Blog

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, Options for Helping Residents of Ashland 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.

By offering hope and access to social service resources, we encourage those in need on the path to self-sufficiency.

By helping people move from crisis to stability, OHRA builds more capable individuals, stronger families, and a better community.

2017

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.

2019

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.

2020

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.

2020

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.

2020

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.

2021

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.

2021

August 2021

Phase 1 of remodeling The OHRA Center began, thanks to a grant from the City of Ashland.

2021

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

Once remodeling is completed, The OHRA Center will house:  

  • 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 Laundry-Shower Trailer.