Portland, OR. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) of Portland has successfully maintained the health of current residents while continuing to provide portable meal containers to the community safely via the front door.
The Union Gospel Mission set up a handwashing station outside its building
“We shut the inside services down and did safety protocols to keep all of the men inside COVID-free. And praise God, we haven’t had any infections inside,” reported Bill Russell, who has overseen operations of Portland’s UGM and Lifechange – an affiliated service – for over 30 years. The inside game room and evening services at the 3rd-Avenue location are typically staffed by the 30-50 men undergoing residential recovery from trauma or substance abuse.
Adapting services to meet health regulations still comes at a cost for UGM’s bottom line: connection. “It thins out what we do. Our whole philosophy of the program is to care for people in order to connect with people and coach them.” Russell explained. “It’s been harder to build trust with just the food program, to have the conversations and relational building that’s necessary to build trust…The very concept of wanting to get people to connect is really challenged when you have to maintain six feet of distance and wear a mask.”
Establishing this trust organically has always been a priority for UGM’s volunteer “Search and Rescue” team, who normally go out in the community to get to know residents at local camps like “Right 2 Dream”. A second team provides rides to medical and housing appointments the following day if they discover a need.
UGM’s Search & Rescue team distributes meals safely with social distancing
Russell noted, “A year ago we were moving one person a week out of homelessness into some kind of either program or shelter that led into housing, so there was a pretty good flow. This year, COVID has caused a real lockup on the available places to go. We’ve placed more women with kids out of camps, but single adults have been fairly stuck in place with COVID… It’s really been a game-changer.”
Russell predicts that the economic downturn will generate more need for affordable housing, adding, “We need many more allies.” Those interested can look online for volunteer opportunities or sign up to give monthly.
On June 9th, UGM reopened its thrift store for retail shopping and are accepting donations. Face coverings and social distancing are required to ensure the safety of guests and volunteers, and hand sanitizer is provided throughout the store. UGM has requested that clothing donations be sealed in plastic bags upon arrival.
From the Union Gospel Mission’s website:
FEEDING THE HUNGRY, RESTORING THE ADDICT AND LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR. SINCE 1927.
Union Gospel Mission provides more than 250,000 meals a year to the homeless and people in need. In addition to meals, the Mission provides food boxes, a day room with coffee and snacks, clothing, hygiene items, referral services and emergency cold weather shelter to the homeless.
Portland, OR. High schools and universities have had to get creative with this year’s graduation ceremonies. Edison High School, in Beaverton, held its first-ever “car graduation ceremony” on May 29th. The ceremony started with a procession of staff members and students with their families.
Edison Graduation Coordinator Rachel Hansen ready to lead the graduate parade.
The car parade had all twenty-four graduating seniors. The graduating class of 2020 found it a fun way to honor social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Edison staff cheer on graduates from the sidewalk.
Seniors hopped out of their cars and were greeted by Principal, Jason Wold.
Edison Principal Jason Wold hands out diplomas with his face mask and gloves.
Despite unusual circumstances, the students were allowed to celebrate with friends, families, and teachers who offered congratulations to the graduating class of 2020.
From Edison High School:
Edison exists to empower students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth while preparing them for a productive future.
Portland, OR. The Northwest Film Center and the Portland Art Museum (PAM) continue their virtual offerings like the YouTube viewing of the film Monsters and Men, (pictured above) directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.
PAM leaders say they’re also creating a plan to reopen. For the past three months, the Portland Art Museum has been closed due to COVID-19. Now head of visitor services, Lisa Hoffman is announcing a plan to reopen. Beginning July 16th, the Museum will reopen some of its galleries and welcome a limited number of visitors. The popular Volcano! and Art and Race Mattersexhibitions will now be extended through the end of the year. Exhibits that were slated for the summer and fall, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism and Ansel Adams in Our Time, will open at later dates.
Over the summer, more galleries in the museum will be reopened as conditions allow.
The museum still has many virtual options in the meantime:
Here’s more information about The Northwest Film Center’s virtual screening of Monsters and Men, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. The film, Monsters and Men is screening for free on YouTube via NEON.Monsters and Men is an important cinematic attempt to reckon with one of the central challenges of our moment and it’s free.
Portland Art Museum:
The mission of the Portland Art Museum is to engage diverse communities through art and film of enduring quality, and to collect, preserve, and educate for the enrichment of present and future generations.
Portland, OR. The William Temple House “Style & Sustainability” live-streamed fashion show raised $89,000. Proceeds benefit the mental health counseling, food pantry, and emergency assistance services of William Temple House. The event was supposed to be a fundraising luncheon, but because of the COVID-19 crisis organizers shifted to an online experience that was streamed-live on May 21st. It was the second annual fundraiser celebrating sustainable fashion, thrift store style, and the work of William Temple House.
The event featured the live fashion show, guest speaker Kelly Raynor of Modify Style, and a special message from Executive Director Carrie Hoops.
Designers featured included: Patty Armstrong, Amy Daileda of Vivid Element, Sundari of Minnie Opal and Irene Veldstra.
Here’s a link to a recording of the online fashion show:
Organizers are still taking donations and hope to meet their $100,000 goal.
Send a check payable to William Temple House with “Luncheon” on the memo line to 2023 NW Hoyt Street, Portland, OR 97209
We provide affordable mental health counseling and support for basic needs to individuals and families in the Portland area. We also operate the William Temple House Thrift Store to support our programs and services.
Portland, OR. When the 2020 Friends of the Children “Friend Raiser” was forced to pivot because of the COVID-19 virus, it created a two-step plan. First, it offered mobile bidding and a silent auction in advance. Then on May 14th the nonprofit held a live-streamed program, live auction, and virtual paddle raise. In the end, Friends of the Children raised $1.5 Million with the virtual benefit.
The virtual auction was broadcast live.
Highlights included this shout-out from Mayor Wheeler below:
There was also a message from Russel Wilson and founders Cindy & Duncan Campbell. If you missed the live program you can check out the recording at friendraiserpdx.com.
From Friends of the Children:
Friends of the Children – Portland is the founding chapter of a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring. For 25 years, Friends of the Children has used evidence-based strategies, long-term interventions, and nurturing relationships to serve youth facing the greatest societal challenges. For every $1 invested in program youth, $7 is returned to the community in savings within the public sector and contributions to the private sector, according to a Harvard Alumni Association of Oregon research. This year, Friends of the Children was named the number one Most-Admired Nonprofit in Oregon by the Portland Business Journal for the fourth time in six years.
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