Blanchet House to open emergency overnight shelter for women in downtown Portland
2 min read
Blanchet House has announced plans to open Bethanie’s Room, a nighttime emergency shelter for women, in downtown Portland.
The shelter, which will accommodate up to 75 beds, is set to occupy the main sanctuary of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, where Operation Nightwatch currently operates its evening community center.
Blanchet House says Bethanie’s Room will provide a safe space for women, including trans women, to sleep and stay 365 nights a year.
Currently, there are no emergency nighttime shelters for women in downtown Portland without a long waitlist and referral process, a gap that Blanchet House aims to address.
Blanchet House says the shelter is named in memory of Bethanie, a houseless woman who frequented Blanchet House’s free cafe and died in a hit-and-run earlier this year. The organization states the shelter initiative seeks to honor her memory and prevent other women from facing similar dangers.
In a press release, Scott Kerman, Executive Director of Blanchet House, said, "We feel morally compelled to open Bethanie’s Room to ensure no woman has to sleep on the streets. This shelter is a crucial step in addressing the homelessness crisis and providing women with a safe place to be at night, a time which can be incredibly dangerous for them."
The shelter’s bed reservations will be managed by partner agencies and a dedicated referral line for outreach teams and organizations that assist unsheltered women at night. Women in need can visit Blanchet House for a referral and receive a free cab ride to the shelter.
Blanchet House adds it will collaborate with partner agencies to connect guests with supportive services aimed at transitioning them to more stable, permanent housing.
The estimated cost for the first year is $1 million, covering renovations to meet safety standards, staff hiring and training, and procurement of supplies and equipment. Blanchet House plans to seek funding from the City of Portland, individuals, foundations, and businesses.
If all goes according to plan, Bethanie’s Room is expected to open in Spring 2025.
https://katu.com/news/local/blanchet-house-to-open-emergency-overnight-shelter-for-women-in-downtown-portland
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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: December 11, 2024, 3:00 am.
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