Operation Nightwatch continues to be funded primarily by individual donations, along with some small foundation grants. From its inception Operation Nightwatch has received critical volunteer and monetary support from a roster of churches ranging across the theological spectrum. In recent years, it also has received support from local government through the Joint Office of Homeless Services (now Homeless Services).

Over time, volunteer nurses were brought on board to tend to guests’ medical needs and Kolin Busby, LCSW, was hired to focus on mental health issues. In 2013, Nightwatch moved to its present home at St. Stephens Episcopal Church where it continues to meet the unique needs of our guests in downtown Portland.

The pandemic made it impossible to maintain Nightwatch’s traditional hospitality services and created financial challenges. But Nightwatch adapted and persisted offering sack lunches, coffee, blankets, socks and shoes on the sidewalk in front of St. Stephens where many guests continued to come. Kolin Busby continued to serve the mental health needs of the guests. With the end of the pandemic, Nightwatch reopened the downtown center and resumed offering a full range of services. Steve Wilkinson, who became Executive Director after serving on the Board, has shown great energy and creativity in guiding the organization through a period of rising houselessness and increasing demands for Nightwatch’s services.

In 2025 Nightwatch acquired the St. Stephen’s building and created new partnerships with mission aligned non-profits and government agencies with a view to expanding services to include an overnight shelter, which will be operated by Agape Village and which will open in the summer of 2025. Nightwatch continues to evolve while remaining true to its core mission of providing dignified hospitality to those in need. We will always remain a space where all are welcome, free of judgement to those living or who are at-risk of living on the streets