Reflecting on a remarkable 2023
Here at Raphael House, we're thinking back on all the powerful change that's been possible these past twelve months!

With need in our community greater than ever, our life-saving domestic violence services have continued to expand – thanks to your support. Together we’ve helped over 1,845 adults and kids this year.

As we look ahead, we must ensure that survivor families always have the support and resources they deserve. We're 85% of the way to our fundraising goal. Can you help us get there before midnight on December 31?
Don't forget that our friends at Junior League of Portland have stepped up with a challenge match for gifts of $50 or more – up to $5,000!
To all who've already generously given, our most heartfelt thanks. πŸ’œ
Win an epic travel package!
Until midnight on Saturday, every donation of $10+ via the Give!Guide enters you to win an iconic getaway package from the Oregon Cultural Trust, complete with hotel and resort stays, memorable meals, event tickets, personal historic tours, and more (fun details here).
What your support made possible this year
Our shelter and hotline were open 24/7/365
Our advocates worked around the clock to ensure survivors in our emergency shelter and across the community always had support – including 1,200+ callers on our hotline.
Our dedicated staff continued to help families with long-term and wraparound support. Across hundreds of survivors active in our many programs, over 91% report they are currently in safe housing, and 94% share that their family is more stable since connecting with Raphael House!
We helped families stay stable and housed
Domestic violence remains a leading cause of houselessness for women and children locally. With inflation and our area's affordable housing crisis, many families in our programs faced losing their homes and stability.
To help survivors stay safely housed, we distributed over $680,000 in state and county funds to pay for rent and utilities, mediated with landlords, and aided in removing debt (often caused by abuse).
Basics remain a critical need for families, as finances are stretched. In response, our team gave out tens of thousands of pounds of food and fresh produce, over 8,820 diapers, and thousands of household items.ο»Ώ
Survivor leadership at every level
Our Domestic Violence Recovery Mentor team – the first in Oregon – continued to bring their unique lived experience to supporting hundreds of fellow survivors in recovery this year.

They also raised awareness about their innovative approach at 2 statewide conferences, Peerpocalypse and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and spoke at our Gala.
Hear more from Shaykeishya, formerly a Raphael House program participant who is now part of our Senior Leadership team!
We fostered community connections
Peer support and connection are vital for survivors, which is why we hosted 300+ support groups – with seven offered weekly!
Our team coordinated lots of fun family events – like picnics, pumpkin carving, and a beach trip – which helped build meaningful relationships.
Six teen survivors and three of our Youth Advocates also went on a transformative rafting adventure with LEAP Wilderness Programs!
National award for our prevention work
Our Prevention Education program has continued to lead workshops about consent and equitable relationships in high school classrooms, teaching over 1,975 students this past year alone.

Our Confidential Advocacy services for youth – which supported 107 teens at Portland Public high schools in 2023 – also received national recognition! We were honored to accept a national Healthy Teen Network Innovation Award for this first-of-its-kind school district partnership aiding students in the wake of dating and sexual violence.
Our partners showed up for survivors
Opal, Zoey, and their human trainers from The Little Dog Laughed Animal-Assisted Therapy worked with kids in our emergency shelter teaching relationship skills through positive dog training.
Our amazing community stepped up to collect school supplies for Raphael House families. Together we filled and distributed 130 backpacks for kids and teens returning to the classroom!
Over 505 survivors picked out the perfect presents (along with gift cards) in our Holiday "Store" this December, thanks to 43 donation drives and 200+ volunteer hours, sharing joy and cheer.
We reunited in person and broke records!
We were overjoyed to gather back in person and uplift survivors at our 2023 Gala presented by The Standard! More than 325 friends joined us for a beautiful evening that surpassed all our goals.

That night, special guest and survivor speaker Elizabeth reflected on her time in our shelter, and how becoming a peer leader in our SWAG (Survivors are Worthy, Awesome, and Gutsy) support group has changed everything. Watch Elizabeth's powerful story of transformation here.
 
β€œThe only thing I'm doing is looking forward...Because of Raphael House, it's possible for us to be safe and to not live in fear."
Raising awareness in the media
We joined KGW's Straight Talk for an in-depth discussion of intimate partner violence, were featured on both KATU and KGW responding to the Secretary of State's report on domestic violence, led a panel on the connection between housing and domestic violence (plus recorded a PSA) with XRAY.FM, and went live on KGW's Hello, Rose City! to share about $6,000 in toys donated to Raphael House by Regence.

Our Recovery Mentor Rachel also shared her story of transitioning from homelessness to becoming staff at Raphael House with our partners at HereTogether, and Board Member Angel Jones joined the podcast Mildly Interesting People to raise awareness about the challenges survivors face.
Advocating for policy changes
This year we advocated tirelessly alongside many non-profit partners and legislators to ensure $16 million for domestic and sexual violence services across Oregon was included in the state budget.

Our Community-based Programs Manager Shaykeishya also joined partners in Salem to share with lawmakers about the success of our Domestic Violence Recovery Mentor program and other efforts made possible by Measure 110 funding.

Our Executive Director Emmy was honored to be part of a non-profit panel speaking with Governor Tina Kotek, and to be invited for a bill signing celebrating the passage of new laws addressing abuse.
Celebrating accolades and successes
β€’ Raphael House staff voted us #15 in the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon among medium-sized agencies!

β€’ Our Confidential Advocacy services for students at Portland Public high schools received a national 2023 Healthy Teen Network Innovation Award.

β€’ We again received the highest ratings on both Charity Navigator and Guidestar.
There is so much to celebrate – and this is just a glimpse at all we accomplished together! Thanks for joining us in this life-changing, life-saving work to end domestic violence.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, happy new year!