Sponsored: Portland, OR. KairosPDX is an education non-profit whose mission to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps in our city. The KairosPDX Learning Academy opened in fall 2014 and is located in North Portland in the Humbolt building. Its belief is that the most impactful vision of equity creates a system in which every child develops as fully as possible socially, emotionally, culturally and academically. Every child is viewed as uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative and with that they work actively to support their children and families.
KairosPDX is now in its year-end fund drive. Leaders say, “Year-end time prompts a great deal of reflection about our community’s successes, challenges, and goals. We’ve had our share of obstacles along with plenty of triumphs. While the advocacy to stay in our space was a very visible one, we also made steps to improve Early Childhood Learning and Family engagement which are very important components of our vision. As we continue to work toward cultivating our community through the development of young leaders, we want to thank you for standing with us.” CLICK HERE to donate.
In addition to the year-end push for funding, KairosPDX’s annual fundraising event called Spread the Love is set for Tuesday, February, 13th2018 at Castaway Portland. It is an event celebrating the transformative educational impact of Kairos. With small bites from local celebrity chefs and musical performances by Kairos students, Spread the Love will be an inspiring night showcasing the organization’s work and the creative, curious, compassionate young leaders they serve.
Here’s a video about the program:
The parent of a student explains, “As we look back we know our daughter wouldn’t be the happiest 3rd grader in the world without Kairos. What we have heard from her teachers and principal is that the commitment she has to making the right decisions and the happiness she has in trying again and again is not something you often see in children her age…There were times she was struggling academically and socially, but it was the Kairos LOVE she held onto. She has let out her wings and she is flying.”
Sponsored: Portland, OR. When Donovan arrived at the Wind & Oar Boat classroom at Merlo Station High School in the fall of 2016, he was under fed, exhausted, and stressed from family care-taking responsibilities. He was carrying a full-time class load, working full-time at night, and trying to stay on track to graduate. He admits, “It was one of the hardest times of my life.”
Realizing that he was on an unsustainable track, he worked with his school counselors to adjust his priorities, allowing him to reduce in-school time, work the full-time job, and get rested. Fortunately, the school permitted him to attend the Wind & Oar “Boat Geometry” class, which meets two and a half hours a day, Monday through Friday. Donovan’s attendance was nearly perfect and as he says, “Being able to come to class every day and work on building something with my hands, and create something really helped me get through it, to make me want to come to school more…”
Wind & Oar Boat School engages students in learning by connecting hands and mind in relevant exercise of academic subjects. Math, science, and engineering are all integrated into crafting a wooden boat.
Finding relevance in math, creating with one’s hands, discovering inner resources like: critical thinking, collaborating, and communicating, are all a result of building a boat in a team setting. This is what Wind & Oar accomplishes with students in 5th grade through high school.
Getting students to actually come to school is a huge hurdle, and one that profoundly affects success in the classroom. It may seem obvious that attendance is critical. What is not so obvious is that absenteeism starts early, as does the track to dropping out. By 5th grade, many students destined to drop out 4 or 5 years later can already be identified. It is essential to engage these students and convince them that they can learn, and that they can become good learners.
Wind & Oar regularly runs a program for 5th graders at a Hillsboro elementary school. Roger Will, the former principal there, related that attendance on Fridays, boat-building day, was 100%. In fact, on a particular Thursday, with a snow day looming for the next day, the 5th graders were begging that school not get cancelled because they would miss a boat-building day.
Wind & Oar successfully engages students in learning not only because the learning activity involves using one’s hands, making the topics relevant, but also because the teacher/student ratio is very low. At the high school level, we often have three instructors in the shop and classroom, and in elementary and middle school, four instructors for a class of 20 plus is common. These low ratios are important because students can connect with an interested adult with nearly individual attention, thereby reducing the tendency to disengage. This benefit, however, comes at a cost.
Staffing multiple, concurrent classes with instructors qualified to ask essential questions, operate from a growth mindset, and build a boat, is a steep hill to climb. Wind & Oar’s success is profound but the training and personality required of each instructor to achieve that success demands that we invest in unique individuals willing to take a risk on a growing nonprofit. We also need to invest in comprehensive professional development. Both require time and money.
With recent investments in Wind & Oar by a generous family foundation, we have significantly grown our infrastructure, thereby positioning ourselves to potentially offer more quality classes to metro area schools, as well as offering classes to the community at large. This growth in physical capacity, however, places immense strain on our human capacity, so if Wind & Oar is to deliver on its potential, and bring high quality, engaging classes to underserved students, we need support from our community.
About Wind & Oar Boat School:Wind & Oar Boat School is an Oregon nonprofit, 501c3, youth development organization that engages young people and inspires learning through the art, science, and craft of building wooden boats. Our purpose is to promote self-confidence and perseverance in students’ approach to learning while increasing their ability to solve problems and apply conceptual knowledge to unique situations. Building wooden boats is an innovative and unique platform for developing an array of academic, practical, and social skills. Our projects provide space to develop critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, essential skills for success in school and career. Through the integrated curriculum linking math, science, and design skills to wooden boat construction students gain practical woodworking skills and understand the application and relevance of academic skills. Most importantly, students gain confidence and embrace their own potential to learn, now and into the future.
Sponsored: Portland, OR. This year, the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) was able to serve over 9,000 kids and teens—49% more than last year. The CCA delivers JOY to kids, teens, and their families who are fighting a serious illness. The nonprofit knows that for seriously ill children and their families every moment is precious so it uses music, friendship, play, and resources to create transformative moments of joy. Unlike many organizations dedicated to the worthy goal of someday finding a cure for cancer, CCA is all about creating joy today. CCA is now in the middle of its year-end fundraising drive, CLICK HERE for more information on how to give.
It was all smiles this week as kids gathered around the tree at the CCA family holiday party.
Founder and Chief Joy Officer, Regina Ellis, is sharing inspiring stories about special kids that CCA has served over the past year. She explains, “One incredible kid we had the privilege to serve in his time of need is six-year-old Otto, who after a nearly two year battle, recently completed treatment for neuroblastoma. Otto, also known as “Otto-bot”, is a huge fan of superheroes, and has displayed many heroic qualities himself. His incredible perseverance and determination throughout his journey with cancer even got him recognized as a 2017 CCA Hero.”
“Otto has had to put up with a lot of terrible things, but he never gives up,” his mom, Emily, said proudly.
Regina Ellis says Otto had a lot of support from his Chemo Pal®, Jerry, along the way. Together they spent lots of time playing video games and building LEGO sets, which allowed his mother, Emily the time and space to speak with doctors without isolating Otto.
Donations help keep the CCA program going strong. Gifts of $50 help Chemo Pals fill their activity bag with fun new toys and supplies, and a gift of $2,500 funds activities for an entire year.
Donations that support essential needs and resources through CCA’s Link Program make it possible to cover the cost of things like the airline tickets Otto and his mom needed to go to San Francisco for specialized treatment.
And when Otto was stuck in the hospital and needed to blow off some steam, CCA’s MyMusicRx® team was there with guitars, keyboards, and drums to jam with him at his bedside. Donors can help provide music as medicine for kids going through treatment with a gift of $250 to purchase instruments the CCA in-hospital music carts that help reduce stress, anxiety, and the perception of pain.
“During our toughest times, CCA was there to bring our family the friendship, music, resources, and JOY we needed most,” explained Otto’s mom, Emily.
All of CCA’s programs are free-of-charge to families thanks to the kindness and the generosity of friends in the community who believe that JOY matters.
This video shows how CCA brings moments of joy to kids.
Please CLICK HERE and join us by investing in the healing power of joy today to support deserving kids like Otto and the thousands of other children, teens, and family members who need a dose of JoyRx this holiday season. We believe kids deserve long, wonderful lives. Or, at the very least, short, wonderful lives. We believe cancer sucks. We’ve had it, or loved someone who did. We prescribe moments of joy for kids who are in the fight against all serious illness. We believe joy grows exponentially when it’s used collectively. We are music medicine pioneers. We believe in purple. We know joy comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes – just like the kids we help. We love to laugh. We are not afraid to cry. We spend every dollar wisely. We give hugs freely. We believe in today. We respect our history as a grassroots organization. We embrace our destiny as a global source of JoyRx. We believe these things matter.
Sponsored: Portland, OR. PlayWrite is a theatre-based program that builds resilience, creativity and success. Nearly a thousand young people have benefited from the program. During one of the groundbreaking workshops, eight students form an attuned working alliance with eight coaches, engaging in exercises involving movement, sound, scent and memory. Students create a play with unique non-human characters from the authentic emotions of their own life experiences, directing professional actors on the final day. The nonprofit is working hard during its year-end fundraising campaign so it can work with more students, CLICK HERE to learn more.
High school junior JT explains how PlayWrite has changed his life, “PlayWrite is my favorite program. The workshop provided me with a blank canvas; a chance to step back, to not take myself so seriously, and to be goofy and creative. I think every kid deserves that opportunity.”
Here’s a video to get a feel for what PlayWrite is all about.
PlayWrite coaches are deep listeners. They ask questions, and wait for answers. As long as it takes. PlayWrite coaches never offer suggestions for words or themes or ways of phrasing ideas.
Creating meaningful characters demands that the writer fully inhabit each character. Placing those characters into true emotional conflict builds awareness and empathy.
PlayWrite creates a safe space for participants to explore themselves in a new way – to build a story that’s never been written before.
Nothing matches the power of face-to-face engagement.
Executive Director, Bruce Livingston, explains how the story of high school student, JT is one of many success stories from the program.
From PlayWrite:
PlayWrite is a safe space in which teens grow—a place to explore and express themselves through creativity—is scarce for many of the youth we meet. More than 75% of PlayWrite participants have been exposed to childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect, and face barriers to success. Our workshop offers a place for “youth at the edge” to process their difficult experiences through creative expression.
Over the course of a 10-day PlayWrite workshop, young writers receive over 27 hours of one-on-one interaction with a highly trained coach. Coaches guide them through exercises involving movement, sound, scent, and memory. In this profound, attuned working relationship, youth are challenged and supported every step of the way. With their coach providing trust and acceptance, they tap into their emotions and creativity. And at the end of the process, they direct professional actors in the world premiere of their unique theatrical works.
For JT, the PlayWrite experience allowed him to find his “true self.” After working with his coach for two weeks, and then seeing his characters come to life onstage, his interactions with others changed:
“I understand the people I encounter a little bit better because I now know we all have unique strengths and weaknesses.”
Empathy, vulnerability, and a freeing sense of play: these are just a few of the skills JT developed through PlayWrite that will serve him in years to come.
Every kid deserves the opportunity to step back. To not take themselves so seriously, and to be goofy and creative. To find their true self.
We’re asking you to help us give more youth a chance. The PlayWrite workshop costs $1,200 per student, which allows us to provide each student like JT the one-on-one coaching they deserve. Will you help us provide this transformative opportunity to as many youth as possible in 2018?
JT’s play is about a young flower who wants to cross a river to find his family, and an old bear who wants to keep his friend safe. It’s about accepting others as they are. And it’s about facing fears. As JT explains:
“The last line of my play is “The rapids never stop.” By that I mean that the struggles in life are never going to stop. But we’ll overcome our challenges; we’ll ride the rapids just like my characters did in my play.”
In the PlayWrite workshop, youth at the edge learn to dive headlong into the rapids, emerging with a work of art that is uniquely their own.
Sponsored: Portland, OR. It was a standing ovation at the Old Church Concert Hall, for storytellers and hosts Lynne Duddy and Lawrence Howard. Their December 1st event was one of the many that Portland Story Theater hosts each year. (Photo credit, Kelly Nissl)
The founders of the organization explain what makes Portland Story Theater so meaningful to the community:
“Portland Story Theater is an investment in opening minds, challenging assumptions, and finding common ground. In these volatile times, learning to listen to one another is crucial so we can learn to trust each other. David Bowie once told his daughter, “Trust nothing but your own experience.” And that’s exactly what Portland Story Theater focuses on: trusting your own experience, trusting your story. Now, more than ever, we need to trust — ourselves, our stories, each other — to battle the fears that are manifesting in the world around us as expressions of hatred. Our call to action is to step up, provide safe space for each other and engage in meaningful ways; ways that matter. The challenges we face to make this kind of art are only going to intensify. We need your help now more than ever. We ask that you make a donation to support the kind of intimate theater that Portland Story Theater creates. Theater that takes the kind of risks needed to be vulnerable and to engage each other in eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart, face-to-face conversations. Souls keep us deeply human in profoundly inhumane times.”
Here’s a video about the nonprofit:
The Portland Story Theater event in December had a whole variety of storytellers.
Leah Carey told a story entitled, “Good Girl Breaking Free.”
Steve Eggerts told a story entitled, “989 Days.”
Sabina Haque told a story entitled, “Every Moment Counts.”
Kathy Gillis told a story entitled, “Slipped Right In.”
Luis Garcia told a story entitled,“Peace and Pizza.”
Gigi Rosenberg told a story entitled,“The Only Rule I Broke.”
Our vision is to advance, inspire and expand our community narrative, one story at a time – and in doing so, preserve and promote the ancient art of storytelling in a way that enriches modern life, allowing and encouraging people to be vulnerable and present in ways that are crucial to the full expression of our humanity.
Our Mission Portland Story Theater builds community, promotes understanding, and fosters radical empathy by giving voice to the real, true stories of ordinary people.
501(c)3 Nonprofit Arts Organization Portland Story Theater is a passionate advocate for diverse narrative and our loyal listeners. We are a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Contributions and sponsorships facilitate outreach and keep ticket prices affordable. As an advocate for the narrative art of storytelling, Portland Story Theater strives to broaden audiences, develop new approaches, and support existing and new storytelling programs.[EIN #27-0670834] Your kind Donations are appreciated.
What We Do
Portland Story Theater builds community through story. Our work gives voice to the true stories of ordinary people. We break down barriers and stereotypes by bringing people together to hear real, true stories. We teach people that telling their personal story is a process that ignites self-discovery and nourishes our capacity for empathy for ourselves and each other. Our work at Portland Story Theater fosters a deep awareness around the idea that the more personal a story, the more universal it becomes. This art form is the spontaneous unfolding of a story that is celebrated onstage; in the moment, in the shared space between the listener and the teller. We work with other like-minded people to co-create live storytelling shows. We are low-tech, no-frills theater. We tell our stories directly, never asking the audience to suspend disbelief. This is a return to the ancient roots of theater. This is theater at its most basic, essential, elemental core: performer, audience and words. Telling our stories face to face, eye to eye, and heart to heart. Portland Story Theater makes stories provocative, inspiring, and accessible to everyone, young and old, of all social backgrounds, and ethnicities.
What We Believe
Everyone has a story to tell. Be heard. Honor your emotional truth. Discover your self through story. Discover your history.Listening builds connection. Be open. People are transformed by being heard. Listen openheartedly. Story breaks down barriers. Be vulnerable. Tell your story. Authentically. Honestly. Sincerely. We are in a revolution. Be a part of the change. Story illuminates the universal through the personal. Story awakens our consciousness. Story helps us recognize that we are one race, the human race. Believe. Act. Transform.
We believe that personal story breaks down barriers and reveals the commonality of the human experience. We believe that story is the glue that holds us together and sustains us as a community, that story awakens our consciousness and helps us recognize that we are one race, the human race. We do not do “slams” because we believe that each personal narrative is sacred. We do not seek out celebrities to perform in our shows because we believe that everyone has a story to tell. No need to bring the focus on sensational, titillating or embarrassing stories. We encourage people to dig deep to discover the heartfelt humor and emotional truth of their stories.
Sponsored: Portland, OR. For more than 60 years, UCP of Oregon has been fiercely dedicated to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADD, and others. United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW Washington (UCP) started out in 1955, supporting adults who experienced cerebral palsy. But today it does much more. Nearly 200 trained United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW Washington employees go out into the local community to provide direct care for people in their homes, respite care and support for their family members, community inclusion trips, employment opportunities, and navigation through complicated health systems. UCP of Oregon is in a vital year-end fund drive and you can donate by CLICKING HERE.
Here’s a short video from UCP:
Donations help make a difference in the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities in our community.
UCP is efficient – more than 92% of every dollar goes directly to fund their work. Services include:
Connections – Case management services, person-centered planning, and connecting customers with resources to live the life they choose.
Foundations – Assisting people with developmental disabilities to live in their own home or apartment.
Employment Solutions – Working with job seekers who experience disabilities to achieve employment in the community at a competitive wage.
Building Blocks – Attendant care, skills training, and relief care to children experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities residing in their family home under the age of 18 years.
Family Support – Facilitating connection with other families for moral support, practical information, equipment exchanges, and offer respite care for caregivers.
So far in 2017, UCP Oregon has provided services to 1,216 individuals and recently highlighted a client named Wendy for its #GivingTuesday campaign. Wendy is discovering herself; what she finds meaningful and interesting – what truly brings her joy. Though Wendy doesn’t use her voice to communicate, she is very expressive, affectionate, and clearly demonstrates the inspiration she experiences as she engages with her community. One UCP service called Choices provides customized supports that open the door to the benefits of education, leisure, volunteering, or recreational activities like dancing! This campaign included a link to a sweet video of Wendy and others enjoying a class at Polaris Dance Theatre in November.
Sponsored: Portland, OR. The Home Builders Foundation is helping a whole host of organizations providing shelter for area residents in need and supporting the future of its industry by offering educational opportunities for tomorrow’s workforce.
Professionals from the Home Builders Foundation are working overtime to complete the interior of this new Village of Hope shelter in Clackamas County.
The Village of Hope shelter, which will be run by Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS), is one of the many projects spearheaded by the nonprofit. The new facility replaces a 100 year-old farmhouse that had numerous safety issues. When finished in January, it will provide a safe haven for 13 women, and up to 20 children at a time, as many as 100 women a year. Women escaping domestic violence, often with children in tow, use the shelter. It’s one of the largest projects the Home Builders Foundation has taken on.
Groundbreaking for the shelter took place about a year ago.
Working with donations, the Home Builders Foundation undertook a complete demolition and rebuild. The total retail cost of the project is slightly over $1 million, but the Home Builders Foundation was able to leverage donations and discounts, which nearly cut the expense in half. Those cost savings can be redirected to support the women and children who will be living in the shelter. The Foundation is in a year-end fundraising campaign to support efforts to help citizens living in the margins like homeless women and children. The Foundation helps a whole host of organizations providing shelter for area residents in need and supporting the future of its industry by offering educational opportunities for tomorrow’s workforce. As an incentive for donations each individual who makes a donation or renews their monthly pledge to Home Builders Foundation during the month of December will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to see the Broadway smash-hit Hamilton: An American Musical when it comes to Portland this spring. Click here for a link to the Home Builders Foundation donation website.
The Village of Hope shelter in Clackamas County is just one of the many charitable projects the Home Builders Foundation helps.
Home Builders Foundation, Bridge Meadows and New Avenues for Youth have joined forces to create an innovative housing community for youth aging out of the foster care program in Oregon. Leveraging Bridge Meadows intergenerational healing community and New Avenues for Youth self-sufficiency and life skills services expertise, they are combining resources to build and operate the Dorothy Lemelson House & New Meadows Program, a trauma-informed housing and life-skills program for young people ages 18-24. This new 10,700 sq ft community, made up of 10 studios and 5 one-bedroom apartments offers youth the benefits of intergenerational care and support.
Located just one block away from the Bridge Meadows North Portland housing community, the Dorothy Lemelson House will offer former foster care youth a safe place to live while they pursue education and job training and practice and learn self-sufficiency skills. The project broke ground on September 8th.
Home Builders Foundation and Renaissance Homes have worked together to secure in-kind donations and discounts from Milgard Windows and Doors, Medallion Industries, OrePac, Globe Lighting, Corian, Delta, GE Appliances, Willamette Graystone, Hanover Architectural Products, Keller Supply, Lakeside Lumber and James Hardie. Walsh Construction will serve as the General Contractor for the project. Construction is expected to be complete in May 2018.
We are the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland.
Founded in 1997, the Home Builders Foundation directs the philanthropic activities of the home building community by providing shelter for area residents in need and supporting the future of our industry by offering educational opportunities for tomorrow’s workforce.
Shelter Development: The Foundation facilitates the building (new construction) or renovation of dignified housing for the temporarily homeless. Through its shelter building arm, HomeAid Portland, builders are partnered with local non-profit care providers seeking to expand facilities designed to house individuals and families in need of temporary shelter.
The Foundation also administers volunteer programs to improve the livability and function of local care providers’ existing facilities. Its annual volunteer blitz and shelter care event, Painting a Better Tomorrow, allows HBA members and other industry leaders to directly contribute to the maintenance of local homeless shelters, most of whom operate on a shoestring budget and have few available funds for maintenance costs. Click here to find out about our latest projects.
This renovation project included an expansion of educational programs for children of homeless families in the shelter. The addition added dedicated space for Homework Club, private tutoring, preschool programming and storage for program needs. This expansion provided them with more space in which to operate a long existing and critically important program for homeless children and was a great partnership between non-profits, the building community and the City of Tigard.
The first phase of this remodel project for Hope House, a shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness, included safety upgrades such as a new fire alarm system and sprinkler system, increased bed capacity from five families to eight, the addition of laundry and indoor shower facilities, and the addition of an ADA-accessible bedroom and bathroom.
Nathan D. Young Construction returned again to Portland Rescue Mission’s Burnside Shelter for an expansion project for the Connect Program, a program for homeless women. Ten beds were added to this facility, as well as a kitchenette
Harvest House, a facility for homeless families, received much needed lead-abatement for the building, as well as new siding and windows. Masco Corporation generously gave a $6,000 grant to the project, which was completed in late June.
Care Provider: Love INC – Newberg Builder Captain: Jim Fisher Completed: March 2015
Home Builders Foundation completed its first project in Yamhill County when it partnered with Builder Captain Jim Fisher to provide upgrades to Love INC’s existing shelter for women and children. Upgrades to the facility included the addition of a restroom, a kitchen remodel and new flooring throughout the facility.
Smith House was a perfect candidate for an HBF energy retrofit. After a thorough walk-thru with HBF Builder Captain, Joe Robertson, it was determined that the highest priority need was to replace the old oil heater and focus on energy upgrades to make the home more comfortable and energy efficient. The money saved on high utility bills could then go back into the program. NW Natural donated a new gas furnace and tank-less water heater, and HBF partnered with Performance Insulation to do attic and wall insulation as well as air sealing throughout the home.
Jordan House
Care Provider: Youth Progress Builder Captain: Joe Robertson, Shelter Solutions LLC Completed: December 2014
Youth Progress operates two residential facility for boys ages 13-24 that provide a structured, supportive environment to guide them toward a more positive future. Both facilities were in need of assistance and HBF chose both of them for energy retrofits. In partnership with Joe Robertson of Shelter Solutions LLC and Performance Insulation, Jordan House received new attic and wall insulation, and air sealing just in time for the winter weather.
HBF and Builder Captain Dave Adelhart returned to Goose Hollow Family Shelter in 2014. With the help of HBA member donations and discounts of labor and materials as well as others in the industry, we were able to dramatically increase the usable counter space, upgrade the cabinets throughout including the addition of upper cabinets for extra storage, add an upgraded counter top, improve the electrical and add a larger sink and refrigerator. It turned out to have a big impact for a tiny space that feeds about 30 people every morning!
This 100+ year old home that houses a residential treatment program for young men was the first energy retrofit project taken on by HBF in partnership with Neil Kelly Home Performance. The retrofit included air sealing, insulation, tankless water heater, lighting upgrades, new energy efficient appliances and updated wiring. Energy retrofits of older shelters helps the service provider put much needed money from energy savings back into their programs and makes the homes much more comfortable for the residents.
HBF returned to Raphael House in 2013 to upgrade the kitchen including new cabinets, granite counter tops, ranges and ADA improvements to create a beautiful new space for 40 women and children who live there. In-kind donations and HBF funding was over 80% for this project.
Goose Hollow Family Shelter is the only shelter for families on the west side. Eight families a night call this home. This renovation of a well-used laundry room and family lounge was a partnership between several PRO members and designers Garrison Hullinger Interior Design and Designers Edge Kitchen & Bath. The in-kind donations and HBF funding provided for this project was 100%.
Next Step is a transitional “independent living” facility for men in addiction recovery. A full scale phased renovation (estimated total of $1,500,000) for this 13,400 sq. ft. former nursing home expanded program capacity and maximized treatment space. The scope of work included: new ductwork, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, upgrading mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and equipment, commercial kitchen remodel, replacing the roof and reworking dorm rooms and other common areas. This renovation increased the number of beds from 15 to 42.
Transitional Living Program
Care Provider: Boys & Girls Aid Builder Captain: NuPark Development LLC Dedicated: February 2013
HBF partnered with Boys & Girls Aid and the City of Beaverton to complete a major renovation of a four unit apartment building that provides safe and supportive transitional housing for homeless youth in Washington county. The residents of the TLP program receive case management, help with continued education, mental health services and skills training.
The Burnside Shelter provides crisis intervention, homeless and addiction recovery, short-term and long term shelter, education and job assistance. It is also Portland’s only 24/7, 365 days a year public restroom and food service operation of its kind. Built in the late 1800’s and expanded in the early 1920’s, the facility is in a state of disrepair, and energy consumption is the main source of concern. The goal was to retrofit the facility with energy efficient upgrades to reduce annual utility costs by as much as 35% (allowing precious operating funds to go to direct services instead of building maintenance). Scope of work included: insulation throughout , new windows, framing and moisture protection, installing high efficiency boilers and mechanical systems.
The Bonnie Tinker House is an emergency shelter serving up to 23 women and children at a time (200 per year), providing safety, shelter, food, clothing, support groups, advocacy, and a 24-hour crisis line. This $50,000 “shelter enhancement project” was phased to reduce impact on the residents who live there. Scheduled work included: security, electrical upgrades, efficient heating system, roof repair, window and screen repair, tile work, new plumbing fixtures, landscaping, patio gazebo installation, cabinetry repair and light carpentry.
This 96 year old house was completely renovated with updated energy efficiencies to make life more comfortable for 12 abused boys. Now complete, Cordero House will become a home for two additional boys (the program turns away five to seven boys per week). With a new family treatment room and therapist offices, the “healing work” becomes easier. Every wall and hard surface is new. The expanded kitchen/dining area now allows for multiple work spaces, ample storage and commercial grade appliances. The boys no longer shower in shifts with expanded, more private, bathrooms. A “dude dorm” with flat screen tv and surround sound allow them to be kids again. An estimated $770,000 was dedicated to the project with over 380 industry professionals, 90+ companies and over $350,000 in donations of labor and materials. This project received the national CADRE award in 2011 for ‘Outstanding Community Service Project’
Unfinished attic space became a Comprehensive Advocacy Center (CAC) offering expanded services to the women and children survivors of domestic violence. The CAC provides an inviting place for legal aid, mental health services, alcohol and drug counseling, life skills classes, self care, and children’s activities. Despite the economic downturn, 35% of the labor and materials for this $430,000 project were donated. Received awards from the Portland Housing Bureau in 2009 & 2010
A residential treatment center for five mentally disabled adults, this home was built to give the residents a place to heal, receive counseling and flourish while transitioning back into self sufficiency. Over $164,000 was donated in time, materials and labor to this $266,000 project – almost 60% total savings.
Builder Co-Captains were able to rally other subcontractors, trades and suppliers to donate over $189,000 in time, materials and labor to this $260,000 project – a 70% total savings. Up to twelve un-wed, young, homeless mothers and their babies call this safe haven “home”, receiving the care and support they need to begin their new lives.
Again, the Foundation for the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland is in a year-end fundraising campaign to support their efforts to help citizens living in the margins like homeless women and children. Click here for a link to its donation website.
Sponsored: Portland, OR. “Adventure and challenge!” Those are the words which have drawn thousands of students to the Northwest Outward Bound School over the past 50 years. “Outward Bound has completely changed the course of my life. I’ve been continuously given the tools to discover both my positive and negative qualities and ways I can overcome both mental and physical obstacles,” explains a Reynolds High School student named Bridget who has benefited from a scholarship to attend the program.
The nonprofit is in the middle of its year-end fundraising campaign, working improve the lives of individuals, and thereby the whole community. Northwest programs are research-based and proven to enhance developmental outcomes for youth including self-confidence, goal-setting, empowerment, teamwork, and compassion. Northwest range of programs include multi-day/multi-week excursions, school-based programs in low-income neighborhoods, and targeted courses for vulnerable populations such as veterans, grieving teens, and LGBT communities.
Here’s a video about the program.
Northwest Outward Bound School measures student success in the following areas:
Character Development: demonstrating increased self-confidence, self-actualization, and compassion toward others and live a healthy and balanced life.
Leadership: demonstrating the ability to set goals and to inspire and guide others to achieve them, as well as to collaborate, communicate, solve problems, and resolve conflicts
Service: Students demonstrate social and environmental responsibility and actively engage in service to others.
Outward Bound originated in Great Britain as a program to help young sailors prepare for the demands of naval combat. Founder Kurt Hahn designed the program to help young recruits to build self-confidence, grit, and a spirit of teamwork in the face of adversity by encouraging them to challenge themselves. Outward Bound is founded on the idea that experiential learning is equally as important as academic education, and that providing both learning styles for students leads to longer-lasting, more meaningful impact.
Outward Bound came to the US in 1960 and programming in the Northwest began in 1965. It serves nearly 2,000 participants each year from Oregon and Washington, as well as many who come from around the world to engage in local programs, set amongst the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty.
The mission of Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) is to change lives through challenge and discovery. NWOBS provides uniquely intensive outdoor learning experiences for students of all ages that challenge people to reach their full potential.
Every summer NWOBS offers unique, intensive outdoor wilderness experiences for youth in the Pacific Northwest. From our Mazama base camp, students go mountaineering in the Glacier Peak wilderness, sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands, and rock climbing, backpacking, and canoeing in the North Cascades. From base camp in Bend, OR, students climb historic rock faces at Smith Rock State Park, raft down the Deschutes River, and traverse Mt. Jefferson each year. Expeditions include outdoor education in areas such as camp craft, first aid, navigation, and other skills essential to wilderness living. Through skilled instruction and mentoring, as well as team building activities with their peers, students learn to be part of a supportive community based on respect, compassion, teamwork, and working toward shared goals.
To deliver our program we partner with schools, youth-serving organizations, community leaders, and youth advocates who are dedicated to helping students reach their full potential and who believe in the impact of an Outward Bound course. Partners spread the word about opportunities, identify and recruit candidates, support students through the application process, help prepare them for their course, and assist them in coordinating their post-course service project. Beginning this year, we are allocating additional staff capacity to partnership outreach and coordination, including additional focus on Pierce County. In the past we have partnered with YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.
Ways to support:
Although the Pacific Northwest is an ideal setting for adventure, challenge and discovery, character-building, and outdoor education, some Oregonians are not included in these opportunities. Many youth in Portland’s low-income neighborhoods and/or communities of color are underrepresented in the beautiful wilderness destinations that the region has to offer. Nationally, youth of color make up only 21% of outdoor activity participants (Outdoor Foundation, 2012). The preponderance of research shows that outdoor education boosts academic performance, fosters personal growth, benefits health, and cultivates a generation of youth who value and respect the natural world (Oregon Outdoor Education Coalition, 2015).
Our Pinnacle Scholarship Program, established in 1992, has provided hundreds of young people across the country an opportunity to build character, develop leadership skills, and understand the importance of community service. Pinnacle Scholars are all eligible for the free or reduced lunch program. The Program depends on partners, often teachers, counselors, community leaders, or youth advocates, who are dedicated to helping youth reach their full potential and who understand the impact of an Outward Bound course. Partners spread the word about scholarship opportunities, identify and recruit candidates, support students through the application process, help prepare them for their course, and assist them in coordinating their mandatory post-course service project. Current Pinnacle Partners in Oregon and Washington include: Summer Search, Liberty Bell High School, Native American Youth and Family Center, Reynolds High School, Neil Armstrong Middle School, Upward Bound Tonasket and Portland Community College’s TRIO Talent Search.
Our Portland Schools Program is a semester-long progressional series of character and team-building activities for underrepresented middle and high school youth in the Reynolds School District. Over 80% of our students come from low-income households (eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch) and 74% are students of color. By providing opportunities for high quality outdoor experiences, youth in Portland have more access to a valuable tool for enriching their lives, improving their opportunities for school success, and participating in the unique experiences that define and unite us. In 2017, we expanded into Reynolds High School, creating more long-term, impactful leadership opportunities for students, supporting them through the 8th – to 9th grade transition. Research shows that the 9th grade transition is a particularly vulnerable year for students who are at risk of not completing high school. Students who feel confident and connected to school in 9th grade are more likely to succeed (“Ninth Grade Counts.” All Hands Raised, 2016.). In the 2016 graduating class at Reynolds High School, only 67% graduated on time compared to the statewide average of 75% (The Oregonian Your Schools, 2017.). The Portland Schools Program is proven to support students in building the skills and resiliency for personal and academic success throughout their lives.
The Christmas Ship Parade will launch Friday, December 1st, in North Portland Harbor. The parade will run for 15 nights through Thursday December 21st. (There will be no parades on Dec 3rd, 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, and 18th.) Christmas Ships, Inc. is a non-profit corporation. Some restaurants and hotels along both rivers, and private citizens, donate to the insurance fund for the lead boats each year. Minimal administrative costs for the year are paid from the fund.
The boats, 14 to 65 feet long, are brightly decorated for the holiday season. The ships draw thousands of residents each night to the banks of the rivers for their performances. Up to 60 holiday boats are expected to make up the two fleets this year.
Restaurants and hotels along the Columbia and Willamette rivers are already taking reservations with nights already booked for some evenings.
There’s always room for more boats in the parade of Christmas ships:
The privately owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas. Some of the ships owners have been part of Christmas tradition for more than 30 years with many being part of the Christmas Ship fleet for over 20 years. Each skipper is responsible for their own expenses, including fuel and insurance for their vessels over the two weeks. This can run into the hundreds of dollars, which in itself is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm the Christmas Ship skippers bring to the organization, and the community. The organization accepts donations to help cover the cost of maintaining, managing and promoting the organization, but none of these donations go to the skippers, their crews, or their boats. Christmas Ships, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff or officers, just a large group of friendly individual volunteers/skippers who give back to the community.
From The Christmas Ships:
The Christmas Ship Parade started in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Bows of green with some ribbon where tied along the rails and it paraded on the rivers. The next year the parade started to grow. Today, The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Things have changed from the first lone ship. Now the displays are brightly lit and can be seen from bank to bank on each river.
The Portland tradition packs restaurants along the two rivers. Many reservations are made a year in advance. Many hotel rooms are booked by mid-summer. Corporation Christmas parties are scheduled around the Christmas Ship Parade schedule. By the thousands every night regardless of the weather Portland-Vancouver residents line the banks of both rivers to watch the parade. To show their appreciation for the all volunteer effort and the performance they give, many homes and cars along the way flash their porch and headlights as the fleet passes.
Each boat owner designs and builds their lighted Christmas display and pays their operating costs which includes fuel. Many of the displays can be seen each year, but new boats join the flotilla each year and bring with them new Christmas oriented lighted exhibits. As skippers retire, they also hand down their well known displays so the tradition continues. Even though not all boats make it out every night of the two weeks the ships parade on the rivers of Portland, most do. For many of the boat owners, this is a family Christmas tradition, offering the Portland area thrilling Christmas time parades. Many of the operators also have small private parties for friends and families aboard their vessels during the parade. All costs are borne by the owners.
Weather is the only element that will cancel the ships performance. That determination is made by the leaders for the evening about a half hour before the ships are scheduled to begin performing.
You can expect scenes like this one from a previous ball when more than 800 event-goers were in attendance for Levé’s Ninth Annual Charity Ball. That year, all proceeds benefited “I Have a Dream” Oregon.
This year, along with a DJ, silent auction, and wine wall, the event will be emceed by Stumptown’s favorite drag queen, Poison Waters.
Earlier this year, Levé members volunteered at the Girls Inc. “Rappel for Her” fundraiser. There is a clear synergy with the Levé and Girls Inc partnership. Girls Inc. works to inspire school-aged girls to be strong, smart and bold, while Levé prides itself on women supporting women.
Levé, which comes from the french word “to lift,” has a unique partnership model that exposes habitual attendees to a wide scope of Portland’s thriving nonprofit community. After a competitive application and interview process, Levé selects only one of the many worthy nonprofits for the ladies to lift and support throughout the year. Previous partners include Bradley Angle, New Avenues for Youth, and Children’s Cancer Association.
At a previous ball, then Levé board president, Megan Dobson sells items from a basket.
2011 Levé board member Anne Lawrence, Levé president Kiernan Doherty and Levé vice president Megan Dobson pose right before doors opened for the 8th Annual Charity Ball at the Wonder Ballroom.
the Levé board, committee and advisory members pose for a shot before the Ball begins.
From Levé:
Through our diverse and growing nonprofit network, we continually enlighten ourselves and supporters about Portland’s most vulnerable and strive to give them a voice through volunteering, activism, and fundraising. We’re a bit unconventional. We believe standing for something is contagious and that giving back is fun. That’s why we take a different approach to philanthropy. By selecting and lifting up a new nonprofit each year, we create long-term relationships between our supporters and partners based on shared values and passions. We are also able to share a cause that is relevant and accessible, tailored to each year.In addition to raising immediate and unrestricted funds for our annual partners through our signature event, we seek to build long-term support by exposing a new demographic to the organization and its mission. Our hope is that they will then become lifelong supporters, helping the organizations expand their donor base and build their next generation of supporters, advocates and volunteers. Each year since our inception, Levé’s cash contributions, volunteerism and activism have grown. In total, we’ve infused nearly half a million dollars into the local nonprofit community thanks to our awesome network of supporters! By selecting a different type of nonprofit each year, our hope is that if one doesn’t resonate one year, the next year’s nonprofit’s mission will, and that our event-goers continue to support that nonprofit with time and resources well into the future. Essentially, Levé’s goal is to help nonprofit organizations widen their footprint in the community and expand their donor base, providing a platform for which to publicize the essential work.
Our credo is to do more good. Levé was born of the belief that anyone can make a difference. In fact, we know that the impact of a lot of smaller donations is often more effective than a few large ones. That’s because when we do something for someone else, that good energy ripples out; it’s contagious. It’s literally science. When we build charitable habits, we are better citizens, colleagues, parents and friends—and we inspire others to be too. And thus is the magic of the ripple effect. We consume over 10 hours of media every day. It can be difficult to cull through it all to determine what matters. That’s why we take our responsibility as (unofficial) community advisers so seriously at Levé. Since 2004, our volunteer board of young professional women has vetted hundreds of applications from local nonprofits, narrowing it down to one annual partner each year. Our unique process connects our supporters with diverse causes and trusted organizations each year, concluding with an unconventional fundraiser that is designed to teach our peers what it means to give back. Levé membership has also evolved into a “training ground” for young philanthropists. Comprised of some of Portland’s most driven and gracious women, Levé provides an opportunity to cultivate not only nonprofit endeavors, but also significant professional and personal growth. It’s not uncommon for members to get new jobs, learn new skills, or even change careers entirely based on a connection they make. Perhaps best of all, is the sisterhood and friendship we share. Together, our goal is to inspire and mobilize the next generation of givers in Portland and beyond.
2010: Bank of America, Local Hero Award – awarded to board member Megan Dobson for activating her middle school students to get involved in Philanthropy using Levé’s model of giving back.
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