Portland, OR. Medical Teams International received a $350,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase access to life-saving primary healthcare services for 120,000 Venezuelan migrants living now in Santa Marta, Colombia. Bill and Melinda Gates, pictured in Bangladesh, have a stated foundation goal: “In high-burden communities, millions of women and newborns die during childbirth and the first month of life – the majority, due to preventable causes. We channel our resources to understand and address underlying risks to keep women and their children healthy.”
In Columbia, a Venezuelan migrant named Stefanie is one of many trying to raise young children. The mass migration to Columbia started because Venezuela’s economic and political crisis has now reached a state of hyperinflation due to chronic resource shortages and government corruption. (Photo credit: Sarah Rawlins)
“Mothers are dying unnecessarily without access to care,” said Martha Holley Newsome, Medical Teams International President and CEO. “As an organization, we are called to go where we are needed most. This generous grant from the Gates Foundation will allow us to do exactly this, by providing life-saving care to the most vulnerable Venezuelans in Colombia like children and pregnant women.”
Nearby, an elderly couple is struggling to care for their handicapped daughter.
“The scale of what is happening in Venezuela is considered to be the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today. Persons displaced from Venezuela represent more people than the combined number that have fled from South Sudan and Myanmar. The situation is dire — an estimated 60 percent of medical assistance has been lost, with recent indicators of maternal mortality at an increase of 65 percent.
Since the crisis began, more than four million people have left Venezuela. By the end of last year, access to affordable food and medical care was nearly impossible for millions of people.
“Venezuelans report that the collapse of the economy has led to them being unable to meet their own very basic needs such as food, water, and medicine,” said Medical Teams Humanitarian Advisor Rachel Rigby. “In Colombia, we’re seeing people arriving with nothing, having had to use what little resources they had to pay to illegally cross the border.”
While the government of Colombia has been welcoming to new Venezuelan arrivals, the need for medical care far surpasses the country’s ability to provide them with basic assistance. Medical Teams will support the Colombian government by providing care for Venezuelan migrants and vulnerable Colombians. The program is focused on caring for pregnant and lactating women and young children, as well as ensuring vulnerable communities have access to life-saving medical care.
In addition to strengthening the Colombian health system by supporting local primary health care facilities, this grant will also help implement a Community Health Worker program to train volunteers to create social health behavior changes within their communities, map and monitor vulnerable populations, and provide referrals to local health facilities.
“Without Medical Teams’ help, these women would not receive any prenatal care and would have to find a clinic to deliver their baby in, while in labor,” Rigby said. “Young children are suffering from preventable and treatable illnesses, so our community health work program alongside targeted care is allowing families to learn how to prevent disease.”
From Medical Teams International:
For 40 years, Medical Teams International has worked in more than 35 countries and currently operates in Bangladesh, Colombia, Guatemala, Lebanon, Tanzania, and Uganda, collaborating with more than 50 local partners globally. Medical Teams has executed more than 26 U.S. government international assistance grants and implemented projects with the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, United Nations Children’s Fund, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and others on a diverse range of health and nutrition interventions. Medical Teams strives to implement innovative and efficient health interventions that save lives and promote a caring world.
Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as survivors of natural disasters and refugees. We care for the whole person— physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Because every person—no matter where they are or how desperate their situation—matters. Find Medical Teams International at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.
Portland, OR. The Portland Children’s Museum is remembering coworker, Leslie Schmadeke, who was hit and killed by a driver on Tualatin-Valley Highway on January 14th. Museum administers say, “Our staff & visitors mourn the loss of beloved Museum Experience Facilitator Leslie Schmadeke, who joyfully shared her gifts of origami & crafting with families for the last nine years. She will be dearly missed.”
The Portland Children’s Museum is partnering with TriMet to hand out reflective and glow-in-the-dark gear to families at the museum.
Employees will be providing bracelets, lights, and more. They call it a simple but meaningful way to honor Schmadeke’s life.
“I can’t remember a day when Leslie was down,” Ruth Shelly, the museum’s executive director, said. “She always came to work upbeat, ready to go, with some new craft in her bulging apron pockets, ready to share with the public.”
51-year-old Schmadeke was crossing TV Highway to get to the bus stop to go to work when she was hit. It was dark and foggy that morning, and investigators say the driver had poor visibility.
ODOT is working on implementing a few measures to make the route safer, including installing three rapid flashlights in areas identified as the most dangerous for pedestrians.
Portland Children’s Museum is located at:
4015 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
“Dr. King’s legacy of service continues to inspire and remind Oregonians that we all have a role to play in bettering the health of our communities,” says Angela Dowling, President of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon. “Regence and our employees are proud to celebrate our fifth year partnering with United Way in support of this mission.”
Clean Up and Green Up is a volunteer project at Portland Audubon.
The event is presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and supported by Intel, Nike, Dunn Carney, Tonkon Torp LLP, Umpqua Bank, with special thanks to U.S. Bank.
From sprucing up libraries and school gardens to sorting books for kids to packaging donated food for families in need – MLK Weekend of Service offers countless opportunities for community members to give back and help build Dr. King’s vision throughout the Portland metro region.
“Our MLK Weekend of Service is an incredible opportunity for people to come together to honor Dr. King’s legacy,” says Cindy Adams, President and CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. “With over sixty volunteer projects and 1,500 volunteers across the region this year, community members can continue striving for the changes Dr. King championed – including ending poverty and advancing racial equity – and make a real impact for tens of thousands of children and families.”
This year’s event also kicks off United Way’s centennial celebration. Since 1920 your local United Way has been bringing the community together to do good. In addition to honoring Dr. King’s legacy, this MLK Weekend we also celebrate United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s historic role in strengthening schools, families, and communities across the region.
The event runs from Friday, January 17 through Monday, January 20 with volunteer projects each day.
The event is organized by United Way’s volunteer program, Hands On Greater Portland.
MLK Weekend of Service is an integral part of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s 10-year agenda focused on reducing childhood poverty and advancing racial equity.
Here’s a list of some of the options for volunteer activities:
Friday: January 17:
Beaverton High School Student Success Week: Join us for painting, creating signage, interior planting
8:30 am-11:30 am
Location: Beaverton HS: 13000 SW 2nd St. Beaverton, OR 97008
Hands Dirty but Hearts Filled: Help spruce up the Day Center organizing bookshelves, cleaning furniture and windows, picking up around the property
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Location: 2nd floor of Sunset Presbyterian Church: 14986 NW Cornell Rd. Portland, OR 97229
VOSE Elementary School (Beaverton School District): Help spruce up the school grounds
9:30 am-11:30 am
Location: 11350 SW Denney Rd. Beaverton, OR
Saturday: January 18:
American Red Cross: Install free smoke alarms and educate households on fire safety
9:30 am-2:30 pm
Location: Portland Red Cross office: 3131 N Vancouver Ave. Portland, OR 97227
Schoolhouse Supplies: Sort books by grade level for the Free Store for Teachers
9:30 am-11:30 am
Location: 4916 NE 122nd Portland, OR 97230
Sunday: January 19:
Q Center: Join us for a day of beautification at the largest LGBTQ2SIA+ community center in the Pacific NW
9:30 am-11:30 am
Location: 4115 N Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR
The Children’s Book Bank: Sort, spruce up and bundle community donated books for children
10 am-11 am
Location: 1915 NE 7th AVE. Portland, OR 97217
Hillsboro Public Library: Help “weed” the library shelves and organize the supply closet
1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Location: Shute Park Library: 775 SE 10th Ave. Hillsboro, OR 97124
Monday (MLK Day): January 20:
Bink-A-Thon: Make blankets for children
9:30 am-1:30 pm
Location: Village Baptist Church, 330 SW Murray Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
SnowCap Community Garden Clean-Up: Help weed, prune, haul and spread cedar chips
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Location: 17805 SE Stark St. Portland, OR 97233
Oregon Food Bank (Portland): Repack food donations into family-size portions
10 am-11 am
Location: Portland location: 7900 NE 33rd Dr. Portland, OR 97211
Native Gathering Garden at Cully: Help with weeding and general upkeep of the garden
10:30 am-11:30 am
Location: 5810 NE 72nd Ave. Portland, OR
SOLVE: Clean up MLK Blvd
10:30 am-11:30 am
Location: Irving Park 707 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212
P:ear: Cook meals & tidy up for homeless youth
1:30 pm-3 pm
Location: 338 NW 6th Ave Portland, OR 97209
Oregon Food Bank (Beaverton): Repack food donations into family-size portions
1:30 pm-3 pm
Location: Beaverton location: 1870 NW 173rdAve. Beaverton, OR 97006
The University of Portland is inaugurating an annual MLK Day event with local writer, activist, educator and spoken word artist Walidah Imarisha leading a discussion on the question, “Why aren’t there more black people in Oregon?”
The event is titled MLK Day ON 2020: Engage. Reflect. Serve. It also will feature guest singer Julianne Johnson, a 1983 graduate and Grammy Award-nominated recording artist and songwriter.
What: MLK Day ON 2020
When: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 20
Where: University of Portland’s Buckley Center Auditorium, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. (Overflow room: Brian Doyle Auditorium in Dundon-Berchtold Hall)
In addition, numerous local organizations and institutions hold annual volunteer MLK Day of Service activities. There is no central directory, but you can find them by searching online.
Each of these projects will have a United Way staff member or Volunteer Leader available onsite to answer questions. If you need more information prior to the event, or if you know that your media outlet will be attending one of the projects, please call Kristen Lambert at United Way (contact info listed above).
At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we have a simple, ambitious vision – to invest in our region’s kids so they are free from poverty in order to be free to reach their potential. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette has been bringing our community together to do good for nearly 100 years. We’re uniquely positioned to connect and support the people, nonprofits, businesses and government agencies working hard to address poverty in our region. When we invest in our region’s kids, we free the future. For more information and to get involved please visit www.unitedway-pdx.org.
Portland, OR. Chinese Friendship Association of Portland (CFAP) is a non-profit organization, serving the local community. CFAP organizes multiple education and culture-focused events all year long, with their most popular event being the annual Lunar New Year (LNY) Celebration Gala. Activities will include a Chinese National Level face-changing performer, international Wushu champions performing their best routines. It all takes place on January 25th, 2020.
The performances will also include ballet professionals performing a national award-winning piece, and a variety of cultural performances by well-known groups and individuals.
This year will be the first time that the LNY celebration is held in Keller Auditorium. It will also be the first time that multiple Asian communities will come together to celebrate LNY.
There will also be art exhibits by well-known visual artists and craft workshops by popular culture organizations.
Art & craft activities begin when doors open at 6pm. Performances begin at 7pm and run through 9pm.
FEATURED PERFORMANCES
Xuan Cheng & Brian Simcoe from Oregon Ballet Theatre performing a national choreography winning piece.
Face changing Chinese national level performer -Long Yun who is the only female inheritor in China.
Routines from Wushu international champions
Magic show
A variety of cultural performances by well-known individuals, and popular local culture performing groups and dance schools.
ASIAN ART AND CULTURE
Art and calligraphy exhibits created by well-known artists such as a calligrapher, and other visual artists.
Craft workshops by popular local cultural organizations.
Art & craft activities begin at 6pm. Performances begin at 7pm and run through 9pm.
Portland, Or. The Architectural Heritage Center announced an important update on a project that leaders say will protect culturally significant and historic structures within Portland’s African-American community from demolition. The Architectural Heritage Center has completed a draft of the National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation (MPD) form. The MPD will be reviewed at local, state, and national levels in order to protect important landmarks that have had a large impact in communities within downtown Portland and surrounding areas. The MPD form is available for public review and the Architectural Heritage Center encourages readers to contribute with their comments. Pictured above is Royal Palm Hotel, one of Portland’s first facilities to employ and accept African-American guests, which is listed on the MPD form. (Photo credit, Intisar Abioto)
Architectural Heritage Center. Photo provided by AHC’s
Through a partnership between the Heritage Center and the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning & Sustainability (BPS), the Multiple Property Documentation (MPD) form was created. This document is a National Register of Historic places that groups together resources associated with significant historical context so that property owners can easily list their property in the National Register.
The MPD includes a comprehensive list of different buildings and structures that were a part of the African-American community in Portland from 1865 to 1973. Some examples of the buildings are houses, churches, fraternal lodges, and more. Within the MPD record will also include photographs of selected African American properties commissioned from Portland artist, Intisar Abioto.
Golden West Hotel on NW Everett St., Portland Courtesy Oreg. Hist. Soc. Research Library
Previously known as the All Nations Community Church in the 1970s, this church is now known as Mt. Gillard Missionary Baptist Church on NE Rodney Ave
A message from the Architectural Heritage Center:
The over one-hundred page MPD draft is made possible thanks to the hard work of a team of people over the past three years. In 2017, the Bosco-Milligan Foundation/Architectural Heritage Center was selected through a request for proposals process by BPS to partner on the MPD. This work was led by Cathy Galbraith, our organization’s founding director and known expert on Portland’s African American history. Sadly, Cathy passed away in November 2018, with the study unfinished. However, with assistance from historical consultants and BPS staff—and with financial support from the Kinsman Foundation and from BPS—the MPD draft is now complete.
The Architectural Heritage Center’s mission is to “inspire people to conserve the art, craft, and context of historic buildings and places to promote our cultural heritage as a vital element of livable, sustainable, communities.” We seek to preserve the historic character and livability of our built environment and to promote sustainability through the re-use of period homes and buildings. Owned and operated by the non-profit Bosco-Milligan Foundation, we empower people in the Portland region to preserve both landmark buildings and the regular “vernacular” vintage homes and storefronts that collectively define our neighborhoods, traditional downtowns, culture, history, and quality of life.
Photo by Brian Johnson.
Preservation does not mean being frozen in time. New isn’t inherently “bad,” nor is old inherently “good.” But we believe a vintage building shouldn’t be demolished without careful consideration of its architectural, environmental, and cultural value, or without exploring possibilities for re-use. We also believe that in-fill construction should be compatible with the character, style, and scale of traditional neighborhoods.
Public Review The MPD and Billy Webb Elks Lodge (Williams Avenue YWCA) nominations are published here for public review As a next step, the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission will review the MPD at its meeting on January 27. They will make a formal recommendation to the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, which will meet on February 28. The State Committee will then make a formal recommendation to the National Park Service to accept the MPD.
Oregon City, OR. There’s an update on the plans for a special Riverwalk along the Willamette Falls in Oregon City. Details were provided by Andrew Mason, the Executive Director of the Willamette Falls Trust. He explained that when the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde purchased the former Blue Heron mill located adjacent to Willamette Falls last August, the news was welcomed by the Willamette Falls Trust which is spearheading the revitalization of the falls including the Willamette Falls Riverwalk project. (Tribe members have taken ceremonial fish at the falls for years.)
The Tribe has since applied for $975,000 in grants to assist with site assessments and clean up, and they are working with local architecture and landscape design firms to create a future vision for their property. Their land purchase and the results of Willamette Falls Legacy Project’s detailed cost estimating also sparked new thinking around what could be accomplished during the Phase One portion of the project.
After purchasing the property, Grand Ronde proposed an alternative approach to Phase One. If feasible, it would include a riverside path to a scenic overlook of the Falls, which differs from the previous plan to route people through the former mill. A focus of the proposal is to increase public safety during any construction happening on Grand Ronde’s property. It would also provide more opportunities to view the river along the way to the Falls overlook. Phase One of the Riverwalk still aims to restore habitat along the riverbank and prepare the site for future phases of construction.
The groundbreaking schedule initially planned for 2020, has shifted to accommodate looking into this opportunity. Project partners—Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro and State of Oregon—will consider the proposal after the Grand Ronde team completes the design and construction cost estimate.
Andrew Mason explained, “We continue to receive unprecedented community and financial support. While additional funds will be needed to get us to the finish line on this visionary project, we’re grateful for the continued donations and volunteer hours given, including more than $7 million from donors within and outside our community, as well as $20 million from the passage of Metro’s parks and nature bond measure in November.”
Willamette Falls has always been the cornerstone Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde tribal culture. In 2018 the Grand Ronde Tribe received a permit from the Oregon Department of State Lands to construct a fishing platform on state lands at Willamette Falls.
The scaffold allows the Grand Ronde Tribe to safely harvest ceremonial fish at Willamette Falls at the time of year when their ancestors historically took the first fish from the Falls. The Tribe has taken ceremonial fish at the falls for the past three years.
Our mission is to champion and sustain a world-class Willamette Falls experience that offers year-round access to the grandeur of the Falls, historic and cultural interpretation, healthy habitat, public open spaces, and that showcases the hospitality of historic Oregon City.
Willamette Falls Trust is the organization bringing people and communities together to make the new vision for a world-class public space along the Willamette River in Oregon City, Oregon a reality.
We are raising the funds and creating the partnerships to support the first phase of transformation, which includes an overlook at the precipice of the Falls, a connection to Oregon City’s downtown, and opportunities to explore history.
We work closely with Willamette Falls Legacy Project—the public-sector collaboration that kick-started this work—and others, as we steward the collective vision for Willamette Falls. The project has the support of Governor Kate Brown, state legislators, local and regional council members—and has been designed with input from thousands of Oregonians.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Food Bank was one of six Oregon nonprofits that benefited from the generosity of First Tech Federal Credit Union. Members, employees and the community came together for the annual signature ‘Season of Giving’ campaign in December. First Tech launched its annual giving campaign seven years ago to illuminate the collective impact people and organizations can make when working together.
Through in-branch and online voting in Oregon, Washington, California and beyond, First Tech employees, members and the community played a role in allocating funds and employee volunteer hours. More than $200,000 and thousands of volunteer hours went to support 43 nonprofit organizations.
“There is no better way to end the year than by bringing our employees and members together to give back to the communities we serve,” said Greg Mitchell, First Tech President and CEO. “We’re proud to support so many organizations that are dedicated to creating stronger, healthier communities with our ‘Season of Giving’ campaign as well as through additional philanthropic efforts throughout the year.”
Front runners in the ‘Season of Giving’ voting campaign include Oregon Food Bank ($24,500), going beyond providing fresh, healthy food to Oregon families by championing self-reliance through nutrition programs.
“At Oregon Food Bank, we believe we can build resilient communities that never go hungry,” said Susannah Morgan, CEO. We are thankful for our early and long-standing partnership with First Tech Federal Credit Union in creating an Oregon without hunger.”
Other nonprofit recipients in Oregon included OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. (Portland), SMART Reading (Portland), Marion-Polk Food Share (Salem), PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend (Springfield) and FOOD for Lane County (Eugene).
By focusing on nonprofits working to improve the health and education of children and families, First Tech is committing to building a legacy of impact so communities can thrive for generations to come.
Additional partners supported through First Tech’s ‘Season of Giving’ campaign include the following organizations, among many others throughout and beyond the country:
California: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland ($23,320), Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley ($9,160) and Valley Verde ($9,160)
First Tech Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators. In 2018, First Tech provided$3.2 million in charitable giving and more than 35,000 employee volunteer hours to the community; directing dollars and time to nonprofit partners who provide programs and services to children and families in need. First Tech’s philanthropic focus areas include support for education (STEM, early childhood literacy and financial education), research (Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and supportive health services for children) and innovation (food, shelter and safety). Visit firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward throughout the year.
First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $12+ billion institution headquartered in San Jose, California. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, Intuit, Google, and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to more than 620,000 members through its 41 branch locations, more than 5,600 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs, and online platforms. First Tech offers a full range of financial services, including traditional banking, online banking, mortgages, financial planning, various consumer loans, and insurance services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit w ww.firsttechfed.com.
Gladstone, OR. The Children’s Course golf program is growing and offering more opportunities for at-risk kids. Construction is underway on a new learning center which will expand after-school mentoring services to underprivileged kids who love golf. The Executive Director of the nonprofit, Marti Loeb, says over the past three years the course has experienced 33% growth in the number of rounds played and last year alone 6,200 were played. The course offers a variety of options for kids to play golf and is particularly focused on bringing the game of golf to underprivileged, at-risk, low to moderate-income and special needs youth.
In addition to open play for kids, the Children’s Course offers six specialized programs including a Girls Golf Program which offers opportunities for girls to be introduced to the game and explore an interest in a setting that promotes positive and comfortable learning with other girls. That program is sponsored by the LPGA-USGA.
The Children’s Course is located between the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers in Gladstone. It originally opened for play as Rivergreens Golf Course in 1961 as an 18-hole, par 3 course. In 1989, following the development of apartments on the perimeter, the course was redesigned into a 9-hole, par 3 course. Then in 1996 Children’s Course founder, Duncan Campbell, launched the program hoping to use golf to provide positive youth development.
The Children’s Course eventually partnered with the national organization, The First Tee and has embraced its Core Values: to impact the lives of kids ages 4-18 by providing learning facilities and educational programs. The game of golf helps to instill integrity and make people of rich character.
The mentor program was designed to provide leadership and role models for kids who may not have ready access to personal guidance. Mentors believe, “The program produces tangible results—participants get help in applying to colleges and technical schools. The game of golf affords a holistic learning experience that teaches interpersonal skills, sportsmanship, etiquette, self-control, mental discipline as well as physical skills. Students learn to be responsible and develop a sense of judgment as they evaluate actions and their consequences.”
The Children’s Course also offers adaptive exposure clinics to participants of area school districts with varying degrees of mental use cognitive or intellectual disabilities.
From The Children’s Course:
The Children’s Course is a non-profit and is funded by private donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. The golf course is home to the First Tee of Greater Portland, which provides young people with character-building and life skills lessons using golf as the platform.
We are focused on the personal growth of each child who enters the program. We are there to help each child recognize their potential. We help develop positive, contributing members to our community.
Join us for our annual gala! Here’s the information:
16th Annual Wine & Golf Ball Gala Wednesday, April 15th Hilton Portland Downtown – 921 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 Benefiting: The Children’s Course/The First Tee of Greater Portland 19825 River Rd. Gladstone, OR 97027 Tax id: 93-1212530
Portland, OR. These are the renderings for plans to turn the Wapato facility into a place called the Bybee Lakes Hope Center (BLHC). Owner, Jordan Schnitzer and the nonprofit Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers are hoping to transform the never-occupied, 155,000 square foot Wapato Corrections Facility into a trauma-informed, transitional housing facility to support Multnomah County community members experiencing homelessness. The Helping Hands organization has been successfully providing transitional housing since 2002. The organization has grown to include eleven facilities in four Oregon counties. Now it’s taking on Wapato.
Photos from Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Credit: Designer Stuart Emmons, Artist Craig Holmes.
Photos via Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers. Credit: Designer Stuart Emmons, Artist Craig Holmes.
The 15-year-old Wapato Jail – about 20 minutes northwest of Portland – has never been used. The $58 million facility was built as a prison in 2004, but never opened. On October 10th, Facility owner Jordan Schnitzer said the building would be demolished in the next few months unless political leaders could come up with a way to use it. In December, the Helping Hands plans for the facility were announced.
Helping Hands was founded by Alan Evans, who was homeless for over 25 years. Evans started Helping Hands to give other homeless people what he himself had needed: a helping hand to a sustainable life.
Jordan Schnitzer, (fourth from right) has said in the past he’s willing to invest $1 million to help Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers run a reentry program and emergency shelter out of the facility, but $2 million to $3 million is still needed to launch the operation.
For more information about the fundraising effort, here is a link to the program:
Portland, OR. What a year! PortlandSocietyPage.com has featured over 500 local nonprofits in 2019. Those admirable organizations have raised millions of dollars for worthy beneficiaries. It’s our privilege to be the top nonprofit news resource for local charities and the supporters who love them! Did you miss any stories? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter by CLICKING HERE! Have a great idea for 2019? Contact Editor & Publisher Elisa Klein, at [email protected].
So…here’s the list of the top ten most viewed stories (in reverse order to build your suspense) on PortlandSocietyPage.com during 2019.
Portland, OR. 270 guests raised $216,000 to support the PTC of Riverdale Grade School and Riverdale High School at its 007-themed gala. Parents Heather Burton, Niki Seawright, Wendy Domreis, Wendy Tolls & Kristen Best enjoyed the Casino Royale theme. The benefit on February 23rd was held at The Redd on SE Salmon Street. Nearly $70,000 will be passed through directly to the schools to help fund a “Let’s Play” paddle raise initiatives such as playground updates at the Grade School and new activity/athletic van and a Freedom Climber for the gymnasium at the High School. Read More
Portland, OR. More than 500 people attended the annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Gala to support efforts to spread science education across the Pacific Northwest. Governor Kate Brown, Piper Park, Kathy Rudd and Pat Reser were on hand for the May 4th gala. The benefit, which took place at OMSI, grossed more than $1.5 million through sponsorships, ticket sales and an auction, making it the nonprofit museum’s most successful event to date. This year’s gala, titled ‘Diamond Jubilee,’ commemorated OMSI’s 75th anniversary. Read More.
Portland, OR. Over 600 guests including current parents, alumni, past parents and friends enjoyed a festive evening at Jesuit High School’s 51st Annual Auction: Jazz Night in New Orleans. The Knight Center was transformed into a jazz club with music, Creole cuisine and colorful décor. Auction Chair Katherine Kreutzer, Major Program Director Anne Robinson, JHS President Tom Arndorfer, Auction Co-Chair Mary Murphy celebrated at the festive evening on May 4th. This year’s auction exceeded expectations with over $1,045,000 raised. Read More
Portland, OR. Drawing a record 450 guests, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare’s 2019 Transformation Gala raised nearly a quarter million dollars in support of the nonprofit’s whole health care and outreach services. Attendance was the highest in the Gala’s three-year history, growing by 100 supporters over last year. Lisa Oyler, Chiki Nussbaumer, Gayathrai Ramprasad, Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie and Tamara Pedrojetti were among the hundreds who enjoyed the night. Read More.
Portland, OR. The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) raised $1.27 million at its 19th annual Wonderball gala on September 28th. It was CCA’s biggest event of the year, which helps fuel its mission to prescribe joy to seriously ill children through free innovative programming that leverages music, friendship and nature. Founder Regina Ellis, who is pictured with friends and family, welcomed more than 950 supporters to the Oregon Convention Center for the gala. A Joie de Vivre theme celebrated French culture and the joy of life. Read More.
Portland, OR. DoveLewis has been selected as one of seven 24-hour animal hospitals that will be featured in a live National Geographic TV show called Animal ER Live. The series starts on Saturday, March 30th and will air from 6 to 8 p.m. Show creators promote the program, writing: “Be just a heartbeat away from the action as the team at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital, the Northwest’s nonprofit 24/7 animal hospital, treats animals in the midst of emergencies on Nat Geo WILD’s new live TV series, Animal ER Live.” Read More.
Portland, OR. Starting on February 7th, more than 100 illuminated installations, artists, performers, interactive activities, and events will brighten the Portland cityscape for the 2019 Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF). This free annual program of the nonprofit Willamette Light Brigade is expanding to its largest footprint yet. Read More.
Portland, OR. Eight hundred guests gathered for the 35th Annual Classic Wines Auction and raised $3 million dollars for five nonprofit partners. This brings the total raised, over 35 years, to nearly $50 million. The benefit was at the Oregon Convention Center on March 2nd. The nonprofit beneficiaries this year were: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County, and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. (Photo credit, John Valls) Read More.
Portland, OR. More than 350 supporters joined forces for Portland Opera’s Flora + Fauna Fall. The September 14th benefit, at the Sentinel Hotel featured a performance by Broadway star Sutton Foster. Portland Opera raised over $1 million dollars. Organizers say proceeds from the Flora + Fauna Fall Ball will strengthen Portland Opera’s ability to serve audiences throughout the region, by supporting operational costs as well as special programming and projects. (Photo credit, Garrett Downen) Read More.
Portland, OR. This December will mark the 65th launch of the Christmas Ships Parade season. Parades on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers will last for 15 nights beginning on Thursday, December 5th through Sunday, December 22nd. There are seven nights where the fleet with be combined. Read More.
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We are excited to continue “Building Your Community” in 2019!
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
