Operation Nightwatch Portland
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Operation Nightwatcfh has been serving the city of Portland, Oregon for over 25yrs. They are my volunteer organization of choice. Unfortunately we live in a society that looks at people through status. Where do you stand? What do you do for a living? What neighborhood do you live in? What, what; who cares! How can we judge each other that way? Life throws some curve balls sometimes, & we can end up in a place we never thought we'd end up. Don't kick your fellow humans when they are down; reach out to them. That is what Operation Nightwatch does. They build community with the less fortunate. Sometimes you just need a little kindness. Don't we ALL just want to feel like we belong. If you're looking for a place to give back a little, try Nightwatch. You'll be hooked, you may smile!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
many ways over the years
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
have it open every night.
I have worked as a volunteer and board member for this organization. It has struggled through hard times and a lot of financial surprises, and always managed to find a way. I applaud Operation Nightwatch for the humanity it demonstrates in its respectful treatment of its guests, and the safe and peaceful space it provides in an otherwise chaotic street life.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
participating in management, fundraising, and future planning while on the board of directors, and in developing long-term friendships with many of the other participants--both other volunteers and the guests.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
...not. The agency has made several significant changes in the last five years, including employing a Jesuit student intern to assist the director, improving fundraising efforts, and purchasing a mobile center to provide service opportunities outside the downtown blocks.
I got to volunteer at Operation Nightwatch on a Thursday night this winter. I was so impressed by Cole's orientation to the program, its services, and what to do as a volunteer. Then the doors opened and BOOM! The place was filled! I was so impressed by the homey atmosphere and the camaraderie. I had a blast learning new games with the guests and talking with friends I hadn't seen in a few years. What a beautiful place for people to relax and be with friends in a safe environment. I'm thrilled that there's a place like Nightwatch in my city!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing former clients of mine come to Nightwatch. Seeing them connected and engaging with others instead of being isolated on the streets was amazing--so good for both their physical and especially mental and social health.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have it open more nights/week!
Operation Nightwatch seems to continuously adappted its resources to match the best possible service to less "and somewhat non-" adavantaged folks in Portland.
For instance it has developed from a drop in center which served coffee within a short area of a daily used office to moving to accomodate the loss of its drop in center to a very large area which still is a drop in center, and has now other complementary services to allow congenial accepting persons to help the area's clientel to cope with some problems of personal development.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing some of the clients develop themselves with the help of other service agencies. Other service agencies would probably not have been involved without the prior internal growth of the client in an accepting environement that was open and welcoming each time the client showed up.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
publisize the advances of some of its clients over the years and how changes were assisted by NightWatch's presence.
I've had the opportunity to help out at Operation Nightwatch and counted it a joy! Gods love is shared by everyone who helps out in a huge way. The homeless are helped not only in a physical way but relational as well. Michael B.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've made some meaningful relationships.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
They do the best they can, and do a fine job.
I was blessed to volunteer in the past at NightWatch. This is a program that does a fantastic job of treating people with respect, dignity and friendship. When I began at NightWatch, it was the emphasis to get to know the names of the guests. It is extremely important to treat these people well and to give them a place to socialize and to be treated with respect. However, to actually get to know a person's name is a great opening to get to truly know the person and to see them as a brother or sister. The people at NightWatch do a great job with that aspect of this program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
During my time as a volunteer I was blessed many times to meet many fine people and engage them in conversation and perhaps a game of scrabble or rummy. It was truly a gift to me to be honored to listen to the guests stories and be able to call them friends.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Somehow maintain a steady income to NightWatch so that they wouldn't need to worry about how they can stay open.
Operation Nightwatch is truly a hospitality ministry. I had the honor and blessing of volunteering from September 2009 to June 2010 on Thursday nights. Yes, Nightwatch provided some food and clothing to those people that asked but what was really important is that for the evening these people were our guests. That is an important word because that is exactly how these people were treated. An essential part of this ministry is that we learned the names of the guests so that they weren't a statistic or someone that we feel that we helped. By knowing their names they became our brothers and sisters. I witnessed numerous examples of how we should all treat our fellow men and women in the interactions between the guests. I remember an instance when one of the young men was leaving for the night and I called out his name and told him good night. He turned to me and said "you remembered my name!" It really struck home that what this ministry provides is a chance for these people to be treated with respect and friendship - something many of us take for granted but for these people who are essentially invisible to the "normal(?)" world. They become a person with a name and a story all their own. They become a family to each other and to those of us that have the honor to volunteer at Nightwatch. It was a fantastic experience for me and opened my eyes to those that deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and friendship - something we all want and hope for.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I was mistakenly thinking when I volunteered at Nightwatch that I was going to help make a difference for the people I met there. I hope and pray that I did do that but what I received from the guests and staff at Nightwatch was a gift of friendship and acceptance. I truly believe that I received much more than I could ever give. It was quite humbling.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Provide a constant supply of funds and volunteers for this important and well run ministry! It's hard, especially this last year when Nightwatch itself became homeless for a period of time.
I have been volunteering at Nightwatch since 1993 and been a board member since 2002. I value Nightwatch because it is about building relationships with people who for one reason or another have become socially marginalized. In an intensely individualistic and competitive society like ours some people inevitably find themselves cast aside either because of their own mistakes and bad choices or because of circumstances beyond their control or because of some combination of the two . Nightwatch accepts people as they are and invites them into a community in which they will be treated with respect so long as they respect others. By providing hospitality and breaking down social isolation Nightwatch can help people gain the strength they need to begin a process of recovery from the indignities of homelessness.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen individuals come out of their shells and become functioning members of the Nightwatch community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
We need to attract more financial support to insure that we can continue to provide our services.
I haven't been volunteering long with Operation Nightwatch, but I'm impressed with how organized it is. The homeless community really seems to appreciate the effor that is put forth to them, and the volunteers truly enjoy what they do. I always find it rewarding to give my time to this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Spending time with the individuals who are there.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make no changes! it seems to be working!
Nightwatch provides a warm caring place for those who are homeless or underhoused . Warm Drinks ,Food, Clothing and a safe social environment can be enjoyed by anyone. The Director, Gary, was kind to help me establish an email account. Thank You very much! n
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Staying safe and warm.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Try to have showers available.
Nightwatch is wonderful. I've been coming for three years now, and am an active member in the homeless community, both as a guest and as a volunteer. Nightwatch gives me a place to socialize with friends who sleep outside, as well as make new ones who do not. I enjoy the fact that I can come here, be myself, and accepted as that person, even on my bad days. I can talk to people whose concerns are not 'where shall I sleep tonight?' or 'Which line will I stand in to eat?'
Gary is a wonderful organizer, and has the interests of the guests of Nightwatch in mind with every decision he makes. The volunteers are wonderful, and many have been coming for far longer than I have.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Because I sleep outside
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make sure the volunteers are guided a bit better.
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