Peace Trail Village

Reported By: Evania Garlinghouse

Illustrated By: Sydney Simmons

        As concerns about homelessness in Newberg grow, North Valley Friends Church (NVFC) plans on providing transitional housing opportunities on their property called Peace Trail Village. 

        The goal of Peace Trail Village is to have transitional living spaces to “provide some months of affordable housing for people on their way toward more permanent homes.” Peace Trail Village will consist of nine small shelters, about three hundred square feet each which will include a bathroom and bedroom. There will be a communal area in the middle of the cottages where the residents can socialize, share meals together, and create community.               

        Each of the members of Peace Trail Village will be screened, and not all applicants will be approved. The church will conduct background checks on all residents. NVFC is also working on laying out a charter of guidelines for living in the village, which will be put into place before the village opens. People at NVFC will be around to oversee the village and ensure that residents follow the guidelines.

        NVFC is a Quaker church, and they see using their land to help the community as a great way to be good stewards of it. As Arthur Roberts stated when he orchestrated the dedication for North Valley Friends Church in 1972, the vision for it is to be “a new meetinghouse for the people of God: for people seeking courage to be kind and honest and loving to everyone; really to do these things at home, at work, as citizens and not just to play games in their minds.” Making Peace Trail Village and giving people a place to live on their land is a way to follow through on that vision, to show that kindness.

         Several factors contributed to the making of Peace Trail Village. Matt Miller, a teacher at Newberg High School, was teaching a class on design systems and his class decided to build a tiny home. He reached out to NVFC to see if his class could donate a tiny home to them. The Board prayed and thought deeply about this decision and felt led to accept the offer. 

        That first tiny home was able to shelter someone during the wildfires last year. The class made some other homes as well, and the church was able to host more people who didn't have a home on their spacious land. NVFC has also partnered with Habitat for Humanity, a charity that works to make shelters for those who need them. 

        To stay up to date on Peace Trail Village progress, visit North Valley Friends Church’s website.