Portland Armory book launch party.  Photo by Josh Rose

(From left) Sisters’ Cofounder and Foreword author Genny Nelson, and Voices author Jessica Morrell, signing books at the launch

Narrator Chris hugs interviewer Orion at the book launch party

Sisters’ team with Gray Sunshine staff Linda Meyer and David Cowsert (far right) on the occasion of our contract signing.  Also thanks to Att. Alan McCollom (front center) for all his work.

Xochitl and Aldo Doggett.  Xochitl is Sisters’ volunteer Research Assistant, assisting Development and Research Associate Orion Gray in pulling data reports when requested by the community.  Thank-you Xochitl!  To request a report, or call (503) 222-5694 ext. 15.

Genny Nelson, primary author of the research how-to manual, leading an organizing meeting in 2002.  Photo by Stephen Voss.

What’s New:

• Online Database Launched!
• The University of Washington has published an article based on Sisters’ research! Click here to download a 16-page PDF.
• Voices from the Street nominated for three prestigious awards.
• Sisters Awarded Largest Grant for Solutions to Homelessness
• Meet Research Project Coordinator Heather Fercho.

Check out these Products:

• Click here to download Sisters’ research manual, “Tell me some stories about your experience of homelessness.” A practical guide for replicating Sisters Of The Road’s research project.
• Click here to read Sisters Research Project Working Papers, documents produced by people in the community who have requested Sisters’ data (more about the data below).

About Our Project

Launched in 10/2001, Sisters’ Community Organizing Project completed 600 one-to-one interviews (two-plus hours each!) asking people who’ve experienced homelessness to describe that experience and suggest solutions to homelessness.  After being transcribed and coded using over 150 categories and themes, 515 of these interviews are usable for analysis. 

Voices from the Street

We are pleased to announce that Voices from the Street:  Truths about Homelessness from Sisters Of The Road by Jessica P. Morrell, Sisters’ book based on the research project, is published and is on sale now!  To read more about the book, click here.

Books are trade softcovers and cost $24.95.  You may be able to buy it at one of the locations listed below. Please note that because stock turns over frequently, it’s worth calling before you make the trip!

• Powell’s Books: Downtown at 1005 W Burnside Portland, (503) 228-4651 specify downtown; in Beaverton at 8725 SW Cascade Ave, Beaverton, (503) 228-4651 specify Beaverton; and Powell’s online.
• St. Johns Bookseller at 8622 N. Lombard St. in St. Johns, (503) 283-0032
• Broadway Books at 1714 NE Broadway St. in Portland (503) 284-1726
• Reading Frenzy at 921 SW Oak St. ~ Portland, (503) 274-1449
• Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 SW Capitol Highway, Portland; (503)246-0053
• Borders online;
• Amazon.com
  

You may also buy it at the following locations:

• At Sisters’ office at 618 NW Sixth Ave., 9am - 5pm, or by calling (503) 222-5694 or and we will mail them to you; add $3 a book for postage and packaging.
• Sisters’ online store - click here and you will be routed to our Auctionpay.com online order page.
• Publisher Gray Sunshine, either online or at their office at 1825 SE 7th; (503) 232-0103

Booksellers can order the book:

• Through Ingrams Book Group
• Through Franklin, Beedle, and Associates directly by or by toll free phone at 1-800-322-2665
• Or by Gray Sunshine

Thank-you for all your support to amplify the Voices of people experiencing homelessness!

Data - Available to YOU!

Since 2005, we have answered dozens of requests for our data, from: students, teachers, social service workers, faith groups, government employees, activists, reporters, and more.  We also use it internally in Sisters’ decision-making processes and community organizing.

To learn more about requesting data for use at YOUR workplace or project, To read the categories of data we have, click here. You may also download the request form, sign it, and fax it to (503) 222-3028, attn: Orion, or mail it to Orion Lumiere at 133 NW Sixth Ave, Portland OR 97209. Be sure to write neatly and be descriptive about what you need.

Sisters Research Project Working Papers

Click here to see an exciting new page of documents produced by people in the community who have requested the data.

How-to Manual

We have just finished a new how-to-manual, “‘Tell me some stories about your experience of homelessness’: A practical guide for replicating Sisters Of The Road’s Research Project.” Click here to download the manual; we will collect your name and email for tracking purposes but we will never share your personal information.  It was written by the Research Project’s leader and Sisters’ cofounder Genny Nelson, and co-authored by staff member Jamie Manuel and project consultant Judith Chambliss.

It describes how to replicate the project from the ground up, including: funding and budgeting; hiring and training personnel; technology, logistics and the interview process; coding and analyzing the data; and finally, using the interviews as a kernel to launch a people’s organization.

University of Washington

Other exciting publications are also in the works:  Lisa Hoffman PhD and Brian Coffey PhD from the University of Washington, Tacoma Urban Studies Department are currently working on a series of scholarly journal articles analyzing the data, extrapolating common themes and possible directions for systemic change, such as policy recommendations that will address the root causes of homelessness and poverty.  The first article, entitled Dignity and Indignation: How People Experiencing Homelessness View Services and Providers is under peer review now.

Click ‘read more’ below and scroll down to learn more about the research project.