Offering welcome,

hospitality, and acceptance

to the city’s neediest

after the sun goes down.

Operation Nightwatch is an ecumenical night ministry of friendship and community that has been serving Portland’s street population since 1981.

“Even as you did to the least of these, you did also to me...” (Matt. 25:40)

Whereas other agencies exist to provide services such as housing, food, and clothing to the homeless, low-income, and mentally ill, ONW’s unique vision is that these populations also suffer from simple social isolation. Our simple mission is to reach out to them, nurturing relationship.

We welcome each person who comes to us, just as they are. No one is required to conform to any particular belief or faith practice in order to receive our services.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Operation Nightwatch. Click the button above to learn more, or to go to our online scheduling calendar.

Operation Nightwatch receives no governmental funding. Individual contributions are our single biggest financing source. We welcome your support.

The Latest . . .

To be homeless

  is to lack more

     than a roof

          over one’s head;

 homelessness

    is not simply

      “house”-lessness.

To be homeless

  is to lack roots,

  ties to place,

  and a sense

            of belonging.

Extending hospitality

  re-establishes

           connection,

  welcoming everyone

    “ into a safe,

        personal,

       and comfortable

            space,

     a place of respect

        and acceptance

        and friendship . . .

    including them

         [if only briefly]

      in a life-giving

      and life-sustaining

        network of

           relations.”*

* Christine Pohl, Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition

ONW Welcomes New Health Care Coordinator

Nightwatch SE Opens

2011 Annual Report Now Available.

Are you seeking shelter?