Dear Friend,
I believe it’s customary for an end-of-year letter to look back at the year that was, but I’d rather look forward and prepare for what lies ahead. As you know, Blanchet House & Farm exists to alleviate suffering and promote hope for people struggling with homelessness, hunger, addiction, and poverty. I must report that the need for our good work has never been greater. Every day, more people come to us seeking a wide variety of aid.
Because of you, Blanchet House feeds, clothes, shelters, and heals thousands of people. What’s more, the aid we provide together profoundly expresses our shared humanity. By serving with compassion and without judgment, we affirm our guests’ dignity and remind them—and ourselves—that things can get better.
There is hope, even as our community continues to face a lack of affordable housing and centers for mental health and drug intervention services. As leaders work toward solutions to this humanitarian crisis, Blanchet House & Farm plays an important role in bridging the gaps in available services. Fifty men stay with us at Blanchet House and 24 at the farm at a time. That’s 74 communities of family and friends who are now healing and receiving renewed hope for their loved ones.
People like Greg (pictured above) who recently completed his stay at Blanchet Farm where he regained sobriety, learned new skills like beekeeping, and gained the confidence he needed to get back to his community.
“I completed what I set out to do at the farm. I’m sober and ready for the next step,” Greg said. “I’m moving to a sober living house and got a job driving a bus. Thank you all for your involvement in my recovery.”
In the year ahead, we will be able to help more people like Greg connect to emergency shelters, mental health support, and addiction recovery services. More than serving meals, we’re getting people the resources they need to survive and thrive.
As we approach winter—a cold, wet, and torturous season for the houseless people we serve—we need your help to offer a warm cafe, nutritious meals, and most importantly hope. A gift from you shows our guests that you believe they are worthy of compassion, and that it’s never too late to restore their lives. We can’t do this humanitarian work without you, so please give today, and if you’ve already given your end-of-year gift we thank you.
With deepest gratitude,
Scott Kerman
Executive Director, Blanchet House & Farm
P.S. Don’t miss us in Willamette Week’s Give!Guide campaign where you can stretch your donation even further and take advantage of some great incentives and prizes.
