Portland Rescue Mission Hosts "Conversations on a Bench

Portland Rescue Mission, a beacon of compassion and God's grace to a community facing homelessness, addiction, and trauma since 1949, is set to host a pivotal event as part of the media advisory for World Homeless Day. The organization, known for its innovative approach to serving those in need, is once again taking the lead in fostering authentic conversations about homelessness and its root causes.

The event, titled "Conversations on a Bench," will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT at the Portland Rescue Mission Burnside Shelter, located at 111 W. Burnside, Portland, OR. This 24-hour livestream event aims to bring the community together to engage in meaningful conversations, replacing assumptions with understanding, and highlighting the dignity and worth of every person.

The event will feature a diverse lineup of guests, including Mayor Keith Wilson, Police Chief Bob Day, and graduates of the PRM's recovery program. Community members, city leaders, ministry guests, volunteers, and curious passersby are all invited to share their stories, ask questions, or simply listen. The public is encouraged to participate in person or online throughout the event, with the livestream available on Facebook and YouTube.

The media is invited to attend at any time during the 24-hour event. Interviews with Holcomb, PRM staff, volunteers, and program participants can be arranged, and visual opportunities will be available throughout, including the noon kickoff, sunset, overnight hours, and sunrise on Friday.

Portland Rescue Mission, a 100% community-funded organization, has been dedicated to providing individualized, sustainable care to those in crisis since 1949. The organization's Christ-centered approach, known as the PRM Transformation Model, includes four essential areas of support: Get Help, Stabilize, Recover, and Give Back. Through Christian discipleship, life skills training, workforce development, and addiction recovery, the organization walks alongside each person as they move toward stability, healing, and a purposeful, self-sufficient life.

The event is part of the nationwide "Conversations on a Bench" movement, led by Citygate Network, which brings together nearly 100 rescue missions across North America. The movement seeks to replace assumptions with understanding and highlights the dignity and worth of every person, fostering a community that cares for its neighbors and finds real solutions together.

The media advisory provides logistical details, including the event name, date, time, and location. The event is open to the public, and media are welcome to register for accreditation. The advisory also includes the names and contact information of key organizers, ensuring that journalists have the necessary information to cover the event effectively.