East County Emergency Overnight Shelters This Winter

Would any of you be interested in volunteering time for shelters to get the homeless out of the worst cold overnight or do you know someone who would be interesting in helping? Please feel free to forward this information to others, whom you think would like this opportunity to volunteer.

If you are interested, please contact us or please go ahead and sign up at this website maintained by Compassion Connect: https://compassionconnect.webconnex.com/events/warming

Please encourage others to sign up for the Emergency Warming Shelters at the website above. We need as many volunteers as possible because "many hands make light labor"-- the more volunteers we have, the shorter the shifts need to be!

Portland Adventist Community Services

PACS exists for those who need help. It also exists for those wanting to help. Be it through financial support or volunteer work, PACS connects individuals who are seeking to make a difference with those who are experiencing need.
Following the example of Jesus, PACS puts a special emphasis on dignity in each area of service. The organization includes the following programs:


• Food Pantry (emergency food for low-income families)

• Health Clinic (primary health care for people with no insurance)

• Thrift Store (low-cost clothing & household items)

11020 NE Halsey Ave. Portland, OR 97220

503-252-8500

Hours: 9-11am M-F

Snow Cap

Snow Cap is a shopping-style pantry that provides food for families struggling along with other necessities like children's clothes or school supplies. They can also deliver food boxes. They also have a community garden open to some participants. For food boxes, there is a limit of six visits per year.

To see the requirements, look at this webpage: http://www.snowcap.org/NeedHelp.aspx

Their warehouse and office is behind the United Methodist Church:
17805 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR 97233

Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-2, Tues 10-5:30

503-674-8785

http://www.snowcap.org/

Assessment of Rockwood Food Issues

Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership is initiating and funding an assessment of the food needs of the Rockwood neighborhood.

"On a rainy night in late October, Jose Luis Hernandez Avalos and his wife, Marisela Hernandez, surveyed several residents at an apartment complex on Southeast Division Street and 177th Avenue. Several residents said they have to leave Rockwood for groceries, trekking to WinCo at Northeast 128th or the Food4Less on Powell and 82nd, sometimes via bus. Many said they would like to see a community garden or farmers market open in the neighborhood.
The neighborhood assessment team has completed 220 surveys and plans to get more community input via focus groups."
-The Oregonian http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2012/11/groups_sustain_food_justice_pa.html

If you or your congregation would like to participate in this assessment, please contact IFFP at 503-221-1054 at ext. 210 or ext. 214.

"IFFP launches grassroots projects across the state, including buying clubs, cooking classes, community gardens, farm stands, wellness assessments, community food assessments, policies and advocacy in collaboration with diverse faith and community groups. We equip and mobilize faith and community action for food justice and promote dialogue on food issues."

Rockwood Community Food Justice

UPDATED 6/13/14

Are you in Rockwood and struggle with being able to feed your family? Do you want to bring food justice to Gresham? This group talks about practical solutions for neighbors in Rockwood who are struggling with obtaining food at a fair cost.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Margarita Plascencia at 503-810-1496 or Mary Priem at mkpriem@yahoo.com.

Moving the Poor into Rockwood

Guest blogger Dina Dinucci writes this post about poverty entering Rockwood.  She is the owner of Park Place Cafe, and has been a Rockwood activist for many years.  Please go to her blog: View from a Rockwood Cafe and see the insightful series of blogs on the recent history of Rockwood and how the neighborhood is in the place it is in.

What happens to a neighborhood when people aren't paying attention?  Who imagined that all of the talk of the "New Columbia Villa" would create another substantial impact on Rockwood? 

In 2003, Columbia Villa in North Portland was fraught with issues, and it was announced that a new Columbia Villa would be created.  This required relocation of the tenants to other housing options elsewhere.   But people in Rockwood weren't paying a lot of attention - then.

In 2003 a new population entered Rockwood that seemed out of the ordinary.  On 182nd and SE Stark black prostitutes appeared.  It wasn't long until the police started dealing with new gang issues they didn't see coming as black gangs started interacting with the other gangs that were already here.  It was also not uncommon to see the positive sides of the new ethnicities entering Rockwood with many black families and children in our neighborhood.  What did NOT follow this new population into Rockwood was the support services for these new families nor the resources needed when a whole new population is added ALL AT ONCE.

Please don't take this as a racist observation, as it is NOT at all.  But it is once again about another population that was taken for granted as it entered Rockwood.  In 2003, when I was volunteering at the Back To School fair, where we provide free school supplies to the local children  I was approached by the middle school vice principal of Reynolds Middle School.  He was puzzled by a huge new population in the school that was never expected....mainly black children...who arrived on the first day of school unprepared with little to no supplies.  Mr. Biggs explained that this event was helpful but couldn't meet the need.

I had researched the relocation plan from the Housing Authority of Portland and it had detailed that schools would be informed of the relocation and resources would be put in place to support the children at their new schools.  Upon further discussion, I learned the school was not even informed.

The document here is not the document I read in 2003, but as close as I could find....HAP Policy 

page 25 ... "HAP is working with the local schools, as well as with Multnomah County’s school-based support service program to provide the specific services and counseling that may be necessary to ease the move for children, regardless of whether or not they change schools. "

This new population entered Rockwood without considering the needs of the population nor its effect on Rockwood.  Rockwood is a neighborhood rich in cultures, but cultures who grow here naturally develop the services over time as the population grows.

The black population that was relocated in Rockwood did not have access to the services they had in North Portland.  Their places of worship were not available in East County.  Those things that mean community to them did not exist in East County.  The services available to low income residents who left a low income apartment community did not come with them.  Now, in 2012, we do have an African American church meeting at Harold Oliver School.  It's finally a start!

Without the appropriate services for this new population both the new residents and the community were left struggling to adapt.

Rockwood Community Food Assessment

You've heard us say it before: Rockwood in Gresham is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the greater Portland area.  And with that poverty comes hunger.  Food issues in Rockwood are a major growing concern.

Are you concerned about the availability and distribution of food in Gresham?  Do you belong to a congregation and you see the need but aren't sure what to do about it?  Then please join us at the Rockwood Community Food Assessment.

It will be held Friday November 16 from 3 to 4:30at the Rockwood First United Methodist Church, 17805 SE Stark St., Gresham.  We will discuss what different congregations understand to be food issues, the results of a 230 person survey of the neighborhood, and discussions of what can be done to help. 

If you are interested in coming, please RSVP by calling 503-221-1054 ext. 210.

Community Gardens Workshop

The interest in and need for community gardens continues to grow. Congregations and other non-profits often have significant areas of land that could be used to enable neighbors to garden who lack land or who want to benefit from the social interaction and opportunities for learning that community gardens provide. Community gardens are also important to fighting hunger and improving nutrition. This workshop provides education, resources, and connections to help congregations and community members create and maintain community gardens that produce multiple benefits.

Come learn what it takes to create, expand or renew a community garden that will build connections with your community, reduce hunger and steward creation. Speakers include Leslie Pohl-Kosbau of Shared Gardens and former director of Portland Community Gardens; representatives of community gardens; and representatives of agencies that provide assistance. Learn about the successes and challenges of community gardens, partnering with other organizations and ensuring sustainability over the long-run.

The workshop will be Monday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. It will be held at 19255 NE Burnside in Gresham near the Rockwood (188th) Max Stop. 

The workshop is free but donations are welcome to support the work (suggested $5 to $15). To register, call (503) 221-1054 or send an e-mail tockelly@emoregon.org. Details are available at www.emoregon.org.

Section 8 List Reopened

"Home Forward is pleased to announce that we are accepting waiting list applications for our Section 8 rent assistance program from November 1 through November 10, 2012. Our simple application form can be filled out online, using any internet-connected computer."

http://homeforward.org/find-a-home/join-our-section-8-voucher-waiting-list

5th Annual Poverty Summit

Poverty continues to grow in East Multnomah County, as more of the poor move into the low income housing. 16 percent of our county live under the poverty line. We see violence, hunger, homelessness and general lack on the rise in our area.

There is also hope. Many organizations and churches have stepped up to meet the challenge of poverty in East County.

But they can't do it alone. Every group helping the poor, feel overwhelmed and are facing limited
resources.

Come to the poverty summit in November, to see how your church can help.

Highlighted Organizations

• Zaraphath Kitchen and Pantry
• The Chapel
• Anawim Christian Community
• School Partnership Network
• No One Left Behind
• Human Solutions
• St. Vincent DePaul

KEY Conversation Poverty Summit

10-12 pm Summit

Lunch provided 12-1pm

November 17, 2012

Mountainview Christian Church

1890 Northeast Cleveland Avenue 

Gresham, OR 97030

To register for the Summit,

Go to: mvcclive.org

Or call: 503-907-2918

For more information or to request a pdf of our poverty summit flyer and brochure contact:
keyconversation@gmail.com

17th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

The Blazers are serving their 17th annual Thanksgiving meal at the Rose Quarter, on Oct 29 from 2 to 7pm. 

They will have a free Thanksgiving meal, free haircuts, free pet care and free leftovers to take with you!

School Partnership

Our public schools are in a crisis, with education being more expensive, but the school budgets shrinking.

Many churches are supporting their local schools with landscape care, faculty care, back to school supplies, clothes closets and more.

If you are a congregation that helps your local school, or wants to help your local school, please join the School Partnership Network.

This organization was begun by the Luis Palau Association that spearheaded the school partnership movement.  They have a site and a community that supports and informs churches and schools about how such partnerships could work for both parties.

If you'd like more information, please visit their website, http://schoolpartnershipnetwork.com/resources/

You can email them at info@schoolpartnershipnetwork.com, or call them at 503-614-1593

Free Emergency Phone from Assurance

If you have someone who needs an emergency cell phone, Assurance wireless is currently offering free wireless service.

Right now, you can get a free cell phone plus 250 voice minutes.

This is with no contract, no obligation to do anything else.

You can sign up or get more information at:
www.assurancewireless.com
or call 800-898-4888

Free Winter Clinics for The Uninsured

Good News Community Health Center and Compassion Connect will be providing medical appointments, free vaccines, haircuts, Some resourcing/stress management planning, dental appointment lists. 

This clinic is available for the uninsured only.

Dates this year will be: 

November 21, 

December 19, 

January 16, 

and February 27.

Free winter clinics will be located in Gresham, at Trinity Lutheran Church basement

on Powell and Eastman Parkway at 2pm.

A Cold Chair

"Hello Pastors
     I'm personally requesting you, the leaders of your local church, to help be The Church. We have an opportunity that I believe God has put in our laps related to "widows and orphans"

    Did you know there are 315 kids a year in Multnomah County (6-7 a week) who have to enter the foster care system because their living situation is unhealthy/unsafe. The average child, when removed from their living situation, sits in one of these county DHS offices for 3 hours in a cold chair waiting while a case worker tries to find a foster family. I can't even imagine the fear, confusion, hurt of that child sitting in that chair. All of these offices have broken furniture, drab colors, etc due to lack of funding and capacity to do anything different....

Faithfully Serving WITH You in Christ, 
Milan Homola
Executive Director-- Compassion Connect INC."


Here is our Opportunity
   The East Portland office of Multnomah County DHS (and all offices in the tri-county region) is open to having local churches partner with it to shine a light in all these very dark situations.
   This is an opportunity to be The Church. God is building a collaboration of churches to be the light of Christ in these hurting kids lives all over the metro area. Milan is asking you to join him in exploring what that might look like at the East Portland Office.

   1. Please join Milan on a tour of the office (122nd and Powell). He is targeting the week of Sept 24th. he only needs an hour of your time. (Please contact Milan if you are a pastor/leader who would join him for that tour)
   

   2. Consider taking another small step and help with a small beautification project at the East Portland Office Nov 10th. This will be The Church serving (not Compassion Connect or any one church) so it can't be done if they don't get 5-6 churches to send about 5-10 people.

Please call Milan at, 507-313-3771 or email him at milan@compassionconnect.com and let him know when you could possibly make a tour and if you would be interested in getting a small group to come work as The Church cleaning, painting, decorating on Nov 10th.

Harvest Share in Gresham

The Harvest Share program is based out of the Oregon Food Bank and provides free and ample produce to the poor.  In East Multnomah County, there are two main locations for Harvest Share: the Rockwood Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Salvation Army, Gresham Corps.  






Here is a description of the Harvest Share program by the Salvation Army:

They come from all walks of life, some who are coming for their first time and some who have been coming for more than 8 years. They come for comradery, for conversation, a warm smile, and of course, their food. The first Wednesday of every month, the family services at The Salvation Army Gresham Corps puts together a Harvest Share program where those struggling financially and in need of food can come and receive food. Harvest Share is actually a service sponsored by Oregon Food Bank and their Fresh Alliance program where fresh produce from local stores is donated and provided to the participating agencies. In addition to the fresh produce like meat, dairy, vegetables and fruit, Salvation Army workers and volunteers gather donated non-perishable food items throughout the course of the month to add to the selection. 

Please read the whole article on the Salvation Army site.

Participate in the Harvest Share program at 

Rockwood Seventh Day Adventist

1910 SE 182nd Ave Gresham

9am 4th Tuesday of every month

       First come first serve

Salvation Army Gresham Corps

473 SE 194th Ave Gresham

9:30am  1st Wednesday of every month

       First come first serve

Two Day Clothing Giveaway

Are you in East Multnomah County? The Chapel on Stark near Mt. Hood College will be having a 2 day giveaway of clothes, especially for kids who can't afford school clothes in Gresham, Troutdale and local cities. 

It will be happening on Friday, August 31 from 3 to 6pm, and Saturday, September 1 from 9am to 12pm. The address is: 27132 Southeast Stark Street Troutdale, OR 97060

Do you have some extra clothes you can pass on to those in need? Please contact them and drop them off! (503) 661-2475

Anyone who drops children's clothes to Anawim this month, we will deliver all of those to The Chapel for this big event.

Free Summer Meals For Kids

Looking to stretch your food budget and find fun activities for your children this summer? Oregon kids and teens (ages 1 - 18) get free summer meals and fun at these locations in East Multnomah County.

Click here for locations: Oregon Summer Meal Sites 2012: Gresham

Anawim Art Studio

In Rockwood, the poorest community in the Portland metro area, there is a place where the poor can go to exercise their creativity and to produce some marvelous works of art.  Twice a week, at the Anawim Art Studio, anyone can come free of charge and paint, draw or color, using a variety of media.

Signature piece by Yvan  Strong

“My aunt was worried I was too isolated but I told her I come here every Wednesday and Saturday for my art lessons. It helps me remember how good I have it.” –Linda who lives alone in her mobile home

 The Studio also has an on-site artist, Yvan Strong, who has been an accomplished artist for 44 years. She guides those who come to improve their art, or to give ideas of how to get started. She has hosted an open art table for the poor for many years and has been teaching art since she was a teen.

 The studio is open on Wednesday from 1 to 4 and Saturdays from 11 to 3 and it is located at Sanctuary, 19626 NE Glisan. Anyone is welcome.

To keep the Art Studio open, we need some supplies and some finances. For more detailed information about the kind of donations the Art Studio needs, please look at the Anawim Web Site.
http://anawimcc.org/anawim-art-studio/

Domestic Violence Support Group for Woman

Invitation to CRAFT: 

Creating Realistic Actions for Transition

Support Groups for Woman Offering the Following Services:

• Referrals to community resources for woman affected by violence in their personal lives.
• Group meetings to learn about intimate partner abuse; the effects of domestic violence on children; the long term effects of domestic violence on all members of the family; healthy family roles; effects of substance abuse, etc.
• Referrals and help with information about restraining orders and safety planning for families.
• Opportunities to share and receive support from woman experiencing similar life experiences.

CRAFT Group

On Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm 

Human Solutions

12350 SE Powell Blvd

Portland Oregon 97236

Please call Teresa Keishi Soto (503) 548-0244

Nadaka Nature Park

 Sometimes we can live near a precious resource and never know it.

My family lived for many years in an apartment building at 177th and Glisan in Rockwood.  There was a park down the road that we would go to, but it was all open grass and playground equipment, so only good for the few days it was sunny but not too hot.  And it was a bit of a walk.

Right across the street from us was an open field with a sign that said, "Authorized vehicles only".  We thought that perhaps the field belonged to the church next door, but the sign was ominous and we thought we weren't allowed in there.  How were we to know that there was a lush, natural area that would have been perfect for our kids any day of the year?

Nadeka Nature Park is the only natural space in North Gresham.  It isn't huge, but once you walk into it, you are transported into a Northwest forest, complete with a variety of birds and wildlife.  The trees offer a natural canopy, and there are many side trails that offer small adventures.

Nadeka used to be a campground, but local neighbors cleaned it up and it is now a Gresham city park that is just perfect for families that are looking for a natural space to play in or explore.  The fact that it is small makes it a benefit for smaller children, because they can't wander off too far.  Yet just walking into that park, you note the air smells fresher and the beauty is just as refreshing.

The local parks are a benefit to the local poor, as well as the rest of the populace.  We should encourage each other to take advantage of them.

Nadeka can be entered from 177th and Glisan (if you walk past the "Authorized Vehicles" sign) or from the other side on Pacific.  Please visit it, it is a hidden treasure. 

Portland Vet Center

Officially titled "Readjustment Counseling Services", The Vet Centers are a community-based arm of the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA).

• Our Mission is to provide a wide range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to veterans and their families. 
• Our Focus is to help the veteran work through issues with readjustment and/or sexual trauma directly related to active duty service. 
• Our Goal is too see that every eligible veteran receives the highest quality service. our veterans have served their country, now it is our job to serve them. 
• Our Hope is to see every one of our veteran clients able to lead more fulfilled, productive lives. 

Services:

• Individual and group counseling for Veterans and their families
• Family counseling for military related issues
• Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death
• Military sexual trauma counseling and referral
• Outreach and education including PDHRA, community events, etc.
• Substance abuse assessment and referral
• Employment assessment & referral
• VBA benefits explanation and referral
• Screening & referral for medical issues including TBI, depression, etc.

Eligibility: War Zone Veterans - All eras

More eligibility information here: http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Eligibility.asp

Location:
The Portland Vet Center is located at:

1505 NE 122nd Ave. 

Portland, OR 97220

Two TRI-MET bus routes run near the Center. Both connect to the MAX light-rail.

• The #71 (60th Ave/122nd Ave) runs North/South on 122nd Ave.
• The #77 (Broadway/Halsey) runs East/West on Halsey.

Phone:  

(503) 688-5361

Open Monday through Friday: 8am - 4:30pm.

Website:

 http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/index.asp

Downtown Compassion

Day Shelter Volunteer Meeting

If you are involved in the day shelters in any way, we welcome you to come to a meeting Thursday, May 17 from 6 to 8pm.  We will introduce each other, talk about issues in the day shelter and pray for each other.

It will be held at Anawim, 19626 NE Glisan, Gresham.  Please park in the back and enter through the back door.

Animal Shelter Alliance

Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland Receives $180,000 Grant for Special Project

The Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP), of which MCAS is a founding member, recently received a $180,000 grant from the ASPCA. The funds will be used to support The Neighborhood Pet Project, a new ASAP program which provides extra assistance for cat and Pitbull owners in a specifically targeted area of Portland. The type of assistance can vary depending on the pet owner's needs. Cat and Pitbull owners who reside in Portland neighborhoods of Hazelwood and Mill Park (within zip codes 97216, 97220, 97230, and 97233) can receive free spay/neuters, vaccines, licenses, microchips, tags, collars, crates, fences and more. Anyone meeting the conditions can ask for whatever type of help they need in order to be responsible pet owners. ASAP program administrators will work with residents to determine if requests are feasible. Please see the downloadable PDF for complete information about this program or download the flier to pass along to friends and neighbors. To apply, please contact Kelly at 503-802-6738 or kellyp@oregonhumane.org.

http://www.multcopets.org/news/animal-shelter-alliance-portland-receives-180000-grant-special-project

Outgrowing Hunger

Imagine your community with these characteristics:  Complete justice, good relationships between neighbors, creation at peace,  good relationship with God,  and abundance for all.  Sound good?  Christians call that, the Kingdom of God, and we just see glimpses of it now and then.  We may not see it in this life completely, but one small step toward this, is community gardens.

 A community garden is 10 percent garden and 90 percent community.

Everyone should be able to walk to their source of food; there is enough vacant space (especially in church backyards) that every low income apartment should be able to walk to a garden.

If you are thinking: How can I get involved?  Here’s what you can do:

1. Go to the Community Garden Open House Celebration! 

      Saturday, May 12th      

      10am - 1pm 

      600 NE 8th St. Gresham

2. If you want to be a part of a garden community, or if you want to help form a community garden in your community,  contact Adam Kohl  971-231-4191;       adam@outgrowinghunger.org

3. If you want to join Outgrowing Hunger's mailing list or begin a community garden in your community, Adam Kohl will  help at, www.outgrowinghunger.org

Community Gardens!

Yes, it is spring!

A time for planting, a time for growing, a time for color

It is the time of year that many of us itch to get dirty and get gardens started

Is it possible we can take our green thumbs  (no matter how pale) and use them to assist our whole community?  Can we feed the poor,  connect with new friends and have fun?  YES!

Join the KEY group as we invite Adam Kohl, Community Garden Manager of Gresham to speak to us about his plan to fill East County with community gardens for the benefit of everyone, especially to feed the hungry of our communities!

When: April 30 7-8pm

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church

  507 West Powell Gresham

Join us in Portland! Helping Without Hurting Seminar

Join us in Portland!

Dear Friend of the Chalmers Center, Join us for our next Helping Without Hurting Seminar Saturday, May 12th at Imago Dei Community in Portland, Oregon.  This seminar is based on the paradigm-shifting book When Helping Hurts, and will be presented by co-author of the book Dr. Brian Fikkert. An afternoon break-out session will be led by co-author Steve Corbett.   Register now!    What to Expect Engage with the core principles of When Helping Hurts along with its authors. The morning session of the day gives an overview of the core ideas of the book and the afternoon sessions give you the opportunity to learn more about how you can practically help the poor in North America and the Majority World. Reconsider how you help the poor and be encouraged in how your church or ministry can practically move forward in empowering those whom you help.   Learn More View a 3 minute video about the seminar by Brian and his co-author, Steve Corbett.  View the Helping Without Hurting Seminar webpage.    Who Should Attend Pastors, elders, and deacons Church ministry leaders and volunteers: mercy ministry, benevolence committee leaders, food pantry volunteers Missions committee members Missionaries and short-term missions teams  Relief and development agency staff Christian business people interested in microfinance and microenterprise development Christian donors thinking strategically about their generosity toward agencies helping the poor internationally and locally  Register now!     We hope to see you May 12th in Portland!   In the fellowship of Christ,   Katie Jo Ramsey The Chalmers Center for Economic Development

Blessings for Mid-County

Many people have driven by Blessings and said, "Oh, that's the store that's the same as Christian Supply."  Yes, they sell Bibles and Christian gifts, but they are also interested in meeting the needs of Mid-County!

Below the store there is a thrift store that sells gifts and clothes for down-to-earth prices.  A dollar for a t-shirt! Three dollars for a pair of pants!  And if you come in on a Tuesday, they have their stock at 50 percent off!

Also, they have a heart for the homeless in Mid-County.  They are seeking donations of blankets, sleeping bags, socks and meals-in-a-can (chili, ravioli, ready-to-eat soup, etc) which can be handed out to the homeless in their area.  These people really care about people in need!

NOT ONLY THAT!  But Nehemiah Project is establishing a food pantry for needy families.  It hasn't opened yet, but when it does, a family who can pay twenty dollars a month can receive more than a hundred dollars in groceries.  They are signing up now.  Food for the pantry can be dropped off at a barrel in the store.

Blessings is located at 10209 SE Division Ave., Portland.  If you'd like more information, please call them at 503-256-8000.   Check out their website here.

Store Hours are: 10:00 AM- 7:00PM Monday-Friday
                      10:00AM- 6:00PM on Saturday, closed on Sunday.

Thrift store hours are different, please call. 

Food Desert

Did you know that from 122nd through 180th, between Glisan and Stark, there are no supermarkets or large grocery stores? Rockwood and the west side of Gresham are known to be  the poorest neighborhoods in East county, and there is not close access to affordable food. This area has become known as a "Food Desert".

There are 2 separate meetings being held to discuss and find a solution to this problem.
If you are interested in learning more or helping, please contact Craig Lemay at, craiglemay@gmail.com

Clothes Center for East County

One of the greatest needs for East County is a clothes closet that is open at least once a week.  If a family is in need of clothes, they have few places to go.  Snow Cap distributes children's clothes, but their supply has become very short.  The Gresham School district has some clothes for their kids. The health clinic at Trinity Lutheran has clothes once a month, when they have the supply. And The Chapel in Troutdale has a clothes closet that is open two days a month in the first week of the month.  But if a whole family has need of clothing in the middle of the month, they have to be sent to downtown Portland or almost to Clackamas.

**Is there anyone who is looking to do a ministry for the needy in East County? We are still looking for a church who is willing to have a clothes closet that is open every Saturday, or one evening a week, In East Multnomah County. It would meet a real need.**

Places to get clothes:

Snow Cap: (Children's Clothes)

17805 SE Stark (behind Rockwood United Methodist Church)

Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm,  Tues until 5:30pm

The Chapel: (clothes for men, woman and children)

27132 SE Stark St, Troutdale

1st Sat 9-12pm, 1st Wed 4-6pm.

Trinity Lutheran Church: (Clothes closet located in the basement)
The Corner of Powell and Eastman Parkway in Gresham
3rd Sunday from 2:30-4:30pm

The Wallace Medical Concern

Free urgent and acute care for uninsured and low-income people provided.

Some medical problems that they can treat are:

• Respiratory infections
• Fevers
• Bladder infections
• Ear infections
• Skin rashes and other skin problems
• Simple foot problems

TWO EAST COUNTY LOCATIONS AT:

WMC ROCKWOOD

124 NE 181st Street

Suite 120

Portland, OR 97230

Monday and Wednesday evenings by appointment. Doors open at 6:00pm

WMC MOBILE CLINIC

Tuesdays-El Programa Hispano/Catholic Charities (503) 669-8350

Wednesdays- Human Solutions

Thursdays- Impact NW

CALL 503-489-1760 x28 TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR ALL CLINICS

They DO NOT

• provide mental health care
• provide care for gynecology, dental or sexually transmitted diseases

They only see uninsured people and do not accept the Oregon Health Plan or other insurance.

Website: http://www.wallacemedical.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallaceMedicalConcern

Human Solutions Fundraiser

Project Helping Heroes

A one time event for Veterans and their families, Project Helping Heroes is offering a huge variety of help:

Clothing, haircuts, job search, chiropractic, housing assistance, counseling, lunch, hygiene items... and more!

It will be held Saturday, March 17 from 10am to 3pm.  It is located at Veterans Hall, 150 W Powell in Gresham.

Contact Sergeant McDowell's Military Relief at 503-888-9053 or smmroregon@aol.com

Free Tax Assistance

CASH Oregon provides free tax assistance to anyone!  A volunteer there tells us: "If you've only made a thousand or so dollars this last year, file your tax return!  You have money coming back, almost certainly more than you thought!"

There are a few sites for free tax help in East County, listed below.  Please check the times to see what is more convenient for you, then call and make an appointment before you show up.

If you aren't in East County check out this site to find out where you need to check in: http://www.cashoregon.org/taxprep/sites.htm

East Portland Community Center 
740 SE 106th Avenue
Portland, OR 97216
Type: Appointment Required – call (503) 823-3450
Hours:
Thursday 05:30pm-09:00pm

Gresham Regional Library
385 NW Miller Avenue
Gresham, OR 97030
Type: Appointment Required – call (503) 988-5387
Hours:
Monday 12:00pm-04:00pm

Gresham Senior Center 
600 NE 8th Street
Gresham, OR 97030
Type: Appointment Required – call (503) 988-4870
Hours:
Thursday 11:00am-03:00pm

Human Solutions 
12350 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97236
Type: Appointment Required – call (503) 548-0200
Hours:
Friday 09:00am-01:00pm

Midland Branch Library 
805 SE 122nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97233
Type: Appointment Required – call (503) 988-5392
Hours:
Friday 12:00pm-04:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm-04:00pm

Mt Hood Community College 
10100 NE Prescott Street #143
Portland, OR 97220
Type: Walk-In, (503) 491-6100
Hours:
Saturday 09:00am-01:00pm
Notes: Closed 3/31.

Salvation Army Gresham (VITA Site)
473 SE 194th Avenue
Portland, OR 97233
Type: Appointment Required – call (503) 618-8360
Hours:
Saturday 09:00am-01:00pm

Free Community Meal in Rockwood

Rockwood United Methodist Church is hosting free community meals the second and forth Saturdays of every month.  The meal is from 11-1.

17805 SE Stark St. 

Portland, Or 97233

Mardi Gras Dinner and Fundraiser to support Zaraphath

Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting a Mardi Gras Dinner and Fundraiser, for Zaraphath Ministries, on Sunday, February 19th, from 6 to 8pm. They will serving a Gumbo, Fresh Salad and Desert. Cajun style! Enjoy the sounds of live Jazz throughout the evening.

Tickets are $20 or reserve a table for $125 (seats 8).

Contact Lisa Alibabi or Diane Davis for ticket information.

Trinity Lutheran Church

507 W. Powell Blvd

Gresham, OR 97030-7046

503-665-3197

Two Free Dental Fairs in East County

"In these tough economic times, dental care can land at the bottom of the health care to-do list.
With that in mind the Multnomah Dental Society and Sleep Dentistry of Portland are hosting two events in February designed to help those who are uninsured get the dental work they need.

The first event is the dental society’s annual free children’s health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Lynch View Elementary School, 1546 S.E. 169th Place.

A week later, Sleep Dentistry of Portland hosts its local Dentistry from the Heart event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at its Gresham office, 19265 S.E. Stark St."

full article at the Gresham Outlook
http://www.theoutlookonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=132771311834317900

Multnomah County Health Clinics

East County now has three Multnomah County Clinics for health and dental needs. Anyone on the Oregon Health Plan or those who are eligible to sign up for the Oregon Health Plan can visit them. The Rockwood Clinic is brand new and available for the population in the north Gresham area.

Most of the clinics are open for appointments. Please call ahead of time to see if you should visit one of these services or another health center.

If you have not signed up for the Oregon Health Plan, you can visit a clinic and find someone who will assist you.

East County Health Center
600 NE 8th Street, 3rd Floor
Gresham, OR 97030-7318
Phone: (503) 988-5558
Fax: (503) 988-6960
Buses: #1, #4, #9, #25, #26, #80, Max Blue Line to the Gresham Central Transit Center

Rockwood Community Health Center
2020 SE 182nd Ave, Gresham, OR 97233
Phone: 503-988-5400
Fax: 503-988-5668
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm
Bus: #4

Mid-County Health Center
12710 SE Division Street
Portland, OR 97236-3134
Phone: (503) 988-5558
Fax: (503) 988-6960
Buses: #4, #71

To get more information about Multnomah County Clinics, please visit http://www.coalitionclinics.org/mchd1.html

To read an article about the need for the Rockwood Clinic, please visit http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/03/rockwood_health_center.html

Why is Rockwood the Poorest Community In the County?

Below is a portion of an article from the Oregonian that discusses how Rockwood became the poorest community in the Multnomah County:

Jean DeMaster has run Human Solutions, a nonprofit social services agency, since 1988 in east county. She said the population shift occurred in four surges. The first began with the renovation of the public housing project Columbia Villa, which forced many residents to find cheap housing out east. More came as Alberta and other inner Northeast neighborhoods such as Boise, Eliot and King gentrified, and another rush came with the Interstate MAX. Rental homes were sold, rents driven up, and many low-income renters couldn’t find anything affordable within the inner city. The recession drove the fourth wave.

“We’re seeing a much higher demand for services than we’ve seen before,” DeMaster said. “But there aren’t enough services for low-income people, and we are getting pushback from people in the community who say we’ve been here a long time and we need help and it’s not fair that the new people are moving in.”

Last month, 900 people came to Human Solutions seeking emergency money to avoid eviction. The agency had 40 vouchers to divvy up.

Every type of service is stretched, DeMaster said: homeless services, rental assistance, youth gang prevention, alcohol and drug treatment.
 
But the greatest need, she says, is for health care. Many people she sees have lost jobs because they got sick and were unable to get care. That wreaks havoc on every part of their lives: their health, their ability to keep a roof over their family and their ability to support themselves.

To read the whole article, click this link:  http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/03/rockwood_health_center.html