After a car accident with her two sons brought her to realize she needed help with her life and alcoholism, Jill came to Shepherd’s door on 132nd and Halsey in October of 2011.
Through the assistance of Shepherd’s Door, Jill has been sober and upon graduation, plans to work as a medical assistant and go to school part time to get her nursing degree.
“A lot of the programs have helped me learn how to process things differently and the parenting classes have helped me realize I’m not alone,” Jill says. “There is so much support and I couldn’t have been sober still if not for Shepherds Door.”
A part of the Russell Neighborhood community since the mid-1990s and the Women and Children’s Division of the Portland Rescue Mission, Shepherd’s Door is a residential community that helps dozens of women and children each year. Though it offers educational programs, parenting classes, childcare and resources to its residents, Shepherd’s door also provides community childcare and continued support to graduates of the program.
The University of Western States, committed to improving the quality of human life, has partnered with Shepherd’s Door to donate food from the Chiro Cafe. University students have also assisted with yard work and have future plans of involvement.
“Shepherd’s Door transforms women’s lives and has changed so many people,” Jill says. “They equip people to live life and deal with life appropriately.”
To support Shepherd’s Door or get involved, they are always looking for volunteers and you can learn more at www.portlandrescuemission.org and click on Women & Children.
For the week of July 30 to August 3rd, the ASB is running a Sock Drive in collaboration with the Portland Rescue Mission and Shepherd’s Door! Bring new socks to UWS Student Services to help out!