Photo by Brynn Athens, PhotoVoice participant

Photo by Brynn Athens, PhotoVoice participant

Chrissy serves in the cafe

Hawk and Gwen: customers and staff at Sisters build strong relationships and community

Sophia, Elena, Ruthie and her brother held a pancake fundraiser and donated the proceeds to Sisters, all on their own initiative!

Here are some kind and touching words that our supporters and customers have said about us!

“Ms. Genny Nelson/ Mr. Patrick Nolen,

Having done my share of sleeping in barns in the winter in Minnesota, etc. with my family when I was growing up, your unsolicited entreaty found a resonating cord within me.  My only regret is that $20.00 isn’t much, but it is all I can give at this time.  Keep up the Good Work!

—Cale”


“Sisters Of The Road Cafe is a place where everyone can feel safe and accepted.  It’s a place to plug into the community.  Sisters rescued me from isolation and loneliness when I first moved to the Portland area thirteen years ago.  I was a stay-home mom, with no friends and no network.  I was invited to participate in the first fund-raising auction.  Since then I have been involved with Sisters in various ways.” 

—Marla Koch

  “I send greetings of aloha from Maui to the wonderful ohana (family) of Sisters of the Road.  No other organization is as dearly held in my heart.  The world would be a far better place if all people emulated the journey of Sisters Of The Road Café.”

—Jan Savidge 1/22/04

“Sisters has always been equated, for me, to unconditional support & respect of one’s dignity.  So often, organizations think of themselves as “the doer.”  I’d rather think of Sisters as ‘the instrument’ – for all of us in the community.  Your lack of ego in this atmosphere allows all of us supporting each other to do so ‘eyeball to eyeball.’ No one-ups manship needed, thank you.  The idea of unconditional giving is, along with the egolessness, central to what makes Sisters unique.  To ask one to profess this or that ideology to get your ‘handout’ is demeaning & outlandishly disrespectful.  The minute I sense Sisters move from this attitude (ie that you are just who you are & that’s ok no matter what you profess) will be the day I disconnect from Sisters.

“Also- Do you realize how grateful this supporter is in having the opportunity to serve our fellow community in this atmosphere?  I’ve never had the chance to say so- but many many thanks for allowing me to offer what I can- even if it’s just a few dollars here & there.  Keep up the wonderful work inspired by Ghandi- it’s interesting to note that those who Ghandi most respected by their nature, lived, breathed, and refused this respect, pure service & unconditionally.  Thank you again.” 

—Terry Hohner

“I helped out at Sisters Of The Road Café in the early 80s for about 4 years, coming down several times a week to help out with serving, cleaning, cashiering, etc.  Genny Nelson, one young helper and I were the only ones there at the time and we closed at 3 PM.  If a homeless or poor person came for a meal and could not pay, we put him to work washing dishes and then fed him.  I believe the meals were $1.50 and the daily cornbread recipe was excellent.  I still have their recipe which I’m listing below.

—Gerda M. Keller

“My first time I was brought to Sisters of the Road, a friend brought me, she said she had an account on the books because of her job- washing the aprons.  So she could buy me lunch, I thought “this is different, I was hungry, lonely, homeless, and curious…”  Everytime my friend order her meals it was beans and rice.  My self I order the lunch of the day.  Its been four months since my first meal, and now I come to Sisters almost daily.  Being homeless, broke, and my health is not good because of Hep C I get. As I walk through the doors happiness, friendliness, acceptance, sincerity, and nutrition.  I’ve always ate all my food.  And when I leave I’m fulfilled in so many ways only my story I share today can express the help I have received from this unique experience I hope to share with a friend.” 

—Anon.

“I don’t really have a story to tell, other then I’m a widowed 40 yr. old woman on a pension.  The first time I’ve ever been here was today.  I was very surprised & happy to see the way Sisters of the Road is operated.  It’s like eating at any other small café.  The service is great, you’re greeted with a smile, treated with dignity & respect.  I ate a nutritious filling meal.  I believe society sometimes likes to push the homeless (or just plain hungry, like myself) under the carpet.  Sisters of the Road makes you feel “a part of” society for a moment.  Thank you and God Bless,”
—Marie D.

“When I think of Sisters, I think of tireless dedication to creating a safe, nourishing place for all people.  I am specifically reminded of my friend Katie Fanagan who volunteered at Sisters through the Jesuit Volunteer Corp.  I know that good work happens each day at Sisters and I am thankful that this café exists.”

—Annie Stewart Gilligan