Join Our Community Conversations on Homelessness
Help lead honest, local conversations about the real progress and ongoing challenges in our homelessness response. Sign Up To Lead ConversationsJoin our Community Conversations on Homelessness and lead honest conversations about homelessness. We’re equipping trusted community members like you to share the story of the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program’s progress and challenges, and build understanding and support—one conversation at a time.
People across our region are working hard to address homelessness, but progress often happens behind the scenes. While the SHS program is helping thousands of people find safety and stability, many community members don’t see these successes. The gap between the work being done and public understanding is real—and that’s where you come in.
Community Conversations on Homelessness help bridge the gap between public understanding and the real impacts of the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program—including the progress made and the urgent reforms now underway to strengthen it for the future.
We know you’re a champion for homeless services and believe your voice would help bridge the gap between public frustration and the real progress happening through the SHS program.
Become a Trained Conversation Leader
We’re training a new group of Conversation Leaders to guide respectful, grounded discussions across the region. Whether you’re new to the campaign or returning for a refresher after participating in a training last year, we’d love to have you join us this year.
Upcoming trainings start soon, and interest is growing. If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to support your community, now’s a great time to say “yes!”
Are you someone who:
✅ Feels comfortable leading small group conversations, even if you’re not a public speaker
✅ Wants to help others understand what’s working and what still needs to be improved
✅ Believes in respectful dialogue, even when people disagree
You don’t need to be:
- An expert in policy or data
- A polished presenter
- Someone with all the answers (we have the training for that)
What matters most is that you care about your community and want to help people engage with homeless solutions in a meaningful way.
Lead Conversations That Make a Difference
Conversation Leaders are trusted messengers– neighbors, advocates, community leaders, and changemakers– willing to lead small, in-person conversations about homelessness and the real progress being made through the SHS program.
You don’t need to be a policy expert, polished presenter, or have prior public speaking experience. But you do need to be comfortable talking in front of groups.
If people turn to you because of your lived experience, you work on the front lines, or you have deep care for your community, you have something powerful to offer.
Conversation Leaders will help guide small-group conversations in community settings like neighborhood associations, nonprofit gatherings, and faith communities. These aren’t one-way presentations. They are opportunities to create space for shared learning, honest dialogue, and connection. As a speaker, you will:
✅ Offer a clearer picture of how the SHS program is evolving and where reform is needed
✅ Facilitate open, values-based conversations that invite participation and reflection
✅ Help people feel heard, informed, and respected (even when perspectives differ)
✅ Validate concerns with compassion, not judgment
✅ Share facts, stories, and lived experience to dispel misinformation
✅ Build trust through transparent dialogue
✅ Strengthen community momentum for local, effective solutions
Whether you host events in your own circles or speak at pre-arranged gatherings, you’ll be helping your community engage with this issue in a meaningful, constructive way.
What’s Expected (and What You’ll Get)
Conversation Leaders support respectful, grounded small-group discussions across the region. Most conversations last about 60-90 minutes, and there are several ways to get involved, depending on what works best for you.
Ways You Can Participate
You can choose one role or combine roles over time.
Host an Event
You bring people together and provide a space for the conversation, such as a workplace, community group, faith community, or other gathering. We’ll pair your event with a trained Conversation Leader to guide the discussion.
Host and Lead an Event
You organize the gathering and facilitate the conversation yourself. This includes inviting participants, securing the venue, and leading the discussion using our training and materials.
Lead an Event
You focus on facilitating the conversation. We’ll match you with existing events, such as neighborhood associations, workplace lunch meetings, nonprofit boards, or other groups seeking a Conversation Leader.
What You’ll Receive
- A $100 stipend for every event you facilitate (with the possibility to increase)
- Training, conversation guides, and ongoing support
- Flexibility to choose how often and how you participate
You choose what works best for you and we’ll provide everything you need to feel confident and prepared. Sign up to be alerted as soon as our new training dates are released, space fills up fast!
Questions?
Read our FAQ or contact Alesha Delaney at alesha@heretogetheroregon.org.