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Our Story
& Impact

Thanks to community support, the families we serve are ending the cycle of violence and building lives without abuse. Together we are working toward a future without domestic and sexual violence, and where oppression in any form is not tolerated.

Our Services Survivor Stories Support Our Programs

History

For over 45 years, Raphael House of Portland has helped survivors find safety, hope, and independence. Our programs continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of survivors and our community in creative and innovative ways.

Who do we serve?

Raphael House proudly serves anyone impacted by domestic violence regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, immigration status, primary language, or sexuality.

Multigenerational families with kids (and adults) of all ages are supported, and we welcome pets!

Mission

We believe that everyone deserves to live a life free from violence. The mission of Raphael House is to engage our entire community in non-violent living through advocacy, education, and community outreach, and by providing a safe haven from domestic violence.

Our Values as an agency

Trust and Respect
  • We create respectful relationships and safe space, building a foundation of trust that is central to rebuilding lives, supporting families, and fostering community.
  • We are committed to survivor-centered advocacy and decision-making, using a strengths-based approach to support participants in reclaiming their voice and power.
  • We are a vital and trusted community resource.
Collaboration and Innovation
  • We collaborate with survivors, families, and volunteers to create pathways for healing and transformation.
  • We coordinate our efforts with other organizations to support as many survivors as possible, while also raising public awareness and working to end domestic violence and oppression.
  • We work with the community, addressing changing needs in creative, innovative ways.
Systemic Change
  • We are holistic in our approach, recognizing the need for change on many levels: individual, family, community, and society.
  • We create multiple and interconnected supports from prevention education to shelter and wellness services to housing assistance.
  • We are advocates for public policy change to support survivors and end the cycle of violence.
Caring Community
  • We are strengths-based within our team and with participants, believing in the capacity of individuals to learn, grow, and succeed as part of a supportive community.
  • We establish the behavioral supports and social culture needed for participants to achieve their goals through trauma-informed care, whole-family advocacy, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). 
  • We share best practices with partner agencies, and learn from them, in order for all to have well-trained staff.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
  • We celebrate diversity and welcome differences such as race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, LGBTQIA+, and religion.
  • We are culturally responsive, including culturally specific programs and services.
  • We are committed to using an equity lens to foster inclusive engagement and to center equity within our practices, policies, and decision-making.

Our Impact

We do everything possible to help survivors transition from our shelter into safe housing. And then we are here for them throughout their journey, as families move forward and build lives without abuse. We’re giving survivors tools they need to shape their own futures and end the cycle of violence. Read more about the impact we have together!

 

Spring report 2023

Sex trafficking of youth zine

Fall update 2023


93% of families


in our ongoing programs are safely and stably housed



community members and survivors of domestic violence we reach each year



of all emergency domestic violence shelter space
in Multnomah County is provided by Raphael House  



300+ youth


were supported by our programs last year

“I see how domestic violence
has been part of my family’s history.”

Now we are learning the skills and life lessons that they will carry on to their children too. – Janay, past shelter resident

hear from survivors

  Quickly exit site