Here in Portland, many of our neighbors are asked to carry the weight of starting over alone.

Yet too often, people who are doing the brave work of starting over find themselves pulled back into the very places they’ve worked so hard to leave behind. Not because they lack desire or effort, but because beginning again without community is almost impossible. This is what is known as “recidivism,” but what it really names is the human cost of trying to rebuild a life without a circle of support — the cycle that repeats when no one is there to steady the ground beneath your feet.

People returning and re-entering from incarceration face this reality every day. As well as those stepping back into life after treatment or recovery, often without the relational scaffolding needed to sustain healing. And many others — living in high‑risk environments shaped by poverty, instability, or trauma — find themselves drifting toward incarceration or addiction long before anyone notices they’re in danger.

But research is clear: community changes the story.

People with consistent relational support are up to 40% less likely to be pulled back into old cycles. Those rooted in caring, stable communities are far more likely to maintain recovery, secure housing, and find meaningful work.

Belonging isn’t a luxury. It’s the turning point.

Behind every statistic is a person navigating a profound transition — someone longing for a community that sees them, welcomes them, and walks with them as they take their next steps.

Camino PDX exists to meet this moment with presence, dignity, and care for the whole person.

We walk with people returning from incarceration, those re‑entering life after recovery, and individuals at high risk of being drawn into cycles of addiction or incarceration. Through trauma‑informed spiritual accompaniment and the slow, steady work of building community, we help create the conditions where people can find connection, stability, and a renewed sense of belonging.

We envision a world where every person can make the sacred pilgrimage of becoming.

a journey where each of us is invited to honesty, met with mercy, supported in our growth, and accompanied with the kind of attentive presence that helps us recognize the path toward love.