On this episode of Out of the Streets of Portland, we speak with Elijah, who is one of the site managers for the Menlo Park Safe Rest Village in East Portland.

Menlo Park Village came about through extensive collaboration and cooperation of the city of Portland and Multnomah County, and is run by the grassroots organization Cultivate Initiatives. It's a village-style shelter with individual sleeping pods, outdoor gathering spaces and pet areas, as well as kitchen, shower and laundry facilities on site. Accessing a safe and supportive shelter can be a critical part of many people's journey from homelessness back into stability. Within the shelter environment, staff provide safety, empowerment, connection to services, and community support to ensure a transformative experience for all participants.

Elijah, one of the staff members with Cultivate Initiatives who help manage the Menlo Park Safe Rest Village site, located at southeast 122nd and Burside in southeast Portland.

More information on this alternative shelter, and the numerous other shelter options funded and supported by the Joint Office, can be found at our website https://johs.us in the Emergency Shelters section.

The 'Out of the Streets of Portland' podcast is produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, a Multnomah County department with funding from the County, the City of Portland, Metro, and the state and federal governments to house, shelter, and provide, street outreach, navigation, employment assistance, assistance obtaining social security income, and case management to people experiencing homelessness in our community.