Full Moon, Bridge Lights & Sock Monkeys

The Friday YBR team finds love in downtown Portland on Valentine's Day!

NO SEVERE WEATHER FOR MONDAY 2/10

Please be advised that the Severe Weather Alert has been called off effective today Monday February 10th, 2014. That means the emergency warming shelters will be CLOSED tonight. It's still cold and very wet out there so bundle up and take shelter at the regular winter shelters. Call 211 if you aren't sure where to go tonight.

Yellow Brick Road is proud to state that we had street teams out during the worst of the storm this weekend and wish to recognize the outstanding dedication of our volunteers Bill Moore (who came in TWICE for outreach during the snow!), Stella & Allen Butler, Michaela Voorhees and our Outreach Specialists Heather Penzel and Neal Sand. Thank you for braving the cold to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe!

SNOW-POCALYPSE 2014!

Severe Weather Alert

Well now...THAT'S a genuine winter storm the likes of which we don't frequently see in Portland. GET INSIDE, FOLKS! The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 10:00 AM today, through 4:00 PM on Friday, February 7. Forecasted temperatures and windchills remain severe for Thursday and Friday nights, with lows in the low twenties and high teens, and windchills into the single digits. Additionally, forecasts now call for significant snow accumulation Thursday night through Sunday afternoon, with three-to-seven inches of snow accumulation possible this afternoon into tonight alone.

Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1. 211info will be available to identify shelter and warming center resources 24/7. Additionally, shelter information is available at www.211info.org. In addition to existing year-round facilities, the following warming center facilities are available:

Family Winter Shelter
12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon (on Halsey near 126th  Avenue)
This is a walk-in facility. It is not necessary to call beforehand. No one will be turned away.
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Serves: Families with children under 18 and pregnant women

Women’s Winter Shelter
Check availability at Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving,
Walk in Mon-Fri 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sat/Sun 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
or call 503-280-4700
Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Serves: Single women

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center at Imago Dei Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th  Avenue in Inner SE)
This is a walk-in facility. Pets allowed, some space for carts, accessible location
Dates: Evenings of Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8
Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths
Transportation: Bus #12, 19 and 20
Staging area at Union Gospel Mission for free transportation to this shelter beginning at 9pm

Union Gospel Mission
15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: Evenings of Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8
Hours: 9:30 PM - 6:00 AM
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths

Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
330 SE 11th Avenue, 503-232-5880
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Sunday, February 9
Hours: 24/7, Overnight when Imago Dei is full
Serves: Adults

Anawim Shelter Network
Sanctuary Church
19626 NE Glisan Street, Gresham
This is a walk-in facility. Pets allowed if dogs on leashes and cats in cages.
Dates: Thursday, February 6 from 8pm-8am; Friday, February 7 from 1pm-8am
Serves: Families, single adults, and youth

Red Sea Community Church
7535 N Chicago Avenue, Portland
Dates: Thursday, February 6
Hours: 8pm-8am
Serves: Families, single adults, and youth

The following expanded day center service is available during the Severe Weather Notice:

Dignity Village
9401 NE Sunderland Avenue, 503-281-1604
Hot showers available.
Dates: Seven days a week during winter season
Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Serves: Adults 18 and older

JOIN
1435 NE 81^st Avenue
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Serves: Families, single adults and youths

Red and Black Cafe
400 SE 12th Avenue, 503-231-3899
Provides warming space in cafe, no purchase necessary
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8
Hours: 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Serves: All

Rose Haven
627 NW 18th Avenue, 503-248-6364
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Friday, February 7
Extended Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Serves: Women and children

Saint André Bessette Catholic Church (Downtown Chapel)
601 W Burnside Street, 503-228-0746
Provides hot beverages, some snacks and movies
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Friday, February 7
Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Serves: Adults

Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
330 SE 11th Avenue, 503-232-5880
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Sunday, February 9
Hours: 24/7
Serves: Anyone experiencing homelessness

Union Gospel Mission
15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319
This is a walk-in facility. Meal will be served.
Dates: Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8
Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths

Please call 211info with questions regarding other shelter and transportation resources.

Winter service coordination, provided by 211info, is made possible by a grant from the Portland Housing Bureau. In partnership with other City departments, Multnomah County and community partners, the Portland Housing Bureau coordinates winter and severe weather shelter and day services for homeless individuals in our community.

SEVERE WEATHER EXTENDED THROUGH SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2014

Severe Weather Notice: The National Weather Service forecasts significant winter conditions from Wednesday, February 5th through Sunday morning, February 9th, 2014. Forecasted conditions for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night will be very cold with temperatures in the lower-twenties and teens and wind chills dipping into the single digits. overnight lows between 12° and 24° F through Saturday. Snow showers are possible with accumulation possible for Friday night into Saturday. Temperatures are forecasted to moderate through Saturday night into Sunday morning, but forecasted windchills remain in the lower twenties with transitional periods of freezing rain possible that night.

SEVERE WEATHER February 3-4

The National Weather Service forecasts overnight lows (with wind chill) to be as low as 5° to 22° for Monday, February 3, 2014 and Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1. 211info will be available to identify shelter and warming center resources 24/7. Additionally, shelter information is available at www.211info.org. 

And Now A Few Words From...IRON MAN!

PAWS UP!

Longtime Yellow Brick Road volunteer Allen Butler gets a canine high five on the streets of Portland last night!

Allen Temple Church supports Janus Youth!

Today we recognize the outstanding efforts of the Allen Temple CME Church in Northeast Portland for organizing a blanket drive to benefit our homeless youth shelters. Very special thanks to the Missionary Department, Sister Johnnie Rodgers, Sister Doris Dines, Sister Dorothy (Dot), Rance Sprull and our own irreplaceable Sylvia Spencer for delivering this bundle of warm blankets for youth experiencing homelessness during these winter months. Your service to the community has made a difference! Thank you for supporting Janus Youth's mission to improve the lives of young people.

IS EMPATHY OUR MOST IMPORTANT SKILL?

Here's an interesting new article about why empathy might be our most important skill (and how we can all practice it!). Worth a read.

YBR Training Event! 2/2/14

Yellow Brick Road provides free training events to the community every 4 months. These events are FREE and available to anyone over 18 who may wish to learn more about street outreach, volunteer opportunities with Janus Youth Programs and other topics related to youth homelessness, poverty and exploitation. This is a great opportunity to meet the current outreach volunteers, staff and program supervisor. It is also a great opportunity to learn more about homeless youth resources and street outreach in Washington and Oregon. Applications are always on hand for anyone who wishes to join the team, but there is absolutely no obligation. Our next training will take place in downtown Portland on Sunday February 2, 2014 from 2pm until 5pm. This will be an intensive training on the methodology and best practices for youth street outreach with a special focus on local resources and safety on the streets for female outreach workers. We will also discuss expanded winter shelters and severe weather resources. We hope you will join us.

SUNDAY
February 2, 2014
2pm-5pm

Seating is limited. Please R.S.V.P. for the location: 

 dlundberg@janusyouth.org

SEVERE WEATHER 1/4/14

Severe Weather has been declared for Saturday January 4th, 2013. No one will be turned away from shelter. If you need resources please dial 2-1-1.

NO SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT

But it's still very cold and wet! Please bundle up out there.

SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT 12/11

No one will be turned away from shelter again tonight, December 11, 2013. Please call 211 for shelter info and if you are unable to get yourself to a warming center safely, you may inquire about free transportation options with a 211 operator.

POSITIVE YOUTH IN ACTION!

Meet Amelia Aaron. Amelia is 16 and lives in Multnomah County. A few months ago she organized a sock drive, using social media to galvanize friends and family into action supporting homeless youth here in Portland. Today she delivered enough warm socks for every young person in our shelter. It takes everyone in our community to solve issues of poverty, exploitation, marginalization and homelessness. Amelia is doing her part. On behalf of Janus Youth Programs...THANK YOU, Amelia! You are a hero.  

SEVERE WEATHER DECLARED DECEMBER 6-8

We're rolling into another VERY COLD weekend, folks. No one will be turned away for shelter. Please dial 211 for more information. If you need assistance with transportation to an emergency warming center, please tell the 211 resource specialists. Bundle up out there! 

SEVERE WEATHER DECLARED FOR DECEMBER 3rd - 4th

It's getting COLD out there again, folks. The National Weather Service forecasts overnight lows in Portland (with wind chill) to be as low as 15° to 22° for the evenings of Tuesday, December 3, 2013 and Wednesday, December 4, 2013. Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1. 211info will be available to identify shelter and warming center resources 24/7 and may be able to provide limited transportation for those who are unable to get themselves to a arming shelter. Shelter information is also available online at www.211info.org

FREE FLU SHOTS IN PIONEER SQUARE 11/22!

This Friday, November 22nd, Oregon AWARE and the OHSU College of Pharmacy are partnering to provide free flu shots at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Project AWARE IN THE SQUARE will offer free flu shots from 7am - 4pm for anyone who is uninsured as part of the Day of Homelessness Awareness tomorrow. This clinic is done in partnership by Oregon AWARE (Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education), a part of the Oregon Health Authority, and the OHSU (Oregon Health and Sciences University) College of Pharmacy as part of the National "Get Smart About Antibiotics Week." It will be a chilly but exciting day! We are looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow for the Day of Homelessness Awareness!

SEVERE WEATHER DECLARED FOR 11/21 through 11/23!

Please see our post below or call 211 for information about emergency warming shelters that will be available tonight, Thursday November 21, through Saturday November 23 as we brace for near freezing temperatures in Multnomah County.

SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT!

Severe Weather Notice: The National Weather Service forecasts that the wind chill factor will be below 25 degrees beginning Wednesday evening, November 20, 2013 and that it is expected to last through Saturday, November 23, 2013.

Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1. 211info will be available to identify shelter and warming center resources 24/7. Additionally, shelter information is available at www.211info.org.  

Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach teams will be out helping people connect to the following shelters:

  

Family Winter Shelter 

12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon (on Halsey near 126th Avenue) 

This is a walk-in facility. It is not necessary to call beforehand. No one will be turned away. Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM Serves: Families with children under 18 and women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy 

Women’s Winter Shelter 

Check availability at Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving, 

Walk in Mon-Fri 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sat/Sun 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or call 503-280-4700 Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM Serves: Single women 

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center 

Imago Dei Church, 1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE) 

This is a walk-in facility. Pets allowed, some space for carts, accessible location Dates: Evenings of Wednesday, November 20 through Saturday, November 23 Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM Serves: Families, single adults, and youths 

Union Gospel Mission 

15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319 

This is a walk-in facility. Dates: Evenings of Wednesday, November 20 through Saturday, November 23 Hours: 9:30 PM - 6:00 AM Serves: Families, single adults, and youths 

The following expanded day center service is available during the Severe Weather Notice: 

Union Gospel Mission 

15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319 

This is a walk-in facility. Meal will be served. Dates: Wednesday, November 20 through Saturday, November 23 Hours: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Serves: Families, single adults, and youths Please call 211info with questions regarding other shelter and transportation resources.

YBR volunteer awarded for 10 years of outstanding community service!

Congratulations and THANK YOU to Stella Butler for her dedication to youth experiencing homelessness in Portland! You are a STAR!