Hour 66: Operation Nightwatch

This was my 3rd time volunteering with Operation Nightwatch this year, possibly my favorite place to volunteer in town because of the unique chance to closely interact with those living a very different lifestyle than my own. ON is a group that focuses it's service on providing hospitality to those looking for a break from the street. Every Thurs, Fri and Sat night they open their doors, and my job as a volunteer is to welcome them, and serve the occasional sandwich or cup of coffee. This Saturday night I talked with a young veteran who lives in a nearby lower income building. He told me stories of his time at different military bases across the country, his time in Iraq as an interpreter, and how he made his way to Portland (for the mild weather). He knew many of the regular guests at Operation Nightwatch, telling me that those living on the streets of Portland make up a not-so-big community themselves. He told me that some form of mental instability and drug abuse is a common denominator among those in the community. Drugs are often used to self-medicate. We talked about all topics; baseball, the weather in the midwest, and even politics (rare for me). I enjoy Operation Nightwatch so much, I think, because of conversations like this. Finding common ground with those who seem uncommon.