By Kristine Thomas
Mike Norman and Jennifer Ohren simple consider themselves as “agents.”
Understanding and believing St. Joseph Shelter and Mission Benedict are the ministries of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel, they both feel called to serve the Sisters’ ministries.
“This is not my work,” Ohren said. “It’s God’s work in my hands. It’s evident to me and others that this is my calling. It’s hard work but when I am helping others, I am helped.”
Although they have only been on the job three months, Ohren and Norman have enthusiastically been tackling a list of projects, from the remodeling of rooms at St. Joseph’s Shelter to reorganizing Mission Benedict, the food bank.
Ohren is the director of client services. Norman is the director of operations. Together, they form a dedicated team when it comes to finding solutions to help those in need in the community.
A 1987 graduate of Silverton High School, Ohren had been working at Outside In, a homeless youth shelter in Portland.
“Taking this job gave me the opportunity to come back to my hometown,” she said, adding her days are busy with everything from ordering food from Marion-Polk Food Share to “putting out fires.”
“I am really excited to be working here,” she said.
Norman was working as a resource specialist for NW Senior Disability Services prior to coming to Mount Angel.
Fr. Philip Waibel, OSB, of St. Mary Catholic Church in Mount Angel said the board knew they were getting more than people to do a job when they hired Ohren and Norman.
“They truly reflect the goals of the ministry and they have a desire to help people through their ministry,” Waibel said.
Sr. Sandra Meek who is the administrator of the Queen of Angels Monastery, said Ohren and Norman are “an amazingly good match” to serve the Benedictine Sister’s ministries.
“They have a sense of calling,” she said. “They are called to love and serve God.”
“They are a match for what the ministry needs and what the Sisters wanted,” Fr. Waibel added.
Given their combined work experience, they know how to connect clients to resources and how to meet goals. But beyond knowing how to do their respected jobs, they have a deeper understanding of the many reasons people turn to St. Joseph Shelter or Mission Benedict for assistance.
Norman said one reason people turn to St. Joseph’s Shelter or find themselves living with friends or relatives is because there is a a shortage of housing.
“There is a 99 percent occupancy rate and a 1 percent availability of housing,” he said. “Many people don’t have three times the rent to quality for housing or they have credit issues. People are scrambling to make ends meet.”
Ohren said they are also seeing more clients who are grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Since beginning work at the food bank, Ohren said she has seen an increase clients from 61 families in June to 108 families in August. Mission Benedict is open from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays.
To do their work, they are counting on assistance from the community. Their current want list includes 10 queen mattresses, five bunk beds and bedding for the shelter. For the food bank, they need nonperishable items including soup and chil, personal care items, diapers and bottled juices. For both places, they could use more volunteers and cash donations.
Spend a little time with Ohren and Norman and it’s clear they serve humbly, and despite the amount of work or the stress of the day, they find joy and some humor in what they do.
For information about needs or volunteer opportunities at St. Joseph Shelter or Mission Benedict , call 503-845-6147.
