2003-Fall - Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives Inc.

Community
in
Motion
Fall 2003
A Newsletter for the Residents of PCRI
w w w. p c r i h o m e . o r g
Phone: (503) 288-2923
Executive Director Maxine Fitzpatrick (with microphone) led the raffle give-away at the
annual PCRI Resident BBQ.
O
n August 9th PCRI held its fifth
annual resident BBQ. Over 100
residents, staff, Board members
and friends gathered for a day of fun-filled
celebration. This year PCRI’s Parent
Network and staff began
working on the BBQ in
April.
Why?
Parent
Network members spent a
lot of time last year discussing the challenges our
community was facing in
the schools. Network
members were especially
concerned about the current economic stresses facing PCRI families, so we
decided to have a school supply giveaway. The hope was that it might
relieve some financial stress and help children start a fresh school year with a positive new outlook. We’re proud to report
that PCRI gave out 167 backpacks filled
with pens, pencils, paper, crayons, rulers,
markers, protractors and glue sticks!
This year’s BBQ was more like a festival than a picnic.The theme was “Let’s destress.” Two massage therapists were on
hand to offer chair massages, and face
Fax: (503) 288-2891
Everyone was a winner!
painters had everyone sparkling and beautiful. The Ethos Music Mobile kept us
jamming, while there was lots of food, raffle prizes, an inter-generational game table
and field games for the kids.
Michelle Alvidrez, a
new Parent Network
member, shared: “I really
enjoyed myself at the
BBQ! I was pleased that
there were activities that
my children enjoyed.
Inviting organizations like
Ethos was a real treat for
adults and children alike.”
This was the first time
that residents from Park
Terrace were able to join us for the event.
Margaret Beasley, Resident Coordinator at
Park Terrace, said that what the residents
liked most was "the family-type atmosphere, and they were very happy to
be invited."
We hope everyone had a great time,
and we are very grateful to all the businesses, individuals and volunteers who
helped make this day possible. Please see
inside for a list of sponsors.
Help PCRI raise money! Sign
up with eScrip. Every time you
shop at selected merchants, they
will donate up to 8% of your purchase
to PCRI. Join at www.escrip.com
or call for a sign up form. PCRI’s
Group ID #: 152174459
Do You Work for
Bank of America
or Fred Meyer?
These companies will match
your employee donations to PCRI.
Please consider giving to support
PCRI’s programs!
PCRI does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, or legal source of income.We
comply with all federal, state, and local laws concerning discrimination. Copyright © 2003.All rights reserved.
2
The Director’s Corner
Surviving During Difficult Economic Times
artnership - the act of joining with
another in an activity to accomplish
a mutual goal. That is what we do
here at PCRI – we partner with others
who share our purpose. We do it as a
employees of the organization, and as individuals hoping to make a difference. Of
course, working at PCRI is our job and we
get paid for it, but our chosen profession
did not have to be in public service. With
the breadth of talent of our staff, any one of
them could have done something else. But
they chose public service, and they have a
passion for this work. A good friend once
told me that passion in one’s chosen profession is simply described as something
they would do even if they weren’t getting
paid to do it. Well, I won’t stretch to say
that we would all be here if we weren’t getting paid, but there are things we could get
paid more for doing, but we have chosen to
be here.We work at PCRI because we feel
satisfaction from the difference it makes in
this community. We have partners in this
endeavor who appreciate what we do, and
I consider each of you to be a partner.
P
In one of my recent columns, I encouraged each of you to participate in a worthy
movement to create a dedicated funding
source for affordable housing. I want to
persuade you to be part of the solution to
a big problem we have in this city and that
is the lack of affordable housing. I implore
you to take things into your own hands –
after all, who can better represent you and
look out for you than You? When it comes
to having your say, you may not have an
eloquent way of speaking but you know
about the problem, you can speak and that’s
all that matters.
Once again, we are working to get a
dedicated source of monies so that you can
have a place to live that is affordable. Many
of you are being forced to move in with
family and make hard choices between
rent, heat, food, clothes and medicine.
Socializing, vacationing and relaxing are
rare and come at a premium. And we must
not forget the homeless population. We
want to get homeless people off the streets,
sleeping inside a home rather than outside
on the streets. Currently, those are our
challenges. That’s why partnerships are
important. Do you want to get involved
with a movement that can help you and
others? Well, the Affordable Housing
Now (AHN) movement is one way you
can do it. Keep your eyes and ears open and
when you hear that name – please listen
and do whatever you can to help the cause.
“
From what we
get, we can make
Lastly, I want to tell you about some
great things that are happening at
PCRI. Although we have been dealing
with down economy, we are re-invigorated
and even more committed.
We came within one point of receiving national recognition that would
have produced seed money for a great
PCRI Youth (and Adult) Computer
Lab. We also received an honorable
mention from the Fannie Mae
Foundation’s Maxwell Award for Park
Terrace Apartments.
A staff member, Marvin Dean, was
selected to participate in Portland
State
University’s
Leadership
Academy.The fascinating thing about
this is he started out as a maintenance
helper and is now a supervisor. One
day, he will be capable of running
organizations like PCRI.
This down economy has proven to be
an excellent time to improve skills.
Our staff are taking advantage of it
and as a result, are becoming better
public servants.
We are getting new partners every
day, like Portland Nursery which provided seeds and bulbs to residents this
summer and Office Depot who
donated the great backpacks for
PCRI children.
The Paint-a-thon was so much fun! We
painted four houses all with volunteer
labor and a grant for the City of
Portland, another one of our partners.
There have been other good happenings.
You’ll read about them in the newsletter.
a living; what we
give, however,
“
makes a life.
- Arthur Ashe
Maxine Fitzpatrick
3
PCRI Updates
Property Management
Inspecciones Anuales:
La gerencia de la característica examinará su
hogar por razones de salud y de seguridad. Tambien
para examinara la condición en general de la
propiedad. Le notificaremos una semana por adelantado.
Cheques del Alquiler:
Por favor de poner su domicilio en el cheque o money order.
Si la información no está en el cheque puede conseguir fijada a
otra cuenta y pueden incurrir en últimos honorarios.
Si la fecha debida del alquiler cae en un fin de semana, gotéelo en la ranura del correo de PCRI por el primer armario de la
manera de la puerta a la calle de Wygant.
Aviso de 72 horas:
Si el pago del alquiler no se recibe para el final del 7mo día
un aviso de 72 horas para no el pago del alquiler será publicado.
Esto significa que usted tiene 3 días para pagar su alquiler o para
tomar medidas con la oficina. Si el alquiler no es pagado le
servirán una entrada forzada Detainer (FED)in que le veremos en
corte. Usted también, ser cargado $80.00 para el FED.
Mantenimiento:
Órdenes de trabajo satisfacen la llamada (503) 288-2923 para
poner una orden de trabajo. Se habla español. Dar el permiso de
PCRI de entrar en su residencia permite que respondamos rápidamente a sus necesidades. Si no, programar una cita entre las
horas de 8:30 mañana - 4:30 p.m. Incluso con el permiso de
entrar, el mantenimiento siempre le dará una llamada de la
cortesía antes de que lleguen su casa. Generalmente, el mantenimiento llamará el día antes de que planeen entrar en su hogar.
Si una reparación de la emergencia es necesaria después de que
PCRI se haya cerrado para el día, llame nuestro paginador de la
emergencia en (503) 599-3935.
Congratulations to Kimberley Mason and Mary Lucero
These two obtained their property management
accreditation as Certified Occupancy Specialists!
Thanks to Portland Nursury
PCRI planted beautiful perennials like dahlias, gladiolas, begonias, and cannas at 20 single family homes and
multi-plexes.Thank you for providing beauty and color for
years to come!
Maintenance
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Bryant Edwards rvisor
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Maintenance Su
For A Limited Time
Refer others to PCRI and you may be eligible for a $75 rent credit! Only applicable to
first-time applicants who are approved and
move into a vacant PCRI residence. Your
name must be given at time of application.
4
Spotlight on Families
Scholarship Information
Minority Scholarships
The following are resources for minority youth who are looking for money to go to
college.We would be happy to mail you the complete list, just call PCRI.
Actuarial Scholarships for Minority Students
www.beanactuary.org
CollegeNet’s Scholarship Database
http://mach25.collegenet.com/cgi-bin/M25/index
Gates Millennium Scholarships
www.gmsp.org/main.cfm
Guaranteed Scholarships
www.guaranteed-scholarships.com
Arika, PCRI's Child Care Coordinator,
going through the Hasbro donation.
Hope Scholarships and Lifetime Credits
www.ed.gov/inits/hope/
PCRI received a donation of 50 toys,
games and puzzles from the Hasbro
Charitable Trust. Thank You!
International Students Scholarships and Aid Help
www.iefa.org
Upcoming PCRI Parent
Network Meetings:
Multiple List of Minority Scholarships
http://gehon.ir.miami.edu/financial-assistance/Scholarship/black.html
Oct. 13, Nov. 10 & Dec. 8
Meetings are from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and
include dinner and child care. Network
members receive a monthly stipend. Call
Arika at (503) 288-2923, x. 22 for details.
Thank You Washington
Mutual and US Bank.
PCRI would like to thank Washington
Mutual and US Bank for their generous
financial support of our Child Care
program! Together they gave $15,000 in
support for PCRI’s services to families
and children.
Welcome
Desmond!
Desmond was born
on May 21, 2003 to
parents Gary and
Sarah, PCRI’s former
Programs Director.
Microsoft Scholarship Program
www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships/minority.asp
National Association of Black Journalists Scholarships
www.nabj.org/
(301) 445-7100
Union-supported Scholarships
www.aflcio.org/familyfunresources/collegecosts/scholar.cfm
Child Care Scholarships Available
Are you having a hard time paying for child care while you go back to school?
The PCRI Child Care Program has child care scholarships available for parents who may
lose their child care without assistance. To find out if you qualify, please
call Arika at (503)288-2923.
Art Contest
Calling all child artists! Send
in your drawing and we’ll
select the best one for our
next newsletter.
, age 9.
Alexis Tanner
5
Focus on Park Terrace
Attention!
Starting October 1
Park Terrace will be under the new
management of Quantum
Management Services.
Upcoming Events
Cowgirl Margaret Beasley sitting
high in the saddle.
Park terrace residents lined up
for good eats.
ark Terrace held its annual picnic at
the new Park Terrace Community
Center on July 19, 2003. The theme
this year was “A Search for the Stars.” This
year proved to be the best yet! The picnic
opened with a talent show featuring the
Park Terrace Diamonds, Three Smiths,
Graham Bells, David, Donna, Brianna,
Ta’liah, Jameala, Imani, Jacobey, Sesien and
Ady’a. The talent was so good that numbers had to be drawn to give out the prizes.
Mr. Louis “Cowboy” Coleman brought
his amazing horse from the Triple HHH
Ranch, and answered the many questions
children had. He even coaxed Ms. Beasley
to climb aboard! Following the cowgirl
show was a scrumptious array of food. Ribs,
BBQ, greens and other delicious dishes certainly made the picnic a winner.
P
argaret Beasley, PCRI's new
Resident Services Coordinator
for Park Terrace Apartments, has
lived there for 11 years. Born in
Spartanburg, South Carolina, she is the second oldest of seven children born to John
and Mable Green. She moved to Portland
in 1968 with her husband and two children
and worked as a computer systems specialist with MA Bell for over a decade. She later
spent several years in Seattle where she
continued with MA Bell and her formal
education. Missing her adopted home
town, Margaret returned to Portland to
raise her two children and became a caregiver for the elderly and children of
Oregon. Later she worked as a receptionist
for the Port City Business Center until
becoming the Assistant Manager of Park
Terrace. Margaret is the proud grandmother of two, and enjoys reading, movies and
computers in her free time.
Park Terrace children had a blast
all afternoon.
Arneda and Margaret were ready to be
entertained!
• Halloween Host Party, October 31
• Thanksgiving Turkey Day
Give-Away, November 21
• Holiday Celebration, December 19
M
Margaret Beasley, PCRI’s new Resident
Services Coordinator for Park Terrace.
6
Community Resources: Work Training
(Taken from PCRI’s 2003 Resident Resource List)
Portland Habilitation Center
Skills and training for people with physical, mental and emotional disabilities
5312 NE 148th Ave.
(503) 261-1266
www.phcnw.com
Portland Youth Builders
Better People
Vocational educational program providing
construction training for 18 – 24 yr. olds
7332 N Smith
(503) 286-9350 x18
www.pybpdx.org/
Rehabilitation and job placement
for former offenders
4310 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
(503) 281-2663
www.betterpeople.org
Sisters of the Road Café, Inc.
Central City Concern
One-Stop Workforce Program
St.Vincent dePaul
Rehabilitation Service, Inc.
Short term skills development
2 NW 2nd Ave.
(503) 226-7387
www.centralcityconcern.org
Work-Force Development Program
133 NW Sixth Avenue
(503) 222-5694
www.sistersoftheroadcafe.org/
Business, manufacturing and training services
4950 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
(503) 281-1289
www.stvincentdepaul.org
Job Corps
(800) 733-5627
www.jobcorps.org
Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc.
Self-paced program for men/women to
explore construction trades/career goals
1714 NE Alberta
(503) 335-8200
www.tradeswomen.net
Dress for Success Oregon
DFSO provides interview-appropriate clothing and support for unemployed women. Call PCRI for a
referral, (503) 288-2923.
www.dressforsuccess.org
Portland Community College
Portland Metro One-Stop Workforce
Training Center
Short term skills development
5600 NE 42nd Ave.
(503) 943-2221
www.pcc.edu
Portland Community College
Central Portland One-Stop Workforce
Training Center
Short term skills development
1626 SE Water Ave.
(503) 731-6602
www.pcc.edu
PCRI Board of Directors
Judith A. Pitre, President • Amy Miller-Dowell, Vice President
Phil Damiano, Treasurer • Ayanna Curry, Secretary
Simone Brooks • Fred Hansen • Tom Benjamin
Have a suggestion for the newsletter?
Call Loreta at (503) 288-2923, x. 24.
7
Special Thanks
PCRI Paint-a-Thon
Over 45 volunteers from Peninsula
CDC, Cascade AIDS Project, Girl Scouts,
Boy Scouts, Multnomah County District
Attorney's Office, Hands on Portland,
VolunteerMatch.org, and the community
at large painted three homes in the
Portsmouth and Woodlawn neighborhoods on June 21. See the back page for
“after” pictures.
This project was made possible by
funding from the City of Portland
Bureau of Housing and Development
Community Initiatives Small Grant
Program. Refreshments were provided by
the following local businesses:
Coca Cola
International
Pepsi-Cola
Bottling
Stellar Coffee
Fifth Annual Resident BBQ
PCRI would like to thank the following businesses for their support of this
year’s BBQ through food donations, raffle prizes and financial support. Thank
you, sponsors!
Bryant Edwards
Duane Poppe, LMT
A+ Gutters
ABC Electric Corp.
Andre Kupersmith
All-Temp
Bill and Lindsay Bailey
City of Portland Water Bureau
Maxine Fitzpatrick
Valerie Garrett
Steve Guile, LMT
Marilyn Miller
Amy Miller-Dowell
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
Community
PCRI Portland
Reinvestment Initiatives Inc.
PAID
Portland, Oregon
Permit No. 255
4829 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97211
Three PCRI residences that were
painted by volunteers in June.
723 NE Buffalo
8517 N. Dana
8714 N. Woosely
PCRI’s Office Wish List:
1. New copier machine
2. New laser printer
3. New color printer
4. Multi-media (fabric, glass, pottery,
painting) art pieces reflecting
cultural diversity
5. New waiting room furniture (end
tables, comfy chairs, sofa, lamps...)
6. Break room table and four chairs
7. Outdoor picnic table
8. Four park benches
9. Large area rugs
10. Set of matching plates (8-10)
11. Set of matching glasses (8-10)
12. Large colorful welcome mats