Founded in 1949 by John Van Diest Sr., Portland Rescue Mission opened its doors as the “John 3:16 Mission.” Since then, the Portland Rescue Mission has had a tireless commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness, addiction and despair in the lives of hurting people in need.
Shepherd’s Door is a sanctuary of peace and security for women and children (ages 10 and under) who are seeking to transition into healthy lifestyles while dealing with the pain and destruction addiction caused in their lives.
“The first time I came here, that’s when I felt safe from the streets and being homeless. This program has given me hope for the future and for a different life.”
Having previously explored investing in solar, the Portland Rescue Mission (PRM) determined, like many other non-profits, that it is not financially feasible as the primarily incentives (tax credits) are not accessible by tax-exempt organizations. However, the solar industry—its employees and abundance of products—has a thirst to give back to community-driven organizations.
Twende Solar serves to make that connection. Attracting the best of PV industry, Twende Solar leverages its volunteers’ expertise, connections, and philanthropic spirit to install high-quality solar PV systems at an affordable cost for its partner organizations. Shepherd’s Door was an ideal candidate for a local project: a relatively new, up to date building that provides critical services to the Portland community. By offsetting its energy consumption with solar energy, PRM can reinvest its energy budget on its mission: providing vital services to thousands of men, women and children affected by homelessness, addiction, hunger and abuse.
Twende Solar volunteers empower the women in recovery at Shepherd's Door with a 100 kW solar system and Twende co-founder shares the "photovoltaic oath" and the industry's responsibility to use our skills to help those in need.
Portland Rescue Mission Project Recap
Such an overwhelming show of support! Thank you to our volunteers from: Synchro Solar, Sunbridge Solar, Elemental Energy, LightSource Energy, Imagine Energy, True South Solar, Sunlight Solar Energy, EDP Renewables, Cummins Power Generation, HDR Inc., Portland State University, The Green Go Solar Project, OSEIA, EMA Architecture, Thriving Solar, Business Performance Improvement, New Legacy Construction, SunModo Corp., CED Greentech, Quick Mount PV, Neil Kelly, IronRidge, SunPower, DNV GL, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and many, many more! Read more in our project recap.
