From the desk of Julie Thompson

August 14, 2026 — This week, I had the opportunity to visit the Redemption House here in Prineville. I was able to tour the men’s shelter, women’s shelter, and the kitchen, where they serve lunch daily. Taking this tour was truly an eye opening experience. It challenged some of the stereotypes people may have about homelessness and helped me better understand the circumstances that can lead someone to need a place like Redemption House.

I feel very fortunate that we have the Redemption House in our community. It is a “hand up” facility rather than a “handout” facility. The people staying in these shelters are working in our community, contributing to our workforce, and doing what they can to improve their situations. With the cost of living continuing to rise, it can be extremely difficult for individuals and families who are not working middle or upper income jobs to afford housing and other basic necessities.

I believe a program that encourages people to work and become self-sufficient, rather than relying solely on government benefits, is a win all the way around. It benefits the individual by giving them the opportunity to build independence and improve their situation, it benefits employers by strengthening our workforce, and it benefits the community by helping reduce long term dependence on public assistance.

Programs like Redemption House give people an opportunity to get back on their feet. They provide support, resources, and a safe place to stay while people work toward employment, stability, and eventually permanent housing.

I feel truly blessed to live in a community where so many volunteers are willing to help people who are going through difficult times. If we want to keep our homeless population as small as possible, I believe we should support and promote programs like Redemption House that help people find employment, become self-sufficient, and improve their living situations.

Rather than simply asking what we should do about homelessness, I believe we should focus on solutions that give people the opportunity and support they need to change their circumstances. Investing in programs that encourage work, responsibility, and independence is a positive step toward a stronger and healthier community.