Anne’s Story
Anne’s Story
“You can’t get on your feet when you’re looking for a place to sleep every night.”
~ Anne Buffum, former Rose Apartment Resident
When Anne moved into the Rose Apartments, she was coming from a life on the street to her own apartment. Developed by REACH in 1988, the Rose was Portland’s first permanent affordable housing for homeless women and for many, the start to a brighter future.
At an early age Anne showed a special creativity in the pictures she drew of people. She grew up in Nebraska in a home with an adopted sister, an exchange student and up to 10 foster children. At 11 her parents divorced. Later, she dropped out of school and joined the army. Unfortunate decisions led to Anne becoming homeless in Portland.
When Anne learned of new housing for formerly homeless women, she became an early resident at the Rose. According to Anne, “the Rose gave me the security to stay in one place. It meant so much to have a place to live. We cooked together and made it a home.”
Anne’s drawing and painting continued at the Rose. She enrolled at PCC to become a dental technician. Anne was able to get a job and move out of the Rose one year after graduation. She still pursued her passion of painting in a small studio space. There she met Charles, her future husband.
Soon after, Anne made the leap and quit her job to focus on her art. Now people all over the world are collecting her work.
Anne looks forward to volunteering at the Rose to share her artistic passion with others.
