Alliance Co-Chair, Carol Turner Tallies 2016-2017 Achievements
On June 29, 2017 members and friends of the Interfaith Alliance gathered to enjoy a potluck and review accomplishments of the last year.
Tom Hering, Co-Leader, with Sally Fraser, of the Advocacy Work Group described actions taken to support tenants’ rights, protest no-cause evictions, promote affordable housing and recommend legislation.
Working with groups within the community including Living Cully and St. Charles Church, the Advocacy group has been active participating in efforts to produce positive change, joining a number of rallies at both the City Hall and the State Capitol.
Rae Richen, Co-Leader, with Dave Albertine, of the Transition to Stability Work Group, reported that working with the Village Support Network, a number of Alliance churches have been able to assist homeless families in finding stable housing.
Since the Village Support Network was forced to close on May 1, 2017, the Transition to Stability work group is now exploring other options for helping families out of homelessness.
John Elizalde, Co-Leader, with Bonnie Gregg, of the Becoming Poverty Aware & Communication Work Group, reported on activities staged this year.
Poverty Curriculum seminars were presented at Westminster Presbyterian and First Unitarian churches by Rev. Connie Yost.
In cooperation with the 15th annual “Everybody Reads Program” sponsored by the Multnomah County Library, the Alliance promoted reading of “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond.
Rae Richen obtained a grant to enable the Alliance to provide “Evicted” books to each of the Alliance congregations to share with their members and the community,
Holly Schmidt and Claudia Roberts organized a number of events to promote the Everybody Reads program.
On May 10, 2017, Dr. Mandy Davis, of Trauma Informed Care, presented a 4-hour seminar at the Madeleine Parish which was attended by about 60 people.
The Alliance newsletter is beginning itssecond year of monthly publication, the Alliance website allianceonpoverty.org was launched in March 2017, and the Alliance Facebook page will be available soon.