Grand Opening of The ARCHES Nest in Salem, Oregon: A Safe Haven to Support Homeless Families

On January 24, 2025, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of The ARCHES Nest, a new family shelter in Salem, Oregon. The ARCHES Nest located at 2933 Center St NE represents a significant step forward in addressing homelessness in the community, offering 18 rooms and 36 beds where families—mothers, fathers, and children—can stay together safely.

Local leaders, community members, and elected officials gathered to mark this important moment, reflecting on the collaboration and shared vision that made the shelter a reality. “This is more than just a structure,” Ashley Hamilton, Deputy Executive Director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, said during her heartfelt speech. “It’s a home.”

The Symbolism of “The Nest”

The name “The Nest” was chosen with care, reflecting the shelter’s purpose of providing safety, nurturing, and a place to rebuild. Hamilton described the metaphor in depth, comparing the shelter to the carefully crafted nests of birds. “Whether it’s the well-constructed twig nest of a crow or the tightly woven nest of a blackbird…birds craft their home to house their family acting as a nurturing environment to prepare for the life journey ahead,” she said.

The ARCHES Nest will serve the same role for families in crisis—offering not only shelter but also a space for healing and growth. Hamilton went on to note that the shelter’s design mirrors the blended strength of a bird’s nest. “Nests are perfectly imperfect by design,” she explained, referencing how the shelter was built with collaboration, contributions and resources from numerous partners.

Hamilton also highlighted the deeper impact of The ARCHES Nest, describing it as a place where generational trauma and poverty can begin to heal. “We are helping stem the tide of lifelong trauma and instability through our early intervention, curbing the impact of generational trauma and poverty,” she said. “We are creating a ripple effect that will span through time, across generations.”

Power of Community Collaboration

The ARCHES Nest is evidence to the power of community collaboration. The project was brought to life by the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency with the support of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, Oregon Housing and Community Services, and funding allocated by Governor Tina Kotek. Hamilton expressed her gratitude for this collective effort, stating, “It is the alignment of these shared visions and the resources that were brought to this community which made The ARCHES Nest possible.”

During the ceremony, Hamilton acknowledged the many contributors who played vital roles in the project, from renovation teams to the Community Action Board and staff. She invited members of the crowd to raise their hands in recognition of their involvement, showcasing the deep commitment and teamwork behind the shelter’s creation.

State Representative Kevin Mannix also spoke at the event, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions to homelessness. “This facility is really part of a vision for our community,” Mannix said. “It’s not just about housing, but also the support services that folks need to rebuild their lives.”

More than just a physical space, The ARCHES Nest represents hope and possibility for families who have faced unimaginable challenges. The shelter will provide on-site case management, mental health services, and connections to community resources, creating a foundation for families to thrive.

Hamilton shared a poignant vision of what’s to come: “These halls will soon be walked by families, and these rooms will be filled with children’s laughter.” She highlighted the shelter’s focus on keeping families together, stating, “We at Community Action believe that no child should ever have to sleep outside, but also no family should ever have to choose [between] staying together or staying inside.”

Mayor Julie Hoy closed the ceremony with a heartfelt blessing for the space and the families it will serve. “Bless this space and bless everyone who enters here,” she said. “May their lives and their hearts be filled with love and with great hope.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for The ARCHES Nest was not just a grand opening—it was a celebration of what the Salem community can achieve when it comes together. Tom Hoffert, CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce shared that “The symbolism of a ribbon cutting is that the community is coming around an organization or business…It is really the community that we are celebrating coming into this facility, supporting their missional work and have very positive outcomes.” The ARCHES Nest is a powerful example of how shared vision, hard work, and collaboration can create the catalyst for lasting change.