Portland, OR. Self Enhancement, Inc. provided the first free coronavirus testing to the African American community on June 6th. An estimated 300 community members came to the Northeast Portland headquarters of the nonprofit for the free tests. Tony Hopson Sr., director of the nonprofit, has been pushing for more testing since April when it became clear the virus was disproportionately affecting African Americans.
Non-symptomatic people and those who have been near large crowds recently were also encouraged to come to be tested.
Self Enhancement, Inc., was able to serve walk-ups on top of the scheduled appointments.
Earlier in the week, Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority director, apologized to communities of color for the disproportionate effect the virus has had on “Black and African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American, and Latino, Latina, and Latinx people, in the U.S., and here in Oregon…A centuries-long history of racism and oppression have led to the very health conditions that exacerbate the impacts of COVID-19. And we at OHA were, frankly, too slow to recognize that threat and act on it,” Allen said in a statement. “For that, I’m truly sorry.”
At least one Oregon tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, has seen more than 20 positive COVID-19 cases as of the end of May. Some of the state’s largest workplace outbreaks have been at fruit-packing plants, where employees are predominantly Latino.
The public health agency announced Wednesday it was expanding its recommendations for people who should get tested to include all people of color in Oregon, and a spokesman said the agency is helping to facilitate the testing Saturday.
About Self Enhancement, Inc:
Self Enhancement, Inc (SEI) is dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. Working with schools, families, and partner community organizations, SEI provides support, guidance, and opportunities to achieve personal and academic success. SEI brings hope to individual young people and enhances the quality of community life.
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, March 15th, 2013. A “dinner + play” fundraiser was the 3rd in Self Enhancement Inc.’s Salon Series. The event featured Chris Coleman, Artistic Director of Portland Center Stage. After dinner, guests like Tony Hopson, Sr. and Russell Hornsby attended the Portland Center Stage production of the post-civil war drama, Whipping Man. Self Enhancement Inc. supporters had an insiders view of the production while supporting one of their favorite causes: supporting at-risk urban youth. (Photo credit, Antonio Harris)
Chris Coleman, Rukaiyah Adams and Rodney Hicks
Dinner Guests
Vanessa Morgan and Bob Quillin
Tony Hopson, Sr. and Chris Coleman
About PCS’s Whipping Man:
In the post-Civil War South, three men are tied to each other by history and faith, but are also bound by secrets. A badly wounded Jewish Confederate soldier returns home at war’s end to find that his family has fled to the countryside. Remaining in the city mansion are two former slaves, also raised by his family as Jews. With Passover upon them, the three men unite to celebrate the holiday, even as they struggle to comprehend their new relationships at a crossroads of personal and national history.
The Whipping Man, which premiered in New York in 2011 to great acclaim, is an extraordinary tale of loyalty, deceit and deliverance.
Portland, September 29th. Priscilla and Dan Wieden were among more than 500 donors supporting Self Enhancement Inc. at Art + Soul. The spirited event was a showcase for SEI’s talented students. (Photo credit, Antonio Harris)
Students raise their voices.
SEI CEO, Tony Hopson and wife, Carla Hopson.
Mike and Cynthia Louaillier
Hundreds of SEI Guests gear up for the evening.
Priscilla and Dan Wieden
Honoree, Stephen L. Shepard and his family
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.
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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.
