Portland, OR. Would you like to join the parade of giving this December? William Temple House was selected by the Christmas Ships organization as its 2019 charity and you can help the organization as well. At two Christmas Ship Meet & Greet events you can bring new winter coats for the Children’s Clothing Closet at William Temple House. You can also donate money, anytime; here’s a link where you can make a tax-deductible donation today.
Here’s event information for the “Meet and Greet” events with the Christmas Ships organization: Saturday, December 21st, from 8-10 PM and Sunday, December 22nd, from 2-4:30 PM. The “Meet and Greets” are held at the Portland waterfront docks near Riverplace Marina. Again, William Temple House will have a booth set up to collect warm coats for children in need. Cash/credit card donations will also be gratefully accepted.
Donations will help further the mission of William Temple House to provide social services, mental health counseling, and spiritual care to individuals and families in need.
Christmas Ship organizers explain why they selected the nonprofit: “William Temple House is a nonprofit social service agency located in NW Portland that supports people in need, especially those who are affected by two major concerns in our area: extremely high rates of mental illness and the affordable housing crisis. Their services include affordable access to mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families; a healthy food pantry; hygiene items; new clothing for children; dental and vision care; and energy assistance so that families don’t have to choose between paying rent or basic living expenses. William Temple House has been making a difference in the lives of Portlanders for 54 years. The Christmas Ships are honored to work with organizations like this and we hope you’ll consider contributing.”
One such person who has benefited from the services of William Temple House is Karen. Here’s Karen’s William Temple House story:
Karen is an avid reader with a passion for helping others. This year she organized a book drive for the free library at William Temple House. “Today I’m a giver in the world,” she says, “and it feels really good.” But it wasn’t always that way. Before Karen came to William Temple House, she felt lost and afraid. Her struggle with bipolar disorder made it difficult to get by and strained her relationship with her husband Ed.
“I had done everything I could and I heard that William Temple House had couples counseling. I felt like we really needed that. And that was the beginning.”
Here’s a video about Karen:
The affordable counseling appointments at William Temple House made it possible for Karen and Ed to meet with their counselors regularly as a couple and individually. With therapy tailored to their specific needs, Karen noticed that she and her husband began to work better as a team. After a few months of counseling, Karen knew they would be able to achieve their goal of staying together.
Karen and Ed are doing well now. And if they need support, they know William Temple House can be a resource for them.
Karen and Ed received mental health support at a difficult time in their lives, as well as free healthy food and check-ins with our community chaplain when they needed it. Karen believes our counseling program saved her marriage and nurtured her growth as a person. “William Temple saved our life. I don’t know what would have happened… and I’m very grateful right now, that this is the life we have.” Karen and Ed are doing well now. And if they need support, they know William Temple House can be a resource for them.
Today, Karen is a giver because it feels good to give back. “It’s empowering to give, because then you grow more. And then the good goes on. The good is multiplied.”
From William Temple House:
Your donation to William Temple House helps provide our current and future clients much-needed access to affordable counseling averaging $5 a session, healthy groceries, and many other services that families need to move forward in their lives. Your support makes a difference! Thank you.
William Temple House is a place of hope for people in our community.
With low- and no-cost counseling, social services and spiritual care, we lend a helping hand to Portland’s most vulnerable populations.
This year we experienced a 14% increase in the number of clients we served. Will you help us meet this growing need with a donation today?
Together we brighten the lives of thousands of our neighbors, helping them make it through difficult times and get back on their feet. Please open your hearts this holiday season and give generously for the well-being of our community.
Portland, OR. New and old friends of William Temple House gathered for the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year, raising over $162,000. It was an all-time record for the Lifting Spirits Auction and an attendance record with over 200 people joining the October 22nd celebration at the Exchange Ballroom. Executive Director Stephen Ristau with Past Board Presidents: Susan Workman, John Chandler, George Ivan Smith, Mike Vawter, Jim McCarter, Leigh Wilson, and Gary Gross enjoyed the evening. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas.) William Temple House provides mental health counseling and emergency social services to individuals and families in need. The organization has been active in the Portland community for 50 years.
Development Coordinator Brie Richards shares a story about a William Temple House Client.
Bidder paddles flying during the Paddle Raise.
Auctioneer Chris Sheik and Emcee Steve Dunn are a dynamic duo!
Photo booth volunteers were #LiftingSpirits2016.
Administrators thanked donors saying, “Your support provided 43,500 meals to families who visit our pantry, 533 new outfits for children, 722 hours of quality life-affirming counseling, and vision and dental care for hundreds more!”
From William Temple House:
The Foundation for William Temple House was established in early 1965 when several lay members of the Oregon Episcopal Diocese met with Rev. Canon Clarence T. Abbott of the Parish of St. Mark in Portland. They gathered to discuss ways to embrace the Declaration of Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence, issued by Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America.
As a result of their discussions, the group incorporated the Episcopal Layman’s Mission Society to operate a center for pastoral and licensed professional psychological counseling. They named their center in honor of William Temple, the late Archbishop of Canterbury and prolific author on Christian social action. A short time after the counseling center was launched, William Temple House expanded its role to include emergency material and financial assistance for individuals and families in crisis.
Since 1965, William Temple House has served Portland by providing help where it is needed on behalf of the disadvantaged and distressed in the community.
William Temple House outgrew its Marshall Street facilities and moved into the Mackenzie House on Northwest Hoyt Street in 1971. Abbott Hall, adjacent to Mackenzie House, was completed in 1981 to house the expanding counseling and social service programs. It is named in memory of Fr. Abbott, who served as executive director from 1965 until his death in 1990.
The Thrift Store, which helps support counseling and social services at William Temple House, is a few blocks away on Northwest Glisan Street.
William Temple House Services include the following:
Mental Health Counseling
An often costly expense, counseling can be the necessary support to lift individuals and couples up in crisis or maintain stability. We provide high-quality counseling services on a sliding scale fee, and we never turn anyone away based on inability to pay.
Portland, May 2nd, 2015. William Temple House celebrated its 50th Anniversary in style. Since 1965, William Temple House has been providing low-cost/no-cost mental health counseling and emergency social services such as food, rent, utilities and transportation assistance to individuals, couples and families. Each year the nonprofit serves approximately 10,000 individuals. Master of Ceremonies Pat Boyle KXL radio news anchor and reporter posed with Past Board President Walt Myers and long-time volunteer Mary Lawrence. The 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Celebration was held at the Tiffany Center with 200 people in attendance. Funds raised will be used to support current and future mental health counseling and social services of William Temple House.
Keynote Speaker The Rev. Canon Nathan LeRud, Acting Dean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Alison Monti, William Temple House Board Secretary Arley Ross, and Ann McCulloch
From William Temple House:
Hope
Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be obtained. Hope relates to motivation and will.
Strength
Strength is showing ability, competence, power or courage (can be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual). Strength relates to capacity and skill.
Welcoming
Welcoming is receiving a person gladly. Welcoming relates to treating each person as a brother/sister human being–not a case, a client, a diagnosis, a problem.
Respectful
Respectful means showing a person that he/she is held in esteem. Respectful relates to recognizing the essential dignity and value of each human being.
Portland, September 20th, 2014. Friends of William Temple House gathered for the 11th annual Lifting SpiritsBenefit Dinner & Auction to support mental health counseling and emergency social services programs of William Temple House. The benefit at the Oregon Zoo raised $96,000 and drew 153 guests.
Volunteer of the Year, Lea Spacirova and her husband Jorge Torales
Development Director, Sally Oakes and Board President, John Chandler
Geoff Norcross, Morning Edition Host, OPB Radio
Since 1965 William Temple House has been providing low-cost/no-cost mental health counseling and emergency social services such as food, rent, utilities and transportation assistance to individuals, couples and families. No one is turned away because of an inability to pay. We have over 11,000 client visits each year.
The Band was Duthie & Company – David Duthie, Dave Evans and Dave Johnson and sponsors included: Anderson Bros., Inc.; McGee Wealth Management; O’Donnell Clark & Crew. The Master of Ceremonieswas Geoff Norcross, Morning Edition Host, OPB Radio and the auctioneer was Chris Sheik.
Board President, John Chandler “Our annual event isn’t just about raising operating revenue. It’s about celebrating our successes with the friends of William Temple House and getting to know those friends better.”
Director of Development, Sally Oakes “My favorite part of having an event is connecting with those who support William Temple House and share the enthusiasm for the organization. It’s so meaningful to personally meet those who help William Temple House achieve its mission.”
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