Go inside 24 hours of Portland’s homeless crisis | ‘One Day’ documentary

On April 21, 2022 teams of journalists from KGW News set out to chronicle Portland’s response to the homeless crisis over a single day. The documentary “One Day” features 14 unique perspectives on the crisis. Our journalists met people living in tents and RVs, rode along with firefighters, went to outreach events, spent hours in a busy emergency room and more. Together, the stories document how this crisis unfolds on Portland’s streets every single day.

Read more:

Why KGW created the documentary 'One Day':

Ways to help groups featured in KGW documentary 'One Day':

[rebeccasirstad]

At 16 I was homeless in Portland. Worked full time, was clean, never littered. Had savings but couldn’t rent because I was a minor. It was so so hard to go to work everyday when my mind was 100% on figuring out where to sleep, somewhere safe. By the time I’d fall asleep there’d be cops or someone making me move. I remember sleeping under tarp one night after all my stuff was stolen when I was at work, 2 hours of sleep with 2 hours left and I wake up to a joggers dog peeing on my head. She laughed and told me to get a job. Washed my hair in my work sink and started work. My job was in a toy store, I’d throw birthday parties for kids. It’s easy to give up when going forward looks impossible. Be nice to everyone. The homeless are people too.

[z.s.n.]

I was homeless in Portland for almost 3 years.. I have a history of drug addiction but managed to stay away from drugs while I was homeless. I worked two full time jobs and saved money. I met my now wife, we both worked together our asses off and made a series of strategic decisions to save our lives. We bought a car and started sleeping in that. We had one dog at that point which made it harder to find housing. We eventually found a room to rent in a beautiful house in a nice part of Portland. We got on a list for housing over a year before we found a place to live... just got a call from Portland about a week ago saying our number was pulled and could get housing! This is over 5 years after leaving Portland. My wife and I now own a horse, both have careers which we love, we have a beautiful place to live in a beautiful state (Ak). We kept a lot of the habits we learned from being homeless, like going daily to a gym ( not for showers anymore ), working out became an outlet for our struggles and we became totally jacked. We eat healthy fresh planned meals. We are what people probably call a power couple, because we had to learn to adapt to grow and learn and get strong to survive or die in the gutter. I thank God and my freedom for my ability to pursue liberty and work hard to better myself and my family's lives! People who were handed everything in life do not appreciate that!! I hope whatever you are going through now, you will find the strength the perseverance of will to conquer and pursue your dreams!!! God bless you all! Thank you for reading my long comment.

[SomeRandomdude]

I lived in my truck after my divorce. The hardest thing was keeping presentable for my job. I kept it a secret and no one ever knew I remember finding a water hose to hang from a tree to shower.
Bless those ladies for providing those showers.

[kenkunz]

Someone working a fulltime job and still not being able to afford an apartment is a real indictment of our Society.

[KGWNews]

An update: Daria Anderson, one of the women featured in the documentary, has moved into her own apartment with her adult son. She'd been on a waiting list. “I cried for a couple days, ” said Anderson, who had been sleeping in an emergency shelter at night, and working as a floor supervisor at Rite-Aid during the day. “I’ve just been looking around. It has four walls. This is an apartment!”

[KGWNews]

UPDATE: The mother and her 5-year-old daughter featured in One Day have found housing. They just moved into a family shelter in Southeast Portland. After appearing in the documentary, Tianna McMullen said she heard from concerned family and friends — including a former employer. The Best Western Rivershore Hotel in Oregon City rehired her to help do laundry.

“They saw me on the ‘One Day’ thing and were like, ‘Do you need a job?’ explained McMullen. “I loved working there. It was my home away from home.” She's now working hard to get her own apartment with her daughter.

[mattadoan-]

I have interacted with Daria @ Rite Aid for a while now. She ALWAYS has a big smile and is Incredibly friendly. I for real shop at this store above other pharmacies in my area because of the staff which is epitomized by Daria's friendly nature. In brief conversation when she told me she was homeless it was hard to wrap my head around. EVERY day EVERY interaction I've had she is GREAT. Even when being verbally abused by rough customers she just turns her cheek and snaps back into her outgoing vibrant personality.
She would be a valuable asset for virtually any company or community lucky enough to have her.

[lesleyhubble]

There was a man at 4.19 he looked so sad and grateful it brought tears to my eyes. How unfair that anyone’s life should be this way. Life is far too precious 😢

[FlyingOverTrut]

I was homeless for 2 1/2 years, living in my car. Had several scary wake ups, the worst being someone crashing into my car at 2:30 AM while I was sleeping in it, destroying it and sending me to the hospital. I hope all these people get housed permanently.

[shannonfry]

I use to be homeless there, 😪 its hell, that from the grace of Jesus I've changed my life I'm not homeless anymore

[kgraham]

For all of us watching this from the comfort of our homes, on one of our many devices, we are truly, truly blessed. Thank y’all for reminding me because sometimes, I’m ashamed to say, I take it for granted. God bless.

[parkerplace]

My brother (a man in his 50s) became homeless in California for couple of weeks. I live several states away. He was a good person. We were raised by loving, hard working parents on a big farm. We had everything we ever needed. Popular, good looking, ultra talented and smart. He went to a major university on a scholarship. I didn't. He had a great job that paid more money than my job paid me. Traveled all over the world. Had bought a brand new and very beautiful apartment. However, after time, He chose to use alcohol and prescription drugs and began to loose it all in a slow and sad way. Our family helped him get into several rehab facilities over few years. Ultimately, he lost his job, was living in his car. I would order pizza and have it delivered to hotel rooms we were paying for him to live in. He passed away all alone in a hospital room a year ago. I miss him everyday. Addiction is real, Addiction kills.

[michelle_m]

So thankful they let her keep her pup with her in the shelter. I pray she finds housing. So many of us, myself included, are in the same or similar situation. Something has got to give.

[lenal]

Watching this video brought back so many memories of living in and around Portland. For 2 years my son and I were homeless and living off of 162nd and Burnside. Having to learn how to survive, to be safe at night, to find a place where to park, so I could sleep and then go to work construction. We had problems but we also had other homeless individuals that would watch out for us. We lived in tarps, to tents and then finally buying an older car helped us. Being able to work helped, but not being able to afford the high rent was what forced us to become homeless. Thank God for those organizations such as the free portable showers, receiving medical care through NARA Indian Health Clinic, and Outside In. No one ever says that they will never be homeless....but it only takes being 1 paycheck away from being on the streets. The saddest thing is knowing that there are families with kids that are living on the streets. I wish that those who participated in the video are safe and have made progress in getting the services that they need.

[FreqsandVibes]

That made my heart break hearing that little girl say she misses their compartment.

[bobabooey]

Big scary problem right now and even more for the future. Its scary because when I was a kid 40 yrs homeless people didnt work. Homeless people when I was a kid were just homeless, no work. Today we have many homeless people who work and still cannot afford to live. Big problem.

[amyc]

I used to run a drop in center in Lowell Massachusetts and do homeless outreach. I'll tell you something...the absolute sweetest, kindest, and giving people I ever encountered were the homeless that I did outreach for.

[kensleighgurske]

Dear Heavenly Father, as you know Portland Oregon is going through a lot and I just pray that you be with those whom are struggling and guide them through it all to show that when the problem is figured out that you will still be with them
Amen

[softlanding]

Thank you so much for all those who continue to selflessly assist, help and offer love and compassion to those human beings who have lost everything and struggle so terribly!

[joyroyster]

The haircut lady and the shower 🧼 ladies are so special💜It takes a community to help the homeless. May the Lord Bless those that provide these services with dignity 💜