Support survivors escaping domestic violence

Summer arrived in Portland with a heat wave that has stretched on, but you won't find us complaining! Raphael House is air conditioned and everyone seems to be enjoying time in the outdoors. Our courtyard is full of life, with kiddie pools and other summer activities filling the space. We've been sweeping a lot of sand out of the hallways, but it's worth the extra work because we know it means children are having a blast in the sandbox!

The shelter's onsite garden is thriving even in the heat, with giant zucchini and lemon cucumber multiplying daily. Did you know that our residents cook delicious meals for their families with the produce they grow?

We have exciting new addition to our playscape. Oregon Tradeswoman, Inc. built a beautiful playhouse for us and Parr Lumber generously donated its delivery. An incredible group of volunteers from Nike worked hard to remove our playground's surface so we could replace it with something more enviromentally- and kid-friendly.

Our participants have been working hard, too. We recently celebrated four women graduating from RentWell, a 15-hour tenant education course that sets participants up to be successful renters and overcome barriers to housing that they may have.

Thank you for your shared commitment to supporting families and individuals on their journeys to safety and self-sufficiency. For the most up to date information on activities and ways to get involved, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter!