Category: ReStories

Shoppers at the Washington County ReStore have come to know Raytonia McIntyre—and often ask for her by name. She takes pleasure in helping others – it’s one of the great joys of her life. But she describes herself as having an old soul, one that is often weighed down by deep sadness, but not hopelessness. […]

Thanh Nguyen has a plan. Crafted on a random piece of paper at a Habitat build site, this plan is his future…and it’s a great one. In 2010, Thanh and his parents traveled from Vietnam to the United States. Thanh says for him it meant a better education, a chance, an opportunity to become whatever […]

After a few years sampling a musician’s life in Atlanta, New York and Chicago, Joseph Drushal found his way to Portland. What drew him here was its enthusiastic spirit of activism. Joseph is the Gresham ReStore’s new assistant manager. He grew up in the Akron area, and then began exploring the east coast making his […]

There’s no doubting Jose Rodriguez’s determination. He’s been working diligently at the Portland ReStore since January, every night, Monday through Friday, and then at a Habitat build site most Saturdays in an effort to complete his required sweat equity hours. Jose and his wife Lidia are future Habitat homeowners. Their story begins in Mexico. Jose […]

Most FAQ? “When can I come back?” That’s according to Volunteer Program Manager Colleen O’Toole. Colleen has been with The ReStore for a little over 6 years. She was initially hired as volunteer coordinator at the Washington County ReStore, but took on an expanded role for all four locations (Gresham ReStore opening soon) almost two […]

It was a friend who first turned Tracy Livie on to The ReStore. They had just bought furniture from the Washington County ReStore and they needed Tracy’s advice. “They were asking me about refinishing it, and they told me about how wonderful the store is,” she said. So when Tracy saw the sign for the […]

“I don’t eat anything I can’t identify,” said Kate Ayres.  Those are certainly words to live by,  given that Kate, the Portland ReStore’s new assistant manager, considers community foraging one of her favorite pastimes. You may spot her on the street as she stops to pick up apples, pears, nettles, figs, nuts and  blackberries  from […]

Here’s a fresh face you should get to know. It belongs to Andrew Carlson, new assistant manager at the Clark County Habitat for Humanity Store. Raised in NE Portland, Andrew attended Grant High School, and later graduated from Portland State where he studied history and social sciences with the intent of becoming a teacher. While […]

“Customer service is my heart, and I love being with people!” said Petty Blake. Every exclamation makes that pretty obvious, and it’s what makes us thrilled to have Petty on our team. Petty first found The ReStore when she began her “rejob” search. After 20 plus years babysitting grandkids, she was a bit out of touch […]