Washington, D.C. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Heart of Oregon Corps, Inc. in Bend will receive a $1.1 million federal grant to help at-risk students with education and training. The U.S. Department of Labor grant will go toward the central Oregon non-profit’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild uses pre-apprenticeships to help young people considered at risk to complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.
Heart of Oregon YouthBuild was founded in 2000.
The mission of Heart of Oregon Corps is to inspire and empower positive change in the lives of young people through jobs, education and stewardship. Our vision is to improve economic and social vitality while increasing pathways out of poverty.
The U.S. Department of Labor grant will go toward the central Oregon non-profit’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild uses pre-apprenticeships to help young people considered at risk complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.
“This creative approach to educate and train at-risk students helps prepare them for future careers while making their communities better places to live,” Wyden said. “That’s a winning equation for the YouthBuild students and for all of Central Oregon.”
“I grew up building things and working with my hands and learned lessons that have stayed with me through my life,” Merkley said. “YouthBuild gives kids an opportunity to develop practical job skills and keep them on track to get an education. There are lots of pathways to success, and this YouthBuild grant will help provide an extremely valuable option for students in Central Oregon.”
The annoucement was made on January 30th. The $1.1 million Labor Department grant for Heart of Oregon Corps is among $85 million awarded to 81 YouthBuild programs in 32 states.
To RSVP for the information session or get more information about the program, please reach out to YouthBuild staff at 541-526-1380 or email Katie Bauer at [email protected].
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. There will be many new attractions this year including:
A major expansion into the Portland State University, operating as a new self-supported site with over 20 installations across multiple venues (PSU Library, Shattuck Hall, PSU Urban Plaza, and others) featuring media including fire sculpture and large-scale video mapping.
ASL interpretation of returning Light Science Talks (Friday and Saturday only)
An expanded footprint that will feature over 20 art installations in Tom McCall Waterfront Park at Salmon Springs Fountain, including: Ivan MacLean’s Mirror, Mirror on the Ball (25-foot-tall disco ball covered in 1600 mirrors), Cheryl Leontina’s Stories Under the Bridge, a documentary profiling Portland’s homeless population, and EnlighTEN by Fresh Squeezed! (touch-reactive LED light poles, originally built for Burning Man 2018)
Live performances by Heidi Duckler Dance, Portland Opera resident artists, Classical Revolution PDX, Rowan Francis & the Billygoat and others
New interactive artworks such as the Chromosphere by Christopher Condrat (an animated sphere sculpture featuring 2,400 sound-activated LEDs), and Cosmic Fire Turtle by Richard Cawley and Portal Arts Collective (cosmic turtle with fire elements)
A water shuttle hosted by Portland Spirit & Events will ferry guests across the river on their Crystal Dolphin yacht all evening, and feature performances by the Portland Opera.
The festival is presented by Portland General Electric (PGE) and powered by PGE renewable energy. Here’s a video about the event from last year:
Gatto della Verita by Artist Sarah Brice. Photo by Brooke Hoyer.
Silent Disco. Photo by Brook Hoyer.
Homage to Trogdor by Ivan McLean. Photo by Amy Sakuria.
The 2018 festival attracted over 142,000 attendees and generated more than $1.85 million in goods and services spending in the city of Portland, according to organizers. The Festival presented over 100 installations, 70 performers, and 12 educational speakers and workshops. PDXWLF is an activity of the local non-profit, Willamette Light Brigade.
“The Portland Winter Light Festival showcases some of Portland’s best characteristics – especially its collective creativity and ingenuity. Whether it’s the interactive high tech light installations or the magic of fire and performance, for three nights PDXWLF captures Portland’s imagination and turns our nights into a magical landscape,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler.
Drawing interest and recognition from across the region, the expanded 2019 artist roster showcases talent almost exclusively from the Pacific Northwest. With its dazzling and unique installations and family-friendly atmosphere, the festival, now in its fourth year, has already established itself as a regional attraction for artists and visitors.
Details for the 4rd Annual Portland Winter Light Festival:
*Where: Eastbank Esplanade and OMSI grounds, west riverfront zone (Tom McCall Waterfront Park at Salmon Springs, PGE Headquarters/World Trade Center), PSU and more.
When: 6pm-11pm, February 7-9, 2019 (Thursday through Saturday nights).
Cost: Free.
How to get there: The Portland Streetcar will once again offer free rides on all routes after 5pm on every night of the event, and Portland Spirit’s Crystal Dolphin will ferry attendees across the Willamette River from Salmon Street Springs to Caruthers Landing. Most festival sites are located along TriMet stops. Parking is extremely limited. Alternate means of transit strongly recommended.
Volunteers are still needed for the big event. The application for PDXWLF volunteers can be found at www.pdxwlf.com/volunteer.
*For complete artist listings, programming, festival sites, and schedules, visit www.pdxwlf.com.
Circus Luminescence. Photo by Brianna Shade
Portland Spirit. Photo by Brooke Hoyer
Here are links to four different maps for the festival:
“The record-breaking attendance of last year’s festival demonstrates that the Pacific Northwest has a true desire for art, connection, and celebration during the coldest time of the year,” Willamette Light Brigade Board Member and PSU Professor Jeff Schnabel said. “The continued support of artists and attendees, year after year, serves to truly highlight what makes Portland – and this unique event – just so incredible.”
Popular festival features returning in 2019:
Fire, light, and sound- based artworks such as Tyler FuQua’s Psychedahlia Garden (12-foot-tall, Jurassic-sized, vibration activated flowers), F(Light) by Jen Fuller (150 hand-blown, glass “paper airplanes” suspended in midair with video mapping) and ACME’s Lite Brite Remastered (8-foot-tall interactive lite brite)
Light Science Talks educational series and Stories Around the Fire storytelling series
Participatory events such as the lantern parade, glow jam, and silent disco
Sustainable public transportation options including free rides on the Portland Streetcar and (new for 2019) rides across the Willamette on the Crystal Dolphin Ferry
From Portland Winter Light Festival:
The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) is Portland’s premier outdoor winter art event that transforms, illuminates and animates Portland’s nighttime urban landscape. The 2018 festival attracted over 142,000 attendees and drove spending of more than $1.85 million in goods and services within the city of Portland. The Festival presented over 100 installations, 70 performers, and 12 educational speakers and workshops. PDXWLF is an annual program of the local non-profit, Willamette Light Brigade. The 2019 festival will take place February 7-9, 2019 at sites throughout Portland, and is proudly presented by PGE.
Portland, OR. Winners of the 2019 Be Kind to Animals Poster and Story Contest were celebrated at the “A’Cat’Emy Awards” on January 27th at the Oregon Humane Society. This is the 70th year for the contest that honors young people who use their creative talents to promote kindness and compassion toward animals. During the awards ceremony, students displayed their artwork and read their essays to the audience of parents, teachers and volunteers. The contest drew close to 2,000 entries this year from schools throughout Oregon and SW Washington. Landon Singh, pictured above, from Faith Bible Christian School in Hillsboro won the Grand Prize in the story category for his touching essay about how his pets are part of the family. “Family is always there, every day, no matter what. Family is a bond that can’t be broken. I always think that I am giving them a good life, but it’s actually them giving me a GREAT life.”
Alaina Tarr from Pacific Crest Middle School in Bend, OR took the Grand Prize in the poster category.
Alaina Tarr’s winning poster illustrates the many ways to help animals in need.
Sarah Uenaka from Sun Century Art Academy won 1st place in the 1-2nd grade category
Kovilte Kupciunaite from Sun Century Art Academy won 1st place in the 3-4th grade category.
Linda Dong from Jiao Ying Chinese Culture & Art School won 1st place in the 7-8th grade category.
“The OHS Education team is so grateful to all of the teachers who asked their students to reflect on what it means to treat animals with kindness and compassionate, and then turn those reflections into beautiful works of both visual and written art,” says Rachel Gene, OHS Humane Education Manager. “With all that teachers have on their plates, it means a great deal to us that they made humane education part of their classroom curriculums and helped to support the Oregon Humane Society’s mission to foster kinder, more compassionate communities.”
Full winner list:
2019 Poster Winners
Student Name
Place
Grade
School
City
Grades 1-2
Sarah Uenaka
1st place
2
Sun Century Art Academy
Portland, OR
Emily Lu Xia
2nd place
2
Jacob Wismer Elementary
Portland, OR
Izzy Wolford
3rd place
2
W.E. Miller Elementary
Bend, OR
Luke Xie
Honorable Mention
2
Findley Elementary School
Portland, OR
Grades 3-4
Kovilte Kupciunaite
1st place
4
Sun Century Art Academy
Portland, OR
Katie Ly
2nd place
4
Indian Hills Elementary
Beaverton, OR
Halie Ly
3rd place
4
Indian Hills Elementary
Beaverton, OR
Sarah Lei
Honorable Mention
3
Jiao Ying Chinese Culture & Art School
Portland, OR
Petra Sorensen
Honorable Mention
3
Sun Century Art Academy
Portland, OR
Grades 5-6
Alaina Tarr
1st place / Grand Prize
6
Pacific Crest Middle School
Bend, OR
Avery Horne
2nd place
6
Springville K-8
Portland, OR
Naomi Lucescu
3rd place
6
Hockinson Middle School
Brush Prairie, WA
Kyla Hurt
Honorable Mention
5
Adams Elementary
Eugene, OR
Grades 7-8
Linda Dong
1st place
8
Jiao Ying Chinese Culture & Art School
Portland, OR
Jaytee Franko
2nd place
7
Stoller Middle School
Portland, OR
Matthew Lei
3rd place
8
Jiao Ying Chinese Culture & Art School
Portland, OR
Julia Chen
Honorable Mention
8
Sun Century Art Academy
Portland, OR
Fiona Wang
Honorable Mention
7
Sun Century Art Academy
Portland, OR
Grades 9-12
Audrey Zhao
1st place
9
Sun Century Art Academy
Portland, OR
Chloe Elmore
2nd place
11
Sprague High School
Salem, OR
Angelica Vityukov
3rd place
11
Sprague High School
Salem, OR
Samantha Breen
Honorable Mention
11
Sprague High School
Salem, OR
2019 Story Winners
Grades 1-2
Gwyn DeMars
1st place
2
W.E. Miller Elementary
Bend, OR
Cami Munk
2nd place
2
Nyssa Elementary
Nyssa, OR
Quinn Swartz
3rd place
2
West Union Elementary
Hillsboro, OR
Natalie Beekman
Honorable Mention
2
W.E. Miller Elementary
Bend, OR
Grades 3-4
Landon Singh
1st place / Grand Prize
3
Faith Bible Christian School
Hillsboro, OR
An Kiniry
2nd place
4
Odyssey Program
Portland, OR
Petra Sorensen
3rd place
3
Bridgeport Elementary
Tualatin, OR
Wesley Hardin
Honorable Mention
3
Faith Bible Christian School
Hillsboro, OR
Grades 5-6
Eleena Ford
1st place
5
Woodstock Elementary
Portland, OR
Berit Ballew
2nd place
6
Lake Oswego Jr. High School
Lake Oswego, OR
Arianna Rector
3rd place
6
Lake Oswego Jr. High School
Lake Oswego, OR
Izze Bowman
Honorable Mention
5
Tucker Maxon School
Portland, OR
Grades 7-8
Jaytee Franko
1st place
7
Stoller Middle School
Portland, OR
Molly O’Toole
2nd place
8
Lake Oswego Jr. High School
Lake Oswego, OR
Victoria Yan
3rd place
7
Lake Oswego Jr. High School
Lake Oswego, OR
Simone Baumgartner
Honorable Mention
8
Lake Oswego Jr. High School
Lake Oswego, OR
From Oregon Humane Society:
The Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest’s oldest and largest humane society, with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. OHS receives no government funds for its adoption, education, medical and behavior programs. Visit oregonhumane.org for more information.
Portland, OR. The new South Waterfront Ronald McDonald House opened at the OHSU Gary and Christine Rood Family Pavilion on January 23rd. The 38-room Ronald McDonald House replaced the previous West House at the Marriott Residence Inn. The new house is the largest in Oregon – offering play spaces, game rooms, an expansive family kitchen and dining area and a three-quarter acre rooftop garden and playground. It’s just a short tram ride away from OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Almost 35 years ago the first RMHC West House was opened in Portland. Pictured at the new location are CEO, Jessica Jarratt Miller alongside Dr. Dana Braner, Physician in Chief at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Lindsy, Noah (10), and Jason Moreland were among the first families to check into the South Waterfront Ronald McDonald House at the OHSU Gary and Christine Rood Family Pavilion.
One of the many murals that line the hallways of the South Waterfront Ronald McDonald House at the OHSU Gary and Christine Rood Family Pavilion.
The brand new family kitchen in the South Waterfront Ronald McDonald House at the OHSU Gary and Christine Rood Family Pavilion.
From Ronald McDonald House Charities:
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children, and supports initiatives to improve pediatric health.
Portland, OR. The Portland International Auto Show reports it has donated nearly three million dollars to local charities over the past five years through the proceeds from its show and the Sneak Peek Charity Preview Party. Again this year, 100% of the $100 ticket for the preview party benefited one of local eight charities. The party on January 23rd drew hundreds of car lovers including Bart Hafeman from the band, Hit Machine. He was right at home in a 2019 Corvette Stingray. There were over 600 vehicles from 35 manufacturers at the show including production, exotic and concept vehicles.
JDRF Staff with Type 1 diabetes mom and current Mrs. Marion County, Kara Campuzano
JDRF Supporters – Parents, Grandparents, Board Members and those personally living with Type 1 Diabetes
Board Member Arnie Gardner and Meals on Wheels People CEO Suzanne Washington
Meals on Wheels People Board Member Julie Frantz (retired Multnomah County judge) and Chief Development Officer Tony Staser
Portland, OR. Irene Taylor Brodsky is an Oscar-nominated, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker based in Portland. Her film, “Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements,” is an HBO film that will premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 27th. It’s in the U.S. Documentary Competition. “It’s about my deaf son growing up, my deaf father growing old, and Beethoven as he wrote his famous “Moonlight Sonata” while going deaf. It’s a coming of age story about three people across three centuries discovering their true voices,” Brodsky explains.
Here’s a video featuring Irene Taylor Brodsky.
Irene Taylor Brodsky’s first feature film, “Hear and Now,” won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award in 2007 as well as a Peabody. Her most recent feature documentary, “Beware the Slenderman,” was nominated for an Emmy, received two Critics’ Choice Award nominations for Best Director and Best Documentary, and premiered on HBO. “Open Your Eyes,” “One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp,” and “Saving Pelican 895” are among her other credits.
“Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements” is one of dozens of films that will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. With Over 46,000 attendees expected, it’s the largest independent film festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Utah, the festival is a showcase for new work from American and international independent filmmakers. The festival includes competitive sections for American and international dramatic and documentary films, both feature films and short films. The 2019 Sundance Film Festival runs through February 3rd. It draws top artists from around the world.
President and Founder Robert Redford and actress/producer Glenn Close sit together at An Artist at the Table.
The chilly atmosphere outside the Library Center Theatre.
One hot ticket was the screening of “‘Late Night” written by Mindy Kalin.
Screenwriter/actor Mindy Kaling attends the ‘Late Night’ premiere.
Here is more information about the film: “Late Night” Starring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow, Paul Walter Hauser, Reid Scott, and Amy Ryan Directed by Nisha Ganatra Written by Mindy Kaling Category: Premieres
Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. When she’s accused of being a “woman who hates women,” she puts affirmative action on the to-do list, and—presto!—Molly (Mindy Kaling) is hired as the one woman in Katherine’s all-male writers’ room. But Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she’s not simply a diversity hire who’s disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalizing her show and career—and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time.
Another marquee film premiere was “After the Wedding,” starring Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams on the press line for the premiere of ‘After the Wedding’ at Eccles Theatre.
Here’s more information about “After the Wedding” starring Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Billy Crudup, written and Directed by Bard Freundlich:
Isabel (Michelle Williams) has dedicated her life to working with the children in an orphanage in Calcutta. Theresa (Julianne Moore) is the multimillionaire head of a media company who lives with her handsome artist husband (Billy Crudup) and their two adorable twin boys in New York. When word comes to Isabel of a mysterious and generous grant for the financially struggling orphanage, she must travel to New York to meet the benefactor—Theresa—in person. And when Isabel is spontaneously invited to Theresa’s daughter’s wedding, Isabel discovers a connection to Theresa that takes her on an unexpected journey into her own past.
Here’s a link to more information about all of the offerings at Sundance:
The Sundance Film Festival® The Sundance Film Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films of the past three decades, including Sorry to Bother You, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Eighth Grade, Get Out, The Big Sick, Mudbound, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Whiplash, Brooklyn, Precious, The Cove, Little Miss Sunshine, An Inconvenient Truth, Napoleon Dynamite, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Reservoir Dogs and sex, lies, and videotape. The Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®. The Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®. 2019 Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors – Acura, SundanceTV, Chase Sapphire, YouTube; Leadership Sponsors – Adobe, Amazon Studios, AT&T, DIRECTV, Dropbox, Netflix, Omnicom, Stella Artois; Sustaining Sponsors – Ancestry, Canada Goose, Canon, Dell, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, GEICO, High West Distillery, IMDbPro, Lyft, RIMOWA, Unity Technologies, University of Utah Health; Media Sponsors – The Atlantic, IndieWire, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, VARIETY, The Wall Street Journal. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations helps offset the Festival’s costs and sustain the Institute’s year-round programs for independent artists. Look for the Official Partner seal at their venues at the Festival. sundance.org/festival
Sundance Institute Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and media to create and thrive. The Institute’s signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Sorry to Bother You, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Eighth Grade, Blindspotting, The Tale, Get Out, The Big Sick, Strong Island, Blackfish, Top of the Lake, Winter’s Bone, The Wolfpack, Dear White People, Trapped, Brooklyn, Little Miss Sunshine, 20 Feet From Stardom, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Portland, OR. The Bull Terriers were out in force at the Rose City Classic Dog Show. It’s one of the largest and most popular dog shows in the United States. More than 185 individual breeds are represented through January 20th. There are exhibitions of agility, obedience, and Dog Tricks. The Best in Show winner was a German Shepard named Tony who was shown by Kent Boyles.
Tony is currently the number one German Shepard in the U.S. He has a big sister named Rumor who won the Westminster Kennel Club Show last year.
A Wire Fox Terrier named King was the second place finisher on Saturday.
An Irish Setter is judged. The shows are hosted by Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon (DFAO), and the Tualatin Kennel Club (TKC) two AKC clubs that have served the greater Portland area for more than 70 and 40 years, respectively.
The members of these not-for-profit clubs donate their time and expertise to put on the Rose City Classic, and afterwards donate profits to causes that promote responsible dog ownership and the health and welfare of dogs.
Here are the details about the show:
The Rose City Classic Dog Show continues through Sunday, January 20th, 2019 at the Expo Center: 2060 North Marine Dr. Portland, OR 97217
General Public Hours
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Judging begins @ 8 a.m. daily (end times vary daily)
Portland, OR. “Service Selfies” show the feel-good mood of MLK weekend volunteers. For the twelfth year in a row, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Hands On Greater Portland are teaming up to make it easy for you to take action across Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark Counties. You can make a difference through Monday, January 21st. Here’s a link with details: Volunteer for MLK Weekend.
My New Red Shoes is a charity that helps provide local low-income kids with new clothing and shoes throughout the school year. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon volunteered with this nonprofit.
Hands On Greater Portland helps organize all of the volunteers.
Timber Joey was packaging vegetables like carrots at the Oregon Food Bank this weekend.
Umpqua Bank volunteers spent time outside cleaning up Vose Elementary School.
MLK Weekend of Service is an integral part of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s 10-year agenda of reducing childhood poverty and advancing racial equity.
From United Way:
Each year, we come together, inspired by the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to strengthen our community one volunteer project at a time. Our mission at United Way is to invest in our region’s kids by giving them and their families the resources they need to thrive. From access to books to food on the table, when important resources are provided, children can succeed and in turn build a better future for themselves and their community.
This January, honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by joining us for the 12th Annual MLK Weekend of Service Beginning January 18, 2019, volunteer opportunities will be available throughout our community in celebration of MLK Day. Sign up for a project below – opportunities include:
Sorting donated children’s books: Help kids prepare for kindergarten by cleaning and organizing gently used books delivered to their home.
Transforming community spaces in need of TLC: Help kids have vibrant, safe places to play and discover by painting, cleaning and sprucing up neighborhood spaces.
Stocking food banks: Help families meet their basic needs by packaging boxes of food and essential items.
By volunteering your time, you’re adding hundreds of thousands of dollars of value back into your community. Take a look at what our volunteers had to say from last year’s MLK Weekend of Service:
“For me, living is about taking and giving, volunteering is part of giving. It’s part of keeping life in balance and I’ve been working at it for a long time.” – Xuan Sibell, Volunteer Leader
“We believe in Dr. King’s message and mission, and in keeping the memory of that stage of the Civil Rights movement alive.” – David, Volunteer Leader
“The impact for dozens of nonprofits and tens of thousands of kids and families is real. The bond it creates lasts well beyond the weekend itself.” – Keith Thomajan, President and CEO of United Way and Volunteer. Below are some options for volunteering.
Portland, OR. The Rose Festival will honor the more than 5,000 volunteers who annually donate over two million hours to help serve seniors through Meals on Wheels People. As the 2019 Portland Rose Festival official charity, Meals on Wheels People will be featured at events and celebrations including appearances in PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade and the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade.
Meals on Wheels People has been changing lives, one meal at a time, since 1970.
Volunteers provide more than a meal to thousands of older adults in the greater Portland metro area.
A bit of history: In 1970, three women got together in the basement of a church in Southeast Portland to prepare and serve a hot lunch to about a dozen seniors. From 14 newspaper-wrapped meals then, to nearly 12,000 seniors served annually today, Meals on Wheels People of Portland is now among the top 10 largest senior nutrition programs in the country, and one of the very few that has never had a waiting list for meals.
“Hunger is one of the most desperate and frightening feelings anyone, let alone an isolated senior, can experience,” says Teri Bowles-Atherton (President of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation). “The Rose Festival is proud to partner with Meals on Wheels People as our Official Charity. Not only do they take care of seniors in need, they also make ethnic dishes for this very diverse community, and offer the Meals 4 kids program serving children and families experiencing low food security.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the Rose Festival as their 2019 Official Charity,” said Suzanne Washington (Meals on Wheels People CEO). “This opportunity allows us to reach a broad audience with our vision that no senior will go hungry or experience social isolation. We look forward to joining in the many activities sponsored by the Rose Festival and sharing those with our senior participants.”
Their service not only alleviates hunger and social isolation, but allows seniors to live independently with dignity in their own homes. Aging in place reduces depression, falls and hospitalization as well as the high cost of institutional care.
From Meals on Wheels People:
OUR VISION
No senior will go hungry or experience social isolation.
OUR MISSION
We enrich the lives of seniors, and assist them in maintaining independence, by providing nutritious food, human connections and social support. We also use our expertise and capacity to serve other nutritionally at-risk populations.
OUR VALUES
Integrity – We work in a trustworthy, compassionate and and ethical manner.
Respect – We value the self-worth of our staff, volunteers and populations we serve.
Inclusion – We are strengthened by diversity.
Creativity – We are innovative and willing to try new approaches.
Commitment – We demonstrate quality performance and dedication.
Teamwork – Together we accomplish more.
Would you like to volunteer? Here’s a link to the Meals on Wheels People website: https://www.mowp.org
Portland, OR. DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital is extending its financial assistance program to help all unpaid federal workers affected by the government shutdown. “We believe that pets are an important part of our lives, especially during difficult times,” said DoveLewis President and CEO Ron Morgan. “Supporting our community is an integral part of our mission, and we want to do what we can to help relieve some of the stress these families are experiencing.”
The DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund, a donor-supported financial assistance program, will be available to relieve some of the cost of emergency animal medical care through the duration of the shutdown. Eligible employees must be directly affected by the furlough and must show their furlough letter along with their matching state-issued government identification.
The Velvet Assistance Fund, which relies solely on donations from community members, is offered to low-income pet owners and covers up to $750 for animals with a good prognosis. Federal employees will receive the same offer for their pets experiencing emergency medical needs.
Each year, the DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund helps more than 1,700 pets and families.
From DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital:
DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With 45 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
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