WeShine

Mission

WeShine designs, builds, and operates neighborhood-based micro villages that provide safe, transitional shelter with wrap-around services for Portland’s underserved, unsheltered adults as they prepare to become successful tenants in permanent, affordable housing.

Bottom Line for Portland

WeShine stands for Welcoming, Empowering, Safe Habitation Initiative with Neighborhood Engagement.

Our model is rooted in the value of community, which restores self-esteem and heals the trauma that results from life on the streets. Guests experience peer support and are connected with services, which lead to success that is nearly impossible when living outside. 

Our vision is to create a network of micro villages based on this model, and provide vulnerable people with a path to permanent housing.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

WeShine prioritizes vulnerable and marginalized community members.

Parkrose Community Village, on NE Halsey St., serves 10 LGBTQIA+ adults, and prioritizes those who are Black, indigenous, or people of color or who identify as female. Avalon Village, in SE Portland, shelters 10 adults who identify as female and prioritizes Black, Indigenous and people of color, and those with disabilities.  St. Andrews Village, under construction in N. Portland, will serve 10 adults aged 45 or older and adults with physical disabilities.

Partner(s)

Gather:Make:Shelter creates opportunities for people experiencing houselessness and poverty to engage in collaborative, skill-building projects in creative fields, bringing houseless and housed people together for projects such as decorating WeShine micro village privacy fences.

Harbor of Hope collaborates with local organizations to address the diverse needs of Portland's homeless population, and educates area residents about the nature, extent and impacts of homelessness; including how they can help.