history of the inn
&
board of directors

Founded in 1999, the Bethlehem Inn is Central Oregon's largest emergency homeless shelter. The Bethlehem Inn serves families, single adults, the elderly, veterans, and pregnant women. Ages at the Inn range from newborn to eighty-two.

The mission of the Bethlehem Inn is to break the cycle of homelessness in Central Oregon through the provision of beds, meals, case management, transportation, accountability-based programming, educational opportunity and employment assistance. Our organization provides emergency, instant access to housing and focused case management for its clients.

We moved into our new homeless shelter campus in July. The new shelter is located at 3705 North Highway 97 in Bend. This model includes both emergency and transitional services for the homeless in our community.

Homelessness is no longer a seasonal issue. The number of homeless people in Central Oregon is increasing rapidly. Recent data indicates we have over 2,000 homeless people on any given night with 41% under the age of eighteen. The need for emergency shelter is daunting as Central Oregon grows from a sleepy town to a thriving metropolis. We anticipate providing over 26,280 bed nights and serving more than 78,480 meals this year.

The Bethlehem Inn is a registered non-profit incorporated for public benefit, managed by a professional staff and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

Sandra Mears has been hired as the new Executive Director for the Bethlehem Inn. She brings over 14 years of community building and nonprofit experience from King County to this position.

Believing that personal accountability and a sense of responsibility lead to self-sustainable living the Bethlehem Inn requires that clients obtain gainful employment, pay a daily shelter fee ($5), and clean and maintain the shelter. In addition, the Bethlehem Inn requires that all clients be drug tested upon intake and on a random basis.

Board of Directors (2007-2008)

The Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers whose vision, energy, and generosity have enabled us to meet the growing demand for emergency shelter in Central Oregon.

Joseph Barrett

I am a Psychiatrist in Bend since 2003. I started as a Board Member in November of 2005. My experience with homelessness came from my work at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. I am interested in coordinating care for individuals who are homeless and suffer from Mental Illness. Central Oregon has many volunteer and government agencies that should work together to support those in need.

Jon Basham - President

Prior to becoming a board member, I was a volunteer for the Bethlehem Inn. I am very proud of the work the shelter does. I received my BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara and my JD from the University of Oregon. I have a law practice in Bend that emphasizes estate planning and bankruptcy. I have a wife and two children. When not practicing law I enjoy directing the choir at Nativity Lutheran Church in Bend.

Patsy Dryden - Chair Fundraising

I have been a corporate officer at Cascade Healthcare Community, Inc. (d.b.a. St. Charles Medical Center) since February 1995. My role is in support of the corporation and its board of directors, as well as the President/CEO. It's an honor to be a part of the board of directors at Bethlehem Inn and I hope to lend my experience in governance and fundraising to this fine organization. I am passionate about community service and have formerly, or am currently serving on a variety of boards and committees (e.g., St. Charles' Saints Benefit Gala Planning Committee - former chair, United Way Citizen's Review Board, Central Oregon Health Council, HeadStart Advisory Committee, etc). My feeling is it's everyone's responsibility to try to make a difference in our community in assistance to our neighbors and friends. I hope you will join me in support of Bethlehem Inn and the wonderful services provided to those who are less fortunate.

Jake Herrold - Secretary

I was invited to join the board in 2005 and was appointed Secretary in 2007. The experience has been amazing.

As a board, we have faced many challenges in a short period of time and I am very proud of what we have accomplished. Relocating the Bethlehem Inn back in July 2007 while providing continuous shelter to Central Oregon's homeless is what I am most proud of.

I own a small business, Corbynite Steele Design and Printing. I have a wonderful wife and both a son and a daughter, 8 and 6. I coach youth sports and am involved with the PTA at High Lakes Elementary.

Lauri Miller - Treasurer

Dave Nagler - Vice President

It is a privilege to serve on the Board of Bethlehem Inn. I cherish
the history of our organization. We were born of compassion in the
local churches and have grown to include people from other
organizations and businesses in our common goal of housing people in
need.

I have been serving as Pastor of Nativity Lutheran Church since 2004.
The Inn is an important part of our congregation's outreach ministry.
It is great to work with people of great passion and commitment to
justice.

I am a father of two gorgeous daughters who are finishing their Junior
years at Mountain View and Bend High. I am engaged to be married in
August. My favorite thing to do in the world is to go surfing.

history of the inn& board of directors