Last night 344 of our neighbors found warmth and safety at our severe weather shelters. But with increasingly dangerous conditions settling over our region, we anticipate that many more people will need these warming resources over the next few nights and days. Please share widely with your neighbors.
Multnomah County warming shelters are seeking community volunteers immediately and in the coming days. Anyone is encouraged — especially people who have volunteered before and those with experience in human services and health-related settings — to join us. Find all available shift opportunities and sign up to help save lives online(link is external).
Shelter Operations: Click on the shelter site below to sign up for shifts at that location. Our largest need remains the General Staff role, but we can always use more pre-trained folks in the Person-in-Charge (PIC) role. Please give extra consideration to Sunday, Monday and Tuesday shifts.
Salvation Army (North Portland) – open now
Ascension Church (Southeast Portland) – open now
CRITICAL STAFFING NEED: Freedom Foursquare Church (Southeast Portland) – opens this evening
CRITICAL STAFFING NEED: First Christian (Downtown Portland) – opens this evening
Multnomah County East Building (Gresham) – opens this evening
NEW: State of Oregon Office Building (Northeast Portland) – opens this evening
Imago Dei (Southeast Portland) – opens Sunday
Information only: Community partners are staffing additional warming shelters at Cook Plaza, Friendly House and a site on Southeast Powell.
Logistics Support: The Logistics Staff role can work in the supply warehouse in Northeast Portland, install protective floor coverings in shelters, deliver and pick up materials, and more. Shifts on Tuesday (for driving materials) and Wednesday (for demobilization) are still open.
Passenger Transportation: The three roles in the Passenger Transportation Unit (Driver, Partner-Navigator, Dispatcher) work together to help community members who need a ride to a County warming resource get there safely.
Behavioral Health Specialists (multiple sites): Those who meet the Behavioral Health Specialist requirements can help create a safe and supportive environment for all guests and staff.
You can also see all available shift opportunities from this All Positions/Sites Landing Page.
More information – Trainings and Transportation
Trainings: Prioritize the required Bloodborne Pathogens Training series listed under each position description. General Staff and PICs should also prioritize the "Saving Lives with Naloxone" training.
Other considerations: Review this list of things to keep in mind about signing up to support an emergency activation. Find more information, including time entry instructions for shifts worked during an emergency, in the Disaster Service Worker FAQ.
If you have any questions, contact eoc.adminsection@multco.us.
We continue to be grateful for your willingness to meet our community’s needs.
Here is the press release with all of the sites and the sign-up info: https://www.multco.us/care-when-its-cold/news/news-release-multnomah-county-shelter-response-expands-four-additional-sites