Portland, April 20th, 2013. Guests kicked up their heels to support support SEI programs at the Party with a Purpose benefit. Kris Aman and Robin Givens captivated the crowd as did student performers and artist Mike Phillips. Vice President of Jordan Brand Howard “H” White, was honored as a living example of SEI’s motto: Life Has options.
Tony and Carla Hopson with Howard & Donna White
The Presenting sponsor the event was Wells Fargo, all funds go to support the award winning inner-city youth development programs of Self Enhancement, Inc.
Party with a Purpose! Here+Now, delighted over 300 guests.
SEI coordinators help with school homework and life’s lessons. They attend school functions, parent-teacher conferences, and graduations.
Howard White and Tony Hopson, Sr.
Carla Penn-Hopson with Russell and Denise Hornsby
Loretta Smith
Gary and Karen DeStefano
From SEI:
We are Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a nonprofit organization supporting at-risk urban youth. In 31 years, SEI has grown from a 1-week summer basketball camp to a flourishing agency serving thousands of students each year in the greater Portland, Oregon area, with plans to replicate across the country.
Whereas others see only statistics, we see strong individuals, tomorrow’s business owners and leaders, teachers and citizens. We help our students see themselves and their potential the same way. Then we help them find their strengths, ignite their passion and identify the plan that will move them in the direction of their dream. And we stay with them every step of the way, 24/7, 365 days a year from age eight through 25. Mission statements, vision statements, slogans and credos are displayed on walls and web sites all over for-profit and non-profit America. Some are poignant, some are pathetic. We think that too often they are just words that are pointed to now and then. Not here. Students and staff live by the SEI standards from the moment they walk through our doors.
Who are SEI kids and how do they become a part of the program?
Nationwide and right here in Portland, growing numbers of children are exposed to a host of risk factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, jailed parents and/or siblings, gangs, substance abuse, absentee or abusive parents, and hunger. As a result, the number of young children with aggressive, noncompliant and acting-out behaviors in schools has been steadily rising.
SEI partners with teachers and school administrators to identify children most at risk, and then those students are individually assessed using the Walker-McConnell Scale and given a “risk” score. The Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment is used to determine the level of risk and social skill deficits. In 2009, 92% of the students enrolled at SEI scored as either severe or high risk.
Student demographics
97% African-American
85% qualify for free or reduced lunch
73% from single parent households
36% are gang affected
30% have a parent or sibling incarcerated
SEI students come from our own SEI Academy (middle school) and public schools including Boise Eliot, Humboldt, Vernon, Woodlawn and Ockley Green K-8 schools, as well as Beaumont middle school, Jefferson, Grant and Benson high schools.
Portland, February 8th, 2013. The VIP preview of “Quartet” drew dozens of Portland’s movers and shakers. The new restaurant will open on Valentine’s Day. It features an upscale menu offering Pacific Northwest cuisine with a Southern influence. Portland restaurateur Frank Taylor says of his new waterfront venture, “Quartet is a combination of hospitality, cuisine, music and lively, friendly ambiance.”
Portland restaurateur Frank Taylor smiles at the opening of his new restaurant with Multnomah County Commissioner, Loretta Smith.
Roy Jay, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce and principal in several Portland hospitality-related businesses, is one of the backers. He’s pictured with Juanita Walton. Quartet is owned and managed by Keeler Hospitality Restaurant Group.
The establishment’s first fundraising preview party will take place on February 13th and benefit Self Enhancement, Inc., the a local non-profit helping at-risk youth.
Situated in a single-story standalone building 10 feet from the Willamette, Quartet retained much of Lucier’s interior design including, African hardwoods, a water channel which snakes around the dining room and dramatic bronze tube chandeliers. (Lucier held Oregon’s only AAA four-star rating at the time, but closed in 2008.)
Barbara Brady, Josh Brett, Rachelle Jacovr and Craig Boretz
While much of the Lucier decor remains, new additions include a grand piano for performers and a pared-down bar to take advantage of the river view.
Daryl Mitchell and Ashley Anderson
Robin Tompkins, Martha Caldwell and Marcia Turnquist
The Quartet staff is gearing up for the February 14th opening.
Menu items will include table-side Caesar service, truffled lobster mac & cheese and other Seafood entrees which range from $33 to $55. Quartet will be open for dinner seven days a week and is located at 1910 S.W. River Drive.
Washington, D.C. January 21st, 2013. Parkrose High School senior De’OntriaMcFerson and Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith were two of many Oregonians who attended the Inauguration. De’Ontria, or Tria as she’s called, was a summer an intern with Loretta Smith and was honored to receive the trip and be a guest of Congressman Earl Blumenauer.
De’OntriaMcFerson visited U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, to pick up her ticket.
It was trip, the teen told friends, she will always remember. “It was my first time seeing the U.S. Capitol and I won’t say it will be my last. It was pretty amazing. I had a great time taking pictures and meeting new people. Today was memorable and I had a good time.”
McFerson, a Parkrose High School senior and former Multnomah County intern documented her experience.
McPherson blogged, “The office staff welcomed us and Congressman Blumenauer took a picture with Commissioner Smith and I. Inside, other people came to pick up their tickets as well. They talked as they ate grapes, snacks and different drinks. I’ve never gone to an event this big or received an invitation from someone this important. I can say that was one of the nicest things someone has every done for me.”
De`Ontria McFerson is involved in Elevate Oregon, the Black Student Union, and Youth Against Violence. McFerson is also a member of Barista and has taken hip hop classes.
When De`Ontria graduates from high school, she aspires to study law or medicine. Her interest in the legal system is rooted in her passion for debate and research. If she pursues medicine, she hopes to find a cure for AIDS so she can save millions of lives.
McFerson joined Summer Youth Connect because it was a great opportunity to get out and learn new information about her community. She was excited to hold a job, get experience in a real work setting and make money over the summer. As a caring and career oriented young woman, De’Ontria hopes to gain a better understanding of the professional world so she can use it in the future. Among her peers, she strives to be known as a lady who has a big dream and was motivated and determined to accomplish it.
Here are a few more photos from the the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.
Thousands lined the streets of the Capitol be a part of the second inauguration of Barack Obama.
The Inauguration weekend featured performers like Katy Perry.
A week of festivities included the Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Parade and numerous inaugural balls and galas honoring the elected President of the United States.
The 20th Amendment states that the President must take the Oath of Office on January 20th. Since the 20th fell on a Sunday, a private swearing-in ceremony was held on that date and the public ceremony and parade were held on the following day. The official theme for the 2013 inauguration was “Faith in America’s Future,” commemorating the United States’ perseverance and unity, marking the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome in 1863.
Portland, September 23rd. Cascade AIDS Project’s Board of Directors is celebrating a new fundraising record for AIDS Walk Portland of $525,000; the amount was $75,000 over CAP’s goal. CAP will use the funds to support HIV testing, community education and services for families and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. (Photo credit, Marty Davis)
Team “Positive Force NW” kicked-off the Walk. Some 150 HIV-Positive walkers wore red shirts as out and positive community members, out to combat the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Kaplan and Sasser are among them.
Organizers estimate over 10,000 walkers joined in the fight against HIV/AIDS during this year’s walk.
A view from above the Square as 10,000 walkers gather.
Elected Officials took turns addressing the crowd including: Gov. John Kitzhaber, Mayor Sam Adams, Sean Sasser & Michael Kaplan (ED of CAP), Robert Goman of Nike, County Chair Jeff Cogen
In addition to breaking the half-million mark, AIDS Walk Portland drew a record number of elected officials. Congresswoman Susanne Bonamici addressed a crowd of VIP walkers and sponsors during an exclusive breakfast at Departure atop The Nines Hotel. Governor John Kitzhaber’s comments tied together the important work of health reform in Oregon with the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. He also recognized the vaccine research being conducted at Oregon Health and Sciences University.
Mayor Sam Adams praised the leadership of Michael Kaplan and the CAP Board. Other elected officials showing support included: Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen; State Senators Ginny Burdick and Jackie Dingfelder; State Representatives Alissa Keny-Guyer and Mary Nolan; Portland City Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz; and Multnomah County Commissioners Judy Shiprack, Loretta Smith & Diane McKeel.
Words on the T-Shirt express hopes for a future without HIV.
Team Kimpton Hotel brought bedroom class with their signature animal print robes and a team of about 15 walkers representing Hotel Monaco, Vintage Plaza and Riverplace.
A sea of people walking through The Pearl for AIDS Walk Portland, with Portland Gay Men’s Chorus wearing their signature purple shirts. (Photo courtesy of PGMC)
CAP Executive Director, Michael Kaplan, recently announced his decision to accept the position of President and CEO of AIDS United, a national nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC. An organization committed to ending the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. Michael’s last day at CAP will be November 15, 2012.
“CAP’s Board of Directors couldn’t be more excited about the outcome of this year’s walk,” said Jackie Yerby, Board Chair. “With the announcement last week of Michael’s departure and on the heels of a very successful AIDS Walk Portland, the Board feels well-positioned to guide CAP through the next transition as we begin an Executive Search. CAP is a very strong organization. We have a top-notch team of Directors as well as a group of staff and volunteers who are deeply committed to CAP’s mission.”
More than 7,000 people are living with HIV in Oregon, 20% of whom don’t know they are HIV positive. AIDS Walk Portland raises critical funds to support those living with the virus and those at risk of infection. Knowing your status and having access to healthcare are the two most important factors related to one’s sexual health, next to practicing safe sex (using a condom).
From CAP:
Absent a cure for HIV, prevention and education are our best strategies for ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Here at CAP we recognize that everybody, no matter who they are, can gain the information and skills to keep themselves and their communities safe. We work with individuals, couples, families, communities, policy makers, schools, the media and more to ensure that everyone has access to the resources we all need to prevent the spread of HIV.
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Nationwide and right here in Portland, growing numbers of children are exposed to a host of risk factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, jailed parents and/or siblings, gangs, substance abuse, absentee or abusive parents, and hunger. As a result, the number of young children with aggressive, noncompliant and acting-out behaviors in schools has been steadily rising.
