PORTLAND, Ore. — Wednesday morning brought a celebration for leaders in Portland’s substance use recovery community. In a matter of days, a former hostel and community space off East Burnside Street and 16th Avenue will open as a residential treatment center.
“We are so excited for 74 beds to be opening next Monday, let’s do a round of applause,” said Andy Mendenhall, president and CEO of Central City Concern, to a chorus of claps. “It’s important to note that most of the folks we are going to be seeing here have been deemed historically too complex to be served elsewhere.”
The 16 x Burnside Recovery Center will be operated by Central City Concern, providing a referral-based and entirely voluntary living space primarily for people exiting withdrawal management or detox. Residents can stay for several months as they work toward permanent housing…