THPRD Supports Homeless Families

THPRD SUPPORTS HOMELESS FAMILIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BEAVERTON FAMILY PROMISE

Homeless families in the Beaverton area served by the nonprofit Beaverton Family Promise will be able to stay overnight at certain Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District facilities during designated maintenance closures.

Through a partnership between THPRD and Beaverton Family Promise, the park district will host families for at least 3-4 weeks per year. During a given week, the families will stay overnight in one designated room of a THPRD recreation center. Beaverton Family Promise will select the families and chaperone them with staff and volunteers at the THPRD site.

Overnight stays during the weeks THPRD is used will extend from Sunday night through the following Sunday morning. During the day, the park district will transport the families to and from Family Promise’s day center at Sunset Presbyterian Church.

“We are keenly aware of homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing as a major challenge to quality of life in the Beaverton area,” said Ali Kavianian, president of the THPRD Board of Directors. “This is another way as a community partner we can help address the issue. By opening our facilities to these families during a time when we are ordinarily closed, we are helping them and our whole community.”

Four THPRD centers have been identified as hosts: Cedar Hills Recreation Center, Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center, Elsie Stuhr Center, and Garden Home Recreation Center.

During overnight stays at THPRD recreation centers, guests will be able to take advantage of available amenities. For example, in addition to taking showers, children would be able to play in the gymnasium and adults could use the fitness room.

Beaverton Family Promise is part of a nationwide nonprofit with more than 200 sites. The local affiliate has 10 host organizations: THPRD, the City of Beaverton, and eight churches.

THPRD is believed to be the first park district in the U.S. to partner with Family Promise.

The organization’s primary focus is to help guest families get back into permanent, sustainable housing and employment as quickly as possible. While in the program, guests receive food, shelter, and comprehensive support services. Guest families also have the opportunity to develop enduring life skills through individualized case management by Beaverton Family Promise staff and personal mentoring by volunteers.

About THPRD
Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning 50 square miles and serving about 250,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 95 park sites with active recreational amenities, nearly 70 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and about 1,500 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.