We’re looking for help on the planning committee for our biggest fundraiser, the Hoedown and Auction held in October!  This is a gorgeous, super-fun event, and the committee is friendly, organized and dynamic.  The commitment is one meeting the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm at Sisters (133 NW Davis) with tasks in between.  The first meeting is next Wednesday, March 7. We’d love to hear from you.  Contact Lisa at , or call (503) 222-5694 ext. 14.

Production on our book, which will amplify the voices of over 500 men and women experiencing homelessness, is speeding along and will be for sale this May.

As marketing of the book begins we’ve found that its national appeal is greater than we dreamed.  Because we chose a small local publisher, we are helping raise funds for printing and marketing.  We have $21,000 to go, and book sponsors can chose from a number of benefits such as having their name in presented on an inscription page.  Please consider helping launch this amazing project into national consciousness!

To learn about becoming a major book sponsor, call Monica Beemer at (503) 222-5694 ext. 19 or email her at Monica at sistersoftheroad.org. To support the book, click here to donate; for Donation Type find “Book Sponsor” in the pull-down menu. Or, mail your check to Sisters Of The Road, 133 NW Sixth Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209 and write “Voices” in the memo line.  If you would like to pre-order your copy of book, click here. All books pre-sold will help us raise money for final printing costs.  Thank-you!

If you are a fan of the hit indie rock band The Decemberists, they will be launching an exciting Spring Tour of the U.S. this March to support their ambitious new album The Crane Wife. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now through Ducat King, and $1.00 of every pre-sale ticket for every show sold will go to Sisters -Wow!

Many thanks and a big squeezy-hug to the Decemberists!

City of Portland Posts Sisters’ Research on Blog

We are honored to say that today, March first, the City of Portland posted an on-line blog using Sisters’ research!  It features excerpts from several interviews with women who have experience with homelessness.  Click here to read it. Content on this site will change daily, so log on frequently throughout March to read the latest fascinating posts.

In addition to Sisters, Street Roots and the Women City Builders program in PSU’s Women’s Studies Department are also participating in the blog.  You may post your own story on the blog by using a form on the site. The city says they believe “these contributors will bring a new perspective to Women’s History Month. . . May all voices be heard.”

The blog is part of the City’s Diversity program, and three city bureaus have worked together to coordinate the 2007 observance of Women’s History Month.  Thank-you, City of Portland!

Click here for more pictures!

The Personalist Center Groundbreaking, held on Fat Tuesday, February 20th was a great success!  Portland’s favorite female impersonator Darcelle XV was our guest of honor, and after giving a speech about Sisters and Darcelle’s long relationship in Old Town Chinatown, she swung a ceremonial blow at a ‘brick’ wall to mark the beginning of the Center’s transformation.

The Center will open in mid-2007 in the space adjacent to the cafe, with a new indoor waiting area, a revamped mail and hygiene center, and an expanded barter program.  By moving these direct services which are currently administered by café staff, they will be placed in the hands of our customers and barter workers giving them more power and responsibility.

To learn more about the Personalist Center, click here.

Click here to see more great pictures of the groundbreaking!