Hello Friends,
On the night of November 2nd, I am spending the night outside in solidarity for those without shelter. This is part of Options for Helping Residents of Ashland’s 6th Annual Sleep Out Campaign. Family, friends, and community members sponsor those of us spending the night out with pledges of financial support. The money raised goes directly to support OHRA’s work at the Ashland Community Resource Center. OHRA’s focus on housing, employment, and case management improves the lives of the 19% of Ashland’s community members living in poverty. More information on OHRA follows.
To support OHRA’s work and sponsor my Sleep Out, please go the website at by clicking HERE. Once there, click on the Donate button. You can also mail a check to OHRA at P.O. Box 1133 Ashland, OR 97520.
Thanks for your support!
John Wieczorek
What IS OHRA and What Does It Do?
OHRA is a nonprofit organization that operates the Ashland Community Resource Center (ACRC) where volunteers and staff help those struggling with poverty to stay in their homes, get into homes, or find jobs. The objective is to encourage those in need on the path to self-sufficiency. Beginning in 2018, OHRA began operating the Ashland Winter Shelter. This year the Winter Shelter is located at a single location at 1082 E Main. The need here is significant. More than 18 percent of Ashland residents live at or below the poverty line according to U.S. Census data.
How ACRC Helps
While many think of only the financial help nonprofits can give those in poverty, ACRC has found that one of its most impactful services is case management. Case management means that when someone in crisis needs help, center staff and/or volunteers take time to listen to the details of their situation, help them navigate through various social services providers and give follow-up and consistent support. For example, helping someone overcome the barriers to obtaining housing (identifying affordable rentals, establishing identification, obtaining rent deposit) can take an ACRC volunteer many hours, as can the process of helping someone with little job experience find a job. ACRC assists with resume preparation, interview protocol and provides employer feedback to support clients as they re-enter the job market.
About 300 people visit ACRC for help during an average month. Many seek mail service, personal identification and other essential services that better equip them to seek housing and jobs or allow them to access state or federal benefits. Many also use the organization’s shower and laundry trailer.
ACRC’s physical presence in Ashland – 611 Siskiyou Blvd – offers an actual place where people can come to access many social services including the services of those who do not have a physical location in Ashland, such as St. Vincent DePaul. Representatives of organizations from throughout the region – including specialized counselors – use our offices to meet with Ashland residents in need.
In an Average Month ACRC
- helps about three unhoused families find homes
- protects housing for about eight families by resolving eviction notice issues, utility shut-offs and other issues that threaten their housing,
- helps find temporary jobs for about three people and
- helps finds permanent employment for about four people, many of whom have been chronically unemployed
Why contribute? OHRA believes that by helping people move from crisis to stability, we can build more capable individuals, stronger families and a better community. Please help us realize that vision.
OHRA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID 61-169-3223. Donations are tax deductible.