Every organization has a story, and we are no exception. What we did not start with, however, was a five or ten year plan. The summer of 2003 saw a move from the country to the city with a sweet expectation, and a little trepidation to see what was in store. One year. That’s what we took.

One year to listen… listen to the pulse and hum of the beautiful city of Portland, listen to her people and listen to the echoes of our hearts.

It didn’t take long before the imprinting took place – a deep and restless love. A concern for people in the margins… and for people in corner offices and in suits. A love for people. In 2004, we gathered a few friends together to sweep some dirty streets, and found a deep and gratifying satisfaction in the many conversations around the “Why” of our actions. No, we were not correcting previously deviant behaviors through physical labor – we just thought the streets look nicer if they are clean. And it is true.

Soon after that, a quiet voice made some noise in our hearts. Wash feet. No reason. It would be easy to leap here to having answers before the questions are even uttered, but we had learned by now, that when one listens, there is often something spoken.