ightwatch
OPERATION
May-June, 2010
Newsletter
Newsletter
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
From everything I’ve read about the death of Jack Dale Collins, it sounds like an episode of “suicide by cop.” (Read more . . .)
NEW JESUIT VOLUNTEER APPOINTED TO NIGHTWATCH
Cole Merkel will be replacing Jeremy Marks in August as our Jesuit Volunteer. Cole is a Michigan native and a graduate of the University of Michigan. His B.A. was in history and creative writing and literature. You’ll be hearing more from and about Cole when he arrives at Nightwatch.
Jeremy has so impressed Jesuit Volunteer Corps with his skills that he has been hired as a recruiter, traveling to college campuses around the country
FROM THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
From everything I’ve read about the death of Jack Dale Collins, it sounds like an episode of “suicide by cop.” (Read more . . .)
NEW JESUIT VOLUNTEER APPOINTED TO NIGHTWATCH
Cole Merkel will be replacing Jeremy Marks in August as our Jesuit Volunteer. Cole is a Michigan native and a graduate of the University of Michigan. His B.A. was in history and creative writing and literature. You’ll be hearing more from and about Cole when he arrives at Nightwatch.
Jeremy has so impressed Jesuit Volunteer Corps with his skills that he has been hired as a recruiter, traveling to college campuses around the country
FROM THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
A few weeks ago I met a young woman, whom I will call Theresa, at our hospitality center who was living a tragic story. She was homeless. She was moving slowly due to a painful infection in her leg. She was in an abusive relationship. She was weary, perhaps from going through a heroin withdrawal. (Read more . . .)
THANKS TO OUR 2010 OUTING SPONSORS
Our monthly outings are a highlight in the lives of our guests, and we want to thank those who have made them possible through their financial sponsorship. (Read more . . .)
SOME FOLKS ENCOUNTERED BY OUR STREET HOSPITALITY TEAMS:
Edward: “On street due to theft of money. Very strong spirit, bright mind, light heart.”
Timothy: “His fiancé in shelter but on street himself tonight. Suffers from seizures.”
Dilley: “Street Roots seller. Amazingly well-equipped and resourceful and experienced. Only issue is alcohol and tobacco addiction.”
Brian: “Recent fight, 1 day/week of work. Brain damage? from bull riding injury. Iron grip. A little scary but very nice.”
Earl & girlfriend: “Playing cards in sleeping bags.”
Older black man: “Withheld his name, but was very talkative. Seeking day labor…”
OUR NEW YORKER CARTOON CAPTION CONTEST WINNER
The New Yorker magazine weekly offers a cartoon to which it invites caption submissions. We do the contest on our own at Nightwatch; to see a recent winner, click here.
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE
In previous issues, we’ve written about our art workshops, led by artists Carmen Vetter and Meg Kascyk. Now we also have a writer-in-residence. She is Sarah Preslar, from El Paso, TX, and a student at PSU. Sarah will be assisting with various writing projects at Nightwatch. To read her reflections about an evening’s volunteering, click here.
NEW MINISTRIES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
For a long time now, Nightwatch has been equated with our Hospitality Center on SW 13th. And that’s led some people who have supported us to say, “I appreciate what Nightwatch is doing, but if I were to volunteer, the Hospitality Center isn’t quite for me.”
Is one of those people you? Well, now we can present you with other options! (Read more . . .)
NONVIOLENT CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more info, call or email.
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more info, call or email.
WISH LIST
BLANKETS! And more blankets! Our blanket supply has been completely exhausted, and the demand remains high.
Also, sweatshirts (hoodies are especially in demand) and sweaters. Our shelves are completely bare of these items.
Jackets are in OK supply, and we have plenty of socks for the time being.
LIFE AT THE HOSPITALITY CENTER
Here are selections from our nightly log:
“Pleasant evening overall. Chatted with F--, a gentleman who just came back to Portland after 6 years in Spokane. He said he used to come to Nightwatch ‘back in the day.’ (Read more . . .)