About the Shelter

Portland Homeless family Solutions is a non-profit that runs two homeless shelters for families with children. The Goose Hollow Family Shelter serves as our night shelter while the  Thirteen Salmon Family Center serves as our day shelter.  Both shelters act a s winter emergency shelters.  Goose Hollow Family Shelter was started at First United Methodist Church in 1994, as one of the few family shelters in the Portland metro area that allows homeless families to stay together while living in a temporary shelter. This is the first year the Thirteen Salmon Family Center has opened its doors.  Activities of the Shelter are guided by a Shelter Council whose members represent First Church, Beth Israel, First Congregational UCC, First Christian Church, The View, St. Mary's Cathedral, and other community leaders.

Families staying at the Shelter are provided a light breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal .They have access to a case worker, internet, showers, laundry facilities, sleeping areas (partitioned for families), and constructive activities for kids. Thanks to many donations received throughout the year, we maintain a pantry of personal toiletry items and a clothes closet of re-cycled clothing for shelter families.

People from many faiths and traditions, community organizations, businesses and from the secular community, serve as volunteers. Portland Homeless Family Solutions relies on the services of more than 9 volunteers each day. More than 270 volunteers are needed a month. Volunteers prepare and serve the evening meal, set out lunch, provide activities for children, facilitate homework help and preschool activities , and serve as helping hands, to coordinate the schedule for guests who wish to use the laundry, showers, pantry and clothes closet. Two Volunteer Hosts are needed to sleep with Shelter families each night and set out a light breakfast in the morning for guests.

You are invited to explore ways to fully participate in the life and community of the Goose Hollow Family Shelter, housed at First Church, and Thirteen Salmon Family Center , housed at the First Unitarian Church. A complete description of Volunteer Positions can be found by clicking on the Goose Hollow webpage volunteer link.

To learn more about our organization, and ways to participate, please contact Director, Brandi Tuck at brandi@pdxhfs.org or 503-915-8306.  If you are interested in volunteering at our shelters, please contact Allie Brucculeri at allie@pdxhfs.org or 503-915-8307.