Inside Pier 360

As the season begins to shift, we invite you to step into movement, connection, and fresh air with us this April. Whether you’re looking for something active, creative, or simply a chance to be in community, there’s a place for you here.

An early “influencer” for me was Henri Nouwen, a priest who spent the last 10 years of his life at L’Arche Daybreak in Ontario, Canada before dying in 1996.  Among his many good deeds, he wrote extensively and authored more than 40 books, I own 18 of them. In one of his books, he writes about hospitality and its purpose. “Hospitality , therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend […]. Hospitality   is not to change p

Pier 360 Executive Director, Brad Berry, was hired 20 years ago today. We take a moment to honor his steady, often unseen service and leadership over the years.

Previously, we talked about playing show-and-tell with Pier 360 Staff, and what resulted was very inspiring. Here we will include Cat's contribution. The photography on this page is hers. She is also a creative writer, and we have featured one of her stories based on her life below. WILDFIRE IMAGINATION by Cat   I have loved books as long as I can remember. As a child, my Great Grandmother Dolly would read stories of wonderful adventures to me of every kind, especially the on

As we move toward longer days and early signs of spring, March offers opportunities to connect — through art, outdoor exploration, friendly competition, and shared creative space. Whether you prefer quiet reflection in a museum gallery, movement on a trail, or laughter over a game night, we invite you to join us. As always, participation is free, and all activities are grounded in peer support and community connection. Portland Art Museum Free First Thursday Join us in explor

Twenty years. March 2026 will mark my twentieth year as the Executive Director of Pier 360. It has been a remarkable experience, and it is because of the peers that have worked here and the peers that have actively engaged in their recovery, both past and present. The thing that has stood out for me through the years is just how creative and resourceful our peer community is when it comes to finding a way to get things done. This is why innovation is one of our Core Values .

Courage shows up quietly here through a staff game of Show and Tell. Instructions: Bring something meaningful to share. A creative project. A passion. A practice that grounds you. A small piece of yourself. Share it online. Sometimes courage looks like holding something close to your heart and saying, “This matters to me.” So far, Pier 360 staff members Vincent , Cat , Allison , Jeannette , and Chiara have shared pieces of what sustains them. Allison shared an original song

As part of a long-anticipated investment in our spaces, Pier 360 East Center is temporarily closed  while we complete a remodel. We will share updates and announce our reopening once the work is complete in 2026. This remodel is an important step forward for our organization and our community. The updates are designed to better support the people who gather here and the programs we are growing toward. What’s Coming When East Center reopens, the space will include: More parkin

This February, Pier 360’s activities and outings are rooted in Courage, connection, and community — offering creative spaces, outdoor experiences, and opportunities to be seen and supported together.

In this month’s message, Executive Director Brad Berry reflects on courage as a matter of the heart — the quiet determination it takes to face daily challenges. He invites our community to see and honor the courage in one another, reminding us that connection makes resilience stronger.

January at Pier 360 centers on resilience and winter wellness, with community activities, creative connection, and support groups. Read more about this month’s offerings.

Thirty years ago, Consumer Voices Are Born began as a peer-run organization committed to advocacy and support.  It was a courageous act by the founding group of peers because the odds were against them, they had few national and no regional peer-run agencies to learn from in 1995, and stigma against people living with mental health challenges was in high gear.  They, however, persevered eventually gaining nonprofit corporation status with the federal government in 1997 and se

As the days grow shorter and the air grows crisp, winter invites us to slow down, reconnect with ourselves, and seek out small moments of joy. At Pier 360, Winter Wellness is about supporting one another through the darker season—through movement, creativity, laughter, shared stories, and adventures that spark a sense of possibility. This December, we’re offering activities that bring warmth to the cold months, community to the quiet days, and gentle encouragement for anyone

The Practice of Gratitude This season invites us to slow down and reflect on what gratitude truly means. While Thanksgiving carries complex histories for Indigenous peoples — stories of both generosity and loss — it also invites us to approach the day with respect, compassion, and a renewed awareness of how we live in relationship with one another. At Pier 360, gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a practice — one that deepens connection, honors those who came before us, an

October 2025 listing of activities and outings as well as Pier 360's 30 year anniversary.

This September, Pier 360 is continuing to bring people together in ways that strengthen our bodies, minds, and communities. We’re spending more time outdoors, honoring Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, and participating in GiveMore24!, Southwest Washington’s largest day of giving. Continue Reading Below for more information. An image of a bonfire on a beach with the ocean in the background. The image is titled "This Month at Pier 360." ​ September Activities See our Cale

Activities and outings for the month of August.