June 2026 Newsletter

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Rescued From Homeless Camping

Colleen and Kimberly (pictured left to right) were homeless campers at The Point in Deer Creek Park.They were going to get a Prohibited Camping Citation unless they moved within the allotted time.

Their campsite was no doubt the largest, best furnished one in the city park. Yet, it was dangerous and illegal. In cooperation, Roseburg Police Department and Roseburg Rescue Mission both made certain concessions to ensure they were safely moved to our Samaritan Inn. Exceptions were made by both organizations because of their age and vulnerability.

Homeless camping had become too commonplace, as if an acceptable, alternative lifestyle. Indeed, it is because of the COVID-era shelter-in-place order that caused the surge and normalization of homeless camping, that we began Mission Mobile Outreach.

When her husband died, Colleen’s income was greatly reduced. To continue paying the house mortgage payment, she brought in up to four renters. However, they were tenants acquired by word of mouth based on need, not ability to pay. Kimberly was the only one that paid every month.

After six years of being in the house, the lender foreclosed. The two women each moved into a friend’s house, but neither situation worked out. Kimberly was the first to go homeless camping in the park, Colleen joined her sometime later. Each one had moved so many belongings to camp, that the regular requirement to move on cleanout days made it too much to do alone.

They protested to the City for an exception based on age and disabilities. Colleen is 60-years-old and was about to get her first citation for $100. Kimberly is 66-years-old and was on her third citation with the consequence of going to jail.

That is when they were rescued. They both have incomes sufficient to rent a nice place together, and we have a caseworker helping them do just that. They said, “We are not meant to be out there. We are moms, grandmas, even one of us is a great-grandma. We are meant to be in a home and safe place with kids and grandkids around.”