Tigard churches jointly work to alleviate plight of the poor

By REBECCA TUITE CNNW staff writer

TIGARD-- When Richard (not his real name) lost his job that paid $45,000 per year, and while waiting for unemployment benefits to come through, all he could collect from his family was $400 toward his $750 monthly rental payment.

In the meantime, he received a 72-hour notice from his landlord demanding rent and late fees in the amount of $440. He recalled, “I didn’t sleep much one night, worried about what we were going to do. We couldn’t move, we had no money.”

It was the next morning that he discovered Neighborshare. As Richard related that day, “Before this morning, I had no idea that an organization like this was available to help people like myself, but I am so thankful that my family and I will not be homeless in the next two days. Thank you so much for your help and understanding in this time of great need.”

Eleven years ago, Neighborshare was established by the churches in the local area to cooperatively help in alleviating the plight of poor, but at the same time making sure individuals weren’t going from church to church “milking” the system. It is a ministry of Tualatin Valley Christian Ministries (an interdenominatinal collaboration.)

“What We Can’t Do Alone, We Can Do Together,” states the Neighborshare Information guide. Pastor George La Du of Jubilee Christian Fellowship says that 25 churches are involved now, with the goal of “reaching all 80 churches in the area.”

To start an information campaign on the program, the Neighborshare Advisory Committee sent out a letter to pastors in the Tigard-Tualatin-Sherwood-Lake Oswego area on Sept. 11. It states, “We don’t believe we have seen the kind of unity before that is coming upon the Church. Most churches we know have some sort of benevolence (alms) ministry to try to help the people in our area with rent assistance, food, energy assistance, etc...” The letter continues, saying that “By us coming together under the umbrella of Neighborshare, not only can we meet the needs to a greater degree, we can be assured that the funds are given to those who most need it.”

According to La Du, Neighborshare has a thorough screening process so that the most people may be helped with the resources they have. The Neighborshare Advisory Committee asks the pastors to consider three things: (1) sending a portion of their alms budget to Neighborshare and refer the calls churches get for assistance to Neighborshare; (2) asking their congregations to volunteer at the Neighborshare office; and (3) praying for this ministry that there would be “an abundance for every good work so that the many needs are met and that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers.”

Some of the practical ways Neighborshare helps those in need are with bus tickets, Tri-met tickets, energy assistance, food boxes, gasoline, bi-lingual services, thrift store vouchers, medications (prescribed), natural gas, rent, referrals, weatherization and information. Eighty percent of the people that Neighborshare helps, like Richard, are not welfare receipiants. They just don’t have the income to meet their financial needs, program organizers say.

Neighborshare also has the only homeless shelter on the westside of Portland. It is in Tigard, near Washington Square. It offers a five-week program with education, training for employment and finances.

While there is a need for such a shelter, La Du says “we would rather offer help for people with food and rent rather than seeing them go homeless.” Thus, they work in conjunction with Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), a program that assists people in getting into affordable housing.

Neighborshare is located at 9020 SW Burnham Road in Tigard. Its phone number is 503-598-0505. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Rachael Criswell is the Director.

The Neighborshare Advisory Board consists, in addition to La Du; Pastor Russ Blake of Tigard Covenant; Rev. Beverly Allert of Christ the King Lutheran; Pastor Steve Blikstad of Trinity Evangelical; Rev. Wes Taylor of Tigard United Methodist; Pastor Gary Lawson of Calvin Presbyterian; Pastor Paul Thornburg of Tigard Friends Church; and Fr. Les Sieg of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church .