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Operation Nightwatch is a non-sectarian night ministry of friendship and community
that has been serving Portland’s street population since 1981.
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.
VIDEO: "Introducing Operation Nightwatch"
NEEDED: BLANKETS & BOOKS
We have now been out of blankets for quite-a-while. And even though the seasons have changed, a blanket is a necessity for someone sleeping outside.
Perhaps you have a blanket to donate. Another option is to donate to our Blankets/Socks Fund. (We hope to place an order for more blankets soon. We can obtain them from the factory for $10 apiece.) Contributions can be made by clicking the "Donate Now" button above and further clicking the "Blankets/Socks Fund" on the "Program Area" drop-down menu on the Contributions page.
We also could also use donations of books and magazines for our lending library. The best reading material would be that which would appeal to a predominantly male population. (In short: no romance novels, please!)
Our negotiations to being our Mobile Hospitality Center out to your neighborhood continue.
There Once Was a Student . . .
Our volunteer pool is enriched by a great collection of college and university students who help our Hospitality Centers keep going throughout most of the year. We love them all!
There is a problem with students, however. They're bound to a school schedule, and their schools typically send them off during the summers. That greatly impacts us at 
Nightwatch--our volunteer numbers drop precipitously. Where we once may have had more volunteers than we knew what to do with, we now barely can scrape together enough volunteers to keep our doors open.
For most colleges, summer vacation starts in May. And as we look at the coming weeks, we already see big holes in our Volunteer Calendar. We have many openings already available this week at both our downtown Center and our Center in SE. Toward the end of May (and the weeks following) we have no volunteers signed up at all!
So we're entering a critical period. If you're available and can volunteer, please so. You may do so either by calling/texting us at 503-220-0438, or emailing us at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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HELP US GAIN THE DISTINCTION OF A "TOP-RATED NON-PROFIT" ONCE AGAIN!
time for us to renew our status by entering the 2013 Top-Rated Awards! 
