Care, not cure
On April 1, 1992 the Macdonald Center began operations as a not-for-profit corporation. In that year we received a $51,250 grant from the Commission on National and Community Service affirming our mission to care for the forgotten in the heart of our city of Portland and to educate volunteers, many of them university students, to address issues of urban poverty and illness.
Among the forgotten in the city are persons with chronic mental illnesses, those who suffer with addictions and others in very poor health. Addictions and mental illnesses, combined with poverty, destroy people's dreams and hopes and opportunities. Life becomes harsh and people are deprived of basic resources and everyday choices. Among these poor in the city, human frailty and risk are very high; human freedom and dignity are very low. We consider these forgotten, suffering people to be our neighbors.
Many neighbors we visit regularly are or have been homeless. Some have been confined to jail during acute episodes of mental illness during their lifetimes. Most now live in low-income residential hotels and continue to be socially isolated from the larger community, meaning they have lost connections with their families, friends, faith community and employment. In addition to having no financial resources, many also suffer with serious physical illnesses such as lung and heart disorders, strokes, advanced diabetes, injuries from accidents, and the tragic effects of mental illnesses or late-stage alcoholism and addiction. Many also suffer with personality disorders, very low self esteem, and/or a personal history of abuse.
Our approach to this overwhelming suffering at the heart of the city has been clear and straight forward. We realize that while we cannot really cure or take away suffering, we can help by bringing care and comfort. When people are in pain or become trapped in addictions, they tend to stop communicating or to isolate. We attempt to lessen suffering by throwing out life lines which are regular visits. With patience and kindness, trust slowly begins to grow and communication begins to happen.
Over time positive relationships may develop and helping becomes reciprocal as our neighbors become teachers. Thus, our Macdonald Center volunteers indeed learn first hand about urban poverty and illness. They also learn a good deal about themselves and their capacity for caring for and about others.