Portland, OR. Human Solutions raised awareness of family homelessness and the need for more affordable housing at its 2nd annual Inspire Dinner on October 27th at the Portland Marriott City Center. The event generated $43,500 to support Human Solutions’ programs and services to alleviate poverty and homelessness in East Multnomah County. Inspire Dinner emcee Jo Ann Hardesty, who is also on the Human Solutions Board of Directors, shared a joke with Kakieba Taylor, the evening’s participant speaker. Kakieba Taylor is a Human Solutions program participant who was homeless with her four children before receiving assistance to move into one of the agency’s 720 units of affordable housing in East Multnomah County. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury, pictured with Human Solutions’ Executive Director Andy Miller, was a special guest at the agency’s 2016 Inspire Dinner.
Bank of America Merrill Lynch was the presenting sponsor of Human Solutions’ 2016 Inspire Dinner. Jan Laskey, Senior Vice President of NW Community Development Banking for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, welcomed the crowd and presented Human Solutions with a $7,500 grant for the Homeless Families Program at the event.
Human Solutions Board Member Jo Ann Hardesty and Board President Carla Piluso at the Inspire Dinner. Jo Ann is also president of the local NAACP chapter, and Carla is state representative for House District 50, which includes south Gresham and a small portion of SE Portland. Both are also active in various other community causes.
Guests learned about trauma-informed care (TIC) from Mandy Davis, PhD, LCSW, who co-directs Trauma Informed Oregon. TIC recognizes the adverse impact of trauma on children and families, and is an integral part of the social service model at Human Solutions.
About Human Solutions
Human Solutions focuses on helping homeless and low-income families in East Multnomah County gain stability through safe housing, family support, job readiness programs, and economic opportunities. The agency works not only to remedy the symptoms of poverty, but also to creatively address its root causes by giving families the tools they need to thrive. Human Solutions is the largest nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator in its 245-mile East Portland/East Multnomah County service area, with 18 low-income apartment complexes featuring 720 units of permanently affordable housing. The new Human Solutions Family Center at 160th and Stark in Portland provides the only emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness that is open 24/7, 365 days per year. The agency offers utility assistance to prevent homelessness and operates five employment programs to help individuals with significant barriers to employment find living wage jobs and/or improve their job skills to increase their household incomes. For more information, visit www.humansolutions.org.
Portland, July 24th, 2015. What could be better than helping children “dig” gardening? That was the goal at a special event: “Seed for Today, Root for Tomorrow: Dennis’ 7 Dees presents a Farm-to-Table Garden Party benefiting Human Solutions.” The event raised approximately  $10,000 for programs like the SE gardening project at Lincoln Woods where kids are getting dirt under their nails and loving it. Lincoln Woods is 74 unit family housing complex managed by the the nonprofit, Human Solutions. It’s home to low income families including over 200 children. Last spring, Dennis’ 7 Dees volunteered to spruce up the complex. As word spread that there were going to be garden boxes built and flowers planted , there was tremendous interest shown by the children. It was a great success and so Dennis’ 7 Dees wanted to step in and make the program bigger and better by hosting this new fundraiser.
The inaugural benefit took place at the SE Portland Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Center at 6025 SE Powell Boulevard. Over 100 guests and sponsors  gathered to help Human Solutions with their new children’s Garden Program at their various locations. The program will help homeless and low-income families around the Portland area.
This fundraiser was born from a long-term partnership between Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Centers and Human Solutions which was strengthened during previous Earth Day/Day of Service events held at their shelters and housing facilities over the last few years. At these events, the staff from Dennis’ 7 Dees volunteered their time and supplies to help brighten and improve the grounds at the various Human Solutions’ shelters and housing complexes for the homeless or low-income families residing there.
Dennis’ 7 Dees owner David Snodgrass featured his own heirloom tomatoes for a unique tomato-tasting. Guests walked around the grounds and shopped in the garden store where proceeds from the evening’s sales went towards the new Garden Program.Â
As Master of Ceremonies, local celebrity Garden Expert Mike Darcy welcomed all guests as they sampled local food and beverages from Portland-area vendors.
Executive Director Jean DeMaster explains why the program is important: “Human Solutions owns and operates affordable housing complexes that are home to hundreds of very low-income families. We have witnessed the children in these housing facilities thrive when exposed to gardening. Dennis’ 7 Dees and Human Solutions are committed to helping homeless and low-income children continue to grow and develop in positive ways. With the proceeds from this event, we will continue to work to help vulnerable children achieve their full potential so they can grow into responsible adults who give back to their community.” Raised Garden Beds are now available at four housing complexes operated by Human Solutions: Lincoln Woods, Arbor Glen, Green Tree Court, and The Pines. Additional beds could be developed at any of the other 14 Human Solutions properties as funds become available.Â
Human Solutions builds pathways out of poverty by promoting self-reliance for homeless and low-income families and individuals in East Portland and East Multnomah County. Human Solutions shelters or houses more than 550 homeless people each night. The agency’s four primary program areas are: overcoming homelessness, affordable housing, employment and economic development, and safety net services such as rent and utility assistance. For more information or if you wish to donate to this program, visit www.humansolutions.org. For more information about Dennis’ 7 Dees, go to: www.dennis7dees.com.
Portland, October 15, 2014. Human Solutions welcomed more than 135 supporters to the Benson Hotel for this year’s “It’s on the House” luncheon. The event raised $21,500 for Human Solution’s programs for homeless families, which served 850 families last year alone. (photo credit, Andie Petkus) Jean DeMaster, Executive Director of Human Solutions (center) is pictured with Jan Laskey, left, and Gail Lannoy, both Senior Vice Presidents of Community Development Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Bank of America Merrill Lynch was presenting sponsor of the luncheon.
Jean DeMaster, Executive Director of Human Solutions, is pictured with Keith Thomajan, President and CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, who gave an inspirational keynote address about United Way’s multi-year plan to break the cycle of childhood poverty in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark counties. Human Solutions is one of United Way’s 30 “Community Strengthening” partners.
“It’s on the House” luncheon guests listen to keynote speaker Keith Thomajan, President and CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. Guests also heard from a Human Solutions client, a domestic violence survivor who, along with her two daughters, received housing and other support services at Human Solutions.Â
About Human Solutions:
Human Solutions builds pathways out of poverty by promoting self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income families and individuals in East Portland and East Multnomah County. The agency’s four primary program areas are emergency shelter and stabilization services, affordable housing, employment and economic development, and homelessness prevention services such as rent and utility assistance. For more information, visit humansolutions.org.
Portland, September 18th, 2014. At a very critical time, event sponsors made a tremendous push to reach their $100,000 fundraising goal through the Dennis’ 7 Dees Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Human Solutions. One fun foursome was Brian Humble, Jeff Bieker, Dean Snodgrass, Ron Roth. The tournament exceeded that goal Thursday, September 18, 2014, raising $102,860 generating over a quarter of a million dollars since its inception six years ago.
Gearing up for a shot gun start.
What once was a small vendor and employee golf outing sponsored by the owners of Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping and Garden Centers has now evolved into a significant fundraiser that benefits homeless families in East Portland and East Multnomah County through Human Solutions’ programs and services.
The check presentation with Dean Snodgrass, Jean DeMaster, Carla Piluso, Dave Snodgrass, Terry Ciecko
“There is so work much to do at Human Solutions that needs immediate funding, stated Dave Snodgrass, president of Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping and Garden Centers. A new 120 bed family winter shelter is in the planning stages–staffing and supplies will need to be ready on November 1st when the emergency winter shelter opens. The proceeds from this year’s Golf Tournament will ensure that the Family Winter Shelter can stay open until the end of April 2015. Dave added that “the Dennis’ 7 Dees Company is pleased to help Human Solutions provide for over 150 homeless families each night of the year.”
Jean DeMaster, executive director of Human Solutions notes, “People think that because the economy is improving, that homelessness is also on the decline. This simply isn’t true. There is a huge shortage of shelter and housing throughout the tri-county area. The weather is growing colder and the rain will soon start; during this time, the number of homeless families seeking shelter always increases. We are so grateful to the staff at Dennis’ 7 Dees, particularly the Snodgrass brothers, Dave, Dean and Drew for recognizing the plight of these homeless families and doing something about it.   These funds will go directly to getting kids and their parents a safe, warm place to stay.”
Human Solutions promotes self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income families and individuals in outer East Portland and East Multnomah County. The agency’s four primary program areas are homelessness prevention, affordable housing, employment and economic development, and safety net services such as rent and utility assistance. For more information, visit www.humansolutions.org.
Portland, April 25, 2014. Human Solutions raised $62,500 at its “Tonight’s the Night” auction and gala at the Melody Ballroom. The event featured silent and live auctions, a buffet dinner, and signature cocktails. The 140 guests in attendance embraced mobile bidding on their smartphones during the silent auction. The evening’s auctioneer was Jason Demicheli of Demicheli Benefit Auctions. Tony Starlight and the All Star Band entertained guests with classic hits from the past three decades. Proceeds from Tonight’s the Night support Human Solutions’ emergency shelter and housing programs that serve more than 550 homeless people in 200 families on any given night. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Guests at Human Solutions’ Tonight’s the Night auction included Mike Steffen, Vice President/General Manager at Walsh Construction; Rich Miller, Owner, Affinity Property Management; and Carla Piluso, Board President, Human Solutions. Walsh Construction and Affinity Property Management were gold sponsors of Tonight’s the Night.
Crowd favorite, Tony Starlight, entertained guests with hits from the past three decades at Tonight’s the Night with help from his All Star Band.
Human Solutions Board Member Jesse Smith and guest Maryann Yelnosky were enthusiastic about mobile bidding on their smartphones during the silent auction at Tonight’s the Night.
Human Solutions wishes to thank the generous sponsors of Tonight’s the Night, including: Gold Sponsors, Affinity Property Management and Walsh Construction; Silver Sponsor, Kantor Taylor; Bronze Sponsor, JD Fulwiler & Company Insurance; and Empowerment Sponsors Tonkon Torp LLP, OnPoint Community Credit Union, and Adventist Health.
From Human Solutions:
To help combat poverty and homelessness, Human Solutions provides services in four interrelated areas:Â
*Eviction and Poverty Prevention: Each year, over 7,000 households avoid having their utilities shut off and remain warm and safe in their homes through the utility assistance Human Solutions provides. The agency also helps over 500 households facing eviction remain in their homes each year through short-term emergency rent assistance.Â
*Direct Services to Homeless Families: Human Solutions provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, “Housing First” programs, and permanent supportive housing. The agency moves homeless families into permanent housing as quickly as possible and then offers them the supportive services necessary to overcome their homelessness and reach self-sufficiency.Â
*Employment and Economic Development Programs: Human Solutions operates three distinct employment and economic development programs that help more than 600 individuals with significant barriers to employment find family wage jobs and/or improve their job skills to increase their household incomes each year.Â
*Affordable Housing: Human Solutions owns and operates 18 high-quality affordable housing complexes containing 701 apartments. At each property, the agency offers Resident Services, which help families maintain housing by connecting them to quality social, educational and employment services (both within Human Solutions and in the wider community) so they can move forward in their lives. Last year, about 820 families comprised of nearly 2,000 people resided in Human Solutions’ affordable housing.  Â
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