Blanchet House is pleased to announce the future opening of Bethanie’s Room, a nighttime emergency shelter for women in Portland, OR.
Why?
Currently, there are no emergency nighttime shelters for women in downtown Portland without a waitlist, a terrifying gap in our social safety net that Blanchet House hopes to mend.
“We feel morally compelled to open Bethanie’s Room to ensure no woman has to sleep on the streets,” said Scott Kerman, Executive Director of Blanchet House. “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 unused sanctuary in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in SW Portland is the future home of Bethanie’s Room Women’s Shelter.
Where?
The up-to-75-bed shelter will occupy the main sanctuary of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in SW Portland, where Operation Nightwatch operates its evening community center.
Who Can Stay?
The new shelter will operate 365 nights a year to provide women, including trans-women, a safe space to sleep and stay. Bed reservations will be made by partner agencies and through a dedicated referral line for outreach teams and organizations that care for unsheltered women at night. Women in need of shelter will be able to come to Blanchet House for a referral and a free cab ride to Bethanie’s Room. Blanchet House will work with partner agencies to connect Bethanie’s Room guests to supportive services that will help them transition to more stable, permanent housing.
Who is Bethany?
The shelter will be named in memory of Bethanie, a houseless woman who frequented Blanchet House’s free cafe and tragically died from a hit-and-run in 2024. Bethanie’s Room will honor her memory and aim to prevent other women from suffering and facing similar fates.
Cost
The estimated cost will be $1 million in the first year for renovations to meet safety standards, staff hiring and training, and supply and equipment procurement. Blanchet House will seek funding from the City of Portland, individuals, foundations, and businesses. If preparations and requirements proceed smoothly, Blanchet House hopes to open the doors to Bethanie’s Room in Spring 2025.
How Can I Support?
To financially support Bethany’s Room, contact Steve Cook at scook@blanchethouse.org or 503-241-4340 ext. 103.
