By: Muz Afzal, Community Engagement Coordinator
On Wednesday, April 24th SE Uplift joined the Office of Commissioner Eudaly, Office of Community & Civic Life, District Coalitions and University of Oregon’s Agora Journalism Center to highlight Doers that are contributing to community-driven solutions addressing Portland’s housing crisis. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about and connect with each of the organizations that were highlighted during the gathering. Please continue reading below for more information about the organizations that were highlighted on April 24th.
Bridge Meadows develops and sustains intergenerational neighborhoods for adoptive families of youth formerly in foster care that promote permanency, community and caring relationships while offering safety and meaningful purpose in the daily lives of older adults.
Cascadia Clusters is a local 501c3 nonprofit general contractor that trains the houseless to build. Cascadia Clusters builds tiny homes for villages, “clusters”, and private purchase. They also provide a wide range of residential and small commercial construction services.
Kenton Women’s Village is a creative, collaborative year-long pilot project, offering a new potential approach for addressing houselessness at a small scale, which could be adapted and implemented in communities across the country. Through Catholic Charities, the 14 formerly houseless women are receiving access to services including case management, employment assistance, access to legal and financial services, mental and physical health care, and support creating and implementing a personalized plan to transition to permanent housing by the time they leave the village.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors PDX is a group of community volunteers who come together to enhance neighborhood livability and bridge the gap between our housed and houseless neighbors by providing trash removal for small homeless encampments.
Rahab’s Sisters creates community through radical hospitality with those marginalized by poverty, houselessness, sex work, violence or substance use. Every Friday they open their doors to anyone who identifies as a woman, or whose gender identity makes them vulnerable.
Through public education and direct actions, Right 2 Survive is helping to reduce houselessness in Portland. They are increasing public understanding on what it is to be houseless, how everyday people become houseless, and how we can best help and support those seeking a way out of houselessness.
Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change.
Sunnyside Community House anchors itself as a place that is open to all neighbors for a variety of services, classes, opportunities, and connection. A cornerstone of the work at this old stone church has been Pat Schweibert and the hosting of The Hard Times Supper. every Wednesday for over 38 years! Pat and her friends make and serve a delicious meal meant for all who show up.
Students involved with University FOR Portland volunteer to help relieve the nearby homeless crisis. They launched a service project seeking to understand the reality of the homeless crisis, then helping through service-learning and the use of innovative skills and ideas. Student groups created an app for resources, a website to share stories of the homeless community, and a hygiene trailer as a part of this project.