Mission & Purpose

We are building Past Lives because survival alone is not enough.

Too many people are crushed by systems that strip away dignity and possibility — mass incarceration, cycles of abuse, addiction, houselessness, poverty, and the everyday bullshit of trying to make it as an artist in capitalism. And for those who aren’t in outright crisis, we live in a culture that isolates everyone and not only undermines, but destroys communities. All of us are becoming more vulnerable.

Portland has become a refuge. People are moving here for space, freedom, and solidarity. We want to be ready to receive them — not with charity. We are not offering anyone a free ride.

We are building a system that allows people to self-organize and empower themselves: to learn skills, start businesses, and divest from the systems that are fucking up literally everything we care about.

At the core of this system is a Federation of Guilds and our allies. The guilds share resources, generate work, and represent their members. Surrounding them is a network of nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses — partners who expand our reach, reinforce our services, and link Past Lives to the broader city.

And we know this: most people don’t rebuild their lives just by getting a job. Real change requires broader support. That’s why a core part of our mission is to partner with social and human service providers — and eventually build our own — so that housing, therapy, mentorship, counseling, food access, and other basic needs are accessible inside the federation.

No one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves — and we must do it together.

That’s why Past Lives exists.

We are reviving the spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement — protecting craft, design, and intellectual property, ensuring fair exchange, and valuing the dignity of creative work. We are carrying forward the mission of the American Labor Movement — solidarity, representation, and strength through collective action.

We are doing this because our communities need to be strong again. Because we need to heal. Because we are tired of just surviving.

Past Lives is fiscally sponsored by Harbor of Hope as it prepares to become an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

PAST LIVES

By Oregon Trail of Hope

PAST LIVES

ARTIST AND MAKERS AT WORK