Gather:Make:Shelter

Mission

Gather:Make:Shelter collaborates with people experiencing houselessness and poverty through arts workshops and mentorship to empower participants to forge creative paths to stability and community.

Bottom Line for Portland

We believe that, alongside the need for shelter and food to survive, people need community and creativity to thrive. Our year-round programming offers weekly art opportunities for people experiencing houselessness and poverty to achieve a sense of well-being, form community, and discover new creatives paths for the future. Since our founding in 2017, we have collaborated with over 20 partner organizations to bring more than 500 art workshops to over 6,000 unhoused community members in the Portland Area.

Quote

“When I got out of jail, the first place I thought of was Gather:Make:Shelter. The doors were always open for me.” –Tonnisha, GMS Artist

“With GMS I got the opportunity to put my art in shows, when it was impossible to do as a houseless person.” –Marz Alien, GMS Artist

“GMS supports marginalized people with the needs most other nonprofits don’t address.” –Tighearnan, Community Organizer

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Due to the effects of long-standing structural racism and colonization, minority groups are disproportionately likely to experience houselessness, and disproportionately vulnerable if they do. As an organization and as individuals we are committed to dismantling racism, colonialism, and discrimination in our communities and ourselves. We are proud to work with people of diverse identities, and are grateful for the experience, insight, imagination, and vibrancy of every individual. 

Incentives

-Killian Pacific will MATCH the first $5,000 dollars of donations received in the campaign!

-The first 50 individuals to sign up for a recurring donation of $5 or more will receive an original print by one of our artists.
 

-If you donate $100 or more on Giving Tuesday (12/3) or during the final three days of the Give!Guide Campaign (12/29, 12/30, 12/31), you will receive a poster that was collaboratively made by our artists during their time working at Mullowney Printing Co.

Partner(s)

Thanks to our business partner Killian Pacific, who is the community-driven real estate company that generously donated our studio, gallery space, and the $5,000 matching incentive as well as a special thank you to all of our nonprofit partners this year: WeShine, Street Books, Hygiene 4 All, and The Marie Equi Center.