PORTLAND, Ore. — In the heart of Portland, a significant day center known as PDX Saints Love is facing an uphill battle for survival as it provides essential services to the homeless community.
Despite the city’s efforts to expand homeless support through day centers and increase overnight shelter beds, PDX Saints Love claims it is struggling to stay afloat without any financial assistance from the city.
Located off Southeast 82nd Avenue, PDX Saints Love has become a crucial resource for over 2,000 individuals in dire need. The founder, Kristle Delihanty, highlighted the organization’s evolution over the past year, stating that it has expanded its services to include families with children, a demographic that was not part of its initial mission.
Delihanty emphasized that all programs are directly informed by conversations with people experiencing homelessness, ensuring that the services provided meet the actual needs of the community.
Among the community members benefiting from PDX Saints Love is Alexander England, who shares that he is currently on multiple waiting lists for housing. He notes the center’s availability of vital resources, including feminine hygiene products and basic necessities like socks and food.
Another remarkable story is that of Tianna McMullen, who first came to public attention three years ago while living in an RV with her young daughter. McMullen expressed her struggles with substance-use disorder and her determination to find a safe place to seek help.
Now, after finding support at PDX Saints Love, McMullen is not only sober for three years but has also secured a job at the center that she credits with transforming her life.
“I started volunteering … a month and a half later, I was offered a job,” McMullen recounted. She has since been trained to become a community health worker, showcasing the positive impact the organization has on individuals seeking a way out of homelessness.
However, the challenges for PDX Saints Love have intensified amidst the recent announcement from the city of Portland, which allocated $3.7 million to JOIN PDX, a different homeless day center in Northeast Portland.
This funding decision was met with surprise and disappointment from the staff at PDX Saints Love, who were hopeful about receiving similar support. While the city stated that PDX Saints Love never applied for the funding, Delihanty disputed this claim, stating that she was not invited to participate, resulting in a missed opportunity.
Mayor Keith Wilson expressed his disappointment over this situation, emphasizing the importance of equitable procurement processes for city contracts and acknowledging the critical role PDX Saints Love plays in the community.
Despite the assurances given by the mayor and the hopes for future support, Delihanty expressed her devastation over the situation. The organization is now faced with a looming deadline; without city funding, they need to raise $50,000 to remain operational through December.
Delihanty shared her emotional turmoil, saying, “I’ve just been floundering, like, what are we going to do? We cannot let this shut.”
For McMullen, the day center is akin to family and has become her home. She expressed a deep commitment to the community and emphasized her desire for PDX Saints Love to continue its invaluable work.
As Portland grapples with an escalating homelessness crisis, the fate of PDX Saints Love hangs in the balance, leaving its future uncertain amidst pleas for community support.
image source from：kgw
