Jan 20Veterans and Caseworkers; Heroes Supporting HeroesThis story was written by our volunteer storyteller, Ellen Clarke. Thank you Easterseals Oregon for helping us with this story! Following an eviction and living in their car for a couple of weeks, Martin and Bonnie Meeker were referred to Easterseals from the Veteran’s Administration. Thanks to the efforts of…4 min read4 min read
Dec 22, 2022Project Butterfly at the Good Neighbor CenterThis story was written by Ellen Clarke, HereTogether’s volunteer storyteller. At the beginning of the pandemic, many daycares closed in Washington County, and not all reopened in 2021. Even without a pandemic, most working parents would agree that finding affordable child care is a challenge. For parents without secure housing…2 min read2 min read
Dec 7, 2022Letter from HereTogether to the Metro Tri-County Planning BodyDecember 7, 2022 Director Rojas and Members of the Tri-County Planning Body, We are writing today encouraged by the discussion we heard at the November 9, 2022 Tri-County Planning Body (TCPB) meeting regarding Health Share of Oregon’s willingness to participate in the jurisdictional planning and implementation processes for Supportive Housing…2 min read2 min read
Dec 2, 2022HereTogether’s letter to the SHS Regional Oversight CommitteeNovember 29, 2022 Members of the SHS Regional Oversight Committee, As we enter year two of the ten-year Supportive Housing Services measure, the HereTogether coalition remains engaged and invested in the long-term success of the measure and the vision it promised: a region where everyone has a safe, secure place…3 min read3 min read
Nov 30, 2022Radical Hospitality in ActionThis story was written by Ellen Clarke, HereTogether’s volunteer storyteller. At a time when the conversation around homelessness is complicated, simple kindness goes a long way. Sharing meals and bringing supplies to people living in tents is a common sense and straightforward approach while we strive for more resources and…Homelessness5 min readHomelessness5 min read
Nov 29, 2022Making an Impact with Cultivate InitiativesThis story was written by Ellen Clarke, HereTogether’s volunteer storyteller. Almost a million pounds of trash have been cleaned up this year in East Multnomah County, all thanks to one nonprofit: Cultivate Initiatives (CI). …Homelessness5 min readHomelessness5 min read
Nov 23, 2022A community coming together to support families across Multnomah CountyThis story comes from our Volunteer Storyteller, Ellen Clarke. “The kids. That’s what we’re all about,” Michele Veenker does not hesitate when explaining what is most rewarding about her work as executive director of Family Promise Metro East. Family Promise is the leading nonprofit in the U.S. helping families who…4 min read4 min read
Nov 8, 2022A Preview of Menlo Park Safe Rest VillageThe brand new Menlo Park Safe Rest Village at SE 122nd and SE Ash St. in Portland has 55 crisp looking tiny homes, each in a pod of about seven. The village includes a shared laundry facility, kitchenette, bathrooms and showers and will provide at least one meal each day…Homelessness3 min readHomelessness3 min read
Nov 2, 2022Serving those who have served with Fort KennedyThis story comes from our Volunteer Storyteller, Ellen Clarke. The idea for Fort Kennedy started on a napkin at Starbucks. That is where Tina Kennedy drew out her plan for a self-sustaining program based on military forts that supply troops with food, medical care, shelter, and community. Tina was back…4 min read4 min read
Oct 25, 2022HereTogether’s Statement in Response to 10.26.2022 City Council Vote, Mayor Wheeler ProposalPortland City Council will vote tomorrow on a package of resolutions to address our region’s homeless crisis. Our community is united behind the need for urgent action. Several of the proposals include solutions we’ve long called for and continue to champion, such as increasing affordable housing and removing barriers to…Homelessness2 min readHomelessness2 min read
