Between July of 2022 and June of 2023, New Narrative made significant strides, impacting countless lives through comprehensive mental health and housing services. None of these achievements would have been possible without the support of our valued partners and community members, as well as our phenomenal staff.
Read the Full Impact ReportHighlights from the Impact Report
- New Housing and Peer Opportunities: New Narrative housed 451 people this year. We opened a new 15-unit permanent supportive housing complex, Douglas Fir Apartments to house residents referred by our community partners, including reserved units for veterans. Our property management portfolio now includes 11 Licensed Residential Sites (including four Residential Treatment Facilities), 15 Supportive Housing Sites, and three Motel and Shelter Programs.
We also welcomed the relocation of our peer program Comfort Zone to their current Beaverton site. Comfort Zone is run by Peer Wellness Specialists and offers outings and a place to relax for adults 18+. Our Polaris Transition Teams peer program also began taking referrals in late 2022, which has been life-changing for people like William, a program participant.
- Reaching Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors with Services: New Narrative walked alongside more than 2,000 people, providing resources and opportunities to reach their wellness goals. Our integrative approach means we are looking at each person’s individual needs and addressing access issues to basic necessities – like housing – while also working on skill-building and opportunities to access education, employment mentorship, and the chance to be part of a community. 95% of our participants were eligible for the Oregon Health Plan based on income requirements in 2023.
- 10% of participants were referred from Oregon; more than one-third of all participants have been or are currently involved in the justice system, and 43 were veterans.
- 130,000 meals were served across the agency, with the assistance of our outstanding Catering Crew. These meals provide a stable source of nutrition to many of our participants as they focus on their wellness journeys.
- Our Partnerships Pave the Way Forward: We could not have done this work without the generous support of our community partners, sponsors, and donors. As we look forward to the coming year, we are dedicated to expanding our reach to meet the increasing demands for housing and mental health services. Together, we can continue to write a new narrative for mental health in Greater Portland! As we close this latest fiscal year, please consider supporting New Narrative, and learn more about how your funding can change lives.
