Supporting the Arbor Lodge Shelter, Arbor Lodge Neighborhood, and Kenton Neighborhood Communities
The Arbor Lodge Shelter Community Advisory Committee (CAC) serves as a collaborative, problem-solving body that maintains strong lines of communication between the Homeless Services Department, Do Good Multnomah (the shelter operator), and the community through the Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association and Kenton neighbors while ensuring agreement commitments are upheld and fostering transparency. The CAC identifies opportunities for greater collaboration and develops solutions to recurring problems that benefit the shelter, its participants, and the broader community.
Update from December 30, 2025 Community Advisory Committee Meeting
General Updates
The Emergency Management Office operates the county's severe weather shelters. The county's on-call staffing pool is now better resourced to support these operations.
There is a new intake packet that the shelter made that is more supportive of the neighbors, mostly being clearer about their impact on the neighborhood.
The Arbor Lodge Staff has been coached as to guiding exiting participants so as to make sure they have as much support and resources available, to have minimal impact on them and the community.
Puzzles from the Multnomah County Library have been enjoyed, especially during the cold, rainy days.
The shelter has books that the library donates, and the manager is asking for any community volunteers to build a “free little book library” on the parking strip part of the property to share books with the neighbors as well.
Soon the outdoor light shields will arrive for the Shelter to protect the neighbors from the harsh nighttime lights on the Shelter Property. The shipping date is this week.
The St. Johns day shelter visitors and their issues do get addressed and referred to the Arbor Lodge shelter at times. Arbor lodge Shelter also collaborates with the Thayer Family Foundation Veterans' Recovery and Sober Shelter in Kenton.
The shelter kitchen is understaffed and has applied for approval for funding for more help in the kitchen. Presently, there are two workers making about 1400 meals/week.
An anti-graffiti top coat has been applied to the outside Mural so that graffiti can be removed easily without damaging the mural.
There is a new “Team Lead Supervisor” named Dave.
The latest priority list of shelter needs:
Men's/women's sweatpants: XL, XXL
Coffee
Razors and shaving cream
Toothpaste
Colored pens and pencils, yarn for crafting and knitting
Incontinence depends and pads (M/L, XL, Small)
Pet muzzles, all sizes
Battery-operated leaf blower
Shower shoes (XL/L/M/S)
Next Meeting: January 27, 2026
We are happy to report that neighbors have been contributing various items and donations, and if you would like to contribute, you can check the "Give Support" section below for the items the shelter most greatly needs right now. You can drop off donations to the shelter, or contact arbor-lodge-shelter-cac@googlegroups.com to coordinate for a member of the CAC to pick up your items.
The Arbor Lodge Shelter can always use additional support. The CAC will maintain this page with the most current list of most-needed items.
Money donations can be made directly to Do Good Multnomah on their donation page. If you want your donation to go directly to the Arbor Lodge Shelter you indicate that by leaving a comment when donating.
Men's and women's sweatpants (XL, XXL)
Coffee
Razors and shaving cream
Toothpaste
Colored pens, pencils, and yarn for crafting
Incontinence supplies (Medium, Large, XL, Small)
Pet muzzles (all sizes)
Battery-operated leaf blower
Shower shoes (XL, L, M, S)
Backyard bouquets from neighbors' gardens are especially enjoyed by participants and staff. Contact your CAC representative for more information.
The shelter is currently getting adult and children book donations from the library, including children's books, and want to share with the community. If anyone would like to help build a free library outside of the shelter, please contact the manager, Sean Rotbergs at his email address.: Srotbergs@dogoodmultnomah.org
Do you need to report an issue related to the shelter or looking for support from the CAC? You can contact us at arbor-lodge-shelter-cac@googlegroups.com.