N2N News
Warming Station has Busy Season
01/28/2024
Veda's Room at the Warming Station
The Warming Station has been open since mid November and has experienced heavy use since that time. So far the Warming Station use has been almost as high as the 2018-2019 season, which was the busiest in the twelve year history of our organization. As of January 31, the Warming Station had served 115 people facing homelessness. During the cold spell in mid January, the Warming Station went into overflow , with guests sleeping n the floor in Veda's Room (the dining room) to escape the bitter nightime temperatures. The evening census dropped back to around 14 once the weather warmed up.
Long Time Volunteers Leave N2N
10/26/2021
Dave and Kasandra Williams
Long time N2N volunteers Dave and Kasandra Williams are leaving N2N after volunteering for over ten years. The couple will be moving to Texas where Kasandra's family still resides. Guests and volunteers of N2N will miss both of these dedicated individuals for their warm hearts and generosity.
Kasandra started with N2N in the fall of 2011 after the Pendleton Warming Station was first created. Kasandra most often worked the "owl"shift staying awake all night to make sure the facility was safe. That first year Kasandra volunteered more hours than any other volunteer. In 2012 Kasandra took over as the volunteer coordinator, responsible for filling the shifts at the warming station. Kasandra continued to staff many shifts herself including serving as a cook.
Kasandra's husband Dave came on board a short time after Kasandra. Dave also worked many shifts at the Warming Station. Dave's regular job as a police officer for the CTUIR provided him skills that were often used when behavior problems occurred at the station. Dave's firm but fair and compassionate approach helped to diffuse several situations over the years. His calm approach was one reason why during his tenure their was never a serious incident at the station. Dave retired from the police department early this year.
Both Dave and Kasandra have served on the N2N Board of Directors for several years. They will both be greatly missed. We at N2N wish them the best in their new adventure.
Day Center Re-Opens with New Procedures
08/24/2020
Volunteers staff the outdoor intake area
Neighbor 2 Neighbor has begun Monday Day Center operations after a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 virus. However, procedures have been changed to help keep volunteers and clients safe during the ongoing pandemic.
The Day Center is now open Mondays from 1 to 4 PM. Intake is being done in the covered area between the main building and the storage building. Only one guest may be in the building at a time. Masks are worn at all times. Services provided include showers, laundry vouchers, mail, and snacks.
N2N Helped by Columbia Bank
12/12/2019
Left to Right: Kendra, Tara, Sydney and Kelsey
Neighbor 2 Neighbor
has once again been selected as one of the benefiting
organizations of Columbia Bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive.
Columbia Bank has been very active in providing support for
those without homes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Our local Columbia Bank branch located at 2101 SW Court Ave.
in Pendleton has enthusiastically joined in to publicize the
needs of Neighbor 2 Neighbor.
The bank is soliciting funds as well as needed items such as thermal underwear and lined gloves. All donated funds are used in the communities where they are received. In Pendleton, funds are given to Neighbor 2 Neighbor to help with Warming Station expenses. We at N2N continual to thank Columbia Bank and the great people who work there for their ongoing support. We encourage all to stop by and look at the Warm Hearts display and bring in your donations. Thanks Columbia Bank!
N2N Receives Grant from The Oregon Community Foundation
12/21/2018
In December Neighbor 2 Neighbor received a wonderful Christmas present from The Oregon Community Foundation in the form of a $2000 grant. The money was from the Foundation's Helen L. Colgan Fund to aid homeless individuals in the grantee's community. N2N will use these funds to help pay for food and utilities at the Warming Station, as well as to provide temporary motel accommodations for families with children. Neighbor 2 Neighbor thanks OCF for selecting us to receive these funds to help folks without homes.
The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve lives for all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds, OCF awarded more than $108 million in grants and scholarships in 2016.
N2N Receives Grant from First Story
11/15/2018
Neighbor 2 Neighbor received a $700 grant from First Story, a charitable division of Hayden Homes. First Story was founded in 1998 in Redmond, Oregon and "promotes giving and inspires communities through the creation of home ownership opportunities and financial support. Neighbor 2 Neighbor wishes to thank First Story for its generous support and desire to provide winter shelter for individuals without homes.
N2N Helped by Columbia Bank
11/19/2018
Left to Right: Tara Soeum, Personal Banker, Kelsey Derry, Client Service Specialist, Rita Rosenberg, Branch Manager
Neighbor 2 Neighbor has once again been selected as one of the benefiting organizations of Columbia Bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive. Columbia Bank has been very active in providing support for those without homes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our local Columbia Bank branch located at 2101 SW Court Ave. in Pendleton has enthusiastically joined in to publicize the needs of Neighbor 2 Neighbor.
The bank is soliciting funds as well as needed items such as coats and gloves. All donated funds are used in the communities where they are received. In Pendleton, funds are given to Neighbor 2 Neighbor to help with Warming Station expenses. We at N2N are deeply grateful to Columbia Bank and the great people who work there. We encourage all to stop by and look at the Warm Hearts display and bring in your donations. Thanks Columbia Bank!
Two New Directors Named
09/01/2018
Neighbor 2 Neighbor is excited to announce the addition of two new directors to its board. Marc Mullins and Scott Norris have been selected to fill the vacant positions that resulted from the resignation of Chris and Carolyn Clemons.
Marc is the pastor of First Christian Church and has also lived in Bakersfield California and Hermiston, Oregon. Marc worked at a shelter in Bakersfield, is widely travelled and has a passion for helping those in need. Scott is a life long Pendleton resident who currently works as the maintenance manager for McKay estates. Scott has prior experience working with the mentally disabled. Scott volunteered last year at the Warming Station and has a similar passion for helping those who are homeless.
We welcome both Marc and Scott to the N2N Board of Directors!
Johnson Selected as New Executive Director
08/01/2018
Dwight Johnson has been selected as the new Executive Director for Neighbor 2 Neighbor. Dwight was formerly the treasurer for N2N and has served on its board of Directors since the Pendleton Warming Station was first created in 2011. Dwight has worked as a volunteer at the Warming Station since its first year and has continued to work shifts at the station ever since, often taking the overnight or "owl" shift. Dwight worked with Warming Station founder Sandy Kimbrow at the Pendleton Day Center, which was established in 2012.
"It is a high honor to have the Board of Directors select me for the Executive Director position. I know that Chris and Sandy both set the bar very high. I will do my best to follow in their footsteps. I am committed to the mission of N2N and it is a privilege to work with all our dedicated volunteers."
Dwight has been married to his wife Marilyn, who is also an N2N volunteer, for over 40 years. Besides volunteering with N2N he is also a member of the Pendleton Lions Club.
Clemons' Leave N2N
05/01/2018
Executive Director Chris Clemons announced in February that he and wife Carolyn would be resigning from Neighbor 2 Neighbor effective 04/30/2018, the end of N2N's fiscal year. Carolyn was a board director and the main coordinator for the kitchen. Chris emphasized that he was leaving due to the impacts his N2N activities were having on his other responsibilities, including his family. Chris said he felt it best that both he and Carolyn cut all their direct ties with N2N or they might find themselves again over-extended. Chris said he felt the timing was right to leave and expressed his complete support for N2N, its mission and its board of directors.
Chris led Neighbor 2 Neighbor during a critical time in N2N's brief history. During Chris' watch N2N incorporated as a non-profit tax-exempt organization, acquired its current building, obtained a grant to fix the roof, obtained a grant from CAPECO to purchase institutional bunk beds, and oversaw the building remodel. Carolyn planned the kitchen operation and spent countless hours ensuring that N2N guests obtained a nutritious meal. Both will be greatly missed.
The board of Neighbor 2 Neighbor thanks Chris and Carolyn for their tireless efforts on behalf of people who have lost their homes and wish them the best wherever the future takes them.