Scott Kerman
@skermanpdx.bsky.social
Nonprofit homeless services, Portland Oregon. #Homelessness #foodinsecurity
Serving & sheltering w dignity. Promoting hope for persons w mental illness & addiction. Previously a criminal defense atty & educator. Living well w multiple sclerosis since 2001
Serving & sheltering w dignity. Promoting hope for persons w mental illness & addiction. Previously a criminal defense atty & educator. Living well w multiple sclerosis since 2001
Pinned
Scott Kerman
@skermanpdx.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Hello @bsky.app! As an intro, I’m on the ground in Old Town Portland Oregon where Blanchet House serves over 1000 hot meals 6 days a week to anyone in need. We also provide clothing, peer support, & other resources. We make these meals w 300 tons of rescued food each yr. @blanchethouse.bsky.social
The quest for better sleep is a multi-billion $$ industry. What price then should we be willing to bear to provide people living unsheltered & afraid at night the simple opportunity to sleep in safety & comfort? Overnight emergency shelter is a moral imperative.
blanchethouse.org/why-portland...
blanchethouse.org/why-portland...
Why Portland Needs Overnight Shelters Right Now - Blanchet House
We need to meet the moment by opening more overnight gender specific shelters to end Portland homelessness.
blanchethouse.org
June 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The quest for better sleep is a multi-billion $$ industry. What price then should we be willing to bear to provide people living unsheltered & afraid at night the simple opportunity to sleep in safety & comfort? Overnight emergency shelter is a moral imperative.
blanchethouse.org/why-portland...
blanchethouse.org/why-portland...
Let’s start with the “why.”
Why is Blanchet House & Farm opening an overnight emergency shelter for women?
Because it will save lives. It’s that simple—and that urgent.
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Why is Blanchet House & Farm opening an overnight emergency shelter for women?
Because it will save lives. It’s that simple—and that urgent.
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Blanchet House Seeks to Open Overnight Women’s Shelter in Slabtown
The social-services nonprofit Blanchet House is set to open a 75-bed overnight women’s shelter at a vacant bike shop in the Slabtown area of Northwest Portland.
www.wweek.com
May 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Let’s start with the “why.”
Why is Blanchet House & Farm opening an overnight emergency shelter for women?
Because it will save lives. It’s that simple—and that urgent.
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Why is Blanchet House & Farm opening an overnight emergency shelter for women?
Because it will save lives. It’s that simple—and that urgent.
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
www.wweek.com/news/city/20...
Help us save a critical and cost effective behavioral health program serving hundreds each day at six different human services providers in Old Town and NW Portland.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Readers respond: Restore funding for Old Town peer support
Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@oregonian.com with full name and place of residence.
www.oregonlive.com
May 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Help us save a critical and cost effective behavioral health program serving hundreds each day at six different human services providers in Old Town and NW Portland.
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
Learning that Multnomah County funding for Blanchet House meal and support services was cut from next year’s purposed Joint Office budget didn’t change the fact that people in our community desperately need our services. Rather than despair, we received this news as a call to do more to help people.
Portland is cutting vital homeless services when we need them most. Housing alone isn’t enough—food, hygiene, and human connection are essential first steps. Read Scott Kerman’s latest blog post to see what’s at stake: bit.ly/41Vil7K
April 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Learning that Multnomah County funding for Blanchet House meal and support services was cut from next year’s purposed Joint Office budget didn’t change the fact that people in our community desperately need our services. Rather than despair, we received this news as a call to do more to help people.
Everyone should buy one of these for themselves or a teacher they love! It's not exactly the same banner, unfortunately, but still! teachers-world.com/shop/ols/pro...
Everyone is Welcome Helping Hands Banner
Welcome, inspire, and encourage students with these colorful banners! Each one folds for easy storage and then unfolds to 8" x 39". UV Coated.
teachers-world.com
March 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Everyone should buy one of these for themselves or a teacher they love! It's not exactly the same banner, unfortunately, but still! teachers-world.com/shop/ols/pro...
Reposted by Scott Kerman
Can people experiencing homelessness feel joy and happiness? @skermanpdx.bsky.social believes they deserve to. In his latest blog post, he explains how homeless services can do more than provide survival necessities. They can also make people feel respected, connected, and even happy. bit.ly/3Dlrk8O
March 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Can people experiencing homelessness feel joy and happiness? @skermanpdx.bsky.social believes they deserve to. In his latest blog post, he explains how homeless services can do more than provide survival necessities. They can also make people feel respected, connected, and even happy. bit.ly/3Dlrk8O
Found a willing audience at Blanchet Farm to help me practice my speech for Sunday’s Lend a Helping Hand Brunch!
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Found a willing audience at Blanchet Farm to help me practice my speech for Sunday’s Lend a Helping Hand Brunch!
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
Finding plenty of inspiration at Blanchet Farm for my speech at Sunday’s Blanchet House Lend a Helping Hand Brunch!
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Finding plenty of inspiration at Blanchet Farm for my speech at Sunday’s Blanchet House Lend a Helping Hand Brunch!
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@qualified-sharid.bsky.social
Can’t wait to read this!
Can’t wait to read this!
February 26, 2025 at 1:04 AM
@qualified-sharid.bsky.social
Can’t wait to read this!
Can’t wait to read this!
Reposted by Scott Kerman
A man started yelling in the cafe when we announced that lunch was ending. Our staff were so kind offering him exit gifts like care kits and socks. He yelled, “I don’t want to be like this… yelling! I don’t want to live like this.” It was so sad. People aren’t choosing to live without housing.
February 19, 2025 at 3:18 AM
A man started yelling in the cafe when we announced that lunch was ending. Our staff were so kind offering him exit gifts like care kits and socks. He yelled, “I don’t want to be like this… yelling! I don’t want to live like this.” It was so sad. People aren’t choosing to live without housing.
Reposted by Scott Kerman
Neil leads a kitchen shift at Blanchet House and works at Goodwill, but his path to stability wasn’t easy. Once a stock trader, he lost everything after personal tragedy and addiction took hold. He cycled through homelessness before finding support at Blanchet. “Listen to those who’ve lived it.”
February 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Neil leads a kitchen shift at Blanchet House and works at Goodwill, but his path to stability wasn’t easy. Once a stock trader, he lost everything after personal tragedy and addiction took hold. He cycled through homelessness before finding support at Blanchet. “Listen to those who’ve lived it.”
Reposted by Scott Kerman
These amazing people trekked through the ice and snow to serve breakfast at Blanchet House this morning. We’re open all day for hot meals, warm clothes, support services, and community.
February 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
These amazing people trekked through the ice and snow to serve breakfast at Blanchet House this morning. We’re open all day for hot meals, warm clothes, support services, and community.
Reposted by Scott Kerman
Thank you Oregon Senator Lisa Reynolds for walking through a snowstorm to volunteer to serve lunch today!
February 13, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Thank you Oregon Senator Lisa Reynolds for walking through a snowstorm to volunteer to serve lunch today!
Reposted by Scott Kerman
Happy 73rd Birthday Blanchet House of Hospitality! We've been serving free meals and radical acts of hospitality in Old Town Portland since 1952. Blanchet House is more than an organization—it’s a community of thousands coming together to make the world a kinder place.
February 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Happy 73rd Birthday Blanchet House of Hospitality! We've been serving free meals and radical acts of hospitality in Old Town Portland since 1952. Blanchet House is more than an organization—it’s a community of thousands coming together to make the world a kinder place.
Reposted by Scott Kerman
Brrr! We gave out 50 coats in under an hour today! We urgently need adult-sized coats and sweatpants of all sizes to keep up with the demand. If you’re able to help, please drop off donations Mon-Sat btwn 8–10:30am or 1–4pm at 310 NW Glisan. Or send items by mail or shop our list amzn.to/44rDjKl
February 12, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Brrr! We gave out 50 coats in under an hour today! We urgently need adult-sized coats and sweatpants of all sizes to keep up with the demand. If you’re able to help, please drop off donations Mon-Sat btwn 8–10:30am or 1–4pm at 310 NW Glisan. Or send items by mail or shop our list amzn.to/44rDjKl
Restoring dignity happens in many ways at Blanchet House, incl. free haircuts to meal guests in the parking lot next to our free café. We know it takes more than meals to promote hope & alleviate suffering. That’s why we provide wraparound services in addition to hot meals
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
February 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Restoring dignity happens in many ways at Blanchet House, incl. free haircuts to meal guests in the parking lot next to our free café. We know it takes more than meals to promote hope & alleviate suffering. That’s why we provide wraparound services in addition to hot meals
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Kerman
Mandy surprised us with a donation in memory of her brother Joe, who sadly passed struggling with addiction. He faced a lot of pain after being rejected for being gay.
“What he wanted more than anything was to find somebody to love.”
Full story bit.ly/4aYgTEy
“What he wanted more than anything was to find somebody to love.”
Full story bit.ly/4aYgTEy
February 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Mandy surprised us with a donation in memory of her brother Joe, who sadly passed struggling with addiction. He faced a lot of pain after being rejected for being gay.
“What he wanted more than anything was to find somebody to love.”
Full story bit.ly/4aYgTEy
“What he wanted more than anything was to find somebody to love.”
Full story bit.ly/4aYgTEy
Wrap around services are essential for people exp. unsheltered homelessness or housing insecurity. Blanchet House has developed a roster of supportive services to complement our meal services. Health care & mental health services in pop-up clinics held in the parking lot adjacent to our free Cafe.
February 11, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Wrap around services are essential for people exp. unsheltered homelessness or housing insecurity. Blanchet House has developed a roster of supportive services to complement our meal services. Health care & mental health services in pop-up clinics held in the parking lot adjacent to our free Cafe.
In the past yr, Blanchet House provided Day Center Services thanks to Multnomah Cty funding. Although covering only a portion of our expenses, it has significantly helped us sustain & expand services to address growing demand & support those w social & economic challenges
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
February 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In the past yr, Blanchet House provided Day Center Services thanks to Multnomah Cty funding. Although covering only a portion of our expenses, it has significantly helped us sustain & expand services to address growing demand & support those w social & economic challenges
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
Much chatter that people won’t go downtown in Portland. Well, each day 50+ volunteers age 14-84 come to Old Town to serve at Blanchet House!
#homelessness
#volunteer
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
#homelessness
#volunteer
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
February 7, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Much chatter that people won’t go downtown in Portland. Well, each day 50+ volunteers age 14-84 come to Old Town to serve at Blanchet House!
#homelessness
#volunteer
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
#homelessness
#volunteer
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Kerman
We’re hiring a Bilingual Peer Support & Housing Specialist to help our guests find shelter, housing, support, and hope. $28.5/hour; Four-day work week Mon, Tue, Fri, and Sat; Apply now and see more details BlanchetHouse.org/jobs.
February 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
We’re hiring a Bilingual Peer Support & Housing Specialist to help our guests find shelter, housing, support, and hope. $28.5/hour; Four-day work week Mon, Tue, Fri, and Sat; Apply now and see more details BlanchetHouse.org/jobs.
On brutally cold nights like we’ve been having in Portland, it’s the lucky few who have sleeping bags at least. Not so lucky of course, but many don’t have that much. 30 degrees when Blanchet House opened for breakfast, serving hot coffee & oatmeal.
#homelessness
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
#homelessness
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
On brutally cold nights like we’ve been having in Portland, it’s the lucky few who have sleeping bags at least. Not so lucky of course, but many don’t have that much. 30 degrees when Blanchet House opened for breakfast, serving hot coffee & oatmeal.
#homelessness
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
#homelessness
@blanchethouse.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Kerman
David is proud to say he’s been sober for 1yr 4mths! He’s excited for the future since he came to stay at Blanchet House. “I finally got my life on track," David says.
His message for people?
“Have a little more empathy and patience. I think the majority would succeed if just given some love.”
His message for people?
“Have a little more empathy and patience. I think the majority would succeed if just given some love.”
February 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
David is proud to say he’s been sober for 1yr 4mths! He’s excited for the future since he came to stay at Blanchet House. “I finally got my life on track," David says.
His message for people?
“Have a little more empathy and patience. I think the majority would succeed if just given some love.”
His message for people?
“Have a little more empathy and patience. I think the majority would succeed if just given some love.”
Reposted by Scott Kerman
A scary incident led the police to close the streets around our building for most of the afternoon so we had to cancel spaghetti dinner. BUT our incredible staff wanted to make sure that no one would go hungry tonight so they pivoted to serve sack lunches and more from the door. Heroes!!!
January 30, 2025 at 1:32 AM
A scary incident led the police to close the streets around our building for most of the afternoon so we had to cancel spaghetti dinner. BUT our incredible staff wanted to make sure that no one would go hungry tonight so they pivoted to serve sack lunches and more from the door. Heroes!!!