Portland, OR. As Oregon responds to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington (RMHC) has stepped in to provide the hospitality for frontline medical workers here in Portland.
In partnership with Oregon Health and Sciences University, RMHC has temporarily re-purposed the Rood Family Pavilion on Portland’s South Waterfront making available 76 comfortable, clean rooms for frontline workers.
These rooms are providing much-needed respite to medical professionals who are working long hours on the front lines. RMHC is honored to temporarily welcome them into their new “home away from home.”
From RMHC:
RMHC remains committed to continuing to safely house and feed the seriously ill children and families that have made our four Ronald McDonald Houses their home across the state of Oregon. All families originally staying at the Rood Family Pavilion have been relocated to RMHC’s other Portland-area Ronald McDonald House on the campus of Randall Children’s Hospital Northeast Portland.
“In addition to housing and feeding nearly 100 pediatric patients and families members in three Ronald McDonald Houses, we are also enabling health care providers from across the region to step up, and step in, in unprecedented ways to keep us all safe. I have never been prouder.” states Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of RMHC of Oregon & SW Washington. “I’m incredibly grateful to our partners and dedicated staff for so quickly and effectively pivoting to mobilize our resources for the greater good of the community.”
In the last two years, RMHC has experienced a 126% increase in demand for our programming and has offered comfort and support, home-cooked meals, and a comfortable bed to more than 35,000 families since opening in 1984.
You can make a difference right now by helping to ensure that that Ronald McDonald House Charities can continue to care for the most vulnerable of our community, be it medical professionals or families in crisis. Give now at RMHCOregon.org.
For more information about the work RMHC does to support the community and to stay up-to-date about their COVID-19 response, visit us online at RMHCOregon.org.
Portland, OR. Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center are taking action to shore up long term sustainability. Portland Art Museum Director Brian Ferriso released a statement explaining that in order to preserve staff wages and benefits for as long as possible, the Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center will place approximately 80 percent of staff (60 percent of full-time equivalents) on unpaid leave status, effective April 16th.
The move follows the closure of the Museum and Film Center to the public on March 14 in accordance with the community health order issued by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to combat the spread of COVID-19. “I feel a great sense of responsibility to make sure our staff and institution are cared for as best we are able,” said Portland Art Museum Director Brian Ferriso.
Since the closure, the Museum and Film Center have incurred $1 million per month in payroll and other expenses, without offsetting revenue from admissions, rental event business, retail operations, and other channels.
After analyzing all options for managing through the crisis, leadership decided to place the majority of staff on unpaid leave status. This option allows employees to continue to be compensated by using their sick and vacation time. The Museum will also continue to provide health and dental benefits through June.
The institution has also submitted and is waiting for approval of an application for a Small Business Administration loan now available through the federal CARES Act and is continuing to explore other funding avenues.
During the closure, Director Brian Ferriso will take a pay cut along with some members of the Museum’s senior leadership team. “I know that the Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center matter deeply to our staff and community,” Ferriso said. “I remain hopeful that we will emerge soon to offer the connection and inspiration that our institution has provided for more than a century.”
During the closure, the Museum and Film Center will continue offering more digital experiences, through a variety of channels including virtual walkthroughs of current exhibitions, new ways of seeing and storytelling, daily art moments, podcasts, education resources, virtual meet ups and more.
Portland, OR. Noted philanthropist Arlene Schnitzer died on Saturday, April 4th in her home. Her son Jordan reports she was suffering from some intestinal issues, she was 91. Arlene Schnitzer was responsible for a plethora of major philanthropic gifts, most recently a record-breaking $10 million to Portland Art Museum. Arlene Schnitzer and her son, Jordan, created the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation. Both stayed up to date with social causes, even recently releasing a statement on the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
This is an excerpt from the recent message by Jordan Schnitzer:
My mother and I are deeply concerned about the impact the COVID-19 virus is having on our community. First and foremost is the concern we have for the health and safety of all of us and our families. Nothing is more important than our health.
My mother has often said “this too shall pass”, and hopefully we can start rebuilding our non-profits that have served our community and state so wonderfully for years!
Arlene is survived by her son, Jordan, and four grandchildren. (Jordan and Arlene Schnitzer in 2015 at the PNCA Grand Opening.)
Barbara Hall, who directs the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Care Foundation, told OPB that people in Portland know Arlene Schnitzer as the woman whose name is on the concert hall downtown, but in addition to their public gifts, the Schnitzers funded many causes anonymously. In particular, programs that gave financial aid to families caring for critically ill children. Below are several articles from the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation website about the work of the foundation. Harold Schnitzer died in 2011.
“My father, Harold Schnitzer, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 42 and spent the rest of his life managing his illness. He followed the latest developments and supported diabetic research but was most passionate about patient care. He knew many were not as fortunate as he was to receive the best care available. In 2007, my father and … Read More
$1 Million Gift from Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer to Support Judaic Studies at PSU Contribution will provide new scholarships and fund a visiting scholar from Israel Portland State University today announced a $1 million grant through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Family Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF), on behalf of Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan D. Schnitzer. The philanthropic investment will … Read More
On July 17, the Beaverton Arts Foundation announced the anonymous lead donor, Patricia Reser, who pledged $13 million to the new center for the arts in Beaverton, and the official name, the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, which was previously referred to as the Beaverton Center for the Arts. “The dream of a vibrant stage and central gathering place … Read More
The above articles explore just a few of the recent contributions of Arlene Schnitzer. Many people in Portland’s nonprofit community will remember Arlene Schnitzer with fondness and gratitude.
Portland, OR. “Inspiration Oregon” is a (very) short film contest sponsored by Oregon Film to encourage local filmmakers to be creative during the COVID 19 odyssey. Check out an example on the Oregon Film Vimeo site. It’s just about one minute long.
If you’d like to smile, click here to check out our favorite; this submission for #InspirationOregon is called “Freddie’s Silver Linings. It was made by filmmaker, Isabel Klein. It’s about a little dog named, Freddie. (He’s our dog and is currently living his best life!) Isabel won and honorable mention for her efforts and a $250 prize.
Here is a link to the Vimeo Showcase that contains all of 125 submissions on the Oregon Film Vimeo site. The “#InspirationOregon (very) short film contest was created by Oregon Film and will have 10 winners. Winners will be determined by the highest “views and likes” on the Oregon Film Vimeo website. Viewing and voting will continue through Wednesday, April 8th at 5 pm. There’s a large variety of themes for the films, including nature, daily life during the virus and social distancing.
The contest was created to support local filmmakers. There are 10 cash prizes of $500 each based on the number of views on the Oregon Film contest website. Oregon Film told participants, “Thank you, again, for sharing your talent, insight, and inspirations with all of us. The creative community is a great medicine for these times.”
Oregon Film reposted this image from NYC COVID-19 Musician Resources and Support on its Facebook.
There’s a possibility the contest may happen again so keep Oregon Film on your radar.
The Governor’s Office of Film & Television has been helping productions find, secure, and utilize our magnificent locations since 1968. Our mission is to promote the development of the film, video, and multimedia industry in Oregon.
The Oregon Made Creative Foundation:
The Oregon Made Creative Foundation supports storytellers, filmmakers, and artists to attain sustainable careers in the arts, especially the digital arts. Additionally, the Foundation strives to draw together, under its #OregonMade banner – support, momentum and assistance for Oregon communities, whether they be urban, suburban, or rural and to help build and strengthen the connections among them.
Portland, OR. Portland Opera will cancel the remaining productions in its 2019/2020 season. The Opera’s executive team unanimously agreed that this course of action is the responsible way to contribute to solutions in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community and region while maintaining a solid future for the company. As a result of these cancellations, patrons and subscribers who have already purchased tickets for the Big Night concert, Pagliacci, and Three Decembers can opt to donate the value of their tickets to Portland Opera as a tax-deductible contribution or are eligible to receive a refund. Portland Opera’s 2020/2021 season is set to start in September of 2020,
The cancellation will include all mainstage opera performances, as well as all related events, and public programming.
They are as following: Big Night Concert | May 9, 2020 | Canceled, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci | June 5 – 13 | Canceled, Heggie’s Three Decembers | July 17 – 25 | Canceled. (Also canceled, Portland Opera Resident Artist Recitals. All preview and enrichment events scheduled in support of productions canceled)
“This is a heartbreaking decision, but it is made with the intention to support the well-being of our community and company during this public health crisis,” says General Director Sue Dixon. “The cancellation of the remainder of our season impacts everyone who is part of Portland Opera—our patrons, audience members, artists, musicians, chorus members, collaborators, and our staff. No one, in any sector, can know the full economic impact of this unprecedented situation at this moment. So, this is our best forward-thinking plan to keep our company whole and contribute to solutions for our community. This is how we ensure our legacy.”
Meanwhile, Portland Opera costumer Christine Richardson posted on Facebook that she is making protective face masks. She writes, “As a costumer, I’ve always loved assembly line projects. They can be very satisfying both in product and procedure.
One layer prewashed tight woven cotton (cut from brand new hospital gowns), one layer HEPA grade 3 ply vacuum bag, 1 aluminum nose wire, 2 pc vacuum filter binding and 2 elastic loops.
An example of the finished product. She had 25 masks prepped/cut in 3 hrs.
The Portland Opera 2020/2021 season will kick off in September of 2020, with Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s Frida at the Newmark Theatre. In the meantime, staff and company leaders remain focused on the company’s strategic plan, in pursuit of an active and sustainable role as an artistic leader and community partner.
“Our community relationships are at the core of our values and our strategic plan for the future, and those values are not canceled as a result of this announcement—they are augmented,” says Curtis T. Thompson, MD, President of Portland Opera’s Board of Directors. “We look forward to sharing the power and beauty of live opera again soon, and in the meantime, we are doing everything we can to remain a leading arts employer and creative force in our region for decades to come.”
Additional details can be found online by visiting www.portlandopera.org. Portland Opera’s Patron Services team can be reached Monday – Friday, from 10 AM – 5 PM at 503-241-1802.
About Portland Opera:
Portland Opera exists to inspire, challenge, and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera.
Since 1964, Portland Opera has contributed to the cultural, artistic, and economic landscape of the city and region that we love. We celebrate the beauty and breadth of the opera repertoire with performances that take place in the Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, and the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre at the Hampton Opera Center. The company is also a committed educational partner, touring fully staged operas to schools and community centers throughout Oregon and SW Washington region each year, in addition to a host of other efforts designed to make opera accessible for all.
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