Annicca is a Weekend Day Shelter Coordinator at PHFS. Annicca originally joined PHFS as a volunteer at Thirteen Salmon. When a staff position opened up and Annicca was interested in it, PHFS eagerly added her to our staff team.
Annicca is a native Oregonian who enjoys hiking, camping and attending local music shows around town. She is studying psychology and communication at Portland State University and plans on entering the the Marital, Couple and Family Counseling Masters program when her undergrad is complete. Her studies and position at PHFS reflect her passion for enriching the lives of families in the Portland community.
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Thanks to the 21 volunteers who participated in the You Light Up My Life, Overnight-Host Challenge! Thanks to you, we were 62% staffed and had at least one volunteer scheduled on 28 out of 29 days! This is also a 20% increase of
ONH volunteer staffing from January!
And now, the winners of our challenge...
- 1st Place goes to Phillip Exline, who completed 5 ONH shifts
- 2nd Place is a tie between Althea Mickiewicz and Blythe Olson, who completed 4 ONH shifts each!
- Special thanks goes to Mike Maloney, Quinn Wilson, Kielie Knight, The View & First Christian Church, Christ United Methodist Church, and St. James Lutheran who also completed multiple shifts!
Thank you to all our Overnight Host Volunteers for making February such a successful month! The Shelter Coordinators greatly appreciate having the extra help! Thanks for supporting our Coordinators and for caring for our families!
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Upcoming Volunteer Orientations:
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6:15-7:15pm
Thirteen Salmon Family Center
Monday, March 23rd
5:00-6:00pm
Goose Hollow Family Shelter
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- Size 4, 5, and 6 diapers (highest need is size 5)
- Infant and Child Tylenol
- New toys for boys and girls who are 8-10 year olds
- $10 gift cards to Fred Meyer, Target, and/or Starbucks
- $10 gift cards to Regal Cinema
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Thank You
Youngset Preschool!
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PHFS guests, volunteers, and staff certainly felt the love this February thanks to our gracious neighbors, Youngset Preschool. Every year, parents and teachers of the school get together to collect items that are most needed at PHFS shelters during the first two weeks of February (leading up to February 14th) - they call it the Giving Hearts drive. Thank you Youngset for collecting so many donations for our families!
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You're invited! Please join us for lunch time discussions on the current housing state of emergency in Portland. We will be hosting three events surrounding this topic, all with different featured guests.
- March 15, 12:15-1pm | Goose Hollow Family Shelter. Featured Guest: Israel Bayer, Executive Director for Community Alliance of Tenants
- April 13, 12:15-1pm | Goose Hollowing Family Shelter. Featured Guest: TBD
- May 23, 12:15-1pm | Goose Hollowing Family Shelter. Featured Guest: Justin Buri, Executive Director for Street Roots
RSVPs are required as space is limited to 25 people per session.
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New City & County Partnership
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Willamette Week reported earlier this month that the city and county will merge their efforts to alleviate homelessness in the area, after years of operating separately.
"A small committee of city and county employees have recommended the creation of a Joint City-County Office of Homeless Services, according to a letter
obtained by WW this afternoon.
The county chair would oversee the new agency, but it would be partly funded with city dollars and 'closely aligned' to the city's housing commissioner-currently, that's Dan Saltzman."
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Increased Protections
for Renters
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We are closely watching HB4001, a bill in the Oregon Legislature that would help increase rights and protections for renters in our community. If the bill passes, the following would be enacted:
- Increased notice period for no-cause terminations from 60 days to 90 days, after the first year of occupancy.
- Eviction relocation assistance: Require a landlord to pay the tenant one month's rent with the no-cause termination, after first year of occupancy, to help with relocation costs and deposit on next rental.
- Restore the former presumption of retaliation if a landlord terminates a tenancy with a no-cause notice within six months after a tenant complains.Increase notice period for rent increases from 30 days to 90 days.
- Prohibit rent increases during the first year of a tenancy.
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Mike Maloney
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How long have you been volunteering with PHFS and what got you involved initially?
I have only been volunteering at the PHFS for a few months. I relocated to the PNW upon my retirement a few years ago to be closer to family. A massage therapist, whom I have known for a number of years, told me about the shelter at Goose Hollow. She teaches yoga at the shelter a few times a month.
In what position/shift do you typically volunteer and has that changed or evolved over the years (and why)?
The night co-host is the only position that I have been volunteering for. It is still way early on the learning curve for me at PHFS. A previous experience at the St Benedicts Homeless Shelter in Owensboro, KY involved being a night monitor for a men's shelter. I was involved in that shelter for about 3-4 years.
What's your favorite thing about volunteering with PHFS?
The experience at PHFS was quite a change due to the presence of the minor children. While it can be challenging getting a full night's sleep, assisting families as they work to provide for their children is the high point. It is hard to not have a little fun with the children in the evenings.
Tell us about a "mountain top" experience you had while volunteering at PHFS. Was there a particular time that was very moving or meaningful for you?
Every night I spend at the shelter I have another "mountain top" experience. It might be some interaction with a child, parent, or family that gives me one of those "Oh wow" moments. Without a doubt though, it is the other staff and volunteers that I have met and talked with that have made the biggest impression. Everyone I meet has such varied backgrounds with such different talents that they bring to the shelter. The coordinators are skilled, committed, and caring people. The army of volunteers brings a plethora of skills and life experiences to the shelter each day. Everyone is there because they care.
Can you share any advice (pro tips/best practices) for new volunteers?
The only tips I have for a new volunteer is to communicate with the staff and volunteers that you interact with. I used to tell folks at the other shelter to never give them a ride, share no phone numbers, and don't give anyone any money. I haven't always listened to my own advice. At times it is hard to not reach out and do something more. Talk with the coordinators, they are the best resource.
Outside of PHFS, what do you do for fun or to unwind?
In my personal time, i like to learn about mycology. I truly love foraging for mushrooms. Getting to the coast for the calming tides, downhill skiing on Mt Hood, cycling (both road and mountain biking), and the grandchildren, are activities that I stay involved with. I have three children, and three grandchildren. One son and his family live in Pittsburgh, so I get there quite often (Go Pirates!)
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We received a special donation from Lilly Paumier and Sofia Downes this week. Thank you for your big hearts! Kids helping kids never ceases to inspire us!
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