with the agency’s support.
Over the past five years, the Grant Park neighborhood has been home to Transition Projects’ Banfield Shelter Motel, a 60-bed shelter for medically vulnerable adults. Last year alone, 55 participants successfully transitioned into stable or permanent housing in the community with Transition Projects’ support. While in shelter, our participants are provided with a range of support including healthcare, income development, nutritious meals, case management, and more.
As the largest provider of shelter services in Oregon, Transition Projects shelters 700 people on any given night, including individuals, couples, and their pets. One of the biggest challenges faced is a lack of funding for food to provide a nutritious hot meal for participants each night, 365 days a year, across all eight shelters.
Banfield Shelter Motel is also unique due to the lack of a kitchen —making it particularly difficult for staff to prepare meals. Fortunately, volunteer groups have supported this need by purchasing ingredients, cooking the food offsite, and delivering dinner, hot and ready to serve to the shelter since its opening. Volunteer meals ensure participants get a nutritious dinner 365 days a year. This opportunity is a wonderful volunteer project for 5-10 individuals to come together and give back, whether team building for company groups, or a meaningful service project for community, family, or friend groups. Supporting the daily nutrition of the Shelter’s participants not only supports and improves their well-being but has demonstrated the link between food security, good health outcomes, and long-term housing stability.
One outstanding Grant Park group that has been supporting Banfield Shelter Motel started with neighbor Carol K. wanting to give back during these difficult times. Carol utilized her love of cooking, gathered a group of friends, and began serving monthly meals. Together, she and her friends enjoyed getting to know their neighbors at Banfield Shelter Motel, sharing conversations and smiles. Carol says, “In the beginning, we were a bit nervous, but we always come out with big smiles.” While Carol and her group join other volunteer meal providers who support 38% of all meals served across Transition Projects’ shelters, we are in need of more volunteers who truly make a difference through meals for those who are on their unique journey from homelessness to housing.
Other ways to support Banfield Shelter Motel include making sack lunches, assembling hygiene kits, and donating gently used or new adult clothing (especially plus size and men’s), and bedding (sheets, pillows, and blankets). If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more about how to help the Banfield Motel Shelter, please email volunteer@tprojects.org. Thank you for welcoming and supporting your neighbors at the Banfield Motel Shelter!