History
OHRA’s History: Responsive, Compassionate, Effective
Today, thanks to the support of this community, the dedication and talents of our volunteers, the strength of our partnership with numerous organizations and agencies, and the skill and commitment of our staff, OHRA is a trusted resource in our community, offering skilled support and compassion to people in need in our community.
We have grown thoughtfully and strategically, by listening to our community, learning from our mistakes, and never losing sight of our mission: helping people in need move from crisis to stability.
2010
OHRA began as a small group of concerned citizens who met to discuss issues relating to homelessness in our community.
2012
After two years, OHRA was born and had its first board of directors.
2013
November 2013
OHRA opens the Laundry-Shower Trailer, in response to a community survey
2014
February 2014
OHRA opens a small Resource Center
2015
June 2015
OHRA hires its first Resource Navigator, a crucial step in professionalizing how we assist those in need.
2017
January 2017
OHRA develops a 5-year Strategic Plan, formalizing its vision and mission.
Mission
By offering hope and access to social service resources, we encourage those in need on the path to self-sufficiency.
Vision
By helping people move from crisis to stability, OHRA builds more capable individuals, stronger families, and a better community.
March 2017
OHRA welcomes its first Advisory Council to help us hear the voice of our community.
2018
November 2018
In response to a request from volunteer leadership and the City and undertakes management of the Ashland Winter Shelter, a 5-month program rotating among faith organizations and dependent on a dedicated volunteer corps.
2019
April 2019
OHRA hires its first Executive Director, with a vision for the future of maturing as an organization to fulfill our mission even better.
November 2019
OHRA leases a single site for the Ashland Winter Shelter with a full-time Shelter Director and staff, continuing its partnership with dedicated volunteers and faith-based communities.
2020
March 2020
The COVID-19 Pandemic strikes. OHRA’s Resource Center and navigators become a lifeline for people losing their jobs, at risk of losing housing, and at a loss on how to pay bills.
Spring 2020
ACCESS asks OHRA to serve as their partner in distributing federal COVID 19 Relief Funds. OHRA will distribute nearly $1.5M in rent relief for those suffering economic hardship due to the pandemic.
September 2020
The Almeda Fire destroys homes and businesses, leaving many in our community in economic and mental anguish. OHRA sees up to 90 people a day at its Resource Center, up from 25 a day in 2019.
November 2020
OHRA again reinvents its Winter Shelter to ensure that guests could stay warm, dry, safe and be more protected from COVID-19. We ended the shelter season with known zero incidents of COVID.
2021
February 2021
Oregon Foundation (OCF) awards OHRA the first Project Turnkey grant of $4.2 million in state funds to purchase an underutilized Ashland motel and transform it into The OHRA Center.
April 2021
The OHRA Center Shelter opened. For the first time, Ashland has a shelter open 7 days a week, 365 days a year with services to help guests achieve stability.
August 2021
Phase 1 of remodeling The OHRA Center began,
thanks to a grant from the City of Ashland.
September 2021
We moved the Resource Center to The OHRA Center. Despite the construction, the Resource Center was fully operational with Resource Navigators helping guests with all their needs—rent, jobs, utilities, benefits and more.
2022
Summer 2022
Remodeling is completed in The OHRA Center that adds:
- an ADA accessible shelter with capacity for up to 72 guests and support in taking the next steps to improve their lives
- a larger Resource Center with space for staff, volunteers and partner agencies offer services to anyone in need, housed or homeless
- A permanent home for the Shower Trailer.