Community Service Initiative

The Can We Help? community service initiative was established by Father's House to promote community transformation efforts, by serving the needs identified by the community of the neighborhoods of downtown Portland which are:
° Advocating for the poor
° Connecting those in need to available services
° Serving key segments of our community such as street youth at risk, homeless adults and Portland State University student parents

The street outreach teams walk the streets of downtown Portland, wearing identifying shirts (or vests in winter time),and are equipped to connect with street youth and adults by providing for them socks, hygiene packs and other essentials for those living on the streets.

Our teams build relationships and encourage the rebuilding of dreams and hopes that have often been long gone in these people. They will also work with the person towards self-reliance and problem solving, in order to make meaningful personal change. One way we do this is through the work of our resource specialist that will help the person in need find the proper resources and support to make the move out of the streets through the various services and ministries that are focused on transitioning youth and adults to a more productive life.

Street teams also carry with them maps, Tri-met information and passes, just to be of assistance to anyone who may require directions or assistance getting to a place such as clinics, etc.

Can We Help, also offers two basic services to university student parents, in partnership with the Student Parent Services Department of Portland State University. The first, is the “Family Fun Nights”, which are free events for PSU student parents and their children, to promote family play time. The second, is the Christmas toy drive , that is a great blesssing to young families who have to sacrifice so much while a parent attends University. Many of these families would forego Christmas gifts unless they had access to the toys provided.

Can We Help? has been instrumental in starting the transformation process in the lives of many people on the streets of Portland. Small miracles quietly take place, as volunteers from Father's House, and other churches, service with love those in need and make the presence of Jesus tangible and real to those outside the church walls.

To know more, visit the Can We Help? website.