Portland, OR. A special celebration dinner and auction held at the Portland Hilton raised over $757,000 for the Maurice Lucas Foundation. The funds will support the foundation’s after-school programs for under-served students at Harriet Tubman Middle School and six high schools throughout the Portland area. A tradition at the gala is presenting the Maurice Lucas Enforcer Award. The recipient this year was the late Howard Hedinger, a philanthropist and friend of Maurice Lucas. His family members were on hand to accept the award. The award presentation photo included Bobby Gross, Bill Walton, Lionel Hollins, Zach Collins, Huston Hedinger, David Lucas, Barkley Hedinger and Hillary Hedinger. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Foundation Academy students ranging from Sixth Grade through college had a chance to have their photo taken with Executive Director David Lucas and High School Program Manager Karen Barker. (Photo by Naim Hasan)
David Lucas with his daughter, Nahla Lucas; mother Pam Lucas; his nephew, Lucas Tiefenthaler; and his brother, Maurice Lucas II. Photo by Andie Petkus.
The gala included over 600 attendees who participated in activities like a paddle raise, silent auction and live auction to raise record-breaking numbers for the Maurice Lucas Foundation. Maurice Lucas was the leading scorer on the 1977 NBA champion Portland Trail Blazers, and an advocate for young people. Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lucas continues to to be involved with the organization in his father’s memory.
The dinner also included students who have benefited from the foundation’s programs. “Our students are hungry for the future, and they stand on the shoulders of so many of you in the room tonight to be able to pursue their dreams,” said David.
Terry Stotts helps auctioneer Brett Richards raise funds at the Maurice Lucas Foundation gala. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Joe Wiser from title sponsor Whittier Trust tells the gala attendees about his long relationship with the Lucas family. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lucas served as the gala’s master of ceremonies. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Our mission: Teaching life lessons through education and sport.
Maurice cared immensely for the Portland community. He sought to empower youth by creating opportunity, especially where little existed. He was devoted to helping kids learn, achieve, and grow through sport, helping them build positive values. The Maurice Lucas Foundation is carrying on Maurice’s work by creating these opportunities for inner-city middle school students by providing a combination of education and activity-based after-school programs. Through positive interactions with program coaches, team members, and community role models, we help youth develop their cognitive, emotional, intellectual and social skills in a fun environment. Our youth programs develop personal and life skills, positive adult and peer relationships, and create a supportive environment of learning, mastery, teamwork, and autonomy.
Portland, OR. The 6th annual Together for Good Gala supported Nursingale’s mission of providing in-home, skilled nursing care to families with medically fragile children. Emcee, KGW’s Art Edwards interviewed family members of a Nursingale client named Annie, including her younger siblings Daphne and Isaac, and their mom Katie. The August 17th benefit was held at the downtown Hilton, with 225 people in attendance. Nursingale raised over $122,000 which will help medically fragile children and young adults receive in-home, family-centered care with an emphasis on keeping families together. Guests at the gala enjoyed a wine reception, silent and live auctions, appeal, dessert dash and dancing to Patrick Lamb and his band. (Photo credit, Andrea Lomas)
Kristy Blizzard, Patti Sadowski, Nursingale’s Executive Director, and Doug Blizzard share a moment visiting about their daughter Stephanie who was featured in the evening’s video presentation.
People line up to enjoy the selection of dessert dash treats.
Patti Sadowski, Nursingale’s executive director, congratulates nurse Mae Jordan, on winning the raffle prize of a weekend in Friday Harbor.
Nursingale is the only non-profit provider of home-based skilled nursing care for medically fragile children and young adults in Oregon. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are under the direct written orders of the client’s physician. Nursingale coordinates with families to be the leaders of the care team.
Here is a video with more information about why nurses may enjoy a career with the Nursingale program:
From Nursingale:
Co-Founding Board Chair, Chris Thomas’s son Eric had been receiving nursing care at home for more than 20 years. During that time they had worked with many different home-nursing agencies, some of which had closed. In 2005, frustrated, because she wanted her son cared for not only the right way, but for the right reasons, she and her family decided to support the formation of the only non-profit organization in Oregon providing in-home nursing care to medically fragile children. Today Nursingale continues to thrive, making it possible for children to remain with their families, go to school and participate in their communities. The success of Nursingale can be attributed to our employees’ knowledge, skill, and commitment to providing outstanding client care. With the never-ending dedication and support from our nursing staff, we have created an organization committed to providing service we can all be proud of.
Portland, OR. SEMpdx held its annual Rooftop Party in Portland’s Pearl District at the On Deck Sports Bar & Grill. It’s the eleventh year for the networking event. The SEMpdx Board of Directors took time for a photo. Leaders include: Ryan Campbell, Scott Hendison, Kevin Getch, Anna Madill (back row) Tony Svoboda, Trish Carey, Garrett Browne, Robert Frost, Todd Mintz, Sarah Hinds, and Ashley Kennedy. Every year, the nonprofit Search Engine Marketing Organization selects a charity to support and this year, it’s Girls Inc., an organization encouraging girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” The benefits of becoming a SEMpdx Charity of Choice include: recognition at events, pro-bono digital marketing services, and up to a $5,000 donation.
During the Rooftop Party on August 1st, members try their hand at the giant Connect 4 game.
One of the founders of SEMpdx, Kent Lewis, talks with members. Lewis is also the President of Anvil Media.
SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting. We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX. We got the group together when Scott Orth & Blu Drobushevich approached me (Kent Lewis) after SMX Seattle in 2006 and suggested we create our own industry association in Portland. Initially, I (Ben Lloyd) was hesitant, and wasn’t sure we had critical mass in the area. That said, after a brief debate, we agreed to run it by folks we knew and trusted in the industry. A month or two later, we scheduled a meeting with a dozen or so local SEM professionals. Everyone at that meeting was on board (literally, everyone become an initial board member). I sold the initial sponsorship (Site9) that gave us the funding and moved SearchFest from IPN (Stan Davis & I created the initial events in 2005) to SEMpdx and we were on our way. Ben Lloyd helped us incorporate through his father’s firm and we started formalizing articles, bylaws, processes, mission, vision, and so on. Scott Hendison worked on the blog and website, Tracy Chapman started organizing, and Todd Mintz started blogging. The rest is history! There was a great deal of hard work & details by the board, which was critical and appreciated. The group then started putting on monthly educational events.
North Plains, OR. Helping kids was the driver for the 220 golfers at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette YLinks tournament at Pumpkin Ridge. The tournament on August 19th raised over $85,000 to fund scholarships to help low-income youth participate in programs like early childhood development, before and after school enrichment, camping and youth sports. (Photo credit, Scott Ripley and Lester Tsai)
Bob Hall, President, and CEO at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette; Pee Wee Harrison, Motivational Speaker; Troy Weller, President of Precision Construction Company; and Neil Fernando, Board of Trustees got the ball rolling.
Pee Wee Harrison, a national motivational speaker and a past performer with Meadowlark Lemon’s Harlem All-Star Team. He inspired the crowd of Y supporters before a paddle raise. Scholarships help remove economic barriers so families may access Y programs that build spirit, mind and body.
Golfers have a lot to celebrate, including picture-perfect weather.
Y Links golfers perfecting their form.
The YLinks Business Leaders Golf for Good Tournament was presented by Precision Construction Company.
Here’s a list of the winners:
WITCH HOLLOW WINNERS
First Place—Emerio Design 1 with 61 points
Second Place—Craig Stein Beverage with 62 points
Longest Drive Men—Geoffrey Wunn
Longest Drive Women—Stephanie Sander
KP Closest to the Pin Men—Tandy Gardner
GHOST CREEK WINNERS
First Place—SOLUS, INC 1 with 55 points
Second Place—Mannahouse with 56 points
Longest Drive Men—John DeLaittre
Longest Drive Women—Marti Loeb
KP Closest to the Pin Men—Jon Grierson
KP Closest to the Pin Women—Shelby Kerr
First Place Women—WFG 1 with 65 points
Chipping Contest—Joey Lakoske
Putting Contest—Toni Altamirano
GOLF TOURNAMENT PHOTOS
Photos from the tournament can be downloaded at these links:
In 2018, we provided opportunities for almost 60,000 people to experience personal growth, strengthen relationships and build better communities. As we continue to grow, we become more than just a gym—we teach life-saving skills in the water, good sportsmanship on and off the field and ensure a brighter future for all. We provided more than 29,600 Health and Wellness memberships, taught more than 13,800 kids new skills in Youth Sports and gave more than $1.6 Million in Financial Assistance to the community. We saw more than 13,900 kids and teens participate in Day and Overnight Camps, almost 2,000 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers learn in early education and more than 2,200 kids improve their academic skills in our Before and After School programs. In 2018, almost 60.000 participants were involved in YMCA programs, which were provided by 1,963 volunteers. Last year, more than 13,789 kids participated in our youth sports leagues, 1,948 children were served in our early childhood programs and more than 5,000 kids attended Camp Collins. In addition, members and participants at our Y health, wellness, and sports facilities visited those locations more than 575,000 times and 2,397 kids participated in our school enrichment programs. In 2018, we celebrated 150 years of service and will continue to grow and to reach new communities in 2019 and beyond.
Pendleton, OR. The annual rodeo is in full swing and students are celebrating their victories, too. Sixteen were selected to receive scholarships in amounts from $1,500 to $2,000. The Round-Up Foundation is focused on charitable and educational purposes to “provide for the perpetuation of the memory of the Old West and of the pioneers and to preserve the customs and manner of life of the Indian tribes in and near Umatilla County, Oregon.”
Scholarship recipients are involved with either the Round-Up or Happy Canyon pageant and wild west show.
Some scholarships winners helped local charities at the annual event, some sold programs for a youth group, carried a flag in parade, picked up trash with their 4-H Club, participated in performances, or volunteered in other capacities.
The Pendleton Round-Up has been held during the second full week of September since 1910; the rodeo brings roughly 50,000 people to the city every year.
Educational scholarships were just one of the causes supported by the foundation. Breast Cancer awareness was another.
The Round-Up was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1910, as the “Northwestern Frontier Exhibition Association.” The rodeo was primarily a creation of local ranchers led by Herman Rosenberg. This video highlights the excitement of the multi-day event:
The Pendleton Round-Up is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado, inducted the Pendleton Round-Up in 2008.
The 2019 Pendleton Round-Up will be held September 11th – 14th.
Here’s a list of the top three scholrship recipents who received $2,000 in memory of Donald Deacon Hawkins:
Kaitlynd Ellis, Hermiston
Adrienne Olson, Athena
Morgan Orem, Heppner
From the Pendleton Round-Up:
The beautiful city of Pendleton, Oregon has hosted the Pendleton Round-Up since 1910. Below you will find some information to help make your stay in our town more enjoyable. Please make it a point to visit our Hall of Fame Museum located in the same building as our retail store. The Hall of Fame contains the entire 100 year plus history of the “World Famous Pendleton Round-Up.” Welcome to Pendleton and Let ‘er Buck!
Portland, OR. The American Heart Association is getting help from broadcasters like KGW’s Ashley Korslien and Brenda Braxton, who remind people to focus on their hearts. Women across the U.S. helped raise awareness as they marked “Wear Red Day” on February 3rd. The annual event is held on the first Friday in February to raise awareness about heart disease being the No. 1 killer of women.
A young heart attack survivor, Julie O’Leary, told her story to Stephanie Kralevich on FOX 12 Oregon for #PDXGoesRed.
The local chapter of the American Heart Association is also gearing up for a big fundraiser: the 2017 Portland Heart Ball on Saturday, February 25th. The Heart Ball brings together leaders from the corporate, philanthropic and medical communities to raise funds and promote the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.
The Heart Ball is one of many events that benefit the American Heart Association. The Red Dress Collection fashion show in New York is another. The show kicked off New York Fashion Week and was hosted by actress Katie Holmes.
Actresses, musicians, talent show hosts, reality stars and survivors of cardiovascular disease walked in red dresses — and one pantsuit — created by designers specifically for the American Heart Association Red Dress Collection.
Katie Holmes, wearing Marchesa, addressed the crowd at the Red Dress Collection fashion show in New York.
Maureen McCormick hit the runway.
Jessie James Decker was another volunteer for the cause.
Katie Holmes spoke of the importance of awareness in preventing cardiovascular disease and told the audience that it kills a woman every 80 seconds. She reminded the guests of why they attended the show. “Memories are why,” she said. “Fun is why. And a great red dress is why.” The celebrity models were a diverse group mirroring the randomness of how cardiovascular disease strikes.
Portland, January 10th, 2016. Kids at Randall Children’s Hospital Legacy Emanuel and hundreds from other nonprofits are singing the praises of generous donors who raised of $300,000 at the B.U.L.L. Session Invitational Charity Event. Checks were presented to these charity organizations: Albertina Kerr’s Children’s Developmental Health Services, Randall Children’s Hospital Legacy Emanuel, Gales Creek Camp Foundation, March of Dimes, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Portland, and Wheel to Walk Foundation. (Photo credit, Ivan Vejar)
Charity recipients pose with checks received from BULL Session: Ray Baluyut, Randall Children’s Hospital; Kay Ekeya, Shriners Hospital for Children®-Portland; Anjie Vannoy, March of Dimes; Cheryl Sheppard, Gales Creek Camp Foundation; Jodi Lippert, Albertina Kerr’s Children’s Developmental Health Services; Stephanie Montgomery, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center; and Sandy Getman, Wheel to Walk.
The B.U.L.L. Session is one of the Northwest’s premier charity events. Every year the B.U.L.L Session event brings together hundreds of the regional Business, Union and Labor Leaders to benefit what they call the community’s most valuable assets: the children.
The two-day fundraiser began Monday, September 14, 2015, with a dinner and auction gala at the Oregon Convention Center. Day two, Tuesday, September 15, 2015, was a golf tournament at the prestigious Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club.
Since its inception in 1991, the B.U.L.L. has raised over $5.5 million for children. The B.U.L.L. Session is now one of Oregon’s largest charity events.
Alyson Evans, Kathy Hostetler, Ray Baluyut and Lynn Hallbacka from Randall Children’s Hospital
Frank Wall, BULL Session Director; and Anjie Vannoy and Beth Joscelyn from March of Dimes
Will Simons, Providence Child Center; Mary Holstein, Providence Child Center; and Stephanie Montgomery, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center
Nanda Sturm, Mallory Anderson and Jodi Lippert from Albertina Kerr’s Children’s Developmental Health Services
From the B.U.L.L. Session:
The B.U.L.L. Session Charity Event is made up of Business, Union and Labor Leaders working hard to help bring smiles to needy children across our region. Today, the B.U.L.L. Session is one of Oregon’s largest charity events, contributing more than $5.5 million in just 25 years.
The organization was conceived by local business leaders in 1991 as a way of gathering representatives from various industries together for a day of golf and one common goal: to raise money for various charities within the community where we all live and work. The rallying cause was local children’s charities.
The first B.U.L.L. Session Golf Tournament was held at The Resort at the Mountain in 1991 and involved 87 golfers that each contributed a dollar or two to benefit one local children’s organization. The organizers begged and pleaded for participation and contributions, ultimately raising $5,000.00, which was donated to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. While the donation was small that first year, the spark was there and the fire had been ignited. The next year the B.U.L.L. Session raised four times as much to make a $20,000 donation. This year, our 25th event generated $300,000 for the B.U.L.L. Kids.
The B.U.L.L. Session works hard to improve the lives of some very special local children through charities such as Albertina Kerr Children’s Developmental Health Services, Gales Creek Camp Foundation, March of Dimes, Randall Children’s Hospital Legacy Emanuel, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Portland, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center, and Wheel to Walk Foundation.
The B.U.L.L. Session Charity Golf Events is qualified as exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3); tax ID 93-1078155.
Portland, October 8th, 2015. Hundreds of supporters gathered at the De La Salle North Catholic High School’s annual scholarship dinner. Community enthusiasm for the school is high; instead of only tuition, the innovative high school’s programs are augmented with a Corporate Work Study Program where students work at paid internships one day every week.
One of De La Salle’s sponsors, Guardian Property Management, hired a student who works at their organization and learns about the field of property management.
In addition to revenue earned by working students, donations help keep the North Portland high school affordable for students. De La Salle North Catholic High School’s annual scholarship dinner raised $470,000.
Jan Jacobsen poses with David and Gay Jacobsen. Gay was honored for her outstanding volunteer work at De Lasalle North Catholic.
Barb Heffernen catches up with friends at the cocktail hour.
Nani Warren & Penny Guest look over auction items.
Barb Silver and Ashleigh de Villiers enjoy the evening.
De La Salle North provides a rigorous faith-based education emphasizing math, science, and language arts.
This video helps tell the story.
From De La Salle North Catholic High School:
De La Salle North Catholic High School provides a faith-based, college preparatory high school education to underserved students from the Portland area. Our goal is to develop tomorrow’s community leaders by making high-quality education accessible to motivated young people in a learning environment that values cultural, spiritual, and ethnic diversity. Our educational approach provides each student with the opportunity to succeed through small classes, high expectations, and active participation in our Corporate Work Study Program. We don’t turn away any capable, motivated or interested student because they cannot afford our tuition.
The De La Salle North Catholic Code
De La Salle North Catholic students are expected to follow a code of ethics: As a student of De La Salle, I am focused on my future; therefore, I am responsible for what I say and what I do; I respect my teachers, my peers, and my school; I am on time; I am prepared; and I demand the most of my ability.
Founded in 2001, De La Salle North Catholic was the first school in the nation modeled after Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. The Cristo Rey Network of schools was established for students in communities that have limited access to private education. Thirty Cristo Rey schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to 6,500 young people who live in urban communities with limited educational options. Member schools utilize a rigorous academic model, supported with effective instruction, to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college success. Cristo Rey Network schools employ an innovative Corporate Work Study Program that provides students with real world work experiences. Every student works five full days a month to fund the majority of his or her education, gain job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of his or her education.
We are part of the International Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commonly known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers; and since 1868 we have been dedicated to creating communities of learning in the western United States. Today the Brothers and Lasallian partners of our district serve more than 10,000 students in four western states: Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington. Administrative offices are at the De La Salle Institute, located at Mont La Salle in Napa, California. The district also collaborates with the other districts of the USA/Toronto Region and the worldwide Institute.
Lake Oswego, September 14th, 2014. On a picture-perfect evening in Lake Oswego, at the private island estate of Rick and Erika Miller, members of legendary rock band KISS played an all-acoustic set. KISS band member Gene Simmons posed with the development director of Historical Outreach Foundation David Warden, band member Eric Singer, Alisha Hamel the executive director for the Historical Outreach Foundation, and band members Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer. Guests raised over $1.15 million dollars for the Brigadier General James B. Thayer Oregon Military Museum. The museum is under construction at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon. (photo credit, David A. Barss)
Gene Simmons and Dan Dutton, Chairman and CEO, Stimson Lumber
Erika Miller, Lt. Col (ret) Tom Milligan, Rick Miller
Band members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer arrived at the intimate gathering following a national tour where they played to over 600,000 over 42 shows. Sunday’s audience was just under 200.
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley
Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer
Tommy Thayer, lead guitarist for KISS, has been involved with the Oregon Military Museum for several years, and is committed to honoring those who have served in the military. With all four KISS members in attendance, the event was unique in its size, setting, and the goal-exceeding $1.15 million it raised for the cause. News anchor Steve Dunn of KATU emceed the program and introduced guest performers including The Patrick Lamb Trio, Julianne Johnson and Jean Pierre-Garau.
For Tommy, the museum named for his father holds a very personal connection. He is quick to express his gratitude and respect for members of the military who have served, and the heroes who have risked their lives for others. “I’ve been blessed to live in this country and have the opportunity to do what I love and follow my passion for music,” said Thayer. “None of it would be possible without people like my dad, and so many other veterans, who have bravely fought to protect our liberties and freedoms.”
Alisha Hamel, as the executive director for the Historical Outreach Foundation, is charged with supporting the fundraising efforts for the Oregon Military Museum, and other educational initiatives including the Oregon WWII Memorial and the Veterans’ Legacies Project. She has been involved in each phase of the museum project, and is an integral part in the development of the educational aspects of the museum. An educator, historian, and veteran of Desert Storm, Hamel brings a valuable perspective on Oregon’s, and the country’s, rich military history. “The funds raised at this year’s All-Star Salute will jump start the process of creating truly interactive, hands-on exhibits at the museum,” said Hamel. “ We know that the best way to teach history is to engage people in the learning experience.”
The Oregon Military Museum, now under construction at Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas, is the largest initiative underway at the Historical Outreach Foundation, and Sunday’s All–Star Salute was the largest single fundraiser in the history of the museum; the proceeds put the museum over the halfway mark on a $14.6 million project.
“We are incredibly grateful to KISS and to the Millers for creating this once-in-a–lifetime event.” said Hamel. “This was beyond anything we could have imagined, and is an evening we will not soon forget.”
To learn more about the Brigadier General James B Thayer Oregon Military Museum, or to support the programs at the Historical Outreach Foundation, visit www.historicaloutreach.com, or call (503) 705-5965.
Portland, March 7, 2014. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has selected the Urban League of Portland as its latest Neighborhood Builder® winner. The Builder award entails a $200,000 unrestricted grant as well as advanced leadership training, all of which is awarded to one Portland-area nonprofit each year in a competitive selection process. The Builder program is specifically in support of high-performing nonprofits that have made a significant impact addressing needs related to community development, critical needs or workforce development and education. This is the tenth year of the Builder program in Portland.
Bank of America’s Roger Hinshaw and Urban League CEO Mike Alexander with $200,000 check
“We have a long history of supporting the Urban League of Portland’s mission over the past decade, but it was really last year that our partnership ramped up. Bank of America provided a $25,000 grant to help revive their workforce program and after seeing the results of that investment, combined with the leadership Michael Alexander has brought to the League, we were really inspired to consider other ways we could help this valuable organization,” said Monique Barton, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Bank of America in Oregon and southwest Washington. “It’s our hope that this latest $200,000 investment will not only deepen the Urban League’s impact today, but sustain their mission and services well into the future.”
Barton noted that last year’s grant from Bank of America helped the Urban League of Portland serve 129 new clients with job coaching, employment preparation training, job search and placement services and resume preparation for both youth and adults. “We’re excited at what the future holds in terms of the Urban League’s important efforts at breaking down barriers for achieving employment and financial independence,” Barton said.
The Urban League of Portland is one of Oregon’s oldest civil rights organizations. Its mission is to help empower African Americans and other Oregonians to achieve equality in education, employment and economic security.
With this new funding from Bank of America, the Urban League of Portland aims to partner with new corporations and organizations to develop additional employment opportunities for clients seeking jobs. This grant will enable the Urban League of Portland to research and connect with corporations, small businesses, local skilled trade unions and other organizations to forge partnerships that will benefit the community by linking companies with eligible and diverse job candidates.
“We are honored to have been selected on this tenth anniversary of the Neighborhood Builders program. Bank of America’s investment in our community will enable our workforce programs to offer comprehensive employment services to African Americans and others in the region who are seeking sustainable, family-wage employment,” said Michael Alexander, president & CEO of the Urban League of Portland. “This contribution will allow us to create straightforward pathways to employment for all levels of job seekers — from working with clients to build fundamental employment skills to specialized trainings for emerging technologies. This Builder award will allow us to address the critically high level of unemployment in our community, to build strong partnerships with the business sector, and to improve the quality of life in our community by working to build a skilled, qualified and diverse workforce.”
According to findings released by the Bridgespan Group, the Neighborhood Builders program is the largest investment in nonprofit leadership development that exists today, as well as one of the largest philanthropic programs in its spending, and it’s the third largest in number of leaders served. Through the program — now in its 10th year — Bank of America has invested more than $160 million in 800 nonprofit organizations and provided training to 1,600 nonprofit leaders. Neighborhood Builders furthers Bank of America’s broader philanthropic commitment to addressing core issues that are critical to the economic vitality of local economies, with a particular focus on low-income communities.
“The Urban League of Portland makes critical contributions to our local community and this latest partnership with them will help break down employment barriers, which is really about building a stronger, more skilled workforce,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America’s President in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Bank of America is pleased to provide this latest funding since it will help fuel local economic vitality by putting people back to work. That’s something our local employees are proud to be a part of.”
About Urban League of Portland
Established in 1945, the Urban League of Portland is one of the oldest African American service, civil rights and advocacy organizations in the area. The Urban League of Portland is a part of a network of over 90 National Urban League Affiliates across the country and is recognized as one of the leading voices for African Americans and other people of color in the region. We are a key coalition-builder amongst other African American organizations, and work extensively with both traditional and emerging African American groups, the faith-based community, minority businesses, and other organizations of color, including immigrants and refugees. The Urban League of Portland helps empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life. The Urban League movement carries out its mission at the local, state and national levels through direct services, advocacy, research, policy analysis, community education and mobilization, coalitions and collaborations, and communications. Learn more about our work or sign up for our newsletter at ulpdx.org
About Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.
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