Here are three groups these Havurahniks work with:

Portland Homeless Family Solutions

Havurah members volunteer regularly at a shelter run by Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS). The mission of PHFS is to empower homeless families with children to get into housing and stay long-term. PHFS helps over 180 families per year to move from homelessness into housing, and 94% remain in housing long-term. Almost half of the children who spend time in the PHFS shelter are less than five years old. Havurah members make and share a meal with the families, spend time with the children, help with laundry, and set up the shelter space during volunteer shifts. PHFS also coordinates a Family Winter Shelter (FWS), a short-term volunteer commitment. Lead: Gloria Halper.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty

Havurah recently become a partner congregation with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, a volunteer-driven, advocacy group of Portland faith-based institutions. It offers an opportunity to get more informed and involved with systems-change efforts to reduce poverty in our community.  Lead: Steve Rudman.

Lift Urban Portland

Havurah also supports Lift Urban Portland, which provides food and improves the lives of low-income residents in northwest and downtown Portland. Lift UP runs a nearby food pantry, serves Christmas dinner in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel, offers fresh produce at a free food market, provides nutrition workshops and “supper clubs,” and delivers more than 100,000 meals annually. Lead: Ruth Feldman.