December 1, 2023
Community celebrates reopening of Willamette Center shelter
On Nov. 30, about 50 community members, neighbors and service providers gathered for a reopening celebration — and blanket drive — for the Willamette Resource Center, a 120-person shelter in southeast Portland owned by Multnomah County and operated by Transition Projects.
The shelter, which first opened in 2016 and enjoyed community support ever since, has been closed since 2022 for needed renovations. The shelter is expected to begin welcoming participants — couples and women/non-binary people — before the end of 2023.
“The grand reopening of the Willamette Center aligns with our collective vision of our community, where everyone feels seen, heard, and cared for,” said David Dugan, the president of the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (SMILE). “By providing a safe haven for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, we are not only meeting their immediate needs, but offering a pathway to a brighter future.”
When it opened, the Willamette Center played a key part in transforming how shelter services for adults are delivered in Multnomah County and Portland. The shelter was among the first to serve couples, allowing them to stay together and sleep next to one another, instead of having to separate into single-gender facilities.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said shelters like Willamette Center play a key role in her vision for the County.
“I believe in a county that is filled with opportunity, safety, health and belonging. One where homelessness is rare and brief, and people, no matter their race, age and income level, have homes they can afford,” she said. “One where shelter doesn’t mean having to make tough choices about the pets and the people you bring with you. One where people have the opportunity and support to take the next step in what their lives can become.”
“It is places like this that help turn this vision into reality,” she said.
Tony Bernal, CEO of Transition Projects, said he was especially grateful for the neighborhood’s support of the shelter, and encouraged the community to continue staying involved.
“I look forward to seeing each of you here cooking and serving meals, helping out where you can, and ultimately making this program a part of the community. As a part of the community, participants will be in the best position to take the next step in their housing journey,” Bernal said.
