My Father’s House, a Gresham nonprofit serving homeless families, and Transitional Youth in Portland, serving homeless youth, are teaming up on September 14, 2024 to bring a favorite event, the Troutdale Trot, back to life.
Both organizations are led by women who believe the way to help youth and families overcome poverty and homelessness is to teach responsibility, accountability and a strong work ethic. “We have more nonprofits [in Portland] per capita than anywhere else in the country, and it shows,” said Rhona Mahl, Executive Director of Transitional Youth. “It’s a disservice to those we serve. Many hop from program to program without accountabilities. Our clients and our communities are being crippled because people are enabled to live in a system that robs them of their identities.”
My Father’s House Executive Director Andrea Pickett agrees. “We ask what is working and what is not working,” she said. “What can we do differently? How can we empower people who often feel they have no control over their situations?”
Transitional Youth provides long-term residential services for homeless youth, ages 14 to 24 while My Father’s House provides similar services for families who are unhoused. Both ministries emphasize employment, saving money, life-skills and other solutions to barriers to success.
“We offer real solutions that offer the opportunity to our residents to achieve their God-given identities,” Mahl said. Pickett said, “We introduce them to tools so they can make better decisions moving forward, tools that change their lives.” Pickett said if at-risk youth can find direction and hope at Transitional Youth, there is a better chance they won’t need My Father’s House services later as adults.
My Father’s House and Transitional Youth often call on each other to support their clients with age-appropriate housing, or special needs. “Recently Andrea had a young mom whose teen had just gotten a new bike,” recalled Mahl. “Transitional Youth was able to get a bike for the mom so they could ride together. We can fill gaps for one another.”
Mahl and Pickett hope this example of collaboration and partnership catches on throughout Portland’s metro area.
The nonprofits are co-managing the Troutdale Trot event and will share the costs and proceeds. “We are both faith-based organizations working with the same sector of the population, and believe that by linking arms, we can shine a light on the homeless crisis and show there is hope,” Pickett said. “As a partnership, we can reach a larger demographic with our message.”
The joint fundraiser will be held Saturday, September 14, at 7:30 a.m., at the Troutdale Market parking lot, 3220 S. Troutdale Road. The event includes 5K and 10K options and the Turtle Trot, a quarter-mile race for children.
Sponsors, volunteers, and registrants can learn more and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/457a5s57.
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