Portland, April 12th, 2013. The Portland Art Museum hosted the innovative event NEW FOR THE WALL: An Evening to Acquire Works for the Collection. Life Trustee Arlene Schnitzer and Bonnie Laing-Malcolmson, The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Northwest Art, conversed at the novel affair. Each of the Museum’s seven curators selected a collection-worthy work of art that they wanted to see added to the permanent collection. Sponsorships and ticket sales for the dinner provided the funds to purchase two works selected from the curators’ choices. During the evening, guests viewed the seven works, heard spirited presentations from the curators, and voted on objects to become part of the Museum’s collection.
Julia Dolan, The Minor White Curator of Photography, chats with guests about her selection of an Irving Penn photograph
The event was filled with drama and suspense as each of the guests considered their choices. But before any votes were cast, there was a surprise announcement that Mia Hervin Moore had just stepped forward to purchase the Japanese painting by Itō Jakuchū—the choice of Curator Maribeth Graybill—for the Museum in honor of her late mother Maria Easterly Hervin.
Maribeth Graybill, (right) The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art, reacts to the announcement that Mia Hervin Moore has purchased the Japanese painting
“The evening brought the Museum’s collection to center stage and changed its history through the acquisition of these three important works. The event’s patrons have enriched our community through their choices,” observed Chief Curator Bruce Guenther.
After two tense rounds of voting, the attendees selected the exquisite 1518 engraving by Albrecht Durer—presented by Curator Mary Weaver Chapin—and Irving Penn’s iconic photographic portrait of artist Marcel Duchamp, which was offered by Curator Julia Dolan.
Mary Weaver Chapin, Curator of Graphic Arts, chats with guests about her selection of a print by Durer
Museum Director Brian Ferriso with his wife Amy Pellegrin
Chief Curator Bruce Guenther with Life Trustee Laura Meier
Mia Hervin Moore with Curator Maribeth Graybill
A Daughter Honors Her Mother with Gift of Art
At the NEW for the WALL event Mia Hervin Moore purchased the 18th- century Japanese painting Carp Ascending a Waterfall, presented by Curator Maribeth Graybill, will now become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
Mia purchased the painting for the Museum in honor of her late mother Maria Easterly Hervin. According to Moore, her mother believed in the beauty and richness of life and her life embodied those convictions. A woman of grace, both inside and out, she loved art and the Museum. The simplicity and beauty of Japanese art and culture captured her heart and led her to join the Museum’s Asian Art Council in 1991.
Maria was an accomplished business woman in the 1950s and 60s. At a time when it was rare for a woman to lead a business venture – Maria opened and ran The Maria Easterly Studio, a highly respected modeling and finishing school. Maria is still remembered today by women who attended her school as the person who gave them poise, confidence, and the grace to succeed in life whatever their aspirations.
“When I saw this painting of a carp leaping up a waterfall I felt that it captured the indomitable spirit of my mother—a woman who struggled upstream for success and then went on to empower and encourage other women in their journeys,” said Moore. “This beautiful painting reflects the essence of my mother’s determination and achievements both personally and professionally.”
The Museum is grateful for this beautiful gift which will enrich the Asian art collection and honor a longtime supporter in perpetuity.
Founded in late 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the seventh oldest museum in the United States and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The Museum is internationally recognized for its permanent collection and ambitious special exhibitions, drawn from the Museum’s holdings and the world’s finest public and private collections.
The Museum’s collection of more than 42,000 objects, displayed in 112,000 square feet of galleries, reflects the history of art from ancient times to today. The collection is distinguished for its holdings of art of the native peoples of North America, English silver, and the graphic arts. An active collecting institution dedicated to preserving great art for the enrichment of future generations, the Museum devotes 90 percent of its gallery space to its permanent collection.
The Museum’s campus of landmark buildings, a cornerstone of Portland’s cultural district, includes the Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art, the Gilkey Center for Graphic Arts, and the Northwest Film Center. With a membership of over 23,000 households and serving more than 350,000 visitors annually, the Museum is a premier venue for education in the visual arts.
Portland, April 14th, 2013. After six years of service to the community, 24 high school seniors from The National Charity League, Inc. Portland Chapter were honored at a special celebration at the Governor Hotel. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) Most of the young women, including Mariel Klein, Courtney Hall, Madeleine Waldram, Austin Quinlan and Sarah Murphy, began volunteering with their mothers during seventh grade and in total, the seniors worked 3,795 hours.
Class members include: Katie Zika, Austin Quinlan, Hayley Matson, Maddy Gram, Siobhan Furnary, Leighton Murphy, Lea Campbell, Sarah Murphy, Katherine Benedict and Mariel Klein. (Back row) Lyndsey Holm, Maddy Waldram, Cori Paine, Olivia English, Emma Scherzer, Carolyn Holce, Anna Zupan, Emma Paustian, Alaina Lester, Molly Hagler, Kate Lowes, Courtney Hall, Mackenzie Dix and Claire Alexander
The class of 2013 chose a nautical theme for their recognition dinner, tying in the color red to represent their senior philanthropy beneficiary: The Red Sweater Project. The young ladies raised $1,685 for the nonprofit which provides educational opportunities for children in Tanzania.
Here are members of the class of 2013 and their mothers:
Carolyn and Karen Holce
Alaina and Linda Lester
Event co-chair Michelle Matson and Hayley Matson
Mary and Sarah Murphy
Barbara and Madeleine Gram
Mariel Klein and Elisa Klein, PortlandSocietyPage.com editor
Jean Benedict and Katherine Benedict
Cori Paine and Patricia Eddy, event co-chair
Kristin and Austin Quinlan
Elizabeth and Olivia English
Debby and Leighton Murphy
Molly and Lacy Hagler
Katie and Kristine Zika
Dee Madden and Lea Campbell
Anna and Noreen Zupan
Julia and Siobhan Furnary
Amy and Kate Lowes
Julia and Courtney Hall
Emma and Cheryl Scherzer
Molly and Emma Paustian
Candace Gray and Mackenzie Dix
Heather and Madeleine Waldram
Claire and Shannon Alexander
The girls are now excited to be sailing off to their next big adventure.
In the Portland Chapter the 144 Ticktocker members volunteered a total 3,921 Philanthropy hours, and 122 Patroness members volunteered in our community 3,147 hours. Collectively, members volunteered 7,068 hours this year.
From The Portland Chapter of National Charity League, Inc.: This chapter was chartered in April 1995 and was the first National Charity League chapter formed in the State of Oregon. Our chapter currently has 119 Patronesses and 140 Ticktockers. National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Our goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. Daughters participate in a six-year program of philanthropic work, educational activities and cultural events. Portland Chapter Mailing address: P.O. Box 25108 Portland, Oregon 97298
Portland, April 13th, 2013. “PROM” was the theme for the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp‘s 28th annual benefit. The event drew 500 people to the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach and it was a record-breaker, raising over $200,000 earmarked for children and adults with disabilities to experience a confidence-building week at camp. Savannah Buck, long time staff member presented Lynn Clary, board member and Jennifer Marter, auction committee member with handmade paper corsages.
Pride Financial Partners included: Patrick Earnest, Ryan Wayman, Lisa Dixon, Amy Roloff and back row, Duncan Crebbin,Jackson Howa-Morrow, Dr. Jacob Howa-Morrow, Robert Kennedy, Erica Knutson, Will Wishart
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Prom King and camper Zane Konkolewski
MHKC Board President Andy Jones (left) with MHKC Executive Director Kaleen Deatherage
The enthusiasm at this year’s Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp’s auction was palpable.
The evening included Portland’s favorite on-air 106.7 fm personality Jim E. Chongaas emcee, as well as live entertainment from Stumptown DJ’s. The guests had fun with the prom theme by donning various era prom attire, wearing corsages and boutonnieres, having their Prom photos taken, crowning a Prom Queen & King, and dancing to “Top 40 Hits.”
Presenting sponsors were Columbia State Bank and ProBuild.
About Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp:
The Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp was founded in 1933 by the Kiwanis Club of Montavilla to serve low-income youth. We began serving people with disabilities in 1957. Since 1972, the camp has enjoyed a unique partnership with Portland State University’s Special Education Department which provides planning and personnel support. Every summer, over 500 children and adults with developmental, physical and/or neurological disabilities enjoy and benefit from their time at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Funding comes from camper fees, individuals, foundations and community organizations, especially Kiwanis Clubs in Oregon and southwest Washington. The camp was founded by a Kiwanis Club, and has been lovingly tended since then by many Kiwanis Clubs and their members. We are, however, a separate organization from Kiwanis International and its member clubs.Many Kiwanis members and other community volunteers help maintain the camp’s 22 acres of US Forest Service land in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Volunteers also sponsor fund-raising projects and participate in the annual fund-raising auction and dinner. Funds generated through camp rentals also help finance our mission and vision.
The camp is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation; the Tax Identification Number is 93-0422242.
Mission Statement: The Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp empowers children and adults with disabilities.
Portland, April 12th, 2013. Human Solutions received a $10,000 grant from the Bank of America Foundation that will help provide emergency shelter, permanent housing and case management services to homeless families. This latest grant brings BofA’s total philanthropic support for Human Solutions to $235,000 over past decade.
Nicole Frisch, assistant Vice President, present Human Solutions receives the grant check from Monique Barton, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bank of America
The grant supports the Homeless Families Program at Human Solutions, which serves more than 700 homeless parents and children in 230 families on any given night. The program helps families permanently overcome homelessness through a combination of emergency shelter, permanent affordable housing and intensive case management. This mix of services is extremely effective when serving homeless families, according to Human Solutions Executive Director Jean DeMaster.
“Emergency shelter serves homeless families in crisis. Permanent housing offers these families stability while they work to overcome homelessness for good,” DeMaster said. “Support from the Bank of America Foundation helps make it possible for Human Solutions to provide the support homeless families need so they can get back on their feet and provide for themselves and their children.”
Monique Barton, Bank of America’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, cited the unique and effective mix of temporary shelter, permanent housing and case management as the reason for BofA’s funding: “Human Solutions has a proven track-record of getting results in the work they do, and we’re pleased to be able to do our part to support their important efforts. And on behalf of our local 1,600 employees, we’re especially proud of the fact that this is the 10th year we’re supporting Human Solutions, with $235,000 in grants from the Bank of America Foundation over that time,” said Barton.
About Human Solutions: Human Solutions promotes self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income families and individuals in outer East Portland and East Multnomah County. The agency’s four primary program areas are overcoming homelessness, affordable housing, employment and economic development, and safety net services such as rent and utility assistance. For more information, visit www.humansolutions.org.
About Bank of America Foundation: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides philanthropic support to address needs vital to the health of communities Bank of America serves through a focus on preserving neighborhoods, educating the workforce for 21st century jobs and addressing critical needs, such as hunger. In order to create greater impact, the Foundation leverages a combination of local and national funding and volunteerism, both addressing the needs of the community and supporting the passion of Bank of America employees. For more information, visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.
Information provided by Kim Christiansen of Human Solutions.
Beaverton, April 15th, 2013. NIKE, Inc. announced grants totaling $250,000 to 25 local nonprofits and schools through the Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation for its Spring 2013 cycle. Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East was one of the recipients of the funding. (Photo credit,
Nathan Williams)
The Nike Employee Grant Fund, which was established in 2010 and is administered in a unique partnership with The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), supports projects that encourage physical activity in meaningful ways, especially those that create early positive experiences for children through physical education, sports and play. Since its launch, it has provided 144 grants to organizations and schools that contribute to making Oregon and Southwest Washington great places to live and work.
The Spring 2013 award recipients include a wide variety of organizations in greater Portland, including New City Initiative, a program to increase participation in extracurricular sports and activities among children and youth who have experienced homelessness, and Incight, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to become contributing members of society.
“These 25 award winners provide innovative programs and passionate dedication to improving our community through physical activity opportunities for young people, as well as offering sustainable social and environmental solutions,” said Kathy Webb, Nike Community Investment Manager and administrator of this program.
“We are proud to support these local projects and connect Nike employees with our communities, not only through the grant making process but through their continued volunteerism efforts with these important organizations.”
Nike employees are integrally involved with the Nike Employee Grant Fund grant making process. With OCF oversight, a Nike employee advisory committee develops grant recommendations. Employees at Nike World Headquarters continue their involvement by volunteering their time and professional experience to help the winning nonprofits achieve their overall objectives. When it launched in 2010, the program was the first of its kind for OCF to partner with a company to bring its grant making and community knowledge to help employees have a greater impact.
“Our team is very excited, as the Nike Employee Grant Fund will help power our second annual PDX Summer Handcycling Series for athletes with disabilities,” said Dan Friess, Executive Director of Incight, a Spring 2013 grant recipient. “Together with our partner, Oregon Disability Sports, we believe strongly in Nike’s mantra, ‘If you have a body, you are an athlete.’ With Nike’s tremendous support, we are looking forward to engaging more riders and Portland area families with inclusive recreation.”
The next Nike awards cycle is open, with $300,000 in cash grants being offered to nonprofits and schools in the greater Portland area (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Yamhill, and Columbia counties in Oregon and Clark County in southwest Washington). This cycle will be an increased focus on programs that have positive impact through physical activity or sport, in step with Nike’s support of First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Active Schools program, which was announced in February 2013.
“Nike’s goal is to create a world where physical activity, play and sports are highly valued and an expected, enjoyable part of life,” said Webb. “Our local communities are filled with organizations that are dedicated to creating early, positive experiences for kids in sport, physical education and active play and we encourage them to apply for funding.”
Applications are due June 1, 2013, and are available online at www.oregoncf.org/nike. Spring 2013 Nike Employee Grant Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Awardees
The following 25 organizations received Spring 2013 grants:
Above Coping (Portland) – To bring the joy of skateboarding to youth with chronic health conditions and life-threatening illnesses.
Adelante Mujeres (Forest Grove) – To develop a model that addresses access to food, nutrition education and healthy lifestyle habits, and food-based entrepreneurial development.
Child Advocates, Inc. (Oregon City) – To advocate for a safe, healthy and permanent home for abused and neglected youth through trained citizens who live in the same communities in Clackamas County.
Child Care Development Services, Inc. (Portland) – To help childcare providers assess their environments and use best practices to write and implement nutrition and physical activity guidelines to help children learn healthy habits early.
Clackamas Women’s Services (Oregon City) – To teach at-risk boys relationship and conflict resolution through sport-related and learning activities, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer modeling.
Family Stepping Stones (Gladstone) – To help families stay safe, together and thriving by providing therapeutic early childhood development services for children and comprehensive family support.
Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon (Portland) – To empower girls with the knowledge, skills and attitudes critical to being in charge of their bodies and sustaining a healthy sense of self in today’s challenging environment.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East (Portland)– To develop a 6,000 square-foot lot into a community garden, fruit tree orchard, open play space and public pathway to promote healthy eating and walking to school.
“I Have a Dream” Foundation-Oregon (Portland) – To effectively utilize shared resources for matching vulnerable youth with mentors as part of a large-scale collaborative model at one of Oregon’s underserved schools.
Incight (Portland) – To raise awareness and promote inclusive recreation opportunities in the community through a 12-week hand-cycling series for individuals with disabilities.
Lewis Elementary, Portland Public School District (Portland) – To install a traverse wall to serve as a new children’s physical education activity and to continue partnerships with local community businesses.
Mt. Tabor Little League (Portland) – To provide equipment and uniforms for the newly merged Taborvilla Little League (formerly Mt. Tabor and Montavilla Little Leagues) allowing the league members one identity.
New City Initiative (Portland) – To increase participation in extracurricular sports and activities among children and youth who have experienced homelessness.
Northwest Youth Corps (Portland) – To provide low-income high-school youth a paid stewardship to help restore Johnson Creek and lead volunteers in a day of service.
Oregon Human Development Corporation (Portland) – To cultivate confident and joyful youth who enthusiastically pursue their career and life goals through education, internships, training and entrepreneurship.
Oregon Public Health Institute (Portland) – To prepare childcare providers to become leaders in promoting children’s health by creating environments that support good nutrition, fitness and limited screen time.
Oregon Zoo Foundation (Portland) – To introduce 400 low-income and minority youth to the benefits of outdoor camping and conservation. Twenty teens from similar backgrounds serve as counselors.
Portland Parks and Recreation (Portland) – To launch the Portland Community Football Club, a community-based soccer club emphasizing the principles of equal access to sport and diversity, and providing affordable, high-quality soccer for Portland youth.
SCRAP (Portland) – To expand the environmental education program to K-12 youth with an emphasis on outreach to Title 1 schools, children and their families in North and Northeast Portland.
St. Andrew Nativity School (Portland) – To equip at-risk youth for improved participation on basketball and volleyball teams so they can experience teamwork and sportsmanship, and develop new skills and confidence.
The Black Parent Initiative (Portland) – To address the disproportionate number of black youth in foster care through culturally specific, family-focused interventions, and providing expanded duration of services for those already in the system.
The Dental Foundation of Oregon (Wilsonville) – To support the Tooth Taxi, which provides free dental care, oral-health education and dental hygiene kits to uninsured children and youth of migrant and seasonal workers.
Urban Gleaners (Portland) – To expand the Food to Schools program by bringing food deliveries to additional low-income families in elementary schools throughout greater Portland.
About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com and follow @Nike.
About The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)
OCF, created in 1973, is the largest foundation in Oregon, with assets of nearly $1 billion. OCF’s endowment comes from thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations that have created more than 1,600 funds from which grants are distributed to support the critical work that nonprofits are doing in Oregon. Grant and scholarship distributions in 2010 were $60 million. OCF is governed by a volunteer board of directors and relies on more than 1,600 volunteers around the state to provide local perspective on community needs. Information at oregoncf.org.
Portland, April 11th, 2013. The “We are Family” event honored Nancy Anderson, co-founder of Letty Owings Center, and benefited Central City Concern‘s programs for children and families. Nancy Anderson, is pictured with Central City Concern Executive Director Ed Blackburn and Holly Redeau, CCC Program Manager of Family Housing. We are Family 2013 – A Tribute to Nancy Anderson raised over $52,000 for the Letty Owings Center and Family Housing at Central City Concern. The Letty Owings Center was created in 1989 and provides residential drug treatment facility for pregnant or parenting women. (It became a Central City Concern program in 1997.) Central City Concern provides housing, healthcare, employment and peer support to upwards of 13,000 people yearly.
Leah Hall, graduate of Letty Owings Center, addresses a crowd of 200+
Robert Church, a resident of Letty Owings Center many years ago, thanks Nancy Anderson for the impact the program has had on his life.
Carol Graven and Claudia Krueger, Central City Concern staff, sold raffle tickets for chance to win signed Blazer ball and tickets to a game next season. Proceeds from raffle will help children in our housing attend summer HOOPS camp.
CCC Board Chair Dean Gisvold, CCC Founding Board Member, Sally McCracken and current board member Pauline Anderson.
Central City Concern meets its mission through innovative outcome based strategies which support personal and community transformation.
Direct access to housing which supports lifestyle change.
Integrated healthcare services that are highly effective in engaging people who are often alienated from mainstream systems.
The development of peer relationships that nurture and support personal transformation and recovery.
Attainment of income through employment or accessing benefits.
The success of these four elements results in an transformation of world view and self image from a negative to a positive outlook, enabling people to become productive citizens who want to “give something back” to the community.
Central City Concern (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. Founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment. CCC currently has a staff of 600+, an annual operating budget of $41 million and serves more than 13,000 individuals annually.
In the early 1970s Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood was populated largely by older men living in shabby, crime-ridden single room occupancy (SRO) buildings. The rent was cheap, the drug of choice was alcohol and Portland’s street inebriate problem was one of the worst in the nation. In 1979, in response to this growing problem, the City of Portland and Multnomah County together created the Burnside Consortium (now known as Central City Concern) to administer a National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) Public Inebriate grant.
CCC’s initial work involved alcohol recovery treatment as well as affordable housing management and rehabilitation. Early on, it was clear to CCC leaders that safe housing was of paramount importance to those in recovery and to the neighborhood at large. CCC’s work in rennovating urban, SRO housing became a standard for other nonprofit housing organizations and attracted national attention.
In the 1980s, “recovery” extended to those addicted to crack cocaine and heroin and CCC adapted its programs. Its portfolio of affordable housing units increased and it began offering alcohol and drug free housing to support those in recovery as well as their families. To further support clients’ transformations to full self sufficiency, CCC added employment training and work opportunity program in the early 1990s.
Portland, April 7th, 2013. It was neon galore at the Zimmerman Community Center benefit. Nearly 200 people of all ages boogied at neighboring BodyVox and raised $9,000 for the new childcare program as well as two community gardens and resources for families. Lonny and Gretchen Gandara, and their children Isabella, Emily and Evan were in ’80s spirit for the event as was Kim Sordyl. (Photo credit, Erika Plummer)
John McCalla and Jose Sinacento
Kate looked great dancing in her aqua necklace.
Jack, the “Prep” boy!
Our mission: Zimmerman Community Center improves the quality of urban life by providing fun, affordable activities in an inviting environment for all.
A.S.A.P. provides quality, enriching, and affordable, fun activities for Portland’s youth in a safe and rewarding learning environment that is intergenerational, intercultural, and interwoven into the community.
History
Zimmerman Community Center, founded fifteen years ago, has served as a resource for Portland community members in a number of ways that has benefited the lives of individuals, families and community organizations.
In May of 2011, Zimmerman Community Center moved into its current location named Isobel’s Clubhouse, in the Pearl. The location is situated at 14th & Quimby below the beautiful, newly built Ramona apartment building.
With a number of youth classes being offered out of Isobel’s Clubhouse and a growing interest from neighborhood members, Zimmerman Community Center is responding to the voices of the neighborhood by launching A.S.A.P.
Why We Exist
Isobel’s Clubhouse exists on a city block that has the most children of any city block in Portland, according to Ed McNamara of Turtle Island Development who built the Ramona (see 1000 Friends of Oregon article: http://www.friends.org/affordablehousingtour).
In addition to the Ramona, there are a number of other Affordable Housing apartment buildings such as the Sitka and Lovejoy Station that are just minutes from our location.
A.S.A.P. recognizes that the cost of childcare is dramatically expensive for families. We also recognize that many households have parents and/or guardians that work longer then their child’s school day. A.S.A.P. prioritizes creating opportunity for families to have access to convenient, quality care that is one-of-a-kind.
Portland, March 25th, 2013. Jessica Brandes has been awarded the prestigious Big Sister of the Year award for her dedication to her Little Sister and her work in promoting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Jessica Brandes has been awarded the prestigious Big Sister of the Year award for her dedication to her Little Sister and her work in promoting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Jessica has been matched to her Little Sister Daniella for over five years and together has formed a great friendship of trust and true sisterhood.
“When Jessica and I first started together I was a shy little girl who wasn’t really looking forward to trying new things. I really didn’t go to places,” stated Daniella. Over the years that has changed. She has gotten me to do things that now I love, like tubing. Now we go every summer. She’s got me out of my comfort zone, and when I’m around her I feel I can say my opinion about anything.”
Along with the time she shares with Daniella, Jessica’s commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters has also included spending hundreds of hours volunteering for the agencies annual Breakfast fundraiser, recruiting new team members and encouraging other Nike employee’s to become Big Brothers or Sisters as well.
Jessica will now represent Oregon as a candidate for the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Year award.
Tualatin, April 5th, 2013. Community Partners for Affordable Housing’s 15th Annual fundraiser drew 240 suporters. CPAH raised more than $57,000 to build affordable housing for families, seniors and Veterans, and provide youth and senior programs for residents. Clyde and Terri Zahn perused the silent auction at the Tualatin Country Club. (Photo credit, Ben Wells)
Best selling authors Kim Stafford, Daniel H. Wilson, Whitney Otto and Master of Ceremonies Dan Murphy of The Broadway Rose Theatre Co., entertained the crowd at “HomeWord Bound.”
Several Community Partners for Affordable Housing Board Members gathered, including Jessica Cousineau, Tom Murphy, Mary Eidson, Larry Hauth, Judy Werner, Gaile Baack, and Marianne Potts.
Authors Yuvi Zalkow and Laura Stanfill chat with guests at “HomeWord Bound: An Event of Literary Proportions,”
Nine additional local authors were also in attendance: TJ Brown, Rob DeBorde, Brian Doyle, Scott Farris, April Henry, Karen Karbo, Carter Sickels, Laura Stanfill and Yuvi Zalkow. CPAH is celebrating its 20th year, and Founding Board Members Doug Plambeck, Marianne Potts, Mary Owen and Margaret Nelson were honored. Tracy Stepp was event coordinator and Diana Potts was chairwoman. Proceeds from this event benefit CPAH and help support resident programs such as Summer Youth Program, After School Program and Community Building.
Portland, April 10th, 2013. For more than 40 years, Jean DeMaster has worked tirelessly to get homeless and low-income families and individuals out of the cold, off the streets, and into housing. (Photo Courtesy of Human Solutions)
Jean DeMaster at the Family Winter Shelter
This week, DeMaster, Executive Director at Human Solutions, was selected by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® and was honored at the Portland First Citizen Banquet at The Nines Hotel. DeMaster is the 85th recipient of this distinguished award, created in 1928 to honor civic achievements and business leadership.
“When I see families in really desperate situations, I know if Human Solutions can help provide shelter and housing, they won’t be suffering anymore. When people are waiting outside in the cold for the shelter to open, and you know that what they really need and want is housing, it makes me want to work harder to be sure that housing can be available for them,” said DeMaster.
The turnaround is gratifying, she said. “Many of the families are so miserable because they are literally living in their cars or in abandoned buildings,” DeMaster said. “We are happy we can provide shelter for them. They are so relieved at that point. That’s what keeps me going.” Typically, families only stay in shelter for three to five weeks before being placed into housing.
Realtors® understand just how much a safe and attractive house means to families, and it’s one of the reasons DeMaster feels so honored to receive the 2013 Portland First Citizen award. “The families we work with are all very low income, but they have the same desire to find a home, and begin to rebuild their lives. I’m honored to be recognized by the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors®.”
Carla Piluso, a member of the Human Solutions Board of Directors since 1996 and its current chair, called DeMaster one of her personal heroes. “Jean is the champion for those who cannot always speak for themselves. Not only does she provide those in the greatest need with a voice, she gives them the strength and confidence to find, and intimately shout out, with their own voice. She has touched the lives of thousands,” Piluso said.
A Wisconsin native, DeMaster moved to Portland after college and fell in love with the area, rain and all. Putting her graduate degree in clinical psychology to use, she initially worked as a social worker at Head Start. She moved on in 1973 to serve as Executive Director for Children’s Club, a child care center for children of low-income families.
During that period, DeMaster volunteered her time to an issue that would serve as a common theme throughout the next 40 years – ensuring safe places for women and children to live.
Over her career, DeMaster has volunteered her time to many different organizations, but the volunteer work she is most proud of is her part in the founding and early beginnings of Bradley Angle House. Founded in 1975, Bradley Angle House is the West Coast’s first domestic violence shelter, as well as one of the first emergency shelters for survivors of domestic violence in the country. It still exists as a safe shelter for women and children today.
In 1976, DeMaster, along with Kay Sohl, founded Technical Assistance for Community Services (TACS), an agency designed to provide training and consultation services for nonprofit agencies. TACS still exists today as the Nonprofit Association of Oregon.
In 1983, DeMaster became Executive Director of Transition Projects, Inc., a position she held for 11 years. It would prove to be a pivotal move. It was there she met Don Clark, former Multnomah County Commissioner, Sherriff, and Director of Central City Concern. He was instrumental in her understanding of the City of Portland.
DeMaster was also able to once again work on the issue near and dear to her heart: providing safe places for women. She succeeded. In 1993, Transition Projects opened Portland’s first homeless shelter and transitional housing facility that was solely for women. In honor of DeMaster’s leadership, the shelter was named Jean’s Place.
DeMaster went on to serve as Executive Director of the YWCA of Greater Portland. Her biggest project wasraising $9 million for the renovation of the downtown YWCA building to enhance programs ranging from aging and disability services to transitional housing.
That knack for fundraising would serve her well in the next major step in her professional career: Executive Director of Human Solutions. For the past 10 years, DeMaster has led the organization as it provides housing and services to people in Mid and East Multnomah County – eliminating barriers to escaping poverty through emergency family shelter, job training, affordable housing, eviction prevention, and emergency shelter. On any given night, Human Solutions provides housing or emergency shelter for approximately 240 homeless families – and more than 700 homeless people.
DeMaster’s proudest accomplishment at Human Solutions is the Rockwood Building, a four-year, $19 million project including 47 units of affordable housing and a multi-service center to serve homeless and low-income people in the Rockwood area, which faces one of the deepest levels of poverty in all of Multnomah County.
Today, the Rockwood Building includes 15 units of housing for homeless families and 32 units for low-income families. The Mt. Hood Community College Head Start Program, a Loaves and Fishes Center, LifeWorksNorthwest, Metropolitan Family Service, and the Wallace Medical Concern share office space there with Human Solutions.
Currently, DeMaster is tackling a 67-unit project that will provide workforce housing to people just starting out in their careers. Next, she’d like to mirror the Rockwood Building in the Portland area by creating another multi-service building that would house expanded office space for Human Solutions as well as bring people in the community together. It’s an exciting time for the organization, and DeMaster’s enthusiasm for her work hasn’t waned over the past 40 years.
“I have enjoyed my work immensely. It doesn’t always seem like work; it just seems like what I want to be doing.”
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