eUpdate | April 16, 2018

Hello from Human Solutions!

Well it’s been another busy few weeks in East Multnomah County! I hope you’ll take a moment to see what’s going on – and how you can engage, including nearly 10 job openings!

LIKE TO COOK? HAVE WE GOT A FUN ROLE FOR YOU!

We provide emergency shelter to thousands of adults and children every year and we work hard to provide three square meals a day for all. Currently we are seeking cooked meals for large groups – as in 90 people. While that may sound daunting, it doesn’t have to be! We have kitchen facilities and when you go with dishes like lasagna, spaghetti & salad, or a hearty soup with bread, it starts to sound easier 🙂 You can also put together sack lunches – with a hearty sandwich and piece of fruit! This a perfect service activity for students, families, workplace teams, churches, and more. Get details and sign up by contacting our amazing Emergency Services Volunteer Coordinator, Christina, at: CNewcomb@humansolutions.org.

 

IMPORTANT BOOK ON HOUSING ISSUES

If you’ve not yet read Matthew Desmond’s important book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, we highly recommend it. According to one reviewer,

Evicted is a superbly written, often harrowing case study of eviction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that also shines a light on the income inequality and housing crises occurring in cities across the U.S. Matthew Desmond combines sobering research with fascinating portraits of the families and landlords trapped in a cycle of poverty and eviction, paying special attention to the plight of children. Given the growing conversation about Portland’s housing shortage and homeless population, and ongoing revelations about Wall Street’s ties to the predatory mortgage industry, Evicted qualifies as a must-read. It’s one of the best books of 2016: sad, maddening, beautiful, and necessary.”

No time to read? Then listen to the radio interview here.

WORK WITH US! WE’RE HIRING.

Human Solutions is a rewarding place to work. We’re hiring for a range of positions right now and encourage you to see if there might be a good fit for you or a friend. Take a look and spread the word

WATCH THIS: The Numbers

With Oregon exploding onto the national scene in the last decade, becoming one of the most popular destinations to move to, the area east of 82nd Avenue—including East Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, and Fairview—has come to be affectionately called “The Numbers.” It has one of the area’s highest concentration of school-age children, a sky-high poverty rate, and an uncommon diversity of race, ethnicity, and language.

New businesses, new people, new income—what does this all mean for The Numbers? Here’s what some young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 had to say about how they envision the future of their neighborhood.

SAVE THE DATE: NEW 30THANNIVERSARY GALA & AUCTION DATE

We’re planning a big party to celebrate our 30th Anniversary – and we shifted the date to make it the best one yet. The NEW date is Saturday, November 17, 2018 (it had been April 7, 2018). Please mark your calendars now, and we’ll be back to you this summer with details. Here’s a link to learn more – including how to sponsor the event and donate to our auction. See you this fall!

Thanks for reading and for always supporting Human Solutions and the wonderful folks we serve.

Yours,

Andy Miller, Executive Director

PS – Care to make a donation online? It’s easy right here – and thanks!