100 Year-Old Orphange

The Waverly School 1931 - 2011

Energy Shifters has been asked to work with Green Light to Developers to help prepare a remarkable property for its new life as a cooperative community in the heart of Portland's inner southeast neighborhood.  The Waverly School, was built as an orphanage in 1931 on the site of a Victorian mansion that had also been an orphanage since 1894.  The developers have planned a community of 20 family homes on the site.  Soon it will be time to tear down the structure and make way for the new, Waverly Commons.

Waverly Commons Plan

 Obviously Waverly has a complicated history, filled with sadness, trauma, loss and abandonment.  The developers understand this, but weren't sure what to do about it.  They wanted to honor this place that had (on the bright side) given shelter and education to thousands of children for more than a century.  And, what if there were spirits trapped at the school or negative energies that might cloud the future of the community or compromise the safety of construction? Green Light contacted the builder of another community, Cully Grove who referred them to Energy Shifters, as we had performed the same services for their start.

We knew this was a big undertaking, so we started by doing a walk-through with the developer.  The space had only a few obvious, weird spots.  It's a huge space - over 60,000 sq.ft.  Right as we went in 

We felt a stubborn hovering spirit; one that was there to protect.  We explained what was going to happen to the building, that there would be new families there, ready to start new lives. We asked its name. "I am Jose," it said, "but call me Joe."  We worked with him and persuaded him that his job here was done and that it was time for him to crossover.  He understood and departed.  

As we moved into the foyer, the reception/intake area, we were drawn to the room on our left.  We discovered that this was the waiting area for new admissions and for family visits.  This area was our focus for several visits.  Yes, this project continues to engage us.