Second Home • Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

Second Home connects volunteer host homes with unaccompanied high school students experiencing homelessness. By ensuring that the students have stable housing and ongoing support, Second Home allows them to focus on completing their secondary education and realize their full potential.

Second Home, a program of EMO, serves students in Washington County, Clackamas County*, East Multnomah County** and Lincoln County school districts. Our program is a ground-breaking example of how a community can respond to the issue of youth homelessness. Through recruiting volunteer home providers, we connect students who are on track to graduate high school with housing and support to meet their goals. Second Home is also available to provide support to people who are already housing unaccompanied homeless youth.

Learn more about Second Home: Home Providers | Students
Volunteer Opportunities | Get Involved | In the News | Strategic Plan 2022-2024

EVO 10.0 "Second Home" short film from the sm evo experience on Vimeo.
Listen to the Canby Now Podcast, "Home, Sweet Home."

Volunteer Opportunities

> Home Provider – Provide short-term or long-term housing for a Second Home student. Background checks and application required. Learn more.
> Student Support Team – Support a Second Home student through holiday and birthday cards, attending their school events, and more. Background checks may be required.
> Community Organizer – Join us in raising awareness around the issue of youth homelessness in our communities, speak to your organization or congregation, assist staff with fundraising events, coordinate volunteers working together to support our youth!

For more information about any of these opportunities, please fill out a Second Home Volunteer Form.

More Ways to Get Involved

> Make a financial donation to Second Home. Select “Second Home” from the bulleted list on our secure donation page. Following this step, you will have an opportunity to specify your particular service area by including the school district name in the donor intent box. This will ensure that your gift goes the Second Home service area of your choice; otherwise donations will be directed to the Second Home general fund.
> Like us on Facebook.
> Donate money toward "special" student expenses, such as birthdays and holidays, prom, graduation, college applications, etc.
> Organize a fundraiser, with the proceeds to go to Second Home, or ask your church or social group to have a special offering/collection to benefit Second Home.
> Invite us to speak to your group or organization.
> Ask your employer if they have any grants for which Second Home can apply, or if they'll offer matching donations for employees.
> Provide one of our students with a cell phone to make it easier to stay in touch with us and their home-providers.
> Help locate suitable jobs or internships for our students.
> Host a gathering for students, home providers, staff, and volunteers to have an opportunity to meet and socialize.
> Let us know about students and home-providers that are already living together, but might benefit from the structure Second Home has to offer.

Second Home in the News

Subscribe to the Second Home enewsletter (view the latest issue)
Sign up now!

November 2022, Hunger & Homeless Awareness - Second Home, video by Beaverton School District
Nov. 5, 2021, Students on their own find a haven in Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Second Home program: Season of Sharing 2021, The Oregonian
Aug. 18, 2021, "No nos olvidamos de ellos," En Contacto podcast
June 2021, KATU News feature on high school graduates (above)
May 25, 2021, "Taking in homeless youth a tough sell in western Washington County," Forest Grove News Times
April 12, 2021, "Preserving human dignity in Estacada and Sandy," Estacada News
June 16, 2020, "Program provides stable housing for unaccompanied students in Oregon," KATU News
June 1, 2020, "Host homes bring stability to unhoused youth," Hillsboro News Times
June 30, 2019, Canby Now Podcast, "Home, Sweet Home"
Feb. 14, 2017, EMO's Second Home program featured in the Gresham Outlook
Nov. 6, 2015, "Everyday Heroes: Second Home volunteers," KATU News Watch
July 8, 2015, interview, "EMO's Second Home: Connecting homeless youth & host families," MetroEast Community Hotline (video)
April 24, 2015, "Helping homeless teens earn their diplomas," Gresham Outlook
April 8, 2015, "Second Home finds second, third homes," Beaverton Valley Times
Nov. 6, 2014, "From homeless to taking care of business," Beaverton Valley Times