For those who are unfamiliar with Blanchet House – what do you do?
Since 1952, Blanchet House of Hospitality located in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood has offered food, clothing, shelter, and hope to people surviving on the margins.
Blanchet House began as a men’s social club on the University of Portland campus where Father Francis “Frank” Kennard was appointed as its chaplain. Inspired by Dorothy Day’s Catholic Worker Movement, Kennard instructed the group of young men to, “Go out in the street! Help people!” They started doing small acts of service and then in 1952 sought a permanent location to make a larger impact.
Kennard and UP alumni found an old building in Portland’s “Skid Row” to open a House of Hospitality. A place where anyone in need of a hot meal could receive one for free. Blanchet House of Hospitality opened its doors to a line of hungry people and hasn’t stopped since.
Blanchet House’s mission derives from Catholic social teaching principles, including honoring the dignity of every person, offering aid to the poor and vulnerable, and solidarity. The board and staff include persons of various faiths and do not proselytize to clients or guests.
Meal Program
Blanchet House is best known for its free daily meal services in its beautiful café overlooking the Steel Bridge. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served restaurant-style Monday-Saturday by compassionate volunteers. The café is low-barrier meaning you can come as you are without judgment and no id is required to enjoy a meal.
Food Rescue Program
Blanchet House takes in surplus, soon-to-expire food from local grocery stores, wholesalers, and caterers. Its staff inspects all food for quality, prepares it into nutritious meals, then gets it to people who need it. In addition, all food scraps go to feed the animals at Blanchet Farm making for a nearly zero food waste kitchen.
Clothing and Hygiene Program
Clean clothing, shoes, hygiene items, and sleeping essentials are offered during meal services. New and gently used adult-sized clothing is donated by individuals and businesses. Most of the people served by Blanchet House are in need of adult-sized clothing suitable for outdoor wear. Many people lack access to showers and laundry so they need clean clothing frequently.
Residential Programs
Blanchet House operates two residential programs for men struggling with addiction, unemployment, mental health, housing, or other challenges.
Blanchet House’s Residential Program Saved Chad’s Life
Homelessness nearly killed Chad. Heavy drinking lost him a job and the room he rented. He spent three months sleeping on the street in Portland’s Old Town and ate in Blanchet House’s café nearby.
A brutal attack one night landed him in the hospital with staples in his head. With nowhere safe to recuperate, he needed help.
In order to make a permanent life change for the better, he would need long-term supportive and sober housing. As a diner in Blanchet House’s café, he learned about the residential program housed on the floors above. He was able to ask for a referral to the program while in the hospital.
Now safely living inside Blanchet House, Chad has built sobriety and secured a full-time job in a warehouse. He plans to move into his own apartment soon.
“As far as people looking to get out of their homelessness situation, whether they’re dealing with addiction or just struggling to find affordable housing, Blanchet House is a great program,” he says. “It’s been over 100 days since I’ve had a drink. I can’t say it’s been easy. I take it one day at a time and utilize the services here so I can get back on track.”
Blanchet House’s residential program is a 7-9 month opportunity for men who are looking for a safe and sober environment while they establish a new direction in their lives. The program focuses on personal accountability and peer support as men help each other to build toward a healthier, more stable life.
People with addiction trying to escape homelessness need help with everything from paperwork for medical care to navigating affordable housing waitlists. It’s not easy to do alone and Blanchet House’s Case Managers provide expertise.
Blanchet Farm Residential Program
In Carlton, OR, one hour outside Portland, lies Blanchet Farm, a sprawling 62-acre property filled with fields, forest, gardens, and animals. The founders of Blanchet House created a peaceful refuge for people in need of an unorthodox way to gain sobriety and heal.
The farm, purchased in 1962, offers the opportunity to perform meaningful work in a rural setting surrounded by peers. Men can stay at the farm for free for up to 8 months which gives low-income residents an opportunity usually afforded only to people with means.
20+ residents tend to the vegetable and flower gardens, care for farm animals, as well as learn woodworking and beekeeping. The work is restorative and therapeutic.
“Fixing something, building something, working together — that is priceless,” says Ross Sears, Blanchet Farm Manager. “Traditional recovery is reading and writing groups all day long but there’s no physical stuff. This place is special. The work gives you purpose and rebuilds confidence.”
Blanchet House is undertaking a capital campaign to raise money to rebuild and improve the dormitory and facilities at the farm. If you’re interested in supporting this worthwhile program contact Blanchet House.
What are you currently working on?
Much has changed in Blanchet House’s 70 years of history, but its mission and values have not. Every day people struggling with hunger, loneliness, poverty, addiction, mental illness, and lack of housing come to our doors for help.
We have witnessed a drastic increase in the number of women in crisis, and people with severe physical and mental disabilities seeking our services. This has spurned us to take action to build a new innovative approach to delivering aid.
Blanchet House now partners with the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) to operate the Old Town InReach Program. The program pairs trained counselors with clients in need. These counselors or peer support specialists have personal experience of overcoming homelessness and understand the arduous path to escape it. They are able to guide people to medical care, detox, and housing if needed. The first point of contact is frequently Blanchet House’s café.
Together, we stay dedicated to feeding, clothing, and providing life-saving shelter to our guests at a time in their lives when they need it most. And, thanks to you and your support, our meals and services are free to all and full of love.
How can the UP community support the Blanchet House?
The UP community can support Blanchet House’s services to people challenged with homelessness, hunger, addiction, and poverty by:
- Volunteering to serve meals in its free café
- Packing care kits with relief items
- Sponsoring a meal service
- Donating clothing and essentials
Learn more at BlanchetHouse.org/Get-Involved
~Contributed by Julie Showers, Blanchet House Communications, Marketing, & PR Director
Call for Board Members
Blanchet House is currently looking for those with diverse backgrounds to join their board, particularly in the areas of human resources, facilities, or finance expertise. Board roles are open to all candidates interested in complementing their leadership team.
For more information, please visit >> HERE