A little about the organization:
Dignity and Peace has its roots in the in the 40-year history of the St. Francis Dining Hall. Its founders are formerly staff and/or long-time volunteers at the Dining Hall which served three meals a day five days a week to the Southeast Portland, Buckman neighborhood as well as provided essential necessities for those living on the streets. When the Dining Hall closed in March of 2019, staff and volunteers were concerned about the welfare of those who could no longer access services or supplies. Those familiar with the houseless community noted the mental and physical deterioration of those who had previously frequented the Dining Hall. The former director of the Dining Hall, Dinae Horne, initiated a discussion with longtime Dining Hall volunteers and supporters about a mobile service delivery model. By September 2019 the concept was clarified, and a van was purchased. An open invitation was issued to a wider group of Dining Hall supporters to join a planning/work team which began meeting once a week, to start a new organization – Dignity & Peace. Call to Action NW Oregon became the sponsoring 501(c)(3) non-profit to provide mentorship until Dignity & Peace became an independent organization in 2020.
