My Father's House, A Community Shelter, Inc.

06/18/2026

Join us at our golf tournament at Persimmon Country Club on July 13th! It’s going to be a great day!

👉 Spots are filling up— 1 week left to register, don’t miss out! https://familyshelter.org/events/golf-tournament/

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors for making this event possible—we truly appreciate your support! 💚

06/15/2026

It's HOT!!! Please check on your neighbors! Multnomah County has cooling centers open!

📣 SHARE: In addition to dozens of libraries, misting stations, community centers and other cool spaces already open in Multnomah County, two cooling centers will open from noon to 9 PM today, Monday, June 15:

📍Multnomah County East Building, 600 NE 8th St, Gresham, operated by Cultivate Initiatives

📍Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving St., Portland, operated by Transition Projects

The cooling centers opening today will provide food and water. Pets are welcome.

TriMet will not turn away anyone who is traveling to and from a cooling center who is unable to pay fare between 11 AM and 10 PM today (Monday, June 15). Please tell your bus operator that you're heading to or from a cooling center.

Four Multnomah County Libraries will stay open until 8 PM tonight, Monday, June 15 — two hours longer than their usual schedule:

✅ Albina Library, 205 NE Russell St, Portland
✅ Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, Portland
✅ East County Library, 475 NW Division St, Gresham
✅ Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave, Portland

--Resources to stay cool and connected--

🗺️ Interactive Cooling Map (libraries, pools, splash pads, community centers and more) 🔗 link.multco.us/interactive-map-cool-spaces

🍽️ Meals on Wheels People Dining Centers 🔗 mowp.org/what-we-do/dining-centers Always check hours/locations before you go.

📞 Aging, Disability and Resource Connection (ADRC) Helpline (local senior center info & other resources): 503-988-3646

06/13/2026

Attending the Citygate convention is a way we breathe new life into our work at My Father's House. From program improvements to counseling to medical care and relationship building, this conference returns our team home with new vision, new techniques and renewed determination.

06/12/2026

Shhhh! Don't mention it to our kids at My Father's House, but we're already talking school supplies! Each year, before the school year starts, we gather the supplies they'll need to ensure they're equipped to be their best!

If you'd like to adopt a child who need school supplies or help a parent get ready for continued education, visit:

https://familyshelter.org/your-impact/adopt-a-family/back-to-school/

06/11/2026

We're guessing you wouldn't be surprised to learn that bookkeeping at My Father's House is a slightly stressful job.😊

That's why Lenis, our bookkeeper has chosen this verse as one of her favorites: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." --Philippians 4:13

We appreciate Lenis's quick smile and commitment to the ministry of My Father's House. We appreciate, too, that every dollar she accounts for comes from donors like you.

Would you like to learn more about our staff and board of directors? Visit us @ https://familyshelter.org/about/board-and-staff-members

06/11/2026

Bless your hearts!

Generous donors have made it possible for me, Andrea Pickett, to join colleagues from all over the United States at Citygate Network to learn more about helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Seminars, the devotional times and fellowship mean so much!

For several days I am immersed in knowledge, wisdom and compassionate words and actions of staff from around 350 rescue missions and other ministries working on the front lines of poverty, homelessness and related issues.

Visit citygatenetwork.org to learn more about this amazing organization that pulls all of us together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the homeless across our country!

06/10/2026

The team at My Father's House has heard hundreds of stories of despair and loss. We've heard about tragic mistakes, hopeless addictions, escapes in the middle of the night. Our residents have slept in abandoned buildings, surfed friends' couches, and accepted continued abuse just to stay off the streets.

And yes, some have slept in the ubiquitous blue tents that dot our cityscape.

MFH is about STOPPING the cycle of homelessness. Our residents say NO to cycling through city and state programs and YES to overcoming debt, saving money, getting living wage jobs, and setting down roots in their own homes.

You can help. Learn about our needs for our food pantry, volunteer energy, prayer warriors, financial gifts and more. My Father's House is a community effort that depends on you.

Thank you for saying NO with us to the cycle of homelessness and YES to transformative programs that change lives for good. Visit www.familyshelter.org to learn more.

06/09/2026

This letter was written by Kelly, pictured holding her child, after receiving the encouragement and practical help she needed when interviewing for her job.

My Father's House helps people experiencing homeless in two ways. First with immediate needs--safe shelter, food so they no longer have to worry about the next meal, and clean clothes to help them feel human again!

Lasting help comes when they are offered the listening ear of a professional case manager. As the resident and case manager work together to problem solve, the challenges that loomed too large become manageable.

Kelly and her family are finding their way toward stability--a life where "Yup, this is hard but I can do it" replaces "I don't know how to dig my way out!"

"You have helped me become a stronger person" reflects the growth and maturity Kelly needed to meet the challenge! We're so glad to be part of this family's story!

06/08/2026

A couple summers ago, one of our single moms graduated from our 6-month program and moved into Stepping Stones, our 12-month transitional housing program.

When she first came to stay with us, during her initial interview she said her goal was to buy a home eventually. Last June, she was approved for a home loan and her offer on a home was accepted! That day, she gave me a letter that said in part:

“Moving into My Father's House was hands down the most pivotal decision I needed to make to be protected from my abuser, stabilize my family, land a full-time career, pay down massive debt, and save money to purchase a home.

"Though the program was challenging and sometimes felt impossible, exhausting, and frustrating, I continued to come back to my baseline of absolute gratitude and the opportunity for overall stabilization that was at hand. I continued to find encouragement from staff that I could do this, that I and my children were held and loved, and that there was grace to be found here.

"Thank you for being such a huge part of my family's life journey I hope you know just how important you and this space has been to me.”

Your contributions are the lifeblood of our organization, making stories like this possible. Without you, we couldn't provide the environment this family needed to venture out into the world successfully.

AND YES! She is now a homeowner!