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Q: Who benefits from a transitional shelter being located
in their community?
A: We all do.

Community Benefit: The Lake Oswego Family Transitional Shelters located at the Lake Oswego United Church of Christ and Lake Oswego United Methodist has received broad-based community support since we first opened our doors in l988. Neighbors to the shelter have yet to lodge a complaint, and in fact, the shelter has drawn some neighbors to directly support and befriend guest
families. The children of guest families attend the same schools as children in
the larger neighborhood do. The Lake Oswego Police Department has supported the shelter since its inception and continues to be supportive. The shelter has helped to raise awareness in our community of the needs of families in crisis.

Guest Family Benefit: Families are screened as a "good fit" for the transitional services of the shelter apartment by Annie Ross House and Clackamas County Social Services. Professional case-management services and long-range planning for permanent housing, employment, and health insurance is provided by a Self-Sufficiency Social Worker / Case Manager. Guest families typically stay in the apartment for one month to one year. Support services to guest families are provided by volunteers from 8 congregations in our community.