October 2023: Letter from the Director of Philanthropy

Oct. 12, 2023


The leaves outside are one of nature’s boldest expressions of change. See how the trees are filled with beautiful colors that were not there a month ago and begin to appreciate the greater meaning behind them. It’s a time to reflect on what’s been accomplished in the past year and what changes are still to come.


Like the seasons we experience throughout the year, everything in our organization has its cycles—building of huts, welcoming new clients, transitioning leaders—and all of that sustains us. However, most things in life have a way of showing us when it’s time to maintain the status quo and when it’s time to move on.


With a full heart, we’d like to formally announce that Karissa Moden has stepped down from their role as Director of Community Impact to focus on their family, including baby Remi who was welcomed into the world earlier this summer. The absence of our third Director has been both challenging and informative for Tabitha and me, though it’s given us an opportunity to reflect on how important shared leadership is for the entire organization. We’ll be interviewing candidates for this position later this month and hope to announce a new leader in mid-November.

This leads me to our next announcement—the creation of CSS’s shared mid-level management team. Please join me in celebrating the promotion of Pujita Mayeda to the role of Development Manager and Danyell Rejcek to the role of Community Manager. Pujita has been with CSS since nearly the beginning and Dani since our rapid expansion in 2020; their historical knowledge and fervent commitment to the organization have been immensely helpful as leadership has transitioned over the last year. These two amazing individuals will join Caiti Morrell (Personnel Manager), Dustin Foskett (Facilities Manager), and Mellinda Poor (Navigation Manager) to provide the on-the-ground, day-to-day direction of CSS.


In some ways, CSS is going back to its roots, including the re-engagement of clients as volunteers and the focus on hiring individuals from our Safe Spot Communities. In other ways, we’re continuing to branch out—engaging with the broader community in new and unique ways, partnering with outside organizations, and looking for chances to expand our reach outside of Lane County. We encourage you to follow us on social media as we frequently highlight our activities and outreach efforts there.


Seasons change, and some seasons come back around, but we’re never quite the same as we were the last time through. Saying goodbye to what we know brings new beginnings, uncertainty, joy, and excitement. Thank you for your continued support throughout all of our seasons.


With immense gratitude,


Heather Quaas-Annsa 
Director of Philanthropy

News & Events

To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.


If you are a member of the media who is seeking information or would like to request an interview, contact community@cssoregon.org.


Subscribe to Newsletter
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

28

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

July 26, 2025
Because of your support, we’re growing into something bigger—two new spaces designed to better serve our unhoused neighbors. Community Supported Shelters is in the middle of an exciting transformation. After over a decade at our Grant Street location, we’ve purchased a new building that will allow us to bring our in
July 25, 2025
“Everyone will have desks,” declares Blake Burrell, CSS Director of Community Impact, anticipating the move of most of the CSS staff and programs from 1160 Grant Street to 2870 West 10th Place, a former Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles facility. The move will take place between now and the end of 2025.
July 24, 2025
Erik de Buhr fell in love with the building at 1160 Grant long before there was a Community Supported Shelters. He was involved with a group that built things out of salvaged materials (Resurrected Refuse Action Team), including huts that would turn out to be precursors to the CSS Conestoga Huts. “I’d been eyeballing t
July 23, 2025
In partnership with the Nightingale Board of Directors and the City of Eugene, CSS is ensuring the Nightingale Safe Spot continues to operate in South Eugene. In the month of July, CSS officially began to operate the Nightingale Safe Spot Community in South Eugene. As the organization moves its home to our new building
July 22, 2025
The Eugene REALTORS® Young Professionals Network had their yearly ‘Sip of Summer’ event to raise money for Community Supported Shelters. A good time was had by all with games, a raffle, BBQ, and great networking at Alton Baker Park. This was their 5th fundraiser for CSS, and they raised $3,300 this year to Adopt-a-Hut.
July 21, 2025
This summer, we've been collaborating with UO Duck Corps, who have been giving Hut exteriors some good scrubbing. Dustin (the staff member taking the selfie), says, "It's so encouraging to see a younger generation work against stereotypes about the unhoused and have such an interest in helping their community."
June 24, 2025
Community Supported Shelters (CSS) has been proudly selected as a 2025 Lowe’s Hometowns project, one of only 100 community-nominated, large-scale renovations nationwide. This recognition is part of Lowe’s five-year, $100 million commitment to revitalizing the spaces that serve as the heartbeat of hometowns across Ameri
June 15, 2025
In the warmth of a late-spring day, in front of the Community Supported Shelters office on Grant Street, Blake Burrell strikes up a conversation with a familiar face. He gives a warm hug and kind words before unlocking the front door to the social service office. The office is full of resources like clothing, surviv
I didn't want to participate in the 5K. Too early on a Saturday morning, and besides, I don't love c
April 30, 2025
I didn't want to participate in the 5K. Too early on a Saturday morning, and besides, I don't love crowds. Then I learned that CSS wasn't only buying tickets for staff to participate, but we were also buying up to 10 tickets for our clients to join the first-ever Team CSS for the 5K run at the Eugene Marathon.
April 15, 2025
In a September 2023 interview, Sabrina, who had been in a CSS Hut for about two years, said, “It's been well over 10 years since I've had a job, because my drug habit has caused me to be homeless.”
Show More