Portland, OR. An arts funding gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given some local cultural organizations a boost, like the Columbia River Institute for Indigenous Development (CRÍID), seen above. The Oregon Community Foundation’s Arts and Culture Recovery Fund announced $982,500 in grants to support historically under-funded artists and communities throughout Oregon.
The organization helps nonprofits impacted by Covid-19, with an emphasis on supporting communities of color, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, and LGBTQ+, rural, and low-income populations.
“We’re thrilled to have received a generous and unexpected donation from MacKenzie Scott to offer additional relief funding to the arts and culture sector across Oregon,” said Jerry Tischleder, Program Officer for Arts and Culture, Oregon Community Foundation. “The need is great and these groups’ contributions are vital to the vibrancy and resilience of their communities through these challenging times.” MacKenzie Scott is the former wife of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos.
In addition to these grants, OCF has awarded $1 million in funding to the Oregon Arts Commission to support individual artists across the state through the Artist Resilience Program. Additional funding from the Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Fund will be announced as new awards are made.
Below are examples of a few of the 76 community-based organizations that OCF is supporting through this round of Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Funding:
$15,000 for general operating support in response to the impact of COVID-19
The primary focus of CRÍID is preserving, sharing, and advancing Columbia River Customs and Language through community collaboration and engagement. CRÍID documents language, trains teachers, produces curriculum, teaches students, supports health, healing and resilience.
“Tribal communities place great value on preserving and sharing our heritage and culture,” said Jefferson Greene, Chair, Board of Directors, Columbia River Institute for Indigenous Development Foundation. “Arts and Culture Recovery grant funding from Oregon Community Foundation allows CRÍID Foundation to continue recovery from the negative impact of the pandemic while maintaining our essential work to preserve Indigenous customs of the Columbia River through important and healing programming including language, arts, sports, health, and spirit.”
$14,000 for general operating support in response to the impact of COVID-19
Sign language puppet created through the CymaSpace program.
CymaSpace makes arts, media, and culture accessible and inclusive to deaf and hard of hearing community members through technology, education, and outreach. Through strategic partnerships and community support, CymaSpace advocates for access, inclusion, and equity.
“Because of the pandemic, Oregon nonprofits have had to shift to online events but are not equipped or knowledgeable in how to provide accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing participants,” said Myles de Bastion, Board President, CymaSpace. “OCF’s Arts and Culture Recovery grant to CymaSpace helps deliver greater access, benefitting both our deaf as well as our broader communities during these challenging times.”
$5,000 for general operating support in response to the COVID-19 outbreak
Oregon Black Pioneers Juneteenth Exhibit
Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. Since 1993, Oregon Black Pioneers has illuminated the seldom-told history of people of African descent in Oregon.
“African Americans have played a vital role in building the social, cultural, and economic base of our state,” said Ms. Willie Richardson, Board President, Oregon Black Pioneers. “Support from OCF’s Arts and Culture Recovery Fund recognizes the importance of advancing our work to create understanding, bridge divides, and work towards a more inclusive Oregon.”
Portland, OR. An updated projection continues to show the number of Oregonians hospitalized with COVID-19 will well exceed the previous pandemic peak from the delta surge in September, according to a new projection from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The projection is forecasting a peak of about 1,650 people hospitalized by the end of January. This comes amid a sharp increase in reported infections over the past week, especially in the Portland metro area, although the forecast does draw upon new data showing Oregonians are increasingly heeding public health advice to wear facial coverings, refrain from gathering in large groups and increase the number of people getting booster vaccinations.
FILE – A nurse cares for a critically ill patient in the ICU at Oregon Health and Science University. (Kristyna Wentz-Graff/Oregon Public Broadcasting via AP, Pool)
If you’re looking for a place to have a Covid test, vaccine or booster in Oregon, CLICK HERE
For information about daily totals in the state: CLICK HERE. Peter Graven, Ph.D. (OHSU) has advice for people who are already vaccinated to help to prevent the spread of the virus by adhering to public health measures over the next few weeks.
Peter Graven, Ph.D. (OHSU)
“Anything Oregonians can do now to reduce the spread of the virus will help to preserve hospital capacity for those who need it most,” said Peter Graven, Ph.D., director of the OHSU Office of Advanced Analytics. “If we can spread the peak out over two months rather than just a few weeks, it will help ensure Oregonians get the timely hospital care they expect and deserve.”
The latest forecast calls for the peak to hit around Thursday, Jan. 27, followed by a sharp drop in hospitalizations as the virus finds fewer people who have not already been recently infected or vaccinated. A steep drop-off in cases has been reported in South Africa, where the omicron variant was first confirmed in late November. The drop-off may be somewhat slower in Oregon as the virus spreads to older age groups and more rural areas.
The forecast incorporates new data showing an increased ability for the virus to evade immune protection among people previously infected or vaccinated.
Omicron appears to cause a lower overall rate of severe illness than the previously dominant delta variant, however, its rapid spread combined with its ability to evade previous immunity is already driving an unprecedented number of daily infections in Oregon.
Hospitalizations are also rising with a total of 523 Oregonians in the hospital for COVID-19 as of Thursday, Jan. 6, according to the latest figures from the Oregon Health Authority.
It will remain crucial for Oregonians to do what they can to reduce the spread of infection by refraining from indoor gatherings, wearing masks in indoor public places and getting vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible. As with the beginning of the pandemic, the goal is to reduce the number of Oregonians who need hospital care all at the same time.
The updated forecast draws on data indicating that Oregonians are indeed responding by modifying their behavior to limit the spread of the virus.
OHSU is providing resources for those seeking a test and vaccine. Those who experience symptoms, or test positive, should first call their health care provider before seeking care in a hospital emergency room. OHSU has also established a toll-free hotline for people anywhere in the state to seek guidance about symptoms and care for COVID-19. Oregonians can call 833-OHSU-CCC (833-647-8222) seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Portland, OR. A message from Editor, Elisa Klein. Portland Society Page is marking its tenth-anniversary publishing nonprofit news for free! 2,217 articles later, we’re still going strong with thousands of weekly readers. We’ve also launched society page websites in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. One of the particularly gratifying roles I’ve enjoyed over the past year is mentoring dozens of interns from up and down the west coast. It has enabled me to share my enthusiasm for journalism with students from UCLA, Berkeley, U of O, University of Washington, and many more universities. Also, a huge thanks to my husband, Steven Klein who has been an enthusiastic supporter and terrific proofreader for the past ten years!
Elisa Klein, Editor
The indomitable Betty White who lived to be 99-years-old said, “It’s your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don’t take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver.”
Your interest in the nonprofit community offers hope. Together, let’s look forward to a better and brighter 2022!
Thank you,
Editor and Publisher, Elisa Klein
2021 UPDATE: For a second year, necessary Covid-19 restrictions meant that many volunteers had to stay away from the charities they love. Supporters who usually flock to galas were often social distancing, some organizations moved forward with caution by holding hybrid events. Some sectors, like human services, have seen a surge of donations, while arts organizations have struggled mightily without the benefit of ticket sales.
The generosity of our community remains constant. Donations brought hope to thousands of our friends and neighbors. The thankful include the elderly living alone receiving hot meals, children with learning differences finding support through zoom, brilliant performance artists feeding their families with grant money, and bone-tired frontline workers using donated personal protective equipment.
Now, we’ll share the stories you read most this year in reverse order.
TOP TEN PORTLAND SOCIETY PAGE STORIES 2020
10. Portland knifemaker Alex Horn created commemorative knives from the rubble of the Twin Towers.
So there you have it, the most-read stories of 2021 on Portland Society Page! We look forward to providing our coverage of local nonprofit news in 2022. Upward on onward!
Portland, OR. A holiday exhibit called ‘Critters Make Merry’ is on view now through January 4th at the Pittock Mansion. One room, seen above, is called Festive Flamingos. It was decorated by Dani Christine and Beth Clark. From reindeer and polar bears to lions and mice and a few in between, volunteer decorators transform the Mansion’s rooms into enchanting animal havens.
“Every year over 70 volunteer decorators have just two days to transform the Mansion for the holiday event,” Interim Executive Director John Miller explains. “It is exciting to watch it come together knowing that this is a much-anticipated annual tradition for so many in our community.”
Tickets for this year’s event are limited. Purchasing timed tickets online in advance is recommended.
Face masks are required for the duration of a visit. The Mansion is open daily 10am-4pm, opening at noon on Tuesdays.
Timed tickets are available at pittockmansion.org/events. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, $9 for youth, and children 5 and under are free.
Here’s a look at some of the Christmas displays of the past:
Henry Pittock’s Bathroom in 2015. (Photo credit Michael Henley)
Mansion Library in 2012. (Photo credit Michael Henley)
Pittock Mansion Music Room in 1967. (Photo credit Pittock Mansion Society.)
Pittock Mansion stairs in 2011. (Photo credit Michael Henley)
From Pittock Mansion:
Henry Pittock (c.1834-1919) was born in London, England but grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1853, when Henry was 19, he headed west on the Oregon Trail to seek his fortune. A year later, his future wife Georgiana Burton (c.1845-1918) left Missouri with her family and headed west as well. When Henry and Georgiana arrived in the area, Portland was a frontier “stumptown” competing with Oregon City to become the major trade and industrial center for the region.
Henry found work as a typesetter at The Oregonian at a time when the newspaper industry was financially risky and fiercely competitive. More than 30 newspapers were launched in Portland during this period. On June 20, 1860, Henry and Georgiana married and five months later, he was given ownership of the paper in exchange for back wages. Henry went on to transform The Oregonian into a successful daily newspaper that is still printed today.
Portland, OR. Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as one of the “Largest Holiday Light Shows West of the Mississippi,” the 29th annual Safeway Winter Wonderland features colorful light displays around every corner.
Saturday nights are busy and the display sold out on December 18th. Primetime hours can involve a 50+ minute wait.
Since 1993, over two million visitors have journeyed through Winter Wonderland as a festive tradition to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with families, friends, and social organizations.
Spectators enjoy the drive-through light show from the comfort of their own vehicles, viewing over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes along the way.
All proceeds from the event benefit Sunshine Division‘s year-round hunger relief efforts that provide thousands of free, nutritious meals to Portland families in need. The Sunshine Division offers free food and clothing assistance for qualifying Portlanders at an on-site food pantry and clothing rooms and through food box programs and a no-cost food bank.
Sunshine Division administrators explain, “We offer food assistance six days a week at our N Thompson location, five days a week at our SE Stark location, as well as 24/7 through our partnership with the Portland Police Bureau who store food boxes at each police precinct that can be dispatched to people in need at any time. In addition to food relief, we also offer new and gently used clothing.”
sunshine division
Here’s a promotional video about the light display:
There are a few extra features this year like “Holiday Lights By GEICO.” If you can find the three Geckos hidden throughout the light show, you have a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card.
Portland International Raceway 1940 N Victory Blvd Portland, OR 97217
Best Times To See The Show
Beat the rush and enjoy the light show at your own pace! Weekends are always popular times, as is the week of Christmas. To avoid the crowds, plan on attending the Safeway Winter Wonderland, powered by Advantis Credit Union, in early December, or during weeknights.
Portland, OR. For the second year in a row, Project Lemonade is partnering with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in Multnomah County to host a Toys for Tots holiday shop experience for foster families in need.
Kids, like the young lady who selected the pink tennis shoes above, say the shopping experience makes them feel more confident.“These make me feel positive. Because they are pink which is my favorite color and because I picked them out myself.” That’s a comment from Madison who came to Project Lemonade store in the Lloyd Center
The nonprofit collected gifts for teens this holiday season, because teens have historically had a lower selection of gifts in the Toys for Tots shop. The nonprofit serves over 2,000 foster youth in OR and SW Washington annually through three programs: a store where foster youth can shop for free clothes, a paid internship for foster youth, and a WISH program. Oregon ranks third highest in the country per capita for the number of kids in care, with more than 11,000 foster children under the care of the Department of Human Services.
Interns Diamond, Travis, Paxton, and Erick present items that teens want in clothing styles.
Organizers use financial donations to buy new items then Foster Kids are invited to pick out what they’d like.
Many organizations helped stock the shelves this holiday season.
Moda Health employees bring in the donations they collected of new clothing, shoes, backpacks, toys, stuffed animals, and coats.
Here’s a video about the program:
From Project Lemonade:
Want to support our mission further? Consider a gift to our GiveGuide campaign to support our WISH, Internship and Year-Round Shopping programs to support youth through 2022! Supporters can still select items on theAmazon Teen Gift Wish List.
Our three programs, the Project Lemonade Store, Foster the Future Summer Internship, and WISH (What Inspire’s Student’s Hearts), provide foster youth a chance to Shop. Learn. Dream. With the odds against our foster children, let’s do what we can to turn lemons into lemonade.
Our three programs, the Project Lemonade Store, Foster the Future Summer Internship and WISH (What Inspire’s Student’s Hearts), provide foster youth a chance to Shop. Learn. Dream. With the odds against our foster children, let’s do what we can to turn lemons into lemonade.
According to government statistics, there are more than 440,000 youth in foster care in this country. Of those, 23,000 age out of the system, one-fifth are homeless and only three percent graduate from college. Throughout life, twenty-four percent never hold a job, and one-in-four experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Oregon ranks third highest in the country, with more than 11,000 foster children under the care of the Department of Human Services.
Six years ago, a group of caring and compassionate community members came together and created a pop-up store for foster youth to shop for free; they called it Project Lemonade. The goal was to send foster youth back to school with self-esteem and confidence, knowing they looked just like every other kid on the playground. In one month Project Lemonade served 1,000 kids. With community support, this pop-up became permanent, expanded its programs and reach, and now operates year-round from a retail store, and has served more than 14,000 foster youth in Oregon and beyond.
PORTLAND, OR. Whether you want to explore ZooLights from the comfort of your own car or walk around with your family and friends, Portland Zoo has an ‘enLIGHTening’ experience for you.
ZooLights Walk Night allows you to walk through a display of more than 1.5 million lights with your family and friends, while ZooLights Drive Nights in January lets you explore the magic while in your car.
Visitors drive through ZooLights.
A child and adult enjoy ZooLights on foot
This ZooLights event is presented by the U.S. Bank. Open Nov. 19, 2021 to Jan. 9, 2022 (excluding Christmas Day, Dec. 25), advance timed online tickets required; no walk-up ticket sales
ZooLights is a separately ticketed event. Admission to ZooLights is not included with a daytime admission ticket. All daytime visitors must leave the zoo when the zoo closes at 4:00 p.m. to prepare for ZooLights, even if you have the same night ticket for ZooLights. Your ZooLights admission ticket will be scanned for separate entry at that time.
The zoo comes alive in animal-themed lights, however no animals will be viewable at this event.
All reservations must be made online.
Discounted ZooLights admission is available for Oregon and Washington individuals and families who qualify for a variety of income assistance programs. To see if you are eligible and to purchase tickets visit Oregon Zoo Discounts.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF) announced that David Forman has been named President and CEO of the organization, effective January 1, 2022. Forman was selected after a nationwide search. He currently sits on the OJCF Executive Committee.
Forman explained, “The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation aligns with my passion and my commitment to our community. After all my experience as a volunteer in our Jewish community, I now have the opportunity to have a hands-on experience to help write the next chapter of the foundation story and the community at large.”
Oregon Jewish Community Foundation named David Forman as President and CEO effective January 1, 2022
Founded in 1989, OJCF’s mission is to build and promote a culture of giving in Oregon and Southwest Washington to support a thriving Jewish community now and for generations to come. OJCF’s vision is a world in which all Jewish people practice tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing or improving the world. The Foundation helps individuals and families achieve their heartfelt philanthropic goals through charitable giving. Last year the Foundation granted nearly $6.5 million to more than 400 organizations.
Forman brings more than 30 years of experience as an attorney to OJCF and is the Chair of the Corporate Finance and Transactions Practice Group as a partner at Tonkon Torp, LLP. He has served on the board of OJCF since 2014, joining the executive committee in 2018.
Forman succeeds the late Julie Diamond, who led the organization for more than ten years, and retired June 30 while battling cancer. She passed away in August.
“I am blessed to have had my predecessor be Julie Diamond. I am following someone who made an amazing difference, who made a huge contribution to this community. And, if I’m doing it right, I’m honoring Julie,” said Forman.
“Our board of directors is thrilled to introduce David Forman as our new CEO,” said Josh Frankel, Board Chair at OJCF. “After an extensive search, it was evident to our hiring committee that David was the best person to lead the Foundation and sustain and strengthen the legacy of long-time CEO, Julie Diamond. David’s goal is not to replace Julie as CEO but rather he aspires to help us write the next chapter for OJCF. David possesses the experience, qualifications and passion to grow OJCF into an even greater, more successful organization. We are kvelling over David as our new CEO.”
Leaders in the Jewish community of Portland and SW Washington enthusiastically welcome Forman in his new role as President and CEO of OJCF. “David Forman is a ‘community-first’ person. I experienced this firsthand when he was Chair of the Board of the Jewish Federation. I very much look forward to partnering with David in his new professional role within the Jewish community, and the opportunity for greater collaboration going forward,” said Marc Blattner, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.
From: Oregon Jewish Community Foundation
Founded in 1989, OJCF’s mission is to build and promote a culture of giving in Oregon and Southwest Washington that supports a thriving Jewish community now and for generations to come.
OJCF’s vision is a world in which all Jewish people practice tikkun olam.
The Foundation helps individuals and families achieve their heartfelt philanthropic goals through the most tax-advantaged approaches to charitable giving. As the community’s partner in the region, OJCF provides sophisticated giving opportunities and exciting programs expressing the Jewish values of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Photo by Naim Hasan Photography
Portland, OR. Jeff Bezos’ Day 1 Families Fund is handing out over $96 million to nonprofits providing services to homeless families. 2021 recipients include 32 organizations in 21 states, including a nonprofit in the Portland area. Portland Homeless Family Solutions received $2.5 million. Last year, the nonprofit served 909 kids and their parents.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, right, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee tour Mary’s Place Family Center, located in an Amazon building in Seattle. (Lucas Jackson Photo via Amazon)
Bezos, explained, “These grants will provide support including housing, food, clothing, and other resources to help families get back on their feet.”
The Amazon founder has given out $398 million to organizations in 38 states since launching the fund in 2018. The video below shows a few of the grantees.
The Day 1 Families Fund grantees include multiple California-based organizations and one from Washington:
$5 million for Building Changes and Africatown International, Seattle
Activists say the national homelessness crisis has grown significantly in recent years, and the greater Seattle area has large numbers of unsheltered residents. Some 11,751 people in Seattle and surrounding King County were experiencing homelessness during a 2020 survey. A study spanning 2016-2020 found that chronic homelessness had increased at an annual rate of 27% statewide and 42% in Seattle-King County.
From Day 1 Fund:
The Day 1 Academies Fund is a non-profit organization launching and operating a network of tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in underserved communities. Directly operating the preschools creates an opportunity to learn, invent, and improve. The Fund uses the same set of principles that have driven Amazon.
Portland, OR. Groups small and large gathered to participate in Portland Backpack’s “Backpacking Around Portland” virtual event on November 10th. Portland Backpack provides weekend meal sacks to Portland Public Elementary School students who rely on free school meals. Board member Katherine Cole hosted a viewing party for 30 at Blockhouse. Daniela Caine, Megan Barnett, Holly Levow, Kat Simons, Christina Wang posed for a photo. (Photo credit, Jessica Lima.)
Bobby Barnett and Kaja Taft
Melissa Jacobs and Tessa Boucherot
Steve Spitznagel and Angie Bowen
Katherine Cole
From Portland Backpack:
We currently partner with ten Portland Public Schools: Cesar Chavez, Chief Joseph, Harrison Park, Lee, Lent, Martin Luther King Jr., Rigler, Rosa Parks, Scott, and Woodlawn. At each, there is a school staff person who coordinates our program. They make sure that their students who need food the most are included. They maintain the list of the kids, and weekly are responsible to distribute the food sacks classroom by classroom to be tucked into each kid’s backpack.
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Portland, OR. An updated projection continues to show the number of Oregonians hospitalized with COVID-19 will well exceed the previous pandemic peak from the delta surge in September, according to a new projection from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The projection is forecasting a peak of about 1,650 people hospitalized by the end of January. This comes amid a sharp increase in reported infections over the past week, especially in the Portland metro area, although the forecast does draw upon new data showing Oregonians are increasingly heeding public health advice to wear facial coverings, refrain from gathering in large groups and increase the number of people getting booster vaccinations.
FILE – A nurse cares for a critically ill patient in the ICU at Oregon Health and Science University. (Kristyna Wentz-Graff/Oregon Public Broadcasting via AP, Pool)
If you’re looking for a place to have a Covid test, vaccine or booster in Oregon, CLICK HERE