Sisters Of The Road’s Mission:

Sisters Of The Road exists to build authentic relationships and alleviate the hunger of isolation in an atmosphere of non-violence and gentle personalism that nurtures the whole individual toward changes that will reach the root of his or her homelessness and poverty and end it forever.

Our Philosophy

Non-violence, gentle personalism and the community organizing model are the ideals which inform all actions and decisions at Sisters Of The Road.  It is understood that all individuals are equally worthy, that no one has a monopoly on the truth, and that we have much to learn from one another. There is a consistent refusal to participate in or condone any act of violence, any act of harm or humiliation, including sexism or racism. All violence is interrupted and attempts are made to resolve conflicts with respect. Sisters recognizes, nurtures and celebrates community by building relationships through its programs, special events and outreach.

25 Years of Room For All at The Table at Sisters Of The Road!

Many of you may have heard about Sisters Of The Road, but what is it that is so special that is happening down there?  Sisters is innately about building community. Yes, we serve hot, nutritious food and offer job training opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. But Sisters is also about radical, get to the root change – change of heart and understanding that we believe leads to individual and community efforts and solutions to end the calamities of homelessness and poverty. At least helps us to end our acceptance of these calamities as a given in our community.

How does Sisters Of The Road do this?

The short answer is, through

Community Organizing.

Community Organizing at its core is about building personal relationships, figuring out how to get people involved in changing the world and changing how individuals act together.  The first tenet of Community Organizing is never do for others what they can do for themselves. 

Sister’s Community Organizing model is grounded in the philosophies of non-violence and gentle personalism.  It empowers us to realize authentic, immediate, and concrete improvements in the lives of people dealing with homelessness and their communities; gives them a sense of their own power; ensures that worthwhile change occurs in the way those in power transact their business as it relates to homelessness; works on transforming homeless people’s relationships with people in power, mutually moving from perceived opponents to genuine allies, while simultaneously learning how to grow viable organizations that are inclusive and action oriented.


To learn about how we do Community Organizing at Sisters, click below.

So how exactly do we put this into practice?

• We involve our customers in the solutions.  Sisters Of The Road Café’s model of paying a small amount ($1.25) or working a little (the barter program) for a meal was created from the input of our customers and provides them with a dignified way to get a meal and participate in community.



• We listen to our customers, people who have experience with homelessness.  Sisters has just completed 600 one-to-one interviews with people who are currently or were previously homeless, asking them “What are the solutions?” This is our community organizing research project, which is partnering with the University of Washington to bring solutions from the interviews to the table.



• Crossroads people’s organization is people experiencing homelessness and housed people working together at the table where decisions are being made on homeless issues.  Crossroads has met regularly with police, the business community, City officials and is represented on the City’s 10 year plan to end homelessness. This resource is changing the face of homeless planning in Portland, Oregon.



• Providing opportunity for housed and houseless people to get to know each other and break down the belief that we are so different from one another.  We believe that we all have something to learn from each other. The public uses Sisters’ meal coupons (sold for $2 each by calling Catharine at 503-222-5694 ext. 12) as a positive response to panhandling, and a way to share a conversation with someone they see regularly on the streets. Our Café is a perfect venue to share a meal, volunteer and participate in many ways. Crossroads is a great way to get involved and work side by side for solutions and our Breakfasts For The Soul are free, quarterly breakfasts that offer a venue to share a meal and conversation and hear what is new and exciting at this vital organization.

Sisters Of The Road is about you and your hope for a community that welcomes participation from all of us in our own unique ways. How can you help?