The HOPE Center PDX

Our Mission & Vision

The HOPE Center PDX is a warm and inclusive community hub where everyone is welcome and every story matters. Our mission is simple: share hope and practical help with our neighbors in Rockwood. Founded and operated by AS IS Church, we are rooted in the belief that “everyone has a name, everyone has a story, and everyone matters to God… and since they matter to God, they matter to us.” Our vision is to share God’s love with a broken and hurting world by loving Him, loving others, and changing lives. We strive to be a beacon of light in Rockwood – a place of compassion, healing, and transformation open 7 days a week to serve the community.

Our Story & Roots

Our journey began in 2012 when Pastor Scott and his wife Gwenna felt called to plant AS IS Church in the heart of Rockwood. They had a dream of opening a “center of hope” – a permanent facility to feed the hungry, clothe those in need, offer healing to the hurting, and care for the orphaned and widowed in our community. Even before we had a building, our small team hit the streets, serving anyone in need. We handed out meals, prayed with those hurting, and built friendships right on the sidewalks and in the parks of Rockwood. For years we operated as a “church without walls,” proving that ministry isn’t about a building – it’s about people and love in action.

After a decade of mobile ministry and many transitions, that long-held dream became a reality. In 2022, through a partnership with local organizations, we established the Rockwood HOPE Center at 740 SE 182nd Ave – right in the neighborhood we love. This center has allowed us to expand our outreach and deepen our roots in Rockwood. What hasn’t changed is our heartbeat: we are still here to do whatever it takes to show people they matter.

Faith & Community Gathering

At the core of the HOPE Center is AS IS Church, a come-as-you-are church community that meets right here in our facility. Every Sunday morning, neighbors from all walks of life join together for Sunday Service – starting with a hot breakfast at 9:30 AM and an uplifting worship service at 10:30 AM. We keep the atmosphere casual and welcoming: no need to dress up or have life all together – just come as you are.

Midweek, the HOPE Center comes alive with our Family Night community gatherings. Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM, we host a free family dinner and hangout time that has become a beloved tradition. Parents, kids, singles – everyone is welcome around the table. These Family Night dinners are about more than just a warm meal; they’re about creating family and belonging.

Outreach & Care Programs

One of our cornerstone efforts is Adopt-the-Rock, a weekly outreach initiative focused on loving our neighbors in practical ways. Every week, volunteers go out into the neighborhood to find needs and fill them. This includes delivering food, hygiene supplies, clothing, offering prayer, and building relationships.

In addition, we operate Hope Center Homes, a transitional housing program in partnership with Portland Rescue Mission. This program provides stable housing, mentorship, and spiritual care to individuals transitioning out of homelessness or recovery.

Youth Empowerment: The Underground PDX

The Underground PDX is our youth mentorship and fitness program, run in collaboration with the City of Gresham. Youth ages 6th through 12th grade receive free fitness training, sports, and personal mentorship. Our sessions include exercise, healthy snacks, and discussions on leadership and life skills. We also host community service projects, helping teens grow in confidence, character, and purpose.

In addition to weekly fitness sessions, we host **Sunday Night Basketball** from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, providing teens with a fun, competitive, and safe place to connect and stay active. Following basketball, our **Youth Group** meets from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. This weekly gathering offers games, worship, discussion, and mentorship, helping students grow in faith, confidence, and community. Sunday nights have become a powerful combination of play, purpose, and spiritual growth.

We also offer **Her Power Hour**, a women’s-only fitness class held every Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. It’s a safe, supportive environment where women of all ages can grow stronger physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Led by female coaches and mentors, this class empowers participants to build confidence, health, and community together.

​Love Shack Laundry Ministry

The Love Shack Laundry Ministry is one of the most practical and impactful ways we serve our neighbors. Every month, we partner with a local laundromat to provide **free laundry services** for families and individuals in need. But it’s about more than just clean clothes—it’s about dignity, connection, and showing people they matter. Volunteers show up with quarters, detergent, and a smile, offering a warm presence and helping hands. While the laundry is going, we offer snacks, conversation, prayer, and a listening ear. It’s a simple act with profound impact—because everyone deserves to feel clean, cared for, and not alone. The Love Shack has become a trusted ministry in the community and continues to grow as a place of both provision and relationship.

Celebrate Recovery Ministry

Every Monday night, the Rockwood HOPE Center hosts **Celebrate Recovery**, a Christ-centered recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain, or addiction. This ministry offers a safe, supportive space to experience healing and freedom through Jesus Christ. Celebrate Recovery combines worship, teaching, and small group support to help individuals navigate life’s challenges in a grace-filled community. Whether it’s addiction, grief, trauma, or codependency, Monday nights at the HOPE Center are a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and no one has to walk alone.

Doing It Sober in Rockwood – AA Meeting

On Sunday nights, the HOPE Center is home to the **Doing It Sober in Rockwood** AA meeting, a welcoming and encouraging Alcoholics Anonymous group. Open to anyone seeking sobriety and support, this meeting provides accountability, shared stories, and real community for those in recovery. We’re honored to offer space for this vital part of the Rockwood recovery community. Lives are being changed one step at a time—together.

Community Partnerships & Impact

We collaborate with other nonprofits, schools, and service agencies to meet needs holistically. Our partners include Portland Rescue Mission, Rockwood Prep Academy, the City of Gresham, Latino Network, and more. These partnerships help us extend our reach and serve hundreds of individuals each month through food, shelter, mentorship, and community connection.

Looking Ahead

From our beginnings to now, our heart remains the same – people over programs. As we look ahead, we hope to expand our facility and outreach, deepen partnerships, and continue to bring healing and hope to Rockwood. We invite you to visit, serve, or connect with us. Together, we believe the best is yet to come!