“A lot more people are on the edge,” Dodds says. The increasing visibility of homelessness was only exacerbated by the economic impact of the state-wide lockdown.
People have set up home a little bit more permanently than they’ve been able to in the past.” Homelessness has become even more visible. “There’s definitely been a change in atmosphere. “A lot more tent communities have popped up,” Dodds says. They set up a system of quarantining new candidates for their addiction recovery program, allowing people in desperate need of help to enter their doors and receive safe shelter, potentially life-changing services, and the knowledge of the Gospel, as they integrate into a stable recovery community.īut even with these increased efforts on the part of UGM and the city of Portland, the impact of COVID has been profoundly felt downtown. Serving ready-made meals outside, lines became socially distanced, and hand-washing and hygiene stations were set up to help reduce the risk of contagion. UGM shifted its meal service to a to-go model, eliminating the potential risk of spread in their dining halls while still allowing them to meet the needs of their community.
NEW LIFE PROGRAM AT U.G.M WOMEN HOW TO
“We had to quickly pivot to figure out how to keep our commitment to doing our work safely,” Courtney says. This, coupled with the shut-down of other shelters and spaces where individuals experiencing homelessness could either get help, receive essential care, or get out of the elements, led to increasingly dire circumstances for a population already at risk. “For a few months, we actually weren’t able to take in any new residents because we were concerned about the potential for an introduced virus to spread quickly,” says Dodds. Concerns over the potential for spread of the virus through the homeless community collided with an even more urgent need to make sure this growing population received the vital care they needed. “How do we still provide meals, shelter, clothing, and all of our others services, but also do it in a safe way?” It was a question complicated by the distinct circumstances that surround homelessness even in a pandemic-free society. “It was a big challenge to figure out,” Courtney says. They had to find new ways to provide essential care to those experiencing homelessness while also navigating the complexities of compliance with health regulations and government mandates. Confronted with a carousel of health guidelines and consistent closure of many other relief agencies, Courtney and her colleagues found themselves in increasingly challenging circumstances. With the advent of COVID-19, the city began to lean on UGM even more, regardless of differences in philosophy and belief. We’re very open about the fact that we do what we do because we love Jesus, but there are no stipulations for guests to get the help they need.” “I think because we lead with a lot of compassion and have a history of being a place where someone can come and find help no matter what, we enjoy a lot of favor from our neighbors, the city, and other organizations-faith-based or not,” says Dodds. The organization has served the city for nearly 100 years, holding to its core evangelical beliefs while still garnering the respect and support of the city. UGM is positioned uniquely in the Portland community-a community often known for its areligious cultural climate compared to the rest of the state. “Both are vitally important,” she says, “but ultimately what is going to transform someone’s life is a relationship with Christ.” After spending four years on the mission field, Courtney began to look for a job in the States that would allow her to continue serving others.Īt UGM she found that her missions background could combine directly with her passion for social services as she would help to provide critical care for people in need while keeping her focus on sharing the Gospel. Courtney graduated from Corban in 2004, staying on to work as an admissions counselor before eventually pursuing life as a missionary. Corban alum Courtney Dodds was left wondering, “How do you stay at home when you don’t have one?”Ĭourtney works as the Communications Manager for Union Gospel Mission (UGM) in Portland, a Christian nonprofit organization serving a growing homeless population in the heart of the city. Back in March, when Oregonians were mandated to stay-at-home, most were left to wrestle with how they would carry on with life while confined to their homes.
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