Dictionary
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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z13th Step: This is the step after the 12th where people go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to meet up with people for romantic purposes.
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous
AARP: American Association of Retired Persons
ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union
AFS: Adult and Family Services - the Children, Adult and Family Services Division of the Oregon Department of Human Services deals with food stamps, vocational rehabilitation services, foster homes, employment training services, and other supportive resources.
Agent Orange: An herbicide used for defoliation during the Vietnam War; its release of dioxins has caused severe bodily harm to those who served in the war.
ARC: Adult Rehabiliation Center, run by the Salvation Army.
ASPCA: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
AWOL: Absent Without Leave - a military term for absent without requesting leave from the military.
Bad tramp: Someone on the streets who will cheat and steal from you.
Blanchet House: The Blanchet House of Hospitality, a service providing food, job referrals, and temporary shelter in Portland, Oregon.
BLM: Bureau of Land Management - a federal government department responsible for the management of public land.
BOLI: Bureau of Labor and Industries - a government agency protecting workers' rights to equal nondiscriminatory treatment by their employers.
boosting: stealing; shoplifting
bunk: bad drugs; intentionally diluted or falsified illegal drugs
CAG: Civic Action Group- Sisters of the Road's exciting community organizing branch made up completely of people who have experienced homelessness.
camp robber: A person who steals people's stuff from their camps.
CARS: Chemical Addiction Rehabilitation Section
Cascadia: As a major nonprofit Oregon service provider, Cascadia delivers mental health and addictions treatment services to some of the state’s most vulnerable, yet resilient, people. We also provide transitional and permanent housing to more than 750 individuals.
Cascadia Behavioral Health: As a major nonprofit Oregon service provider, Cascadia delivers mental health and addictions treatment services to some of the state’s most vulnerable, yet resilient, people. We also provide transitional and permanent housing to more than 750 individuals.
Catholic Worker: The Catholic Worker Movement, founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maruin in 1933, practices the works of mercy in their houses of hospitality and farming communes and devotes itself to direct action against violence in any form.
CCC: Central City Concern (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. Founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment.
cellie: cell mate in jail
Central City Concern: Central City Concern (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. Founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment.
CEP: Community Engagement Program - A housing and support services for homeless adults; operated by Central City Concern.
CETA: Comprehensive Employment and Training Act
chasing the bag: getting drugs out on the streets
CHIERS: Central City Concern Hooper Inebreate Emergency Response Service - An outreach van belonging to Hooper; it finds inebriated people and brings them to the treatment center.
chippin': using small bits of a crack rock to extend its use
Civic Action Group: Sisters of the Road's exciting community organizing branch made up completely of people who have experienced homelessness.
Clark Center: A shelter for men run by Transition Projects Inc.
classification: A term for when you first get into jail. They give you a probation-like amount of time where they see how you get along in their system.
closed custody: While in jail or prison, you only get ten or twenty minutes out of your cell during the day.
CO: Conscientious Objector or Commanding Officer
con's code of ethics: prison ethics
cooker: drug paraphernalia
Crossroads: Crossroads Leadership Operating Team (cLOT) pronounced “SEE-lot,”. This cross-class operating team at Sisters Of The Road that oversees the development and implementation of our annual Systemic Change Plan of Work and supports the people and groups that get the work done! The group guides Sisters as it makes deep and lasting change in our community and throughout the region.
CTC: Crisis Triage Center
Danmore: The Danmore Hotel, in Portland Oregon, served as a residence for people in recovery programs. The building was demolished and the recovery facility was moved to a new location downtown Portland.
Delta Clinic: Methadone, therapy & addictions treatment, outpatient detox services, assistance for pregnant women. They have offices in SE Portland and Tigard Oregon.
Depo: Depo Provera (also known as DMPA or Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) is a hormone injection that lasts for 3 months to prevent pregnancy.
Dignity Village: A tent city on unused public land within the city limits of Portland, Oregon.
Downtown Chapel: A parish of St. Vincent de Paul; has a hospitality center with snacks, sleeping bags, clothing, hygiene services (including foot care and haircuts), and transportation aid. A food pantry that hands out bags of food, and a café serving food once a week.
Eagle Scout: a boy scout who has achieved the highest rank.
EBT: Electronic food stamp Benefit Transfer card - a card that serves the same purpose as food stamps.
Everett Hotel: Transitional housing for men recently released from incarceration. Referrals made through corrections program parole or probation officers.
Federal Reserve: One of 12 regional banks established to maintain reserves, issue bank notes, and lend money to member banks. The Federal Reserve Banks are also responsible for supervising member banks in their areas, and are involved in the setting of national monetary policy.
fence: somebody who will buy stolen merchandise
fire it: doing drugs through IV
Fish: Fish provides emergency food boxes, clothing, personal care products (soap, toothpaste, laundry soap, etc.) and referrals to people most in need.
flophouse: a place where a bunch of people sleep in one room
fly'in a sign: holding up a cardboard sign on an on-ramp or busy street to get money; (e.g., "Homeless Vet, Need Help" or "Traveling-anything will help")
Food Not Bombs: A grassroots organization works to end hunger, has supported actions to stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, end exploitation an the destruction of the earth.
food stamps: Benefits that may be used in one of two ways: to purchase unprepared food from a store, or to buy a hot meal from a USDA-approved meal site.
fortified wine: Mad Dog, Thunderbird, Boones Farm or other wines with a high alcohol content.
Fred Meyer: A chain of stores that sells groceries, clothing and housewares.
Freddies: A chain of stores that sells groceries, clothing and housewares.
G's: Money in grands, or thousands of dollars.
GA: General Assistance - benefits that are meant to cover basic needs until the redipient receives SSI benefits
GAU: General Assistance Unemployable (GAU) is a state-funded program that provides cash and medical benefits for persons who are physically and/or mentally incapacitated and unemployable for 90 days from the date of application.
GEARS: Gaining Empowerment Access Responsibility and Support
GED: General Equivalency Diploma
get some Act-Right: To do "right" by people, treating people well and with respect.
get whoop: being sold fake drugs
good tramp: a good citizen who helps out others who are on the streets
HAP: Housing Authority of Portland
Harbor Lights: A salvation army shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
Hawthorne neighborhood: A bohemian-like neighborhood in Southeast Portland, Oregon.
Hep. C: hepatitis C - an infection of the liver transmitted by contact with blood
hoin' it: Engaging in sex work for money.
home guards: People experiencing homelessness who stay in one town and utilize the services circuit.
Hooper: David C. Hooper Detoxification Center is a treatment facility for those with addictions.
jacked up: To be asked for name and ID by a police officer.
Jean's Place: A women's shelter operated by Transiton Projects Inc.
JOIN: An outreach program for homeless individuals and families.
Junior League: An organization for women, which promotes volunteerism.
Labor Ready: an employment agency
Lewis and Clark: Lewis and Clark College, located in Portland
MAX: Portland's light rail system
McDonald Center: a Holy-Cross-run assisted living center
methadone: A potent synthetic narcotic drug, C21H27NO, that is less addictive than morphine or heroin and is used as a substitute for these drugs in addiction treatment programs. It may also be used for chronic pain management.
NA: Narcotics Anonymous is a twelve-step program of recovery from drug addiction, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous.
NAFY: New Avenues for Youth- The mission of New Avenues for Youth is to help every youth reach their fullest potential by offering a continuum of outcome-based services that empower homeless youth to exit street life and that prevent other youth from becoming homeless.
NARA: Native American Rehabilitation Association - provides health services, education and drug treatment to Native Americans in a culturally relevant way
NAYA: The Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland, Oregon works to enrich the lives of our Native youth and families through education, community involvement, and culturally specific programming.
NCH: National Coalition for the Homeless - an advocacy group aimed at ending homelessness; provides a network for those experiencing homelessness now or in the past, organizations and service providers, and activists.
NCHV: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans - a nonprofit organization striving to end veteran homelessness. It serves as a network for different community service organizations, and works with care providers and the government.
Network Project STOP: An Oregon State-sponsored gambling addiction treatment program.
NPR: National Public Radio
nut check: Receiving an SSI (Supplemental Security Income)check because of mental health issues.
NW Pilot Project: Northwest Pilot Project - an agency providing housing services for people over age 55 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
OHP: Oregon Health Plan - a state-sponsored program for low-income residents.
OHSU: Oregon Health & Science University - A system of teaching medical hospitals in Portland Oregon.
Old Town Clinic: Old Town Clinic provides primary care medicine in the downtown Portland area.
Old Town/Chinatown: The part of downtown Portland where many services for people experiencing homelessness are located, including Sisters Of The Road.
Oregon Health Plan: A state-sponsored program for low-income residents.
p:ear: nonprofit organization that builds positive relationships with youth experiencing homelessness and youth in transition through education, art and recreation.
PAHC: Portland Alternative Health Center-Substance abuse treatment, detoxification and halfway house - outpatient programs for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, women and men including criminal justice clients.
PCC: Portland Community College
PCR: Project for Community Recovery-Provides outpatient chemical dependency treatment using a culturally specific treatment approach. Dual diagnosis treatment is coordinated with Conquest Center.
PCS: Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Pioneer Square: A community square in downtown Portland.
porch robber: Someone who takes people's cans straight from their recycling on their porch or in their backyards.
REACH: REACH develops innovative and affordable housing solutions for low-income families and individuals. REACH was established in 1982 by community activists concerned about housing conditions in the Buckman neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Today, REACH’s work extends throughout the Portland metropolitan area. Our programs include affordable housing development for renters and homebuyers, property management, the Community Builders program (senior home repair), and the Resident Services Program for adults and children living in REACH housing.
Rescue Mission: The Portland Rescue Mission - a Christian organization providing a men's homeless shelter.
roofless: another term for homeless
Rose Haven: Rose Haven works to facilitate positive changes in the lives of women and children experiencing the trauma of abuse and homelessness. They provide practical assistance and resources.
rubber tramp: A person experiencing homelessness who sleeps in a vehicle.
running partner: A person that is considered your partner on the streets, who watches your back and who spends the most time with you.
sally tramp: A person who goes to Salvation Army and tells them they have a family or an emergency in another state so that the Salvation Army will give a bus ticket to go to the next destination the person wants to visit.
Salvation Army Harbor Light: Emergency shelter for homeless single women and single women with children.
Salvation Army Safe Harbor: A homeless shelter that has beds for working men at $10 a night.
Section 8: A rental assistance program that requires participants to 1) meet low-income guidelines, 2) pass a criminal background check, and 3) demonstrate that at least one person who will live in the house is a legal resident of the United States.
SHAC: Center for Student Health and Counseling - The student health center at Portland State University.
Shoreline: A Single Room Occupancy building operated by Central City Concern in Portland Oregon. Tenants living in the 62-unit Shoreline Building live in alcohol and drug free communities and engage in a specialized program of job skills building.
Sisters Of The Road: Sisters is about building community and creating systemic solutions to homelessness and poverty. Sisters envisions a community where all people are valued - where we share power and responsibility, each person has access to healthy food, safe housing, health care, and meaningful work that contributes to the well-being of ones self and community.
skid row: A decrepit or shabby area, often inhabited by people experiencing homelessness.
SMART: Self-Management and Recovery Training is a program that helps individuals gain independence from addictive behaviors.
SMHA: Sacramento Mutual Housing Authority
SO: significant other
SOS: Shit Over Shingles - gravy with meat or sausage over toast or biscuits.
SOTR: Sisters Of The Road
Spanging: A term that means asking for spare change.
Spring Fever: A term for when people are not as dependent on their recovery programs for housing because it is not as harsh to stay outside, so they relapse into using drugs.
squat: An illegal place to stay; where a "squatter" stays.
squatter: A squatter is a person who camps or stays illegally somewhere.
SRO: Single Room Occupancy - Low cost single room occupancy motel rooms that are available for short and longer terms
SSD: Social Security Disability insurance
SSI: Supplemental Security Income
St. Francis: Located in Portland Oregon. A place that serves Dinner 6 days a week and is also open throughout the day providing other basic services, from showers to mail.
stinkin' thinkin: "Bad thinking"-recovery language when you are thinking bad thoughts.
Street Roots: A nonprofit newspaper sold primarily on the street by people experiencing homelessness. Its content is oriented towards homelessness and social justice issues. When a person sells the paper, seventy cents of the dollar charge goes directly to the vendor.
Street Routes: Transcriped incorrectly, should be written as Street Roots. Street Routes is a nonprofit newspaper sold primarily on the street by people experiencing homelessness. Its content is oriented towards homelessness and social justice issues. When a person sells the paper, seventy cents of the dollar charge goes directly to the vendor.
sweep: When police order homeless persons to vacate the premises, followed by removal of their possessions.
taxing: When on the streets, people take things from one another as a "tax" for being on the streets.
TB card: Tuberculosis card - a card proving that someone does not have tuberculosis, that shelters require.
Temple House: William Temple House has lent a hand up to Portland's working poor families and individuals since 1965 and today offers mental health counseling, emergency social services, and pastoral care to those in need.
The Shack: Center for Student Health and Counseling - Student health center at Portland State University; see SHAC.
The West: A Domestic Violence Shelter for Women and Children.
Title 14: A Portland city code dealing with public order issues, specifically conduct prohibited on public property.
tootin: snorting drugs through the nose
TPI: Transition Projects Inc - provides shelter for men and women for up to six weeks, transitional housing for up to four months, and support housing to help people build a rental history.
tramp: A homeless person who is self-sufficient, who will hustle, do day-labor, panhandle, and fly signs to make money.
Transitional housing: Housing that is aimed at assisting those who are ready to move out of emergency shelters.
UA: Abbreviation for urinalysis, a test that determines the content of the urine.
Union Gospel Mission: A Christian organization that hands out clothing, provides meals, and hosts an addiction recovery program.
units: homeless person who is self-sufficient, who will hustle, do day-labor, panhandle, and fly signs to make money
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture - manages and supports agriculture.
VA: United States Department of Veterans Affairs - governs veterans' health and other benefits (such as burial, employment, and loans).
VSOP: A type of cognac, VSOP stands for Very Special Old Pale.
William Temple House: William Temple House has lent a hand up to Portland's working poor families and individuals since 1965 and today offers mental health counseling, emergency social services, and pastoral care to those in need.
XO: Executive officer
yard bulls: railroad security guards
YMCA: Young Men's Christian Association
YWCA: Young Women's Christian Association
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