N2N News
N2N Thanks its Supporters
03/29/2026
Guests wait for the Warming Station to open in 2026
Neighbor 2 Neighbor wants to thank all of its supporters who enabled N2N staff to operate the Warming Station
continuously this winter.
It takes from 5 to 7 staff members each night to keep the station open. Because of the limited number
of volunteers, N2N used employees to staff the overnight positions. Two staff manage the station all night long due to safety concerns and fire regulations.
Employee costs along with utility, food and infrastructure costs put a great strain on the budget. "We could not operate without the combined support of out grantors,
individuals, churches and organizations," said Executive Director Dwight Johnson.
N2N once again received significant grants from the Wildhorse Foundation and the Blue Mountain Community Foundation. Both organizations have been long time supporters of N2N.
In addition, this year N2N received support from the AmazonX program. Along with these grants, N2N has continued to rely on support from individuals, churches and a variety of local organizations.
"We depend on everyone to keep us going," said Johnson. "We get no direct government funding. So each year it is a challenge to open. We are grateful to all of our supporters. Without
them we would not be able to operate."
Neighbor 2 Neighbor is planning to begin its Day Center operations on April 12. Financial support is required to maintain this operation as well as the Warming Station
and Veda's Café, the N2N food service. "We need everyone working together to maintain this operation year around, said Johnson. "It
definitely takes the whole village."
A full list of supporters can be found on the support page.
Warming Station has Busiest Season Ever
03/25/2026
Guests enjoy a meal and fellowship at the Pendleton Warming Station in 2026
The Pendleton Warming Station experienced the most use it has ever had since opening in 2011. The station was open continuously from mid November 11 to March 15. In spite of the mild winter, the average overnight census at the station this season was 20.6. This exceeded the previous high of 20.4 experienced during the 2018-2019 season. The station served 167 different individuals this winter. Stays varied from one day to many weeks. This was also the highest number ever served. "I think it reflects the growing problem of homelessness in our community," said Executive Director Dwight Johnson. "I think it also confirms the critical role that the Warming Station plays for many of our homeless neighbors."
Warming Station Kept Warmer this Season!
03/24/2026
The Pendleton Warming Station was kept warmer this season thanks to new windows provided by a grant received from the Pendleton Foundation Trust. The $10,000 grant allowed N2N to contract with C and H Glass in Pendleton to order and install new insulated vinyl windows, replacing the old aluminum framed single pane windows. "We really noticed the difference this year. In the past, anytime you got close to those old windows you noticed the cold. This year it was not noticeable even on the coldest nights, " said Executive Director Dwight Johnson.
Board Members Kit Morgan and Mandy Gawf point to the new escape window.
In addition to improving the energy efficiency of the building, the grant funds were used to install an emergency exit window in the men's sleeping area. This has increased the escape options for guests in the case of fire.
N2N thanks Pendleton Foundation Trust for its continued support of N2N and its mission. The Pendleton Foundation Trust previously helped replace the leaky roof on the Warming Station.
Warming Station Closes for the Season
03/15/2025
The Warming Station closed on March 15 after being open since mid November. During that time N2N helped 152 different individuals stay out of the cold. The average evening census for the winter was 14.8, and the station received 1794 individual visits. It took 50 volunteers and three overnight employees to keep the station open. Neighbor 2 Neighbor is extremely grateful to the Wildhorse Foundation and the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, whose combined funding allowed us to hire our employees and keep the station open so that homeless folks had an alternative to sleeping outside unsheltered in the cold winter months. Thank you thank you thank you!
Warming Station Receives Grants and Support
02/15/2025
Neighbor 2 Neighbor has received three grants which have allowed it to operate the Warming Station this winter. Without these grants it would have not been possible to maintain consistent operations throughout the period. N2N received $20,000 from the Wildhorse Foundation, $15,000 from the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, and $1165 from the Community Foundation of the North State, a foundation associated with Columbia Bank. We are extremely grateful for this support. Without it is unlikely that we would have been able to open the Warming Station for overnight shelter.
In addition, in late September N2N received a sizeable donation from theUrban League of Portland that included sleeping bags, clothing and backpacks.
N2N continues to receive donations from churches, businesses, other non-profits and individuals. Without this support N2N would not be able to conduct its operations. Thanks to all!
Warming Station has Busy Season
01/28/2024
Veda's Room at the Warming Station
The Warming Station has been open since mid November and has experienced heavy use since that time. So far the Warming Station use has been almost as high as the 2018-2019 season, which was the busiest in the twelve year history of our organization. As of January 31, the Warming Station had served 115 people facing homelessness. During the cold spell in mid January, the Warming Station went into overflow , with guests sleeping n the floor in Veda's Room (the dining room) to escape the bitter nighttime temperatures. The evening census dropped back to around 14 once the weather warmed up.
Long Time Volunteers Leave N2N
10/26/2021
Dave and Kasandra Williams
Long time N2N volunteers Dave and Kasandra Williams are leaving N2N after volunteering for over ten years. The couple will be moving to Texas where Kasandra's family still resides. Guests and volunteers of N2N will miss both of these dedicated individuals for their warm hearts and generosity.
Kasandra started with N2N in the fall of 2011 after the Pendleton Warming Station was first created. Kasandra most often worked the "owl"shift staying awake all night to make sure the facility was safe. That first year Kasandra volunteered more hours than any other volunteer. In 2012 Kasandra took over as the volunteer coordinator, responsible for filling the shifts at the warming station. Kasandra continued to staff many shifts herself including serving as a cook.
Kasandra's husband Dave came on board a short time after Kasandra. Dave also worked many shifts at the Warming Station. Dave's regular job as a police officer for the CTUIR provided him skills that were often used when behavior problems occurred at the station. Dave's firm but fair and compassionate approach helped to diffuse several situations over the years. His calm approach was one reason why during his tenure their was never a serious incident at the station. Dave retired from the police department early this year.
Both Dave and Kasandra have served on the N2N Board of Directors for several years. They will both be greatly missed. We at N2N wish them the best in their new adventure.
Day Center Re-Opens with New Procedures
08/24/2020
Volunteers staff the outdoor intake area
Neighbor 2 Neighbor has begun Monday Day Center operations after a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 virus. However, procedures have been changed to help keep volunteers and clients safe during the ongoing pandemic.
The Day Center is now open Mondays from 1 to 4 PM. Intake is being done in the covered area between the main building and the storage building. Only one guest may be in the building at a time. Masks are worn at all times. Services provided include showers, laundry vouchers, mail, and snacks.
N2N Helped by Columbia Bank
12/12/2019
Left to Right: Kendra, Tara, Sydney and Kelsey
Neighbor 2 Neighbor
has once again been selected as one of the benefiting
organizations of Columbia Bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive.
Columbia Bank has been very active in providing support for
those without homes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Our local Columbia Bank branch located at 2101 SW Court Ave.
in Pendleton has enthusiastically joined in to publicize the
needs of Neighbor 2 Neighbor.
The bank is soliciting funds as well as needed items such as thermal underwear and lined gloves. All donated funds are used in the communities where they are received. In Pendleton, funds are given to Neighbor 2 Neighbor to help with Warming Station expenses. We at N2N continual to thank Columbia Bank and the great people who work there for their ongoing support. We encourage all to stop by and look at the Warm Hearts display and bring in your donations. Thanks Columbia Bank!
N2N Receives Grant from The Oregon Community Foundation
12/21/2018
In December Neighbor 2 Neighbor received a wonderful Christmas present from The Oregon Community Foundation in the form of a $2000 grant. The money was from the Foundation's Helen L. Colgan Fund to aid homeless individuals in the grantee's community. N2N will use these funds to help pay for food and utilities at the Warming Station, as well as to provide temporary motel accommodations for families with children. Neighbor 2 Neighbor thanks OCF for selecting us to receive these funds to help folks without homes.
The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve lives for all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds, OCF awarded more than $108 million in grants and scholarships in 2016.
N2N Receives Grant from First Story
11/15/2018
Neighbor 2 Neighbor received a $700 grant from First Story, a charitable division of Hayden Homes. First Story was founded in 1998 in Redmond, Oregon and "promotes giving and inspires communities through the creation of home ownership opportunities and financial support. Neighbor 2 Neighbor wishes to thank First Story for its generous support and desire to provide winter shelter for individuals without homes.
N2N Helped by Columbia Bank
11/19/2018
Left to Right: Tara Soeum, Personal Banker, Kelsey Derry, Client Service Specialist, Rita Rosenberg, Branch Manager
Neighbor 2 Neighbor has once again been selected as one of the benefiting organizations of Columbia Bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive. Columbia Bank has been very active in providing support for those without homes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our local Columbia Bank branch located at 2101 SW Court Ave. in Pendleton has enthusiastically joined in to publicize the needs of Neighbor 2 Neighbor.
The bank is soliciting funds as well as needed items such as coats and gloves. All donated funds are used in the communities where they are received. In Pendleton, funds are given to Neighbor 2 Neighbor to help with Warming Station expenses. We at N2N are deeply grateful to Columbia Bank and the great people who work there. We encourage all to stop by and look at the Warm Hearts display and bring in your donations. Thanks Columbia Bank!
Two New Directors Named
09/01/2018
Neighbor 2 Neighbor is excited to announce the addition of two new directors to its board. Marc Mullins and Scott Norris have been selected to fill the vacant positions that resulted from the resignation of Chris and Carolyn Clemons.
Marc is the pastor of First Christian Church and has also lived in Bakersfield California and Hermiston, Oregon. Marc worked at a shelter in Bakersfield, is widely travelled and has a passion for helping those in need. Scott is a life long Pendleton resident who currently works as the maintenance manager for McKay estates. Scott has prior experience working with the mentally disabled. Scott volunteered last year at the Warming Station and has a similar passion for helping those who are homeless.
We welcome both Marc and Scott to the N2N Board of Directors!
Johnson Selected as New Executive Director
08/01/2018
Dwight Johnson has been selected as the new Executive Director for Neighbor 2 Neighbor. Dwight was formerly the treasurer for N2N and has served on its board of Directors since the Pendleton Warming Station was first created in 2011. Dwight has worked as a volunteer at the Warming Station since its first year and has continued to work shifts at the station ever since, often taking the overnight or "owl" shift. Dwight worked with Warming Station founder Sandy Kimbrow at the Pendleton Day Center, which was established in 2012.
"It is a high honor to have the Board of Directors select me for the Executive Director position. I know that Chris and Sandy both set the bar very high. I will do my best to follow in their footsteps. I am committed to the mission of N2N and it is a privilege to work with all our dedicated volunteers."
Dwight has been married to his wife Marilyn, who is also an N2N volunteer, for over 40 years. Besides volunteering with N2N he is also a member of the Pendleton Lions Club.
Clemons' Leave N2N
05/01/2018
Executive Director Chris Clemons announced in February that he and wife Carolyn would be resigning from Neighbor 2 Neighbor effective 04/30/2018, the end of N2N's fiscal year. Carolyn was a board director and the main coordinator for the kitchen. Chris emphasized that he was leaving due to the impacts his N2N activities were having on his other responsibilities, including his family. Chris said he felt it best that both he and Carolyn cut all their direct ties with N2N or they might find themselves again over-extended. Chris said he felt the timing was right to leave and expressed his complete support for N2N, its mission and its board of directors.
Chris led Neighbor 2 Neighbor during a critical time in N2N's brief history. During Chris' watch N2N incorporated as a non-profit tax-exempt organization, acquired its current building, obtained a grant to fix the roof, obtained a grant from CAPECO to purchase institutional bunk beds, and oversaw the building remodel. Carolyn planned the kitchen operation and spent countless hours ensuring that N2N guests obtained a nutritious meal. Both will be greatly missed.
The board of Neighbor 2 Neighbor thanks Chris and Carolyn for their tireless efforts on behalf of people who have lost their homes and wish them the best wherever the future takes them.