Right 2 Dream Too: A Peer-Led Solution

-
R2D2’s current location at 999 N Thunderbird Way, near the Moda Center.

Right 2 Dream Too is a nonprofit organization that has been providing a place to rest and sleep for unhoused folks since 2011. With a mission statement to “awaken social and political groups to the importance of safe undisturbed sleep,” R2D2 plays a critical role in Portland’s ongoing houselessness crisis. While R2D2 may lack many of the resources and amenities of more traditional shelters in the city, what it does provide is priceless: a place to sleep in peace.

According to its founder, Ibrahim Mubarak, R2D2 “is a place where people just get a safe, dry, warm place to sleep—that’s one less thing they have to worry about. … With proper rest you can think clearly and then you can think about how to become productive.” This direct approach to the problem of sleep is made possible by a team of volunteers who themselves have experienced homelessness. This firsthand experience gives volunteers an awareness and sensitivity to the needs of people living on the street that many other shelters lack.


Speaking of thinking clearly, REM sleep has been shown to be an essential ingredient in the sustenance of good cognitive functioning and has even been associated with a decreased risk of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s. While just about any kind of sleep is better than none, REM takes place at the end of a full sleep cycle, so it is heavily impacted by street sleep with its constant threat of disruption or violence. As Mubarak rightly points out, with good sleep one is much better able to move forward and problem solve. Part of this lies in the magic of REM sleep, some benefits of which are listed below, from REM sleep: What is it, why is it important, and how can you get more of it? - Harvard Health.

  • Improved learning. During REM sleep, your brain prunes its synapses, the spaces in which brain cells communicate with one another. This appears to improve memory and problem-solving abilities.

  • Mood regulation. REM sleep helps your brain process emotional memories, including ones associated with fear.

  • Brain development. REM sleep is thought to aid in the development of the central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. That may be one reason why infants, particularly newborns, require so much REM sleep.

  • Protection against dementia. People who get less REM sleep may have a greater risk of developing dementia, according to a study published in the journal Neurology. The researchers found that for every 1% reduction in REM sleep, there was a 9% increase in the risk of dementia.

Portland’s issues with homelessness can be overwhelming to contemplate let alone to actually try and get a handle on. This is why stories of peer-led solutions such as Right 2 Dream Too, Right 2 Survive, and Dignity Village, are so critically inspiring. With their compassionate approach to such core concerns as the need for sleep, these organizations continue to offer necessary respite for those most in need in our communities. Right 2 Dream Too is sustained by a combination of grants and donations. If you would like to contribute or find out more, visit their website:



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Since 2007, Oregon has "frequently reported the highest rate of unsheltered family homelessness in the nation"

-
Image
It's 2024 you would think we've figured it out. If you live in Portland, you can testify that the houseless situation has become more apparent, but what about Oregon as a state? Oregon hit a record high in homelessness; what does this mean for our future or even the present? Check out the link below to see how it's dated since 2007.  Homelessness in Oregon hits record high in 2023
Read more

Camp Clearing on the West Coast

-
 On The west Coast homelessness is a serious problem. When considering the homeless crises, Los Angeles is one of the places that comes to mind. Homelessness sweeps beyond “Skid Row” in Los Angeles, in fact it has become widespread throughout California. As of July 25 th, 2024, Gov. Newsom has issued an order to remove all homeless camps in the state of California. Will this be beneficial, will it be improving the lives of homeless individuals, or will it be another pointless tax on Californians? Improving to the lives of homeless individuals; appears to be uncertain as far as we know. Gov. Newsom has decided to invest $24 billion to clean up homeless camps. Gov. Newsom said, “We must act with urgency to address dangerous encampments which subject unsheltered individuals living in them to extreme weather, fires, predatory and criminal activity, and widespread substance use, harming their health, safety and well-being, and which also threaten the safety and viability of nearby busin...
Read more

Trump’s Executive Order Freeze Stands to Impact Portland’s Most Vulnerable – Here’s How You Can Help

-
Image
  What Happened? Donald Trump issued an executive order on January 28, 2025 freezing all federal grants and loans. In Oregon, federal funds offer support to crucial programs, meaning the potential fallout is alarming for everyone but especially the most vulnerable residents. Already federal portals used for funding healthcare, education, and social services have become inaccessible, as noted by Governor Tina Kotek. This makes it difficult for Oregon to claim funds needed for the essential services. In a statement by Attorney General Dan Rayfield, he announced that Oregon would join 22 other states and the District of Colombia in a lawsuit. But lawsuits take time, which is something that many vulnerable Oregonians don’t have. What Does This Mean for Portland? Portland relies on federal funds to maintain programs that assist children, families with low-income, and people experiencing homelessness. Head Start , the federally funded early childhood education program, stands to ...
Read more