After a year as Executive Director of William Temple House, Stephen Ristau reflects on our 50th year serving Portland with a message to our community of supporters.
This year we marked our 50th Golden Jubilee celebrating the founding of William Temple House. Tens of thousands of people have found a place of sanctuary and a foundation of hope in the iconic MacKenzie House and the adjoining Abbott Hall. Neighbors and supporters have likewise made this link recognizing the healing presence we have in NW Portland.
Since joining the organization in January 2015, I have been touched by the legacy of William Temple House. Hundreds of professionals, volunteers, interns and concerned citizens have joined together in our mission of lifting spirits and restoring hope, feeling it an imperative to recognize the sacredness of those who struggle along the margins of our community. Indeed, we call it a privilege to live in service of others as a tangible manifestation of our faith and values.
This year, we reaffirmed our commitment to base our operations in NW Portland. Every week, people line up outside our doors in need of food, rental and utility assistance, dental and vision care, and other basic necessities that help them manage economic distress and overcome social isolation. Many others seek mental health counseling that rebuilds self- esteem, repairs broken relationships and offers hope for a better tomorrow.
Despite common perceptions about the affluence in NW Portland, the need for these services right in our neighborhood continues. According to a 2015 national study by the Economic Innovation Group, our zip code is one of the state’s most economically distressed areas with a high population density. Approximately 35.1% of 97209’s population lives in a low-income household with an annual income of less than $25,000 and another 20.7 percent live in a household earning an annual income between $25,000 and $50,000.
It is clear that we are a critical helping resource in NW Portland. It is also clear that our successful models of human caring are replicable and we look forward to partnering with other Episcopal ministries and community organizations to respond to human need in other parts of metro Portland.
We have recently added a third day of operation for our food pantry, plan to expand our spiritual and pastoral care programs, and are about to launch a campaign to invest in capital improvements in our present facilities to assure our future in NW Portland.
In a recent discussion with William Temple House past and current board leaders, someone aptly described us as “where human need and human caring intersect.” It is through places like William Temple House that our service, our investments, our courage to put our faith and values into action, is more than just a social or religious imperative. It helps us discover what is best in our own hearts.
Wishing you all a blessed holiday season,
Stephen Ristau
Executive Director
William Temple 2015 Highlights
- Served over 500 primary clients impacting 1300 family members with individual, couples, and family mental health counseling delivered through 15 graduate student interns and seasoned pro bono clinicians. Offered on a free-will donation basis, our counseling services provide access to people without health insurance or who are unable to afford the cost of co-pays and deductibles.
- Served over 3000 households and over 5500 people through our emergency food pantry; over 100 children with a week’s worth of new clothing and outerwear through the Children’s Clothing Closet; over 300 people with vouchers for rental and utility assistance, and prescription medication; and 60 families with food box meals and 150 children with new toys through our Holiday Program, all at no cost to our clients. Our social services provide stability and a hand-up to people facing food insecurity and employment, housing and health crises.
- Embarked on a planning process to assure that we continue to companion people on their spiritual journeys.
- Core to mission fulfillment, we engaged over 220 volunteers who contributed nearly 25,000 hours of service at a fair market value of $550,736. We actively recruit volunteers seeking to use their skills and passion to make a difference in the community.
- Strengthened partnerships with NW Portland neighborhood nonprofits and over 20 Episcopal ministries including the Diocese of Oregon, Legacy Good Samaritan, Trinity Cathedral (Portland), St. John the Baptist (Portland), St. John the Evangelist (Milwaukie), All Saints (Hillsboro and Portland), St. Bartholomew (Beaverton), Christ Church (Lake Oswego), St. Andrew & All Souls (N. Portland), and Oregon Episcopal School.
- Operated a thriving Thrift Store (over $800,000 in sales of donated items) that contributes over 20% of annual operating revenue to our charitable mission.
- Hired a new executive director, Stephen Ristau, engaged new board members and began a strategic planning process to launch William Temple House into the next 50 years.