Portland, September 6th, 2014. Fields Park in the Pearl District was filled with excited walkers ready to pound the pavement to fight AIDS. According to AIDS Walk Portland organizers, nearly 35 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS, but about one quarter don’t know they have AIDS. This walk raises money for awareness and services to fight the AIDS and it’s also just a lot of fun. Live entertainment and a finish line beer garden added to the festive atmosphere. (Photo credit, Jason BingDigital Reality)
The Disney Dynasty: Heroes and Villains team finished at the top of the heap by raising $57,227.
The Our house Team was a united front.
PFLAG’s Portland Black Chapter showed their support.
The TJ Max Team was a determined bunch.
The walkers from St Andrews Lutheran Chruch joined in the celebration.
Team photos were provided by:Jason BingDigital Reality.
From the Cascade AIDS Project.
Founded in 1983, Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) is the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our mission is to prevent HIV infections, support and empower people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma.
With 61 staff and a volunteer corps of 785 people providing more than 29,000 hours of service each year, CAP manages a broad array of programs and an annual budget of about $5.8 million. Grounded in the belief that a diverse and culturally competent staff is essential to effective services, more than 25% of CAP’s staff identify as individuals from communities of color, 30% as bilingual, and 15% as individuals living with HIV or AIDS. Our programs serve the broad and diverse set of communities touched by HIV—from teens, Latinos, the gay community, and families living with HIV, to the thousands of individuals throughout the state who seek education each year though the Oregon AIDS Hotline.
A 19-member volunteer Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and oversight to ensure CAP accomplishes its mission and continues to operate with integrity and transparency. Nineteen percent of the Board is HIV positive, and half are from communities of color. Here is a brief overview of just a few of CAP’s programs within our two primary departments:
HOUSING & SUPPORT SERVICES
CAP’s Kids’ Connection programs served 85 families living with HIV/AIDS, including 99 children, by offering programs as varied as help disclosing HIV status to schools, guardianship planning, teaching kids about HIV, recreational opportunities with other HIV-affected families, and a week-long residential camp for children.
Last year, the Supportive Housing department provided housing services, including rental assistance, emergency assistance, and life skills training to nearly 628 people. Support included everything from allocating over $890,000 directly to meeting client needs for stable housing to Rent Well and budgeting courses to ensure long-term stability for individuals and families.
CareLink is a short-term bridge to permanent care for HIV-positive people who need special attention. These people may be newly diagnosed and unsure of where to turn, diagnosed but not in regular medical care, have complications such as mental illness or addiction, or be leaving prison. CareLink works up to three months with each client to find housing, food, medical treatment, counseling, and more, all the while helping them plan permanent care.
Latino Medical Case Management provides culturally competent, Spanish language case management for CAP’s Latino clients.
Working Choices launched January 2011. Last year, the program helped 87 clients in their quest for employment through resume and interviewing workshops; networking events; a weekly Job Club; and Job Lounge, weekly “open houses” where clients can print resumes, use a computer or fax machine, and get advice on job applications.
PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
Recognizing that 75% of all new infections in Oregon are among men who have sex with men, Pivot, a space by and for gay and bisexual men, is open evenings and weekends to provide education, prevention, social and cultural programming, HIV and STI testing and more. Last year, Pivot tested 1,725 men for HIV and STIs. Outreach testing for gay and bisexual men, including those in Clark, Clackamas, and Washington counties, correctional facilities, and more, reached an additional 865 people.
Last year, the Oregon AIDS/STD Hotline fielded 882 calls and 6,372 online visitors from throughout the state requesting a wide variety of information and referrals to address their concerns about HIV and STIs.
Testing for All provides rapid HIV testing and risk reduction counseling in CAP’s comfortable offices to anyone who wants it. We request a donation, but will turn away no one for lack of funds. Last year, we tested 548 people.
CAP’s Youth HIV Education program including Teen2Teen and ChatPDX reached out to 3,385 youth through youth-facilitated workshops and peer education, and served an additional 4,990 youth through outreach, including social media.
The Speakers Bureau sent HIV-positive speakers on 58 speaking engagements, sharing HIV prevention education messages with 2,668 people.
All in all, last year CAP provided HIV/AIDS education and prevention services to nearly 15,000 people and coordinated wrap-around support services for 1,680 people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS in the five-county Portland metropolitan area. More information about Cascade AIDS Project is at www.cascadeaids.org
Portland, September 4th, 2014. A host of helpful community leaders converged on Pioneer Square for The Standard’s Volunteer Expo. Staffers from nearly 150 nonprofits were on hand to explain a plethora of heartwarming volunteer opportunities. It’s easy to get involved!
Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas found some admirers.
PHAME was thrilled to be part of TheStandard’s Volunteer Expo at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Dress for Success Oregon recruited volunteers ready to help local women.
Participating organizations represented a wide variety of interests including arts, culture, humanities, the environment, animal welfare, health, human services and more. Whether people were looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity or a longer-term commitment, the Volunteer Expo was a great way to connect with nonprofits and start making a difference.
“The nonprofit organizations featured at the Volunteer Expo have an invaluable impact on our communities, and they count on the public’s support and involvement to achieve their missions,” said Greg Ness, chairman, president and CEO of The Standard.
Here’s a list of the nonprofit exhibitors, click the links below to check them out!
Portland, August 3rd 2014. Over 450 people explored the upper section of the Columbia Slough, a hidden gem of waterways and natural area in N, NE Portland, Fairview and Gresham at the annual regatta. The family friendly event was sponsored by Columbia Slough Watershed Council which is working to restore and enhance the 60 miles of waterways. The event featured free kayak and canoe trips as well as face painting, crafts and community information booths. Organizers collected $2,500 in participant donations to help the Council’s restoration, recreation and education programs. (photo credit, Ambient Studies NorthWest)
Paddlers enjoy a scenic trip up the Columbia Slough.
Jane Van Dyke – Executive Director of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and Portland Mayor Charlie Hales enjoyed the event.
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales attended the event and spoke of Portland’s long commitment to parks and natural spaces. Hales congratulated the community on the restoration work in this watershed and across the city. The Slough was highlighted as an important resource for people and ecological functioning. Also in attendance was Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack. Penny Beckwith, the Outreach Director of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council organized the event.
T-shirts from 20 years of Columbia Slough Regatta events were on display.
Throughout the years the Council has worked to create partnerships with local government, businesses and environmental interests to help recognize and promote the Slough as a regional amenity and recreational destination. The Slough is a unique waterway because it is situated in one of the most industrialized watersheds in Oregon. Various water quality issues in the Slough made is historically unsafe for activities like canoeing and fishing, but since the first Regatta celebration, various regulations, stormwater management projects, and changed community standards have helped to limit inputs of harmful pollutants. Sheltered from the Willamette and Columbia Rivers and off limits to motorized boat traffic, the Slough now offers scenic and safe paddling opportunities for all ages.
Today the Columbia Slough is cleaner than ever. With its long reach of water trails, views of the mountains and diverse wildlife, it is a real asset to the community. Organizers of the first Regatta were surprised when the event attracted the attention of local news outlets and 70 paddling participants. Since then, the event has grown to welcome hundreds of participants each year! Columbia Slough Regatta brings nature and paddling within reach of the community. After 20 years it is amazing to see how much the public embrace this event and the Columbia Slough.
The Columbia Slough Watershed Council, a non‐profit‐tax exempt organization, is a diverse group of stakeholders working to restore and enhance the 60 miles of waterways known as the Columbia Slough, located in Portland, Gresham, and Fairview. We work in the areas of restoration, recreation and education to connect the community to the watershed. Our mission is to foster action to protect, enhance, restore, and revitalize the Slough and its watershed.
Event Sponsors (Cash and In-Kind):
Alder Creek
Barry Brigham
Bill and Julie Young Fund – Oregon Community Foundation
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
Sauvie Island, July 26, 2014. The Harrington Family Foundation launched a new fundraiser this summer. Guests of the former NFL quarterback and Portland native Joey Harrington enjoyed a one-of-a-kind cook off by watching five of the region’s top chefs in a culinary battle.The Great Summer Chef Off drew over 185 people to Bladberry Farm on Sauvie Island. The benefit raised $45,000 for the Harrington Family Foundation to go toward bringing high quality health care and education to Oregon’s youth.
Congratulations to chef Rick Gencareli of Lardo. He received $5,000 to donate to an Oregon children’s charity of his choice: Friends Of The Children. The winning dish was a Smoked Pig Burger with American Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Pickled Watermelon + Dirty Mistard and sides of Cheesy Corn and a Sun Gold Tomato Grilled Bread Panzanella.
Ben Ives, Sara Delepine and Brian Huck enjoy the whiskey tasting bar.
Chef Rick Gencareli of Lardo was the winner.
Scholarship Winner Jessica Trinh gets a hand from the crowd.
The Harrington Family Foundation was created by Joey Harrington. Since its inception in 2003, the Foundation has donated more than $1 million to Oregon nonprofits that support education and health care for in-state youth. The inaugural Chef Off event brought together five Portland chefs for a BBQ cook-off event to support the Foundation and its mission. The event included a silent auction and raise-the-paddle segment.
Portland, July 27th, 2014. Nearly 1,000 people turned out for the Portland Brain Tumor Walk at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The Walk connected brain tumor survivors, patients, family members, caregivers, and friends for an inspiring, family-friendly day. The event raised more than $95,000, with proceeds going to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Dawn Evans and her team Wilson’s Warriors, comprised of her colleagues at Orrick, Herrington, and Sutcliffe, LLC.
Portland brain tumor survivors gather together to fight for a cure.
Nearly 700,000 people in the United States are living with a primary brain tumor and experts estimate 69,000 more people will be diagnosed this year. Individuals looking to support the brain tumor cause and help increase awareness beyond this event can take action by becoming an advocate, making a gift, hosting a community event, or sharing their personal experiences. Learn more at www.braintumor.org/takeaction
National Brain Tumor Society is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States. We are fiercely committed to finding better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for people living with a brain tumor today and those who will be diagnosed tomorrow. This means aggressively driving strategic research and advocating for public policies, which meet the critical needs of the brain tumor community. To learn more, visit www.braintumor.org
Portland, July 27th, 2014. The Big Float 4 took over the Willamette River in downtown Portland. The goal was to encourage people to “get into the river” and support its preservation and healthy development as a recreational resource. People also had a whale of a good time in the process. Floaters gathered at Tom McCall Bowl then carried their flotation devices and march south along Waterfront Park to the put-in point at “Poet’s Beach” beneath the Marquam Bridge. Floaters paddled down river and landed on the west bank at the Tom McCall Bowl. There they found Portland’s downtown beach party, complete with music barge and live bands, food carts, beer/wine garden, sponsor booths, and a kids’ activities area. (Photo credit, Point West Credit Union)
The Human Access Project is part of the movement to reclaim the Willamette River – to improve access to it, restore its health, and preserve it as a natural resource for generations to come.
The Human Access Project was conceived in November 2010, when founder Willie Levenson began organizing an event called “The Big Float.” The Big Float (TBF) is a group innertube float of the Willamette River in downtown Portland, Oregon.
The idea behind TBF is that getting a large number of people in the water, in human-powered water vessels of all kinds, would be a powerful way to demonstrate that the Willamette is safe for swimming and human habitation.
TBF had its first launch in 2011 with 1,300 participants. 2012 was the second year for TBF, and the event attracted 1,400 participants. The event has continued to grow each year. Money raised from TBF, and from grants and sponsors, has helped HAP take on more projects every year, and get more done.
Beyond TBF, the Human Access Project has completed several Willamette River beach clean-up and habitat restoration projects, which are ongoing. One is on the eastside of the river by the Hawthorne Bridge at Audrey McCall Beach. HAP has to date removed 50 yards of concrete during six individual clean up events at this beach. Another project is beach creation effort on the west side of the Willamette.
HAP also hosted a community kickoff event called UnRock the Bowl, where 60 volunteers moved riprap rock from the water’s edge back to the bank where it was initially installed 30 years ago as bank protection. HAP will continue to undertake beach clean-up activities to support its mission.
Oregon Humane Society Portland, July 12th 2014. The heat of the day did not stop people from attending this year’s summertime party called Fetch: Silver Edition. The party celebrated Executive Director Sharon Harmon’s first 25 years of leadership and the animal welfare group’s 145th anniversary. OHS welcomed nearly 300 people to celebrate on site with tours, cocktails and pets! Guests enjoyed a three course menu from The Vibrant Table and raised $388,000 for the pets of OHS. Dolorosa Margulis getting to know an OHS puppy up for adoption.
Pat Smith, Ellyn Bye and OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon celebrating 25 years of Sharon’s leadership and 145 years of OHS.
Auctioneer Justin Timm, OHS Investigator Wendy Reimer and KATUs Helen Raptis raising money to help the pets of OHS
Sharon Harmon being toasted by party chair Nancy Tonkin-Zoucha. Note the shot glasses in their hands, instead of a champagne toast we wanted everyone to get their shots at OHS.
Senator Betsy Johnson with OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon . They are happy to work together to create tougher animal cruelty laws.
From the Oregon Humane Society:
Our Mission Statement
To foster an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals through education, legislation, and leadership. To care for the homeless, to defend the abused, and to fight with unrelenting diligence for recognition of the integrity of all animals.
Salem, July 11th, 2014. Thirty-two Kaiser Permanente providers and staff volunteered at the 2014 Oregon Mission of Mercy, where more than $738,000 worth of donated dental services were provided. The event took place at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, and 1,255 patients received free dental care.
Thirty-two Kaiser Permanente providers and staff volunteered at the fifth annual Oregon Mission of Mercy, including (from left) Michelle Lee-Veentjer, manager of Rockwood Dental Office; Dawn Januik, registered dental hygienist at Cascade Park Dental Office; Jodeen Callaghan, DMD, general dentist at Cascade Park and Kaiser Permanente’s lead community benefit dentist; Macy Bienerth, Cascade Park dental assistant; Mary Robinson, Dental Contact Center member assistant and patient line management lead for the event; Richard Del Togno Armanasco, DMD, general dentist at Gresham Dental Office; and Edariz Castilla, DDS, general dentist at North Lancaster Dental Office.
For someone who had just received a couple fillings — and who had been lined up since 3:30 a.m. for a turn in the dentist’s chair — Gregorie “Mike” Towai had an awfully big smile on his face. That’s because, for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t embarrassed by his teeth.
Towai was among the 1,255 patients who received free dental care at the Oregon Dental Association’s fifth annual Mission of Mercy, which took place July 11 and 12 at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore. Thirty-two Kaiser Permanente providers and staff volunteered at the event, where more than $738,000 worth of donated services were provided. Kaiser Permanente has had a long volunteer presence at Mission of Mercy, which was held last year in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center.
Towai’s new smile came courtesy of Richard Del Togno Armanasco, DMD, a general dentist at the Kaiser Permanente Gresham Dental Office. Dr. Del Togno Armanasco removed the visible decay from Towai’s front teeth and placed natural-looking composite fillings.
“I think this whole thing is awesome,” said Towai. “It’s such a blessing that we have doctors who are willing to give up their time to do this. I think I’ll get to smile more.”
As part of its mission, Kaiser Permanente makes significant contributions to community health, including oral health. Kaiser Permanente Northwest invested more than $104 million in community benefit initiatives in 2013.
Kaiser Permanente has 17 dental offices from Salem to Longview and hosts free dental care days throughout the year. In addition to participating in community events such as Mission of Mercy, Kaiser Permanente hosts “Give Kids a Smile” free dental clinics and participates in the Dental Access Program in the Portland metro area to provide urgent care for low-income, uninsured patients at no charge.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 9.1 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia, including more than 495,000 people in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to:kp.org/share.
Newberg, July 12th, 2014. The Summer State Games are the state championship competitions in the sports of athletics (track & field), bocce, golf, and softball for Special Olympics athletes in Oregon. All participants have trained in their hometowns for eight weeks prior to the Summer Games and have qualified to compete at the Summer Games at a regional level competition. Law enforcement agencies from all over Oregon were represented at the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the 2014 Summer State Games.
Jerome Kersey of the Portland Trail Blazers greets the athletes.
Special Olympian Michael Hart runs in the Newberg games.
Area residents rolled out the red carpet including balloonist who added spectacular color.
“Champions are not the ones who always win races . champions are the ones who get out there and try. And try harder the next time. And even harder the next time.” – Simon Sinek
Victory Dance & Social – Newberg High School Stadium is always a highlight.
From Special Olympics Oregon:
Here in Oregon, while Special Olympics Oregon serves 12,000 participants throughout the state, nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from participating in Special Olympics. Still growing, Special Olympics Oregon is efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving every individual with intellectual disabilities that qualifies to participate in Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. There are three sports seasons throughout the year, with statewide competitions and training in winter, summer and fall.
Special Olympics Oregon holds events in every region of the state, every month of the year, providing athletes the opportunity to be competing and training as often as they choose.
Special Olympics athletes train intensely for eight weeks prior to each State Games event. Volunteer coaches are responsible for training the athletes. Volunteers must complete a certification program prior to becoming Special Olympics coaches and must attend training schools before each season.
Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in the state of Oregon to provide sports training and athletic competition for persons with mental disabilities. SOOR is accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI) and responsible for following the policies and rules established by SOI in the delivery of services in Oregon. It is known as a Program of SOI. A volunteer Board of Directors provides policy decisions and long-range planning for SOOR. The Board employs a staff of people to implement the day-to-day operations.
Portland, July 12th, 2014. It’s a big year for PHAME. Since its founding in 1984, PHAME has provided 30 years of lifelong arts education to hundreds of young and older adults with developmental disabilities and performed to tens of thousands of audience members across the Portland metro community. (photo credit, Intisar Abioto)
Stephen Marc Beaudoin hugs supporters at the nonprofit’s big birthday bash on June 26th.
Scrap books and photo albums brought back memories at the birthday party.
Over 200 people came to celebrate PHAME 30TH Birthday – Portland OR. Photo by Intisar Abioto — at Castaway Portland.
PHAME fans crowded the photo booth to preserve memories for the next 30 years. (photo credit, Wayne Bund)
KGW’s Drew Carney was the emcee.
In addition to the nonprofit’s big Birthday Bash on June 26th at Castaway, PHAME has received several community recognitions in honor of their 30th Anniversary. PHAME was the first recipient of the “Spirit of L’Arche Award” from L’Arche Portland, and also received special Proclamation from Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, and the Portland City Council.
“These recognitions are wonderful honors for PHAME, and show again the power of the arts to inspire us to reach our fullest possibilities as people,” says PHAME Executive Director, Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “As we celebrate an incredible 30 years of lifelong learning in the arts for persons with developmental disabilities, we are very touched to be chosen as the first ever ‘Spirit of L’Arche Award’ winner from our friends at L’Arche Portland, and look forward to celebrating the spirit of inclusion and the power of possibility with them when we receive this recognition.
From PHAME:
In 2014, PHAME celebrates 30 years as a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring individuals with developmental disabilities to lead full, creative lives through arts education and performance.
Since our founding in 1984, PHAME has provided lifelong arts education to hundreds of young and older adults with developmental disabilities; performed to tens of thousands of audience members across the Portland metro community, the state and the world; picked up a number of community recognitions and awards; produced and collaborated on hundreds of performances and shows; and helped to move the needle on the creativity, value and worth of all artists, regardless of ability or disability.
PHAME History Timeline:
1984: PHAME’s first production, an adaptation of “The Nativity Story,” launches PHAME – or Portland Handicapped Artists and Musical Entertainers, the organization’s original acronym – in Portland, OR, in December 1984. The production is directed by Carol Stady, a volunteer and founder of PHAME alongside a group of dedicated families, care providers and young and older adults with developmental disabilities.
1987: PHAME produces its first fully staged traditional Broadway-style musical: “My Fair Lady.”
1993: PHAME formally incorporates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
1994: A group of PHAME artists travels to Brussels, Belgium, and offers a command performance as part of the VSA Very Special Arts International Festival.
1998: The first annual PHAME gala fundraising event is held, at the World Trade Center, Portland.
1999: PHAME tackles the thorny forests of Stephen Sondheim, producing “Into The Woods.”
2007: Long before Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, PHAME braves 19th century France by producing a fully staged production of the pop-opera “Les Miserables” in two performances.
2008: PHAME tours across the Pacific Northwest, with stops in Portland and Boise, Idaho.
2010: PHAME takes up new residence for rapidly expanding offices and programs at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Northeast Portland.
2011: PHAME is recognized with the City of Portland “Making A Difference Award,” and breaks attendance records with its summer production of “Grease,” making it the best-attended PHAME production in the organization’s history
2012: PHAME embarks on its most ambitious touring project to date, with “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” in which over 50 PHAME artists tour across the four-county region, performing to over 3,000 community members in schools, community centers and concert halls, culminating in a blowout show at the Aladdin Theater; later that year, the organization partners with Runaway Mustache Productions to produce the feature-length documentary, “In This Together,” premiering August 1, 2012 at The Hollywood Theatre. And then, PHAME opens for and collaborates with Oregon’s own globe-trotting world pop mini orchestra, Pink Martini, at the Oregon Zoo.
2013: PHAME continues to expand program offerings for an expanding student body, and announces the organization’s most artistically ambitious project yet: a newly commissioned music-theatre work, written by Laura Gibson and Debbie Lamedman, to premiere in an integrated production with three performances in August 2015, at Gerding Theater at the Armory/Portland Center Stage.
2014: PHAME celebrates 30 years with a six-show series across Portland called “PHAME @ 30,” and introduces an exciting new brand identity and website.
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]
