Current News

CHRISTWALK PURCHASING A 5-PLEX BUILDING. ChristWalk announces the purchase of a 5-plex unit which will greatly increase our operational flexibility and allow us to house more of those homeless citizens whom we have had to turn away in the past. We estimate this unit will allow us to house up to 17 people. Combined with our 5-person Women's House and our 4-person apartment for a small family, ChristWalk will now be able to serve up to 26 people at any one time. This purchase was enabled by a generous grant from an anonymous donor for the down payment, and the gracious offer of the previous owners to carry a contract. ChristWalk is grateful for such wonderful community support!

The photo shows three of the five units in the new 5-plex building. The small building on the left houses two rental units, and the main building has a basement apartment and an upstairs apartment as well as the main floor unit.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RESIGNATION. It is with great reluctance that ChristWalk has accepted the resignation of Executive Director Stan Brittain. We wish him well and thank him for all his good work on behalf of our organization and the homeless citizens we serve. ChristWalk is now accepting applications for Executive Director; call Randy of the personnel search committee at 541-401-0773 for a job description and an email address to which a resume may be sent.

CHRISTWALK AWARDED $15,000 BY SPIRIT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY FUND! This wonderful news comes at a time of positive growth for ChristWalk as we are moving into a newly-purchased 5-plex. This will expand our capacity to serve Lebanon's homeless, thanks to organizations like SMCF, which is the philanthropic arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

Each year the Fund invests nearly $4 million in non-profit agencies in the Willamette Valley. "This recession is hurting everyone, but we recognize that many individuals are experiencing homelessness who never have before. We are honored and proud to support the work of ChristWalk to improve the lives of Lebanon citizens as they turn their lives around," said Director Shelley Hanson. For more information about SMCF, visit www.thecommunityfund.com.

AND BING'S KITCHEN IN LEBANON HAS GENEROUSLY DONATED PART OF THEIR FATHER'S DAY PROCEEDS TO CHRISTWALK!

ChristWalk is so grateful to Bing's and it's owner, Kwong Mah, for this commitment to help Lebanon's homeless citizens turn their lives around.

Garage Sale! ChristWalk is still accepting items to sell at our August garage sale (See sidebar). Thieves had broken into our warehouse and taken much of what we were going to sell. Can YOU help with donations of those items you've been storing too long? Call the office at 541-258-3387.

Because of this loss, our garage sale will now be on Friday, Aug 27, and Saturday, Aug 28. Hours will be: Friday - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the half-price sale starting at 2 p.m. Saturday. Please note these dates, and come help us help the homeless with the funds raised at this sale.

CHRISTWALK'S 1,000 STONES CAMPAIGN CONTINUES; WON'T YOU BE ONE OF 1,000 FOUNDATION STONES?

ChristWalk is grateful to all those who have already agreed to be foundation stones. However, we still need more good people of Lebanon who will each give $5 a month on a regular basis. If we can reach 1,000 donors, you'll have given us a solid foundation for serving Lebanon's homeless. Pray about this, and determine if YOU can be one of our foundation stones. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 695, Lebanon, OR, 97355. Remember to specify that you want to join the 1,000 stones. THANK YOU!

NEW PARTNERS HELP CHRISTWALK HELP OUR RESIDENTS ChristWalk is partnering with Parole & Probation, the Oregon prison system, DHS, the Lebanon Schools, the Family Tree Relief Nursery, and Love INC. We just formed a new partnership with Albany Partnership for Housing's Permanent Supportive Housing Program, as a permanent location for selected female graduates whom the Partnership is able to accept. Contact us at the office phone, 541-258-3387, or at our email address, ChristWalk@centurylink.net.

LEBANON'S HOMELESS YOUTH.The Lebanon Schools have identified more than 10 homeless youth who are at-risk on the streets or are couch-surfing. The ChristWalk Board of Directors recognizes the lack of a youth shelter in the greater Lebanon area, and is working with various local partners to provide a support network for these young people until such time as we are able to offer them housing.

OUR SMALL APARTMENT IS HOME FOR ONE FAMILY! Please pray for this family, that they may find work, gain from the classes they are taking, and be able to provide a stable, happy family life for their two beautiful toddlers. Family Tree Relief Nursery is providing free day care for the children. The Dad had moved them to Lebanon with a promise of work in construction before the recession took his job.

ChristWalk's 5-Plex, Women's House, and Apartment provide warm homes for many homeless Lebanon citizens!

Our residents are planting a vegetable garden behind the Women's House. One of the residents with gardening experience is preparing the soil, weeding, rototilling, and deciding on what varieties to plant. Many thanks to the Rev. Helen Richard of Saint Martin's Episcopal Church for donations to purchase seeds and plants!

Recently Lebanon Schools referred a man and his son to us, and ChristWalk helped them find a place to live, moving from shelter in Corvallis. ChristWalk also helped the father find potential employment - THANKS to a local contractor who does outdoor painting and staining, and has accepted this grateful father as an apprentice.

This photo shows a new resident for the Women's House being interviewed by Director Stan. Items are still needed for each house(see Wish List below). If you can donate anything, please call ChristWalk at 541-258-3387.

ChristWalk's board is ecumenical, with members from the area churches noted below. We believe strongly that Jesus Christ changes lives, and agree with AA/NA that belief in a Higher Power helps free people from addictions. Our services are open to people of all faiths or no faith, and daily Bible studies are available, but never mandatory.

Our board members come from six local churches—the First United Methodist Church, the Lebanon Mennonite Church, the First Presbyterian Church, The River Center, Crowfoot Baptist, and St. Bernard in Scio.