What Does Anawim Need?

Ongoing donated needs for our ministry:

• Athletic socks
• Clothes—all sizes, all kinds, especially men’s clothes
• Canned food, all kinds, especially meals in a can (beans, soup, meats, ravioli, chili, etc)
• Toilet paper
• Coffee, coffee creamer, sugar
• Cup o Noodles, Ramen, sliced lunch meat, hot dogs, fresh fruit
• Large quantities of meat, cheese, noodles, rice, spaghetti sauce, canned beans for meals
• Shampoo, soap, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene items for showers
• Paper plates and cups for special meals
• Art supplies for our free art studio

All above items can be dropped off at 19626 NE Glisan, Gresham on Tuesdays from 11 to 5pm, Wednesdays from 1 to 8pm and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. Or they can be dropped off by appointment at 3733 N Williams, Portland (call Steve at 503-888-4453)

Financial donations for rent, utilities and vehicle expenses

Financial donations for special projects:

•   Paying for the homeless to obtain lost ID and birth certificates
•   Providing paid labor for the homeless (we have the work, but not the cash!)
•   Providing for supplies so the homeless can create and sell crafts
•   Providing for tutoring at our free art studio
•   Providing stipends for volunteers at our day shelters

Checks can be sent to 3733 N Williams, Portland, OR 97227 or  click on this link to pay online.

If you'd like to pay toward a special project, please indicate it with a note. 

Tax deductible receipts are available upon request.

Labor of Love

Artwork by Samantha Childress

At Anawim, we have been trying to provide work for the homeless. We forward on opportunities from those who live in the community who want to hire the homeless, both on one-time projects and in longer term employment. If we have the funds, we hire the homeless for a few hours at a time, so they can earn some money for basic needs. We also provide opportunities for volunteer work. A lot of volunteer work.

At Sanctuary we have three acres of land and three buildings to take care of. There are vegetable gardens and a meditation garden. There are many people to care for, bathrooms to clean and donations to sort. This is all done by our homeless or formerly homeless folks. This gives people self-worth and a sense of participating in both our local community and the community at large. Work is a key way to build community and to provide an opportunity to show gratitude for what they have received. In the end, we would love to hire the homeless for a number of projects. You know, like, for money. But what we have is good until the funds come in.

This month we want to introduce you to our regular volunteers!

Linda and Jimmy

Linda, a worker and grandmother, was on the street for five years. While on the street she was known as "Mom"  and tried to help the young people on the street. Now she helps run day shelters at Anawim and two other churches in Gresham.

Jimmy was one of the first participants in Anawim  more than ten years ago.  He was quite a scrapper and we had a lot of issues about him drinking right in front of the church.  Now he helps us out with stopping others from drinking or fighting on the property and at day shelters in other churches.

Diver

Diver has lived in our community house off and on for many years.  Not only does he make meals at the house, but he comes out every Tuesday to organize and clean and repair.

Pam and Jamie

Pam and Jamie both struggled with addiction for years. 

Now they are clean and sober and clean up the church twice a week.

Vickie

Vickie struggled with instability issues and had people attacking her on a regular basis. Now she lives in the community house and washes all the Anawim clothes and towels - a monumental task!

Jeff and Yvan

Pastor Jeff has had various street ministries for more than 20 years. Now he ministers to various homeless folks all over the city.  We appreciate his stories, encouragement and gardening skills.

Yvan is quite, yet firm. She created and leads the Anawim Art Studio two days a week, where she teaches art and encourages people to worship through creativity.

Sam

Samantha at one point was in severe depression, and lost her housing. After living in the Anawim community house for a year, she and Tim live in their own house with their baby, Paloma, and Sam works as Anawim’s administrative assistant. (This newsletter was put together by her!)

Styxx

Styxx helps us gather food and organize it for the rest of the week.

Mike

Mike lived in his truck and worked as a handyman/carpenter until his truck was stolen and all his tools.  Now he lives at the Anawim house and is always there to fix what is broken and to built what needs to be built.

Mark and Leanne

Probably the nicest couple you'll ever meet, Mark and Leanne started to come to the day shelters bringing basics of what the folks on the street needed.  Now they focus on volunteering at day shelters at Anawim and 1st Baptist.

New Book!!

Steve Kimes, our head pastor, has his first book published in the Kindle format. It is called Long Live the Riff Raff: Jesus' Social Revolution, and it can be purchased for 4 dollars from Amazon. If you don't have a Kindle, you can get the software for free for your computer and read it there. If you are a member of Amazon, you can borrow the book at no cost for the next 90 days. Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RJCBQS

Prayer and Praise

Art by Yvan Strong

~Sanctuary is approved by the Gresham Fire Department to host overnight shelters under certain severe weather conditions. Praise God! We've been praying and working hard for this!

~We will be hosting meetings to teach skills for hosting the homeless in ones church in the next month, as well as a community meeting for those who live around our Gresham facility. Pray that we would be able to increase peace for the homeless.

~Pray for Anawim's financial situation which is reaching emergency levels.

~Pray for two couples who were able to get off the street, now it looks like they will lose their apartments. Pray that they will be able to work through what issues they have and stay off the street.

Anawim Benefit Show

Come enjoy an evening out with the family at Mississippi Pizza this Monday, April 23rd. Enjoy the music of Jimmy Pardo and Chris Birch.  All proceeds raised go to help our friends at the Anawim Day Shelter in Gresham.