Portland, OR. It is no secret that non-profits across the country have experienced the same economic struggles as for-profit businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many have also found the communities they represent have needed them the most. This is especially true for Basic Rights Oregon, a Portland-based organization that advocates and fights for the equality of LGBTQ residents of Oregon (member meetings have moved to virtual, as pictured above).
As the shelter-in-place order began in March, businesses and communities screeched to a halt in an attempt to slow the spread of Coronavirus. Basic Rights Oregon quickly learned that discrimination was not going to slow down or stop along with it. “We tend to be the go-to source for folks who are reaching out about experiencing discrimination based on their sexual orientation or their gender identity in the workplace, a housing situation, or with healthcare. Those calls haven’t stopped”, says Margot Martin, Development Director at Basic Rights Oregon. “If anything, they’ve gotten more intense.”
This was especially made clear when Portland experienced mass layoffs in the service industry, a work industry that has a substantial LGBTQ population. Basic Rights Oregon had an influx of calls from applicants for government assistance that did not have representation on federal website forms when asking to select a gender identity. There are over 4,200 Oregonians that do not identify as “Male” or “Female”- the only two gender options on these federal documents that were an important step in getting the resources they needed to endure Covid-19. Basic Rights is working with Oregon state agencies to ensure transgender and non-binary Oregonians can still access these vital resources.
“We have relationships with state agencies that have helped work on getting that “X” marker and were able to quickly connect with them to get answers for the folks in our community that were asking ‘hey, how can I get these benefits?’ We were able to do that. We’re continuing to get people connected with resources and make sure that they’re as taken care of as possible”, Martin elaborated.
A Basic Rights Oregon event before Covid-19.
This win for the community defined the momentum of continuing their non-profit’s mission to stay diligent through adversity- whether that be a pandemic or an election that could be incredibly important to the future of the LGBTQ community. Basic Rights Oregon has no problem thinking positively, and its decision to continue to have uplifting events and be a support system for the communities they represent shows strength. The nonprofit’s annual event, Ignite, is moving to a virtual platform, and staffers hope it works to unite their supporters and community members just as it has in the past. This year, the theme is the roaring 20’s, specified as the new roaring 20’s. What started as a great costume idea for an event near Halloween, has gained much more meaning as the current presidential election has unfolded.
“When we were planning this theme- this was before all of the things happened”, Martin says, referring to ethical controversies in the current US election, along with overall themes of the Trump presidency, “but it feels more important now than ever. We’ve been locked into a place of little hope and a lot of despair over the past 4 years. It’s been a challenge and tough time for our community, but we’re resilient- this community always has been.”
2020’s Ignite will be virtual.
Ignite 2020: The New Roaring 20’s will take place on Thursday, October 29th, and will be entirely virtual. The event will be an hour-long live stream broadcast featuring community stories and messages, fundraising, inspiration for ways you can advocate for change during the remaining election season, and an auction that begins October 26th. They have also partnered with Vibrant Table, a Portland-based catering company, to provide a wine and meal delivery experience for participants. Basic Rights Oregon hopes that the event will provide a positive connection for the non-profit’s members and supporters, especially now that many members have struggled with feelings of isolation from friends, family, and their community.
“There’s a light at the end of the tunnel in this moment. If this year has taught us anything, it’s that when we all get on the same page, stand up and say that we’re going to keep doing the work, we’re going to keep protesting, we’re going to stay out on the streets because we want to see change happen- It feels like a groundswell, a roaring moment.”
From Basic Rights Oregon:
Basic Rights Oregon will ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.
Our vision is to ensure that all LGBTQ Oregonians live free from discrimination and be treated with dignity and respect in every community in our state.
Basic Rights Oregon works fearlessly and tirelessly to build a strong, vibrant, powerful, and progressive movement for LGBTQ equality. LGBTQ Oregonians exist in every community, and we understand that we have to engage in strategic, values-based coalitions to address the many needs of our communities. As such, building alliances with progressive groups that advocate for working families, racial justice, immigrant rights, reproductive justice, and campaign reform will be essential to winning policies that meet the varied needs of our diverse community.
A Lifestyle Story: Portland, OR. The coronavirus is changing the way people live in many ways. With more families isolating together, many are craving more spaces outside of their primary residence where they can relax in places like Central Oregon. (The home above at 61794 Tam McArthur Loop in Bend is listed at $3.7 million with Sotheby’s.) People see the valuing of time with family, friends, and time spent together in the great outdoors. Also, many professionals aren’t tethered to their desks because they’re working remotely. Consequently, the real estate industry is seeing some new trends. There’s an uptick in sales of second homes in markets that are drivable from cities.
According to industry statistics, the number of pending sales in the Bend area was up 53% in June. And some prices in Central Oregon are sky-high.
In Central Oregon, according to Bend Premier Real Estate, million-dollar home sales are breaking records. “Over the years, as various sections of Bend were developed, the luxury market expanded into Pilot Butte, Awbrey Butte, and the various golf communities in town such as Awbrey Glen, Broken Top, Pronghorn and Tetherow.” Bend realtors say they are in the midst of one of the most active summer selling seasons in years and struggling to find homes to list.
It’s part of a national trend. People are fleeing their glass-enclosed, high-rise apartments for larger second homes with outdoor space.
There has also been a surge of interest across California, spanning from San Diego all the way up to northern coastal regions, such as Montecito, Carmel and into Northern California’s wine country. Here’s a video of another hot spot; a $65 million dollar listing in Malibu, California.
According to Real Estate veteran, Karen Durrett, on the Northern Oregon coast, second homes are getting harder to find. The median price is also up.
In Manzanita, second homes for over $1 million have been snapped up all summer and now there are very few left for sale.
Just south of Cannon Beach there’s a modern oceanfront home for sale with an ocean view for $4,995,000. It’s 3,348 square feet and it sits on an acre.
Today’s record-low mortgage rates are also fueling interest. Since most experts forecast that mortgage rates will remain in the 3% range throughout the year, homebuyers are jumping on the low-cost mortgage train. This could help offset the higher house prices in some real estate markets.
Portland, OR. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in some very hard times for many of our local nonprofits; so much so that some may go under. According to the Harvard Business Review, “In the weeks and months ahead, nonprofits will need a major infusion of cash to keep staff on the payroll, to pay rent and utilities, to provide a semblance of services during this period of social isolation, and, simply, to survive.” The outlook for some nonprofits gets more precarious with each benefit cancellation and each face-to-face fundraising event dropped due to the risk of spreading COVID-19.
In Portland, we’ve seen many nonprofits rise to the challenge by using creative thinking and utilizing virtual fundraising. Donors are prioritizing charities with the fastest and most meaningful impact and shedding bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Businesses that serve the nonprofit sector are seeing that donors are prioritizing organizations that are focused on health and human services. Michael Gorriarán is the President of a business serving nonprofits called Arjuna. The company uses behavioral economics modeling and artificial intelligence to optimize nonprofit outreach to donors. Gorriarán says, “Fundraising contingency plans never considered an issue of this magnitude.” He notes that the pandemic has massively disrupted fundraising campaigns and that virtual campaigns are not producing as much revenue as in-person benefits.
According to the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, 49% of the nonprofits reported adding new clients, services, or programs since the start of the pandemic. If donations drop, they’ll need to find ways to fill the funding gaps.
Harvard Business School recently shared some other thoughts from business and nonprofit professionals on responses needed:
The importance of donors accelerating financial contributions that they might have made later was emphasized.
Unrestricted donations will do more good than restricted.
Donors should give priority to programs with proven interventions to the largest numbers of people, especially if they’re at high risk of having to close their doors.
Priority should be given to nonprofits closest to the frontline and to those serving the most vulnerable.
Halting the outflow of as much cash as possible, including a reduction in fixed costs, should be an immediate priority for nonprofits.
Any partnerships or mergers of nonprofits with similar purposes ever pondered need to be very seriously considered now.
At Portland Society Page we have a list of local nonprofits you can explore on our
Portland, OR. Portland Opera has postponed operas like Tosca, (seen above) but it it will present An Evening with Portland Opera: A Free & Virtual Concert from Rose City. The online benefit concert will take place on Saturday, October 17th, at 7:30 PM, and will be available for free on Portland Opera’s Vimeo and YouTube channels. Hosted by General Director Sue Dixon, conducted by Music Director George Manahan, and directed by Kristine McIntyre, An Evening with Portland Opera will feature guest artists whose performances were canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, joined by the 2019/20 Resident Artists, the Portland Opera Orchestra, and Portland Opera Chorus, under the direction of Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Nicholas Fox. Donations accepted before and during the event will directly support Portland Opera. This hour-long performance, which was recorded and produced safely, will only be available to view for 30 days.
“Although we cannot gather in person, we are delighted to join together to share in an evening of beautiful music,” says General Director Sue Dixon. “We are not alone in facing the very real challenges of this time. The decision to program this concert allows us to celebrate the talent and artistry of the musicians we were going to hear and love this year, be inspired by the vitality of our artform, and connect with the community that is the reason we do the work we do. We hope you will tune in and that we can all find joy and comfort in experiencing music together.”
Guest artists for this special evening will include sopranos Vanessa Isiguen, Alexandra LoBianco, and Caitlin Lynch; mezzo-soprano and former Portland Opera Resident Artist Daryl Freedman; baritones Michael Chioldi, Gordon Hawkins, and Will Liverman; and bass-baritone Daniel Mobbs. They will be joined by Portland Opera’s 2019/20 Resident Artists: soprano Emilie Faiella, mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman, tenor Ricardo Garcia, and baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg. Pianists for the performance include Portland Opera Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Nicholas Fox, Cris Frisco, Steven McGhee, Joshua Quinn, and Carol Wong.
This benefit concert was made possible by ongoing support from The CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Oregon Arts Commission, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Portland Opera is a member of OPERA America.
Artist Biographies:
Soprano Vanessa Isiguen made her Portland Opera debut in 2017, joining the company for the Big Night concert, and singing the role of Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème. Since then, she has joined the company each year for the annual Big Night concert. This year, she was scheduled to sing the role of Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, prior to its cancellation due to COVID-19. Additional recent credits include the title role in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Palm Beach Opera and Opera Idaho, the role of Roberta Alden in Tobias Picker’s An American Tragedy with Glimmerglass Opera, and numerous roles with Opera Tampa. Full bio information can be found here.
Soprano Alexandra LoBianco is scheduled to make her Portland Opera debut in the title role of Tosca, a role she has previously sung at North Carolina Opera and Minnesota Opera. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2019 as Marianne Leitmetzerin in Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. Her credits also include the roles of Leonore in Beethoven’s Fidelio and Helmwige in Wagner’s Die Walküre at the Wiener Staatsoper; Amelia in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera at Florida Grand Opera, and Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Seattle Opera. Full bio information can be found here.
Soprano Caitlin Lynch was scheduled to make her Portland Opera debut this summer as Bea in Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, prior to its cancellation due to the pandemic. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Biancofiore in Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini in 2013 and has since sung the roles of Cynthia in Nico Muhly’s Two Boys, Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and the Countess in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro there. Additional credits include roles with Palm Beach Opera, English National Opera, Seattle Opera, Utah Opera, and the Seattle Symphony. Additional bio information can be found here.
Mezzo-soprano Daryl Freedman made her Portland Opera debut as a Resident Artist as Aglaonice in Philip Glass’s Orphée, and went on to sing numerous roles with the company including Venere in Monteverdi’s Il Ballo delle Ingrate, Dinah in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, Sandman in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Concepción in Ravel’s L’Heure espagnole, and multiple roles in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges. She is scheduled to sing the role of Azucena in Verdi’s Il Trovatore in the 20/21 season. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Schwertleite in Die Walküre in 2019 and is a graduate of Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artist program. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Michael Chioldi was scheduled to make his Portland Opera debut as Tonio in Pagliacci in June 2020, prior to its cancellation due to the coronavirus. He has performed at nearly every major American opera house, including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Recent credits include the role of Giorgio Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata with Utah Opera, Washington National Opera, and Austin Opera; the title role in Verdi’s Rigoletto at Austin Opera, and Gerard in Giordano’s Andrea Chénier at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Gordon Hawkins is scheduled to make his Portland Opera debut as Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca. He has previously sung this role with Cincinnati Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Vancouver Opera, and Arizona Opera. He has sung numerous roles with The Metropolitan Opera, including Thoas in Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride, Donald in Britten’s Billy Budd, Marcello in La Bohème, and Jake in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Additional credits include performances with San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Washington National Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the BBC Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Will Liverman made his Portland Opera debut in 2017 with the company’s Big Night concert and the role of Marcello in Puccini’s La Bohème. He was scheduled to return to the company in the role of Silvio in Pagliacci, prior to its cancellation this June. Liverman’s recent engagements include starring as Papageno in The Metropolitan Opera’s production of The Magic Flute, in addition to singing the role of Horemhab in the Met’s premiere of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten and appearing as Malcolm Fleet in Nico Muhly’s Marnie. He also recently appeared as Pantalone in The Love of Three Oranges at Opera Philadelphia, as Silvio in Pagliacci at Opera Colorado, and as Schaunard in La Bohème with Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Additional bio information can be found here.
Bass-baritone Daniel Mobbs made his Portland Opera debut in 2004 as Lord Sidney in Rossini’s The Journey to Reims, and subsequent roles with the company have included the title role in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and most recently, Baron Douphol in Verdi’s La Traviata. He was scheduled to return to the company in the title role of Bajazet prior to its cancellation. In previous seasons, Mobbs has performed with numerous American companies, including The Metropolitan Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Los Angeles Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Additional bio information can be found here.
Soprano Emilie Faiella made her Portland Opera debut as a 2019/20 Resident Artist in An American Quartet: Four One-act Operas, singing the roles of Lucy in Menotti’s The Telephone, Geraldine in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Lola in Moore’s Gallantry. Prior to joining the Resident Artist program, Faiella performed the role of Yniold in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande at Boston University’s Opera Institute. She was a 2016 participant in Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artists Vocal Academy, and in 2017, she was a Young Artist at SongFest, an art song festival and training program.
Mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman completed her second year of Portland Opera’s Resident Artist program during the 19/20 season. She made her Portland Opera debut as Flora in La Traviata and has since sung the roles of Ramiro in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera, Kate Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and two roles in An American Quartet: Four One-act Operas –the Announcer in Gallantry and Sally in A Hand of Bridge. She was scheduled to sing the role of Asteria in Bajazet this spring, prior to its cancellation. Last year, Sherman was a semi-finalist in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, after winning the Northwest Regional Competition. Additional bio information can be found here.
Tenor Ricardo Garcia made his Portland Opera debut as a Resident Artist in An American Quartet: Four One-act Operas, singing the roles of Bill in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Donald Hopewell in Gallantry. He was scheduled to sing the role of Beppe in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, prior to its cancellation. Before joining Portland Opera’s Resident Artist program, Garcia was a 2019 Apprentice Singer at the Santa Fe Opera, and a member of the young artist program at Wolf Trap Opera in 2017. He has recently sung the roles of the Drunkard/Lamplighter in Portman’s The Little Prince at Tulsa Opera, as well as the role of Bajazet in Handel’s Tamerlano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Garcia recently joined the Houston Grand Opera Studio Artists Program. Additional bio information can be found here.
Baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg made his Portland Opera debut as the Marquis in Verdi’s La Traviata. As a Resident Artist, he sang the roles of Fiorello in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Nardo in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera, was a soloist in the 2019 Big Night concert, and sang multiple roles in An American Quartet – Ben in The Telephone, David in Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, and Doctor Gregg in Gallantry. Last season, he also sang the role of Schaunard in La Bohème with Vancouver Opera. Schellenberg was scheduled to sing the role of Charlie in the Portland Opera premiere of Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, which was cancelled due to the pandemic. This fall, he joins Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique for the 2020/21 season. Additional bio information can be found here.
From Portland Opera:
Portland Opera exists to inspire, challenge, and uplift our audiences by creating productions of high artistic quality that celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera.
Since 1964, Portland Opera has contributed to the cultural, artistic, and economic landscape of the city and region that we love. We celebrate the beauty and breadth of the opera repertoire with performances that take place in the Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, and the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre at the Hampton Opera Center. The company is also a committed educational partner, touring fully staged operas to schools and community centers throughout Oregon and SW Washington region each year, in addition to a host of other efforts designed to make opera accessible for all.
Portland, OR. This year the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) will move its annual event – Operation Overcoat – “from one big downtown event, to distributing winter gear and meals all over the city in partnership with other non-profits and local churches,” according to Communications Manager Courtney Dodds.
Family receiving a meal together at Operation Overcoat
As new restrictions and safety challenges due to COVID-19 mean no large crowds this year, UGM’s team brainstormed a way to reinvent Operation Overcoat to get vital supplies to those in need. In several city-wide mini functions beginning Saturday, September 19th, the organization will be partnering with local churches, schools, and workplaces to gather and deliver backpacks filled with shoes, coats, pants, and other items.
This year UGM will reinvent Operation Overcoat to allow for safety measures against COVID-19
“In other words, Operation Overcoat is going mobile,” explained Courtney. “Winter weather can be dangerous and even life-threatening for our neighbors who are houseless and living outside. Due to the pandemic, more people than ever are financially on the edge and sadly it is projected that even more people will fall into homelessness.”
“Receiving vital life essentials is often the first step to building a relationship and helping someone find a path off the streets. Operation Overcoat not only provides for basic needs but is a point of personal connection.”
This year’s unique conditions pose greater challenges for those experiencing homelessness than previous years
For over 20 years, the downtown-situated block party drew nearly a thousand attendees with live music, free food, and festivities as volunteers distributed thousands of donated clothing items to neighbors experiencing homelessness or need in the community.
Courtney notes that the event “will look different this year, but our commitment to coming alongside those in need remains the same.”
Here are some ways you or your local organization can get involved this year:
Organize a donation drive at your church, workplace or school. Our most needed items include pants, new undergarments, sleeping bags, boots, and coats. Drop your items off at Union Gospel Mission at 3 NW Third Avenue.
Support Operation Overcoat financially. It costs about $23.53 to serve each person through Operation Overcoat. Consider a special financial gift for Operation Overcoat. You can give online at ugmportland.org/donate
Your Gift of $23.53 provides an Operation Overcoat guest with goods and services that would cost them over $200 in a retail environment.
From the website:
FEEDING THE HUNGRY, RESTORING THE ADDICT AND LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR. SINCE 1927.
Union Gospel Mission was founded in 1927, when 40 area churches came together seeking to minister to the homeless and hurting on the streets of Portland. In 1937, Union Gospel Mission purchased a building at 15 NW Third Ave.
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