Description: MWVCAA is committed to securing future funding to strengthen and expand critical facilities that support individuals experiencing housing instability and homelessness. These efforts will prioritize investments in rural communities, including renovating a resource center in Mill City and operating a managed camp in Woodburn. Additionally, funding will support renovations to our homeless drop-in day center in downtown Salem and Taylor’s House, our emergency shelter for youth.
SANTIAM OUTREACH COMMUNITY CENTER (SOCC)
Santiam Outreach Community Center (SOCC), MWVCAA’s resource center in Mill City, serves as a vital support hub for residents of Marion County’s Santiam Canyon region. Since 2019, SOCC has provided essential services to the communities of Idanha, Detroit, Gates, Mill City, Lyons, Sublimity, Stayton, and Aumsville, offering eviction prevention assistance, resource navigation, and support for individuals and families experiencing housing instability.
Following the historic Labor Day wildfires of 2020, SOCC played a critical role in helping wildfire survivors recover and rebuild. Through dedicated efforts, SOCC has supported 177 wildfire-impacted households, administering $2.43 million in rental and reconstruction assistance.
Today, SOCC remains a cornerstone of stability and hope for the Santiam Canyon community. The center features a welcoming day room for social engagement, a computer lab, a clothing closet, a food pantry, and a secure space for residents to receive mail. Additionally, the on-site MWVCAA resource navigator provides financial assistance for eviction prevention, helps residents access and maintain mainstream benefits (e.g., SNAP, WIC, Medicare/Medicaid, SSI/SSDI), connects individuals to medical and mental health services, and facilitates referrals to community partners.
Through its comprehensive services, SOCC continues to be a lifeline for those in need, fostering resilience and well-being throughout the region.
Impact of Support:
In rural communities like Santiam Canyon, access to essential services is key to fostering stability and resilience—especially in the wake of disasters. By strengthening the Santiam Outreach Community Center (SOCC), we can enhance preparedness, promote equity, and expand opportunities, ensuring individuals and families in rural areas have the same support and resources as their urban neighbors. With future investment, the SOCC will:
- Expand disaster preparedness by enhancing storage capacity for emergency supplies and strengthening our role as a satellite Emergency Operations Center.
- Support individuals experiencing housing instability by adding shower and laundry facilities while expanding access to essential resources like clothing, hygiene supplies, and pet food.
- Create a more functional, adaptable space serving the community during daily operations and crises.
- Improve collaboration with community partners by reconfiguring office spaces for seamless service delivery.
WOODBURN MANAGED CAMP
Since May 2024, MWVCAA has operated a year-round, low-barrier, managed campsite in Woodburn, Oregon, a rural community 19 miles north of Salem. Before its establishment, Woodburn relied on intermittently operated, temperature-activated warming shelters, leaving many individuals without reliable access to year-round shelter beds and essential support services. This new facility provides a consistent, stable, and accessible option for those in need, addressing a critical gap in the region’s homeless services.
MWVCAA now operates the only year-round, low-barrier emergency shelter in Woodburn. This 30-bed, co-ed, pet-friendly facility has provided over 4,000 bed nights since its opening. In addition to shelter, guests receive daily meals, laundry services, showers, and access to critical support. The program assists individuals in securing permanent Housing, medical care, mental health and substance use treatment, employment services, and benefits, helping them transition toward long-term stability.
Impact of Support:
Consistent access to shelter and essential services is vital to breaking the cycle of instability for individuals experiencing homelessness in Woodburn. By securing future funding for the Woodburn Managed Camp, we can ensure those in need have a safe place to stay and the resources necessary to rebuild their lives. With this support, the Woodburn Managed Camp will:
- Operate year-round, providing overnight shelter for people and their pets.
- Offer essential services, including prepared meals, laundry facilities, showers, hygiene supplies, and pet food.
- Connect guests to long-term solutions, such as permanent Housing, medical care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, employment support, and benefits.
- Provide housing-focused case management, helping individuals address barriers to stability and work toward self-sufficiency.
DAY CENTER RENOVATION
For over a decade, the ARCHES Project Drop-In Day Center has served as a vital resource for individuals experiencing homelessness in Salem, Oregon. Originally established 13 years ago to meet the essential needs of unsheltered individuals, the center has become a cornerstone of support, providing a safe and welcoming space for thousands in need.
Since relocating to its current downtown Salem location in July 2018, the center has expanded its reach, serving over 5,000 individuals and delivering more than 108,000 essential services. In 2024 alone, the center recorded 30,866 visits and assisted 2,910 individuals with permanent housing connections, meals, hygiene supplies, and medical and mental health service navigation.
The ARCHES Drop-In Day Center provides many essential services to support homeless individuals. Guests can access meals, bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and secure mailboxes. Hygiene supplies and pet food are also available to ensure that individuals and their companions receive the care they need. Beyond meeting basic needs, the center connects guests with critical resources, including medical care, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, permanent housing support, shelter opportunities, and assistance applying for benefits such as SSI, SSDI, SNAP, and no-cost cellular phones.
Today, the ARCHES Drop-In Day Center continues to serve as a stabilizing force for those experiencing homelessness in Salem. The center helps individuals navigate the path toward Housing, stability, and self-sufficiency by providing immediate relief and long-term support. With ongoing investment and community support, the ARCHES Project remains a crucial resource, ensuring no one faces homelessness alone.
Impact of Support:
To continue meeting the growing needs of our community, the center requires significant renovations to create a safer, more functional, and welcoming space. Securing the necessary resources will allow us to transform the facility, enhancing its infrastructure and improving the experience of those who rely on its services. With this support, the day center will:
- Create a safer and more welcoming environment by refreshing the exterior with new paint, repairing broken plumbing for reliable facilities, and making essential upgrades that improve safety and functionality for every guest.
- Upgrade restrooms with modern fixtures, enhanced cleanliness, and better usability for all guests to improve hygiene and comfort.
- Expand accessibility by making ADA-compliant upgrades, ensuring individuals of all abilities can navigate the space safely and with dignity.
- Enhance communication and access to critical resources by installing an electronic reader board and providing real-time updates on available services, community resources, and important announcements to keep guests informed and connected.
TAYLOR’S HOUSE RENOVATION
Taylor’s House provides a safe, stable, and supportive environment for youth experiencing homelessness, offering a pathway toward independence and long-term stability. As MWVCAA’s 10-bed emergency shelter for youth ages 14 to 18, it has served over 380 young people since 2018, providing 24/7 care in a traditional home setting. In 2024 alone, Taylor’s House sheltered 51 unaccompanied minors, providing 1,503 bed nights.
Taylor’s House utilizes a low-barrier and Housing First approach, ensuring that all youth, including those of any gender identity, sexual orientation, or sobriety level, have access to shelter. Services are designed with trauma-informed care at their core, recognizing the impact of past experiences and prioritizing trust, stability, and empowerment. Youth can self-direct their journey, selecting case management, goal-setting, and supportive services aligning with their aspirations.
Beyond shelter, Taylor’s House provides prepared meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, and structured group activities that foster peer connection and personal growth. Youth receive transportation to school, after-school programs, and community appointments, ensuring continued engagement in education and essential services. When they are ready to transition into permanent Housing, staff provide ongoing support to ensure a successful, sustainable future. More than just a shelter, Taylor’s House is a foundation for growth, opportunity, and lasting change for the youth who need it most.
Impact of Support:
Taylor’s House provides a safe and stable environment for youth experiencing homelessness, but critical repairs and renovations are needed to ensure it remains a secure and supportive space. Funding for these improvements will allow Taylor’s House to:
- Enhance safety and long-term stability by replacing the roof, eliminating hazardous skylights, and implementing exterior perimeter improvements to create a more secure environment for youth.
- Improve accessibility and security with a new ADA-compliant entry door, updated restroom fixtures, and new doors and casings to create a safer, more inclusive environment.
- Create a welcoming and uplifting space through fresh interior and exterior paint, new energy-efficient lighting, and upgraded flooring throughout the facility.
- Upgrade essential amenities by modernizing kitchen and laundry cabinets, improving restroom finishes, and making daily living spaces more functional and comfortable.