Portland, Ore. April, 19th, 2013 — The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has just selected Dress for Success Oregon as its annual Neighborhood Builder winner in Portland, an honor that entails a $200,000 unrestricted grant as well as leadership development training to help nonprofit leaders gain valuable skills while applying funding where it is most needed.
Roger Hinshaw (left) and Monique Barton (right) from Bank of America present Barb Attridge (center) with a $200,000 check for Dress For Success.
Each year in the Portland area, Bank of America honors one local nonprofit with the Neighborhood Builder award — as part of its broader philanthropy commitment — and focuses the Builder nominees on high-performing organizations that have a significant impact in the community within the funding areas of jobs, hunger and housing. By design, the Neighborhood Builder program is a strategic investment that pairs leadership training with the grant, in order to maximize impact and reach.
“Nonprofit organizations provide much-needed services to our local communities but too often they lack the resources and opportunity to invest in their own long-term planning, growth and development,” said Monique Barton, Bank of America’s senior vice president of corporate social responsibility. “By recognizing Dress for Success Oregon as our Neighborhood Builder winner this year, we know they will make an even greater impact and help more women get the resources they need to find a job and establish economic stability
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, a mentor and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The organization helps low-income women in Portland and southwest Washington specifically build their self-esteem, create a network of support, get a job, transition off of public welfare and make choices that lead them out of poverty, according to Barb Attridge, the organization’s executive director and co-founder.
“We’re honored to receive this generous grant and training from Bank of America, which will help us lay the groundwork for a stable and sustainable organization, while increasing the infrastructure so that we can continue our growth to meet demand,” said Attridge. “Our long-term goal is to build multiple service centers within Oregon and Southwest Washington to serve a broader population and help more low-income women get the training and resources they need to gain and keep employment.”
Last year, Dress for Success Oregon helped 1,450 local, low-income women and, with Bank of America’s grant, the organization hopes to increase this number to at least 1,500 women this year and even more next year.
The $200,000 grant from Bank of America will support Dress for Success Oregon’s growth, infrastructure and program expansion by enabling the organization to hire two new employees, implement a course on personal finance education and increase by 10 percent the number of women served by the organization. The grant will also help establish Dress for Success’ Career Center which will be the organization’s first permanent venue to hold regular educational workshops including financial literacy and job preparation courses.
Information provided by Dress for Success and Bank of America.
About the Builder program
According to the Bridgespan Group, Neighborhood Builders is the largest investment in nonprofit leadership development: 2.5 times the next largest program (in spending) and the third largest in number of leaders served. Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $165 million through the program, recognized over 730 nonprofits and trained nearly 1,500 nonprofit leaders. The Neighborhood Builders program is a capstone initiative building on the bank’s broader philanthropic commitment to addressing core issues that are critical to the economic vitality of local economies, with a particular focus on low and moderate income communities.
About Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility
Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community. For more Bank of America news, visit the Bank of America newsroom.
Portland, April 19, 2013. After a performance of the Portland Center Stage production of Clybourne Park, members of the Urban League of Portland Young Professionals and other leaders of Portland’s African-American community were invited to stay for a post-show reception. (Photo credit, Desirae MacGillivray)
Rachel Gilmer, Sita Symonette, Lailani Ovalles, Rebecca Naja, Cimone Schwoeffermann and Kamari Aykes.
Upbeat tunes were provided by DJ Rev Shines. Clybourne Park, now running at Portland Center Stage, explores issues of race and racism, gentrification, power and social class.
Portland Center Stage Board Member Rukaiyah Adams, Solamon Ibe and Sita Symonette.
Felicia Wells-Thomas and Nygil Thomas.
Here’s more information about The Urban League of Portland Young Professionals:
A Portland, Oregon based National Urban League volunteer auxiliary that targets young professionals ages 21-40 to empower their communities and change lives through the Urban League Movement.
Mission:
To support the Urban League Movement through our volunteerism, philanthropy and membership development.
Company Overview
The Urban League of Portland is a non-profit, community-based organization headquartered in north Portland and an affiliate of the National Urban League. Since 1945 we have advocated, served and empowered African Americans and other Oregonians to create an equitable place to work and live.
The Urban League of Portland YPs are a committed group of young professionals (aged 21 – 40) invested in the values and strategic goals of the Urban League of Portland. Those values include leadership development, education, healthcare, and elder care.
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.”
Portland, February 23rd, 2013. Over 300 guests were, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” to support the Northwest Academy’s scholarship fund. Attendees enjoyed student performances throughout the evening, including the “shoe shine kids” who perform brief dance routines followed by a real shoeshine. The Jumptown Jazz Club benefit at the Portland Art Museum included hits like “Minnie the Moocher” and “Fascinating Rhythm.” (Photo Credit, Andie Petkus)
Jeff and Annette Johnson (Northwest Academy parents)
Guests bid on silent and live auction items, including a McKenzie River Fishing Excursions, a Private Dinner at Silk and a Jackson Hole Getaway. The evening raised over $97,000 in support of the Northwest Academy Scholarship Fund. One in four students at Northwest Academy receives financial aid to attend the college preparatory middle and high school located in downtown Portland.
Jumptown Jazz Emcees
Tom Manley, Pacific Northwest College of Art and Susanne Hashim (Northwest Academy Board of Trustees)
Mark Stevenson (Sponsor, Capital Pacific Bank) with Jilma Meneses (Northwest Academy Trustee and Alumni Parent) and her husband Nathan Reynolds
Molly Meier (NWA ’15) and Betsy Meier (Club Cabaret Chair)
Mary Vinton Folberg, Northwest Academy Head of School
Rajko and Vesna Kostur are in the mood for a Speakeasy at Club Cabaret’s Jumptown Jazz Club.
Molly Meier (Northwest Academy Class of ’15)
From Northwest Academy:
Northwest Academy is an independent school, grades 6 through 12, committed to education through academics and the arts. Founded in 1997 by Mary Vinton Folberg, Northwest Academy offers rigorous academic and arts programs that emphasize and value creative thinking, individual choice, and self-discipline. Classes are taught by master teachers and professionals active in their fields – from dance and the arts to the humanities and sciences. Northwest Academy prepares students for the demands of the twenty-first century through a strong focus on independent thought and problem solving combined with an emphasis on new approaches to contemporary issues. Northwest Academy is located at 1130 SW Main Street, Portland, Oregon 97205; 503-223-3367. For more information, please visit www.nwacademy.org. Follow us on Facebook at Northwest Academy.
Portland, February 12th, 2013. The Baghdad Theater echoed with mortifying memories for the 4th annual Valentine’s benefit: “It’s Not Me, It’s You: Stories from the Dark Side of Dating!” Jimmy Radosta (center) hosted storytellers sharing about their worst dates: Clockwise from left, Meagan Kate, Meredith Shield, Lori Ferraro, Arianne Cohen, Michael Heald, B. Frayn Masters, Ted Douglass and Erin Ergenbright. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus.)
Attendees purchased “Love Boxes” containing mystery gifts donated by local businesses to support Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. Photo by Andie Petkus.
“It’s Not Me, It’s You” drew hundreds of supporters of reproductive rights. Photo by Andie Petkus.
Bagdad Theater has served as the home for “It’s Not Me, It’s You” since 2010. Photo by Andie Petkus.
About Planned Parenthood Advocates
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the political arm of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon engages in educational and electoral activity including public education campaigns, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.
In 2002, we formed Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, which is a statewide, non-partisan political action committee that supports pro-choice, pro-family planning candidates for office. ChoiceAdvocates.org
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