SMALL STEPS, RESPECT & A $20 BILL, By B. Gregg

   Street Roots Newspaper Seller, Lori Lematta, and Executive Director, Israel Bayer

When Street Roots Executive Director,Israel Bayer, spoke to a meeting of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, held at the Madeleine Church, on August 31^st, he was asked  how the Interfaith Alliance could help the homeless. Israel said, “Small steps, they make a difference.”  He also emphasized the importance of treating everyone with respect.

In the last month, we have witnessed how hurricanes, fire, earthquakes.  and flood can  render people homeless.   In the blink of an eye,  the accumulations of a lifetime are gone.  We all grieve and dig deep in our pockets to help as we can.

Those surviving on the street of Portland  may have survived circumstances every bit as harrowing as a hurricane or earthquake, but that is not how we perceive them.  We are more inclined to view them as victims of their own making  We look away, not wanting to touch or be touched,  afraid to admit our common humanity, to see ourselves in them and  realize that “there but for the grace of God go I.”

Israel explained that our current level of homelessness was caused by the confluence of many factors: the elimination of Federal low cost-housing, the rise in property values and rent, the decrease of affordable housing, the de-institutionalization  of the mentally ill, the rise of veterans produced by middle east wars, the increase in addiction, and the impact of the 2008 recession causing women and families to join the ranks of the homeless, etc.

In his September  1, 2017   Street Roots editorial, Israel wrote:

 “We're making a difference on homelessness, even if it's hard to see. For every person the system finds housing for, there are more people becoming homeless

“Thinking about solving the issue of homelessness can feel almost impossible. For the general public it’s hard to understand the relationship that nonprofits and government play in working to give people a safe place to call home. It’s understandable. Why, after spending all of this money, are people still sleeping on our streets? It’s a valid question.

“If you commute into downtown every day for any length of time, it may be hard to notice a difference in the numbers of people that are visibly homeless. It’s because you’re probably not.

“Let me explain. 

“We do know how to give people a safe place to call home.

“Last year, both Portland and Multnomah County helped nearly 5,000 individuals and families find housing placements in the region. An additional 6,000 people received prevention services, such as rent assistance, to help them stay in housing.

“What the public doesn’t always see is that for every person the system finds housing for, there are more individuals and families becoming homeless on what feels like a daily basis. The struggle is real.

In short, the reason you’re not seeing a visible difference in the homeless population isn't because we don’t know how to house people; it’s because we can’t stop the flow of people hitting our streets.

“In short, the reason you’re not seeing a visible difference in the homeless population isn't because we don’t know how to house people; it’s because we can’t stop the flow of people hitting our streets. Of course, any logical human being understands that when you have the kinds of rent increases the region and state are experiencing without any regulations there are bound to be thousands of people left out in the cold. Not to mention funding for housing itself, which was once a federal priority, has been cut to the bone.

We all end up paying the price. Don’t let anyone fool you. The housing crisis that Portland is experiencing is also being experienced in communities all over Oregon.

“I believe the lack of investment in affordable housing statewide has many more residents from around the state coming to Portland to seek services.

“The rich may be coming here from California, Texas and points beyond, but poor folks are migrating to Portland from small communities and suburbs across the state.

“It’s a perfect storm for Portland. 

“If the federal government doesn’t prioritize housing, and the region and the state aren’t going to prioritize affordable housing, then it leaves Portland to its own devices.

“In many ways, it’s an example of what’s happening politically and socially in our country.

“People and communities begin to do more with less and develop a scarcity mentality that creates a dynamic that we should only take care of our own. Unfortunately for the poor, in some communities, the mentality is that poverty has become a burden. It’s a sad affair.

“These realities are playing out in local politics and on the national stage with devastating impacts to our country. Everyone begins to point their finger at someone else. It’s a never-ending cycle, unless we as a community choose to rise above the noise and rhetoric.

“The reality is, of course, that Portland and Multnomah County should continue investing in affordable housing and homeless services. It’s not only the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do.

“When we support and invest in affordable housing, we are not only investing in Oregonians today, but we are investing in future generations. Affordable housing, like our roads and parks and schools, plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy society for generations to come.

“All of this is to say that it’s true: It is hard to see how we are collectively making a difference when we continue to see thousands of people sleeping on our streets. For the thousands of people we are supporting with a safe place to call home, it makes all the difference in the world.”

Israel   encouraged   congregations to consider giving a “Street Roots” vendor the opportunity to sell his/her newspapers after Sunday services.  Several Interfaith Alliance Churches are now considering this possibility

Street Roots Vendor, Lori Lamatta, shared her personal story,  overcoming  emotional trauma, problems of health and addiction, and escaping homelessness.

She told about life on the streets, constantly having to wait in lines,  having to be out of the shelters by 7:00 AM,  having no place to rest in the daytime, how some shelters treat you like children,  being bound to the streets,  the smell of “death” in the air, never taking a vacation, buying a new outfit, etc.

She confided that one year at Christmas she was so depressed she had considered suicide.  She contemplated “writing the note”.  She said you may think about suicide, but it isn’t real until “you write the note.”  Then she said a woman stopped beside her and gave her a $20 bill, wishing her a “Merry Christmas”.  She said that turned everything around.  She bought a pizza and shared it with a friend on the street.

Lori sells her newspapers by a bakery, and on Sunday mornings at Westminster Presbyterian church.  That is where she and Carol Turner, Interfaith Alliance Co-Chair got acquainted.    Before selling her papers at the coffee hour following church services, Lori attends services herself.  She confided that sitting in the pews and listening to the music and pastor’s sermon is an uplifting experience.  The parishioners now know her as “Lori” and she knows them by name.

Selling “Street Roots” allows the homeless    to become independent entrepreneurs adding to their income.  It enables Portlanders   to purchase a “cutting edge” newspaper at a bargain price.  But it does much more.  It provides an opportunity for both buyer and seller to get to know each other.  Although vendors   understand   life on the streets, they also share the common concerns of those who buy their papers – the latest  weather forecast and whatever is happening in the nation, the world, and people’s lives.  Therefore, selling newspapers becomes a human exchange, not dependent upon economic or social status.

None of us is born a success or failure, although the circumstances may point us in one direction or the other.    None of us want to be seen as poor, homeless, addicted, or an object of pity.  We want respect!   After telling her courageous story, Lori emphasized the importance of treating others as you, yourself would want to be treated, as a  fellow human being, sharing life’s journey,  in need of love, respect, and occasionally a helping hand or a $20 bill.  B. Gregg

OCTOBER 5 INTERFAITH ALLIANCE MEETING - SPEAKER: REV. MARK KNUTSON

Rev.  Mark Knutson, Pastor Augustana Lutheran Church The October 5th  Interfaith Alliance meeting will be held in Room 27,  at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Street, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM.

Rev. Mark Knutson, will reflect on  "Poverty in Portland”, as he has experienced it through his 22 years as pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church.

He advises that  he came to Augustana  in 1995 in response to "God’s call and the possibility of growing a multicultural congregation that is unafraid to step out in faith on the important issues of our day for the well being of all."

 He says that the biggest challenge now is "Discerning what the cutting edge issues of justice, peace, diversity, equity, reconciliation and inclusion are going to be and helping to position the church to be ready and relevant to be proactive with others as a voice of conscience and a move in action always ready to step out in faith to do what is right."

Following Rev. Knutson’s remarks, Interfaith Alliance Co-Chair, Carol Turner, will lead a discussion of ways the Alliance may work to improve poverty awareness and assist those in poverty during coming months.  All are welcome!

SEPTEMBER 2017 INTERFAITH ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER

By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer's best of weather And autumn's best of cheer. Helen Hunt Jackson

Labor Day Reflections

There is a lot of talk about “jobs” these days,--jobs lost overseas, factories closed,  stagnating wages, racial discrimination, disparity in pay,  unequal distribution of wealth, etc. Consumed by today’s concerns,  we forget how far we have come from the problems of the past.

.In the late 1800s, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country.  People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.   In protest, workers banded together to demand a ban of childbor, and lobby for worker benefits including a 40-hour week, minimum wage, workplace safety,  workman’s compensation, unemployment benefits, employer provided health care, pension plans, unpaid family leave, whistleblower protections  and social security.

The struggle was not easy. The first strike broke out in 1892 at Carnegie Steel in Homestead, Pennsylvania.  The following year, a 4-day Pullman strike caused riots in  Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and St.  Louis.  Over 50 lives were lost.     President Grover Cleveland called out Federal Troops.  But labor had made it’s point.  The engines of industry could not run without labor, so by the beginning of the 20^th century,  laborers were able to negotiate changes and congress began to enact legislation to improve the lives of American workers. On June 25, 1941, Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, which banned “discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin.” 

 A Nationwide Holiday

The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in industrial centers across the country.  In 1887, Oregon became the first state to make Labor Day an official holiday, with Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York quickly following. However, it wasn’t until June 1894 that   President Grover Cleveland declared it a national holiday.  B. Gregg

INTERFAITH ALLIANCE CLERGY & MEMBERS JOIN  “MARCH FOR JUSTICE”

In our nation’s capital, on August 28^th, the anniversary of Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech,  clergy   of all faiths from Protestant preachers to Jewish cantors to Catholic nuns,   demonstrated   for racial justice.  Wearing stoles, robes and yarmulkes, about 3,000 participants proceeded  on a 1.7-mile route from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to the Justice Department. The turnout was larger than anticipated, the event having been titled    “One Thousand Ministers March for Justice.”

In Portland, Oregon clergy and members of the faith community  marched as well, saying: “The Department of Justice and the current Administration are undermining Dr. King's Dream.

We are marching to reaffirm that religious leaders will recommit to being at the forefront of social justice and civil rights. As Dr. King marched for 54 years ago, we are still marching for voting rights, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and economic justice.”

Alliance leader, Tom Hering, Rose City Park Presbyterian, in above photo, observed that

 “About 400 (my guesstimate) attended the March this a.m. in downtown Portland. It was powerful to be a part of the MLK march for justice with so many faith communities!

“People I recognized from IAOP were Pastor Lynne Smouse Lopez, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, (one of the organizers of the March), Erik and Diane Anderson, Ainsworth United Church of Christ; Marie Langenes, St.Andrews Catholic Church; Beth Neal, Pastor Westminster Presbyterian; Jim Moiso, Rose City Park Presbyterian, Katie Larsell, Executive Director Unitarian Voices for Justice; David Dornack, Pastor Rose City Presbyterian; and few of the young ministers from Portsmouth Union and Salt and Light Lutheran Church, with whom Marilyn Mauch and I have been working in regard to affordable housing advocacy housing.”

CENTRAL CITY CONCERNS DIRECTOR, ED BLACKBURN RETIRES

Based on interview by  Molly Harbarger, the Oregonian/Oregon Live

In 2008, after serving more than 10 years running Central City Concerns’ health and addiction services, Ed Blackburn became executive director of   homeless service organizations.

“In that time, he helped the organization grow from about 80 employees to 800. He has overseen $200 million in real estate development for housing and centers to provide a wide range of mental health, addiction recovery and other health services, as well as career training and employment programs. Blackburn switched from city planning to working with the city's homeless population as he was searching for spiritual clarity. In a few months, he found a place where the staff literally washed the feet of the poor and sick – in this case, because of bad cases of athlete's foot – and he found his calling.”

Although he is now stepping down, he remains involved   in the development of 380 housing units, built with $21.5 million donated from six Portland health systems. He'll move to emeritus status at the end of September.

In his interview with Molly Harbarger  Ed reflected on how the. homeless population has grown and changed, and how Central City Concern and the city have adapted to the fluctuations.

Is the current level of homelessness is a new phenomenon?   “When we thought of homelessness when I started in 1992, it was mostly what we refer to as "Skid Row," and Old Town and parts of downtown and parts of the Central Eastside. By early afternoon on most days, you'd have a hundred people just in this area of Old Town, passed out in doorways from drinking, mostly from alcohol use, some other drugs.

“Modern homelessness as we think about it today really started increasing in the 1980s when the federal government began de-investing in the building of low-income housing and switched mostly to a voucher system, tapping into the private landlord market, which had some efficacy and worked to some degree.  But now we find ourselves decades later with a huge shortage of housing for those who are 30 percent below the median income. And the marketplace doesn't build a lot of housing for those low-income levels.

Also during that time, in the wake of Vietnam, we saw a big upsurge in homeless veterans. We saw the de-institutionalization of large mental health hospitals, which was supposed to be followed by a lot of community investment in housing and community services, but that investment was never made proportionally to the de-investment in hospitals.

 The Great Recession was really a great depression for a lot of low-income people. I think we had a lot of young people here who didn't get attached to the mainstream economy and a lot of other people who lost their jobs and detached.

The opiate addiction has added a new twist, especially with the migratory population. The presence of heroin addiction is something I haven't seen before in the homeless population. So we have a swarm of things happening.

Was there ever a moment or a decision point that was a turning point?   A part of what's happening is a result of a good economy. You've got all these people moving here because it's a desirable place to live.  I think gentrification in Northeast Portland has resulted in homelessness as families have been broken up. Some of those were efforts to actually improve the neighborhoods, provide mass transportation, make the neighborhoods more desirable. But what happened is higher-income people moved in and bought the property. So a lot of lower-income people were gentrified out to East County and, for some people, they lost family connections, they lost a sense of community.

I don't think anyone anticipated the incredible rise in home prices and the housing market here 10 years ago. When we were building a new clinic in Old Town There were vacancies all over the place.  I think not investing in land banking for the future and the building of affordable housing at the lower income levels was a mistake.

We also lost a lot of single-room occupancy hotels.    Starting around 2003, the city focused on chronic homelessness. Central City Concern helped bring about $9 million in federal money and we did see that population go down. There were nights I'd go out with CHIERS, our outreach program that picks up inebriated people on the streets, and count people. Over time, there were nights when they weren't counting anybody sleeping on the streets  .We were able to get several hundred people off the streets in probably about a year. The idea was the cities were going to demonstrate success and then there'd be a big investment. The investment didn't follow the success.  It was right before the invasion of Iraq and so when those wars really got underway, all that funding stopped.

 Did you see this influx of homelessness coming?

When I think of all the tens of thousands of people moving here, it seems unrealistic to expect you're not going to have homeless people among that migration

How has Central City Concern changed over the tie you've been here?  When I got here in 1992, it was like a $4 million organization with maybe 80 employees -- a lot of those were part time. Many of them making minimum wage, which was pretty minimum back then. We had a few buildings and outpatient drug treatment programs using acupuncture, which was very innovative at the time. But now we're multi-dimensional organization that does really robust health care services. We did addictions treatment back then, but now we also do really comprehensive health care services at our Old Town clinic. It's recognized as one of the best health care of the homeless clinics in the country.

We do specialty mental health services there as well. We have many more units of housing. We had no housing on the Eastside when I came here in 1992. Now, on any given night, we're housing about 2,700 people at our kids and family housing on the Eastside. And we have different types of housing -- for people in recovery, people with special needs, physical health care problems.

We added employment services and, in the last 12 months, we've placed well over 600 people in jobs, working with about 350 employers.   We're probably housing 2,000 more a year .Currently we have $87 million worth of real estate investments.

How did you shape your vision for the organization as the city changed?   When I came here, I didn't come with a vision of ending homelessness. It was more of a spiritual move. I was working on neighborhood crime issues at City Hall. So when I was hired here as the director of the Hooper Detoxification Center, I knew very little about it and I had a lot to learn

We got into health care services  Old Town Clinic, which was run by Ecumencial Ministries of Oregon – were losing so much money  they came to us and asked us to keep it open. Our board chair said we can't let it shut down so  we got into the health care business.

Are there any exciting ideas out there the city is working on now or you like as an effective way to deal with the city's level of homelessness?

Multnomah County and the city significantly upgraded their collaboration in addressing the problem with the creation of the Joint Office of Homeless Services. I think their collaboration on this issue has produced results in the short term. . Shelters ultimately don't help homelessness. It's housing that is going to solve the problem.

As you near the end of your tenure at Central City Concern, are there any people or moments you are reflecting on?  When I first came, I was asked by the executive director then how long I would be staying and I said 18 months. I was going to do a turnaround thing.

But a few incidents really got me. I think the final capping incident was a guy there who was a heroin addict and he had both of his legs amputated below his knees from abscesses that went out of control from shooting up in his lower legs. He was in there almost every day at the sobering station.

I came to work one day and the paramedics were there. He had hypothermia, and they were trying to get an IV needle into his jugular vein. But, the paramedic said these guys become so sensitive to pain and needles that their bodies can sense it.

I went over and, literally, I felt pulled to the ground and I just whispered in his ear and I said, "God loves you, but if we can't get you off the streets and we can't get you clean you're going to die in a few weeks."  He kind of looked at me and a tear rolled out of his eye. Then I left. But the staff got him into a hospital into the suburbs, because quite frankly, no one would take him here. I think they made up an identity for him. He then got out of the hospital and the staff got him into a Transition Projects homeless shelter.

A few weeks later, I get a call. It was probably about 11 o'clock at night. A staff member says, "Ed, you really need to come down." And I say, "Oh geez, what happened?"  So I walk in and I see this guy sitting in a wheelchair in the back. He looked like he was 15 years younger. He stayed sober and just wanted to thank me.

It was not just what happened with him, but the kind of angel trickery the staff were able to pull. I was very impressed. I can see them now excited to tell me they got him into the hospital.  Then I was locked in. It turned into 25 years.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

CULLY NEIGHBORHOOD WALK

You are invited to accompany groups led by Malia Jimanex of Verde and/or Taren Evans of Habitat Walks on excursions around the Cully Neighborhood.  Not only will you improve your fitness,, you will get acquainted with your Cully neighbors and help them keep an eye  on  safety and livability issues.  Once in a while you may help them  pick up some trash.    . Walks start at Living Cully Plaza, 6723 NE Killingsworth.  Ample parking is  available.

For more information, contact Marilyn Mauch at _mauch@comcast.net or Taren Evans at taren@habitatportlandmetro.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

ALLIANCE MEETING – October 5

Next meeting of the Interfaith Alliance will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, Room 27, from 12:00-2:00 PM.

NEWSLETTER – JULY 2017

As we celebrate another 4^th of July, we take a moment to reflect on the beginning of our  U.S. democracy  --     On July 4, 1776, 56 men (average age 44), representing 13 former British colonies, assembled as the 2^nd Continental Congress  in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

When news of the Declaration of Independence reached New York City, it started a riot. On July 9, 1776,  with hundreds of British naval ships occupying New York Harbor,   George Washington, commander of the  Continental Army, read the document aloud in front of City Hall. A raucous crowd cheered   and later that day tore down a nearby statue of George III. The statue was subsequently melted down and shaped into more than 42,000 musket balls for the fledgling American army.  Americans  had had enough of tyranny, and set out to establish a new kind of government which would be ruled not  on the whim of a tyrant, but by  the will of the of the people, where  freedom of speech  was guaranteed, and all men were treated equally,  entitled to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

World War II General, and President of the U.S., Dwight D. Eisenhower advised, “Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men, and so it must be daily earned and refreshed, - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.”

On a lighter note, American humorist, Erma Bombeck writes, “You have to love a nation that celebrates  its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets  “iffy”, and flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism “

 SALEM RALLY

David Groth, Marilyn Mauch, Claudia Roberts, Bonnie Gregg , Sara Chan, Les Wardenaar,  Sarabelle Hitchner, Rev. Mark Knudson, Carol Turner, and  Sarah Carolus

On June 6, 2017 Interfaith Alliance members representing Westminster Presbyterian, Augustana Lutheran, Madeleine Catholic, Fremont Methodist, First Unitarian, and Central Lutheran Churches together with  Jessica Rojas of the NE Coalition joined a rally on the steps of the state  house, sponsored by the Better Oregon Coalition.  The coalition included parents, students, teachers, nurses, small business owners, unions, social workers, the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, economists, and other community advocates from every region in Oregon.

Their message was simple, Oregon is in crisis and our children, our schools and colleges, small businesses, health care programs, the elderly and people in poverty need help now.

According to studies by the Tax Foundation   Oklahoma, Oregon, and North Carolina have the lowest corporate tax burdens in the nation.  More Oregon corporations are finding a way to avoid being subject to the state's corporate income tax,  In 2004, 35,880 Oregon corporations filed income tax returns. By 2014, that number had dropped to 29,376.   With major cuts on the table due to the state’s $1.4 billion deficit  speakers at the rally  demanded that  legislators take immediate action to address  the need to make corporations pay their fair share.

WE CAN’T WAIT! the crowds shouted!   INVEST IN   PEOPLE, NOT CORPORATIONS!

"When we better fund education, health care and other critical services we improve the productivity and vitality of the our state," said Hanna Vaandering, the president of the Oregon Education Association. "We as a coalition refuse to accept cuts to services for students and those in need as long as corporations in Oregon are paying lower taxes here than anywhere else in the country."

Rev Mark Knudson, pastor of  Augustana Lutheran Church  in Portland declared that our budget expresses the values of the people of Oregon and noted that a society is judged by the way in which they treat the most vulnerable among them, the children, the elderly, the poor, the sick, etc.  Also educated, healthy people are good for our state’s economy.

He quoted from Martin Luther King, Jr. speech in which Dr. King said,  “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up.   I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land.”    B. Gregg

URGENT: STOP LEGISLATION FROM PUTTING 1,800 KIDS AT RISK OF LOSING TANF      

Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon  advise that on Monday, June 26, 2017, as part of the Human Services Budget (SB 5526)—an Oregon legislative committee passed a cut which  would disqualify 1,800 kids who participate in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) who are being cared for by low-income relatives.

“If this cut passes, Oregon would enact the harshest policy in the country. In fact, only three other states have similar policies. This would likely result in decreased benefits for kids, more kids in foster care and more money spent on administrative costs.

“Not only would this budget proposal cut important benefits for kids, it would make it harder for families to stay together. Currently, when a non-parent relative—grandparent, uncle, cousin, older sibling—cares for a child and earns less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level, their income is not counted against their benefits. By design, this helps keep families together, encouraging relative care over foster care.”

Only two weeks are left in the legislative session to ensure this funding is restored.   Contact your representative to oppose this cut now. John Elizalde

STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS  NOW DECIDING  

WHERE ”OUR MONEY” WILL GO

While members of the Interfaith Alliance rallied in  Salem, in  Washington, D.C., our representatives are gathering to consider the budget which has been proposed by our President.

ON THE CUTTING BLOCK:

 ----Health and Human Service  cut 12.6 billion - .

$4.2 billion will be  eliminated from community services programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.   National Institutes of Health will be cut by $5.8 billion.

----Education - cut 9.2 billion   -     After school and summer programs will be eliminated. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant for college students will be eliminated.

----Housing and Urban Development -  cut 4.3 billion  by eliminating Community Block Development Block Grant to fund anti-poverty programs, rental assistance, home ownership programs, and housing initiatives.

 ----Labor – cut 9.6 billion, scaling back job training programs including those aimed at helping seniors, disadvantaged young people and unemployed Americans.  Training grants for occupational safety and health administration would be eliminated.

 ----Diplomacy and development would be severely cut, impacting: the United Nations. Climate-change initiatives at the United Nations would lose all their U.S. funding. The government would cut back its regular contribution to the U.N. and would pay no more than 25 percent of the cost of U.N. peacekeeping operations.

----The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s grants and programs for coastal and marine management, research and education would be eliminated and the Minority Business Development Agency, which supports minority-owned businesses would be reduced..

----The E.P.A. is among the hardest-hit agencies. The budget calls for the elimination of about 3,200 staff positions — over 20 percent of the department.

It would also eliminate all funding for enactment of the Clean Power Plan, the regulations designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants  Funding for climate change research and international climate change programs would be eliminated.

----Programs to support research of breakthrough clean energy technology, including the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program   would be eliminated.

----Nearly 20 smaller independent agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Legal Services Corporation, which finances legal aid groups would be eliminated.

BIG WINNER:    Defense Budget Increase by $574 billion.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CULLY

Cameron Herrington, Coordinator of Living Cully

At the May Alliance Planning Meeting, Cameron Herrington, explained how Living Cully works to expand affordable housing and prevent the displacement of residents threatened by rapidly increasing housing costs. 

Cully is the “the most diverse community in the state”, with 50% people of color, immigrants, and refugees.  Public transportation is limited; parks and libraries are lacking; sidewalks are few and streets have pot holes. Through its work in NE Portland’s Cully Neighborhood, Living Cully works to prevent displacement and assist low income residents in their fight against rising rents.

When residents of the Normandy Apartments,   received notice last December that their rents had more than  “doubled” from $630 to $1320  per month, Living Cully jumped in to help.  They assisted the tenants in organizing a march and   getting an attorney.   The owner agreed to postpone the rent  increase until July 1, enabling children to remain in their current school placement through the end of the school year.

This decision gave the tenants some breathing room, but they still needed to find affordable housing.  Living Cully posted a message on the social media site “Next Door.”  In response, Nancy  Hiss offered an ADU “accessory dwelling unit” that she had built in her backyard to accommodate her parents, who are now deceased.  At $900 a month, it was the answer to  Normandy apartment tenant, Michelle Labra’s prayers.

The Interfaith Alliance has participated with Living Cully in supporting   the Normandy apartment tenants and   Oak Leaf mobile home park residents to achieve affordable housing.  Living Cully partners include  Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro East, Haciendas Community Development Corporation, NAYA  (Native American Youth and Family Center) and Verde.

“KENTON VILLAGE HOME” Fourteen tiny  houses, about 8’ x 12’, have been constructed on a lot in the Kenton neighborhood to  shelter homeless women. Communal kitchen and bathrooms are also provided.  Catholic Charities will offer support services.

SAINT FRANCIS APARTMENTS

Home Forward is partnering with Catholic Charities and St. Francis of Assisi Parish to create an affordable housing community located in   inner Southeast Portland

The plan for the St. Francis Apartments is to develop 102 apartment units that will include 73 studios, 28 one-bedroom units, one two bedroom unit and 33 parking spaces.

Ninety percent of the units will be for families earning less than 60 percent of the median income and ten percent will be units for those earning less than 30 percent of the median income. In addition 25 units will be reserved for victims of domestic or sexual violence.

The building will extend the full length of SE 12th Ave., along SE Stark St. and then continue halfway up SE 11th Ave. The apartment building will cover about fifty percent of the block. Most of the north half of the park will be landscaped as a semi-private open space

The project will replace a private park adjacent to St. Francis of Assisi Parish.  St Francis Dining Hall, located in the basement of the church, serves 150-300 hot meals   daily to the homeless of the area.    Ground breaking for the housing project is expected in December of this year.

Home Forward is now the largest provider of affordable housing in Oregon.  It has served all of Multnomah County, including the cities of Portland and Gresham, since 1992.  The agency owns 2,600 public housing  3,700 affordable housing and administers 8,200 Section 8 housing assistance vouchers.*

NOTE: The Home Forward (HF) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently CLOSED. It was last open for five days in September 2016, and prior to that in November 2012. There is no notice of when the list will reopen and vouchers become available.    There are currently 3,000 on the waiting list.  

JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS OF  PORTLAND MARTYRS

In response to the recent hate crimes in Portland, at the invitation of Rev. Mark Knudsen, the Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke to a public press gathering at Augustana Lutheran Church on June 2, 2017.

Rev. Jackson said that we must prayerfully acknowledge the “martyrs among us” whose lives are sacrificed as were the two men  slain while trying to stop an “anti-Muslim” hate rant at the Max train station.  He noted that “we may not be able to stop their crucifixion but neither can they stop our resurrection.  We must become instruments of peace, not hate.”  He recommended that when they march, we stay home, “denying them fuel for their hate.”

He observed that “poverty is an annihilation” and that we must “leave the racial battlefield to seek the economic common ground that will enable us to achieve the moral high ground where all men are treated equally in a global community.”  We must “pull down the walls of ignorance to build bridges of understanding.”  We must “remember that regardless of our color or religion, we live in “one big tent.”  B. Gregg

PRAYER POWER WORKS

“Despite racist threats looming in the day leading up to the event, the 'Good in the Hood' parade went off without a hitch Saturday, June 24. “   (KGW News)

When Good in the Hood organizers received threats of “a blood bath”, they did not cancel their festival.  They contacted the FBI, but did not hire armed guards.  Instead they asked for PRAYERS from the faith-based communities of Portland.   Interfaith Alliance members joined in this effort.  Our thanks to all who participated.

1^ST WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

On June 13, 2017, Pope Francis issued a papal message for the 1st World Day of the Poor, which will be held November 19, 2017.

“Some”, he said, "may think of the poor simply as the beneficiaries of our occasional volunteer work, or of impromptu acts of generosity that appease our conscience.”   Instead he encouraged us  “to see the faces marked by suffering, marginalization, oppression, violence, torture and imprisonment, war, deprivation of freedom and dignity, ignorance and illiteracy, medical emergencies and shortage of work, trafficking and slavery, exile, extreme poverty and forced migration. … [those] exploited by base interests, crushed by the machinations of power and money. … [and] poverty born of social injustice, moral degeneration, the greed of a chosen few, and generalized indifference!"

Pope Francis says “Let us love, not with words but with deeds.”

VOLUNTARY POVERTY

Adapted from the “Art of Letting Go:  Living the Wisdom of St Francis”, by Fr. Richard Rohr

We all know Pope Francis, but are less familiar with his namesake, Francis of Assisi.  Like today, in 1204 the world was obsessed with war, fear, and security.   As a young man, Francis was imprisoned during the war between Perugia and Assisi. When finally released, he saw that greed at the expense of the poor, was causing great inequities and human suffering,

Walking away from a life of privilege, Francis chose to live in close proximity to and solidarity with the excluded ones in his society.  He moved down into the plain below Assisi where there was a leper colony.  “Lepers” did not always have the contagious disease of leprosy, but they were the people society deemed unacceptable, unworthy, or shameful for any number of reasons. Francis not only served the poor, he became one of them.

“Today”, Fr. Rohr says, “our planet is in grave peril largely due to greed, overconsumption, and reckless exploitation. While most of us are not like Francis, willing to dive into a life of voluntary poverty, we must all make choices and decisions to do our part to follow these wise words of an unknown speaker: “live simply so that others may simply live

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

CULLY STANDS TOGETHER

Community gathering to promote the multi-cultural diversity and resilience of the Cully neighborhood will be held Saturday, July 8 – ll:00AM – 3:00 PM,  at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5520 NE Killingsworth, Bus Line 72.  There will be food, performances and fun for kids

Sponsored by Living Cully, Haciendas, Northeast Emergency Food Bank, Cully Blvd, Naya Family Center,  42^nd Avenue, and Trinity Lutheran Church.  Please bring food to share with neighbors.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Cully Mobile Home Repair/Maintenance

If you have a few hours to spare,   your help is needed to clean up and upgrade Cedar Shade and Arbor Mobile Home Parks.  Marilyn Mauch says, “I’m 83 going on 84 next year, so I can’t do any heavy lifting, but I can sure clean mold.  And,” she added, “It’s a great way to meet your neighbors!”  Whatever your skill level, your help would be appreciated.

Friday, July 6 and Friday, July 7 2-8 Miscellaneous/ General Repairs Cedar Shade Mobile Park, 7120 NE Killingsworth

Friday, July 14, and Saturday, July 15^{th -}  9 Am-1PM   - Roof Repair – Meet at Living Cully Plaza, 6723 NE Killingsworth

Thursday, July 27 and Friday July 28:  10AM-4PM – Miscellaneous/General Repairs – Arbor Mobile Home Park, 6415 NE  Killingsworth Street

Sunday, July 30, 2-8PM, Window Repair – Cedar Shade, 7120 NE Killingsworth, and Arbor Mobile Home Parks, 6415 NE Killingsworth.

To sign up:  Email Brenna Bailey:  bbailey@stcharlespdx.org

PRAYER POWER WORKS

“Despite racist threats looming in the day leading up to the event, the 'Good in the Hood' parade went off without a hitch Saturday, June 24. “   (KGW News) When Good in the Hood organizers received threats of “a blood bath”, they did not cancel their festival.  They contacted the FBI, but did not hire armed guards.  Instead they asked for PRAYERS from the faith-based communities of Portland.   Interfaith Alliance members joined in this effort.  Our thanks to all who participated.

Good in the Hood Festival Organizers Request Prayers

On Saturday, June 24, 2017, the annual ‘GOOD IN THE HOOD FESTIVAL” is set to begin in Northeast Portland.   This threatening letter was sent to Good in the Hood festival organizers. which read as follows: "TO ALL####LOVERS AND ####

"OUR PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ISSUED  AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO KILL ALL ####

"######WILL DIE AT THIS SO-CALLED GOOD IN THE HOOD!!!!

"THAT PRESIDENT SHAWN PENNIE NEEDS TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT BEFORE MY THIRTY OTT SIX DOES IT FOR HIM.  ONCE A SLAVE, ALWAYS A SLAVE.  WHITE POWER RULES!

"THIS IS MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH!  WE THE WHITE KKK NOW OWN THE NORTH AND NORTHEAST  PORTLAND.  SO LET THAT BLACK MONKEY PIECE OF #### KNOW WE ARE WATCHING HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

"THE GOOD IN THE HOOD WILL NOT HAPPEN UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE A BLOOD BATH!

"WHITE POWER TRUMP SUPPORTER - FREDOM OF SPEECH"

Shawn Penney, president of the Good in the Hood organization, responded, saying “This is still our neighborhood, it’s still the people’s neighborhood.  We’re not going to cancel it, because if we cancel it, they win. This year is going to be a great event. That letter isn’t going to scare us. We aren’t going to run away from it.”

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has stated, “Our city, just two weeks removed from a national tragedy, has experienced a number of incidents this week clearly motivated by hate. Threats to the Good in the Hood festival in the heart of Albina, targeting communities of color, particularly black Portlanders. Reports today of racist language directed at a middle school child. This is unconscionable.

“We are in communication with local school districts, the Governor’s office, and are actively working with local, state, and federal law enforcement. We are doing all we can to investigate these recent incidents and protect our residents who are living under threat. If you have any information that could assist investigators, please contact the Portland Police Bureau.

“These times can be terrifying… I’ve spoken to many people who are scared. We have a tremendous opportunity to come together to ensure that everyone is welcome in our city, and we all live in safety and with dignity.

“Please, let’s continue to stand up for one another.”

 Jessica Rojas, of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhood advises that the Good in the Hood are asking for prayers from clergy and their congregations.

The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty encourages all of our members to join in prayers for Peace, Love,  Justice, and Respect for all human beings as children of God.

June 2017 Interfaith Alliance Newsletter

THE POWER OF EDUCATION  

In June, graduating high school students across the country set out to seek their fortunes. Those   raised in families where there was always food on the table and a place they called “home”, where choices were many, and success the expectation, look forward to graduating from college, maybe backpacking through Europe, then pursuing bright futures ahead.

Those raised in families where food was scarce and shelter uncertain, where choices were limited, and failure the norm, are less sure where their tomorrows will take them.   The fact that they graduated from high school is itself an accomplishment, not all that common in their community. But they are unsure what they should do next, try for a community college, take that job at McDonald’s, or just “hang” w/friends.

Growing up in poverty, college is seldom seen as an option. All kinds of excuses are made for not going.  “If we can’t pay the rent, how can we send you to college?  It’s time you started pulling your own weight!  What would you do- become a doctor, maybe a hot-shot lawyer?  The idea is made to seem laughable. College isn’t for the likes of us.”  Nevertheless education is their key out of poverty, not only for themselves but their children, and their children’s children.

Minimum wage jobs do not pay enough to support the needs of most families. Income sufficient to cover the increasing cost of rent, food, utilities, transportation, clothing, health needs, etc.  is necessary to escape becoming homeless. Government assistance is uncertain and varies with political winds.  Good paying jobs are the answer.  To obtain the skills necessary for 21^st century jobs, education is necessary.   Those who grow up in poverty who attend college, are able to earn 91 percent more over their careers than their peers who have earned only a high school diploma or GED.   Education widens the horizon, making  possible  destinies unlimited by poverty.

John F Kennedy said “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”  And not just strength for our nation, but a way out of poverty for kids in Portland, and those around the globe.

Nelson Mandela stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.” -- Not mighty armies or commercial empires, but EDUCATION can transform this tiny planet we call home.    Knowledge makes it possible to solve the most thorny problems,  Hunger and disease can be eradicated.  Eco-systems can be restored.  Achieving his/her full potential can become the expectation for every child.    Whatever the cost, education is our best investment.  Bonnie Gregg

MAYOR WHEELER’S NEW BUDGET

On May 1,  Mayor Ted Wheeler  submitted his budget proposal, saying,  ”My first budget makes significant investments to address the real concerns of everyday Portlanders.  Topping the list of priorities are livability, road maintenance, community policing, housing, homelessness, and resilience.  These are the issues I hear about the most, things that city government is uniquely positioned to address.”

More than $25 million in General Fund resources  is being allocated to the Joint Office of Homeless Services, matching Multnomah County’s commitment to invest in supportive housing, diversion programs, rapid rehousing shelter, and system coordination.

MARC JOLIN TELLS ABOUT   “A HOME FOR EVERYONE”

 At the April 27^th meeting of the Alliance Planning Meeting, Marc Jolin, head of the Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services, reported that a “Home for Everyone” is a community-wide plan organized in response to the crisis of homelessness in Multnomah County.     During 2015-2016, they served over 25,000 people with some level of housing and support services  This year, they plan to prevent homelessness by 5,000 people; increase permanent housing placements for 4,350; and  expand emergency shelters by 650 beds to double the current capacity for those who remain  homeless.

• Lack of available housing is the biggest challenge. Therefore, they  are offering private landlords financial incentives to encourage them to rent to homeless people.  Last year, they were successful securing 300 more housing units.
• Stable income leads to stable housing. Therefore they have introduced programs which connect rental assistance  with employment training.
• By aligning mental health, corrections, and homeless service systems, they are better able to serve the community. A community-wide data platform has been created to facilitate application processes and make sure people get the services they need.
• Shelter options remain critical to provide basic safety, hygiene facilities, and opportunities to connect with housing, employment, and health services.

Marc indicated everyone’s help is needed.  To find out more visit www.ahomeforeverone.net or ahfe@multco.us  or call 503-988-2525.

BREAKING THE CHAIN OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY, STARTING WITH THE CHILDREN, May 7 2017 By John Elizalde

About 60 people gathered under the banner of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty to learn about how trauma, especially childhood trauma, impacts our lives and the lives of those living in poverty. Dr Mandy Davis, director of Trauma Informed Oregon (tio.org) led the afternoon workshop. It was terrific!

Medical and social sciences have progressed enough to recognize the long lasting effects that trauma has on our lives. None of us escape without some form of trauma as we grow up, face life on life’s terms, raise families, have jobs, struggle with relationships, money and so many more of day-to-day reality. As Dr Davis pointed out, faith communities are often providers of safety net services. Our members serve meal sites, shelters, offer encouragement and support to families in transition and many other direct service activities. The communities where we live, work, worship and serve are populated with those who have experienced adversity, trauma, and toxic stress. So, with every interaction we have an opportunity to restore, reconnect and repair the people we serve and serve with.

We got a good, working definition of what trauma informed care is: “A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization”

The workshop then took us through the learning we needed in order to realize, recognize, respond and resist re-traumatizing. Just understanding trauma was a chore. It can be a single event, a series of events that may recur over time, there could be interpersonal violence or violation at the hands of a trusted figure, or even events that impact a group or have occurred to family in the past. Many of us found ourselves thinking about our own past and the events that may have impacted us.

It seemed the key was why trauma is important for those of us concerned about poverty, economic justice and making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors. It is important because:

—Trauma is pervasive.

—Trauma’s impact is broad, deep and life-shaping.

—Trauma differentially affects the more vulnerable.

—Trauma affects how people approach services.

—The service system has often been activating or re-traumatizing.

Thus, if our work is to break the chain of generational poverty we need the awareness of how trauma sets the stage for this generational inheritance. We talk about starting with the children because we learn that science has taught us about

how vulnerable children are (sure we knew this but current research has put a sharper focus on children and trauma). Trauma (toxic stress, adversity) impacts the way our brain develops and functions (neurobiology). We learned that trauma can have impacts that persist across generations (epigenetics). And, we find that adverse childhood experiences are particularly important due to the neurobiology at play with young minds. Dr Davis puts it succinctly: “The take home message about ACEs is that adversity in childhood leads to challenges in health for adults and helped us understand why. It linked adversity to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, copd, etc.” These experiences show up in education results, earning power and can indicate the likelihood for lesser education and economic outcome.

This summary cannot begin to discuss the details of the ACEs study and its findings. Suffice to realize that children are at the foundation of generational poverty and need our support, lots of our support. And, that we can make a positive difference if we look for and develop ways to create safe, stable and nurturing relationships so children can learn skills such that they can reach their full potential.

We learned that our resilience actually allows us to experience positive surroundings that reverse, prevent or heal the disruption caused by trauma. Our service activities and the facilities we work in offer opportunities for us to connect personally with those we serve and serve with. Resilience affords the chance to become self-aware and to learn and understand self-reflection and self-care. This leads to becoming more flexible, curious and persistent and being able to be of service to others. Like so much of life we learn that resilience is a capability we need to develop and nurture if we are to thrive living life on life’s terms.

And so there were concrete steps we could take to enhance our relationships. Creating physical and emotionally safe places for our service is a step in the right direction. Dr Davis provided examples of how we might do that and help restore power and value to the people we interact with. So much of trauma informed care is about the way we work rather than the work we do. The workshop didn’t get deep into skill development but it is clear that being ‘trauma informed’ is an area of development for most of us.

Often we hear it said, “it’s not about the food/shelter/clothes or other direct service. It is about how we provide the food/shelter/clothes or other service.” Dr Davis is likely to endorse that perspective. Those who attended “Breaking the Chain of Generational Poverty: Starting with the Children” have plenty to reflect on. That’s a good thing.

Learn more at Trauma Informed Oregon (tio.org) and get a copy of the handouts from the training by emailing: registerinterfaithalliance@gmail.com.

WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY By Rev. Connie Yost,  (Article has been edited for newsletter.  To read full text, see Allianceopoverty.org website.)

“It began in Denver, in July of 2016, when Southwest Airline computers crashed and my flight home to Portland was cancelled. An hour and a half wait in line had me rebooked on a flight out the next evening, and an apologetic $200 voucher was issued, good only on a future, Southwest Airline flight.

“Never one to turn down a good coupon, discount or voucher, that $200 weighed heavily on me. Where to go? Finally, I decided to tour parts of the Midwest I had skipped over (or flown over) in previous trips. My trip began in Detroit, wound through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, ending in Chicago.

“Between booking the trip and taking the trip, I had gotten more involved with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty in Portland, specifically researching programs that have effectively moved people and communities out of poverty. I remembered studying the Chicago-based work of Bethel New Life when I was in seminary some years back. I was in luck – Mary Nelson, one of Bethel’s founders and executive director for many years was still living in the community, and she would be happy to talk with me and show me around.

When I arrived at Bethel ,I was  flabbergasted at the size of it! I had no idea that their offices were in a former 465-bed hospital and nursing school, now a senior independent and assisted living facility they purchased and rehabbed.

Mary, having retired as Bethel’s executive director in 2006, lived in an apartment there, and still had an office in the old nursing school section. She was nimble and jaunty in her clogs and patterned loose pants, not nearly as old looking as I thought she would be.   Mary told me the story of Bethel New Life, which was born out of Bethel Lutheran Church where her brother became Pastor in 1965. Three days later, riots broke out.

In 1965, Bethel Lutheran Church had 35 elderly white members. By then, the surrounding community was overwhelmingly black. White flight had accelerated over the years, but with the riots, the community shut down completely. Businesses left, banks left, landlords stopped maintaining buildings. Residents found there were few jobs nearby, and even those with a good income couldn’t get a home loan in this “risky” neighborhood. By 1979, the area was losing 200 housing units to demolition each year. There was no major grocery store, few good doctors, no local bank and too few jobs. West Garfield was in a tailspin, and almost no one from the outside seemed interested in saving it.

Yet a new community organization found that there were plenty of resources available within this worn-out neighborhood. There were local people willing to put abandoned buildings back together again, families who pitched in to start a food co-op, older men who would comb parks and alleys for aluminum cans worth a penny or two each. There were church members and neighbors who couldn’t spare much, but who were willing to give a little to see their community grow again. There was hope, the will to rebuild. And that was enough to start.

I am sure that those 35 members of Bethel New Life never imagined what their faith and hope would start in motion. With a commitment to be of service in their community, they opened their doors to the neighborhood. Pastor Nelson went door to door and invited people to come in. They opened the church to black groups, started an afterschool program, and provided a convocation for their local teachers, most of whom did not live in the neighborhood, teaching them the realities of the people’s lives.

By 1979, it was clear that there was a housing crisis. By then, Bethel Lutheran had 70 members who voted to do a housing ministry, though no one knew how to do it. They just knew it needed to be done. “All we knew about housing,” said one church member, “was that it was long and hard and complicated.”   They went to the bank and applied for their first loan, and when the bank asked for collateral, they voted to mortgage the church building. And when they ran out of money, they used their personal credit cards to buy the things they needed to rehab the buildings.

Fast forward 10 years, and they had grown into a $4.5 million per year organization with 350 employees. In their first three decades, Bethel built 1,200 affordable homes, advocated for social reforms, provided in-home care to the elderly, welcomed people home from prison to find legal employment, provided programs for neighborhood youth, were instrumental in the development of community investment vehicles such as the New Market Tax Credit program and led efforts at the local and national level in community development and transformation.

Rev. Connie’s report  demonstrates how people of faith can overcome the most formidable of obstacles to achieve astounding results.  In these challenging, sometimes discouraging times, it is a message we all need to hear.

“Escalating Inequality and Poverty”  Course for Churches

The Rev. Connie Yost, affiliated community minister of First Unitarian Church, is available to teach “Escalating Inequality and Poverty” at your church.  The course is designed as four, weekly sessions of two hours each, but Rev. Connie is willing to work with you to tailor to your needs.

Rev. Connie advises “In this four week course, we will explore economic inequality and poverty in the United States and specifically here in Portland.  We will engage with the complex history and realities of economic inequality which exists at every level of human community, from local to global, and is composed of overlapping and interrelated systems of education, income, housing, taxation, democracy, banking,  public health, workplace policies, and many others.  We will gain an awareness of how structures of oppression affect the systemic nature of economic inequality.  Finally, we will explore ways in which inequality and poverty can be reduced.  Come and be inspired to be part of the solution to escalating inequality.    Contact Rev Connie at cyost @ uuma.org or 503-885-0155.

UPCOMING ALLIANCE MEETINGS – All are welcome!

Thursday, June 1, 7:00 PM, Evicted” Book Discussion at Madeleine Catholic Parish, 3123 NE 24th Ave, Fireside Room, led by Dave and Peggy Albertine.

Monday, June 5, 12:00 noon-2:00 pm,  Transitioning to Stability Work Group of the Alliance, Agenda: Review effective national models,  Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 NE 45^th Street, Library (enter ramp by awning)

Friday, June 16, 9:30-11:30 AM, Advocacy Work Group, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1535 NE 17th  

 Thursday, June 29, 12:00 Noon-2:00 PM, Monthly Meeting of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, Westminster Presbyterian Church,  1624 NE Hancock, Fireside Room; Share pot-luck lunch!!

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS  - Join us!

 World Environment Day  Global Goals Fair, Saturday, June 3, 2017, 12:00 4:00 PM:   Portland Hawthorne Hostel, 3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd. --  Live music, local food & drink vendorsl

On May 8, 2017, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, said,

“Eradicating poverty remains the greatest global challenge.   Poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision-making. Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.”

June 6 Salem Rally To Protest 1.6 Billion Budget Cuts –by Tom Hering

Last Friday, the Advocacy workgroup of The Alliance unanimously voted to support a Salem rally sponsored by A Better Oregon coalition. As you know, Oregonians are bracing for $1.6 billion in budget cuts as a result of Oregon’s lowest-in-the-nation corporate taxes.

If lawmakers do not show leadership and ask corporations to pay their fair share the results will be devastating:  350,000 Oregonians would be kicked off their health insurance and severe cuts to public education could occur with greatly increased class size. We need to tell our elected leaders it is outrageous to ask Oregonians to accept deeper cuts that directly impact people living in poverty while Oregon has one of the lowest corporate taxes in the nation.

• What:Legislature Rally to voice our opinion about budget cuts
• When:June 6th, Leaving Portland at 10 a.m.
• Where:Salem on the Capitol Steps at Noon
• Why:To Ensure $1.6 Billion in Cuts Don’t Impact Programs with Poverty Implications
• How:Traveling by bus, van or carpool;  Register here for free lunch: https://fastfor.ms/E58F2.

Salem Rally June 6

On June 6, 2017, Interfaith Alliance members and Jessica Rojas of the NE Coalition joined a rally on the steps of the state house, sponsored by the  Better Oregon Coalition, representing  parents, students, teachers, nurses, small business owners,  labor unions, social workers, the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, economists, and other community advocates from every region in Oregon. Their message was simple. Oregon is in crisis and our children, our schools and colleges,  small businesses,  health care programs, the elderly and people in poverty need help now.  

According to studies by the Tax Foundation and the Heritage Foundation, California (13.3%) and Oregon (9%) have the highest middle class tax in the nation.     On the other hand, Oklahoma, Oregon, and North Carolina have the lowest corporate tax burdens in the nation.

More Oregon corporations are finding a way to avoid being subject to the state's corporate income tax,  In 2004, 35,880 Oregon corporations filed income tax returns. By 2014, that number had dropped to 29,376.

With major cuts on the table due to the state’s $1.4 billion deficit  speakers at the rally  demanded that  legislators take immediate action to address  the need to make corporations pay their fair share.

WE CAN’T WAIT! the crowds shouted.   INVEST IN   PEOPLE, NOT CORPORATIONS!

"When we better fund education, health care and other critical services we improve the productivity and vitality of the our state," said Hanna Vaandering, the president of the Oregon Education Association. "We as a coalition refuse to accept cuts to services for students and those in need as long as corporations in Oregon are paying lower taxes here than anywhere else in the country."

Rev Mark Knudson, pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church  in Portland said that our budget expresses the values of the people of Oregon and noted that a society is judged by the way in which they treat the most vulnerable among them, the children, the elderly, the poor, the sick, etc.  Also educated, healthy people are good for our state’s economy.

He quoted from Martin Luther King, Jr. speech in which Dr. King said,  “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up.   I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land.”    B. Gregg

Salem Rally To Protest 1.6 Billion Budget Cuts - June 6

Last Friday, the Advocacy workgroup of The Alliance unanimously voted to support a Salem rally  sponsored by A Better Oregon coalition. As you know, Oregonians are bracing for $1.6 billion in budget cuts as a result of Oregon’s lowest-in-the-nation corporate taxes.

If lawmakers do not show leadership and ask corporations to pay their fair share the results will be devastating:  350,000 Oregonians would be kicked off their health insurance and severe cuts to public education could occur with greatly increased class size. We need to tell our elected leaders it is outrageous to ask Oregonians to accept deeper cuts that directly impact people living in poverty while Oregon has one of the lowest corporate taxes in the nation.

What: Legislature Rally to voice our opinion about budget cuts

When: June 6th, Leaving Portland at 10 a.m.

Where: Salem on the Capitol Steps at Noon

Why: To Ensure $1.6 Billion in Cuts Don't Impact Programs with Poverty Implications

How: Traveling by bus, van or carpool;  Register here for free lunch: https://fastfor.ms/E58F2.

RSVP by 5 p.m. May 31 to Sarah Carolus: 503-381-6944 or scarolus3@gmail.com

The rally is also being supported by Oregon Center for Christian Voices and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Please announce or share this information with your congregation as soon as possible. See if you can insert an announcement into your bulletins or publicize from the pulpit. In addition, feel free to pass this along to other friends or colleagues who may be interested. You can email me with any questions at tehering@gmail.com.

Breaking the Chain of Generational Poverty, Starting With the Children

Dr. Mandy Davis, Executive Director, Trauma Informed Oregon, Portland State University  On Sunday, May 7, the Interfaith Alliance will be sponsoring a community-wide event featuring a presentation by Dr. Mandy Davis regarding the impacts of living in poverty. It will be held in the atrium at the MADELEINE PARISH, 3123 NE 24th from 1:30-5:30 PM. Light refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Davis’ presentation is entitled: BREAKING THE CHAIN OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY, STARTING WITH THE CHILDREN. It will enable attendees to:

• Gain a new understanding of the affects on people living in crisis from poverty, homelessness, hunger, addiction, violence, etc.
• Learn how these affects impact the development of children
• See how these affects can last for generations,

To register, Email registerinterfaithalliance@gmail.com Suggested Donation: $10.00; no one turned away for lack of funds