About Us
Our Mission
The Northwest Pilot Project offers opportunities for a life of dignity and hope to elderly, disabled, poor and homeless people in downtown Portland. The mission is accomplished by:
- providing services by staff and volunteers to promote independence,
- involving volunteers in mutally beneficial, significant relationships with those served and
- piloting new programs in areas of unmet need.
Our Values
A central concern of NWPP is to help people direct their own lives and to provide continuing support for their self-reliance. NWPP has an all professional staff carefully focused on senior services with a special emphasis on affordable housing for our clients' current stability and hope for the future. We are alert to whatever habits, disabilities, fears or preferences will make that housing work for both the clients and the landlords, with who we also develop relationships. Our goal is to help people find apartments in which they can live for the rest of their lives.
Why Support Northwest Pilot Project
By supporting NWPP you are making an investment in the future by helping us house the elderly and connect them with services that will enable them to age in place. See what your support can do.
Our History
Northwest Pilot Project began in 1969 as an all volunteer agency to provide basic supports for seniors at risk of losing their ability to live independently. At the time there was no agency providing support for the elderly poor and as a result, elderly people were being put into nursing homes unnecessarily. In response NWPP began to "pilot" programs in areas of unmet need. These included:
- The first Meals-on-Wheels program in the state of Oregon
- Advocacy efforts leading to increased accessilbity of Tri-Met bus system for disabled people
- Relocation services for seniors losing their housing due to building closures and gentrification of areas of the city
- Spearheading preservation of affordable housing in our Portland Community
- Organized a coalition of downtown Portland churches to provide emergency help to the poor
- Organized volunteers willing to assist seniors with important services such as legal assistance.
Over the years, a core group of four services, volunteer visitors, transportation, housing assistance and advocacy were kept in-house. Others, such as Meals-On-Wheels, were "piloted", then spun off to other agencies. Hence, the name, Northwest Pilot Project.
NWPP has remained small and focused. Only by knowing everyone's name, face and special needs can we listen attentively, care enough to take our time, and work creatively on behalf of the people who come to us for help.
Today we have an all professional staff carefully focused on senior services with a special emphasis on affordable housing for our clients' current stability and hope for the future. We are the leading advocate for homeless seniors in Portland.
Northwest Pilot Project is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Tax ID # 93-0635871