Hear Siri, a peer leader at 2024 Impact Partner Working Theory Farm, share their experience with the organization and developing leadership and activism in equitable food systems!
Crag Law Center fighting to save Oregon’s wild spaces
Liason Cheron Calder reports that Craig Law (another 2025 Impact Partner) has filed a federal lawsuit “challenging unlawful logging in SW Oregon forests.” Crag is representing Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild, and Umpqua Watersheds to challenge the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s “42 Divide Forest Management Plan,” which would allow aggressive logging of nearly 7,000 acres of public forest near Camas Valley in Douglas County.
The project threatens land set aside as conservation reserves and intended to protect older forests and imperiled wildlife such as the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, Oregon Coast coho salmon, and western pond turtles. The area also supports a vibrant ecosystem of trees such as Douglas fir, cedar, and madrone and other plant, animal, and fungal communities. In addition to decimating the living ecosystem, the proposed logging would leave behind forests more prone to extreme wildfire behavior.
Crag filed the lawsuit to stop BLM from evading the law, protect thousands of acres of mature older forests, and prevent creation of dangerous and unnecessary wildfire conditions.
Recognition for Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC)
Last week, Portland's mayor proclaimed March 6 as Joe McFerrin II Day in honor of the president and CEO of POIC and Rosemary Anderson High School (2025 Impact Award winner) and the organization’s impact in our city. Mayor Keith Wilson lauded McFerrin II for “demonstrating an unwavering commitment to mentoring and uplifting young people,” with “30 years of service to the organization and the broader Portland community.” Congratulations for this well-deserved recognition of POIC’s commitment to equity, workforce development, and youth empowerment in our community!
Community Energy Project seeks board members
Community Energy Project (2023 Impact Partner) is recruiting new board members who are interested in energy justice, housing stability, and supporting low-income communities through thoughtful governance and leadership. If this feels like something that resonates with you, or you need more details or answers to questions, contact Cameo Konfrst.
Liaison Trina Brodsky shares these thoughts from her recent visit to Project Lemonade’s headquarters at Lloyd Center Mall.
Project Lemonade has served the foster youth community for 13 years. Their free store remains central to their mission, allowing children to shop for essential items including coats, shoes, clothing, and a special item. Ninety percent of the inventory is new!
Beyond the store, Project Lemonade offers comprehensive support through mentoring, resume writing, and interview preparation, as well as paid internships. The assistant store manager is a graduate of the internship program and a former foster youth. Furthermore, their scholarship program supports trade school and university goals, both with traditional scholarships and by offering supplementary aid for housing, transportation, and food–often not covered by traditional scholarships.
Project Lemonade is seeking support with public relations and marketing to build awareness for their new location and services at the Leftbank building at 240 N Broadway, where they will move by this June. If you have any information or connections that could assist in these areas, please let Trina know.
POIC celebrates cohort graduation
Another 2025 Impact Partner, the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC), celebrated the graduation of their Community Safety Worker program pilot cohort in January. The two-year program offers graduate-level coursework that transforms low-wage, frontline labor into a sustainable and respected career path.
Recognized as one of the nation’s first formal efforts to professionalize community-based violence prevention, the program is already setting a new standard. Learn about this success through the story of program graduate Zach Salu.
Albina Vision Trust tour
Albina Vision Trust, a 2025 Impact Partner, welcomed Girlfriends and community partners for a rainy December walking tour of the Albina neighborhood. Participants learned about the area’s history and how Albina Vision Trust is advancing housing and stability after decades of urban renewal and displacement in Portland’s Black community. Working with architects and community partners, they are leading redevelopment of 94 acres of land near the Moda Center and Willamette River.
The tour included Albina One, a newly completed 94-unit affordable housing development offering culturally specific education, mentoring, workforce training, and family support for Black and other historically marginalized communities, as well as the former Portland Public Schools headquarters, now slated for a transformative restorative development. Plans call for more than 1,000 homes, mixed-use commercial space, an education hub, greenspace, and enrollment stabilization for three historically Black schools, with priority access for displaced community members. The tour concluded at the site where Albina Vision Trust plans to cap I-5, reconnecting Upper and Lower Albina and creating new housing, greenspace, and bike- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Interested in a monthly tour? Sign up for one by emailing Beckie Lee.
A Liaison Update from Andrea Allison
Things are happening with Impact Partner Finability. Jolene Fuller was recently promoted from program officer to director of programs — a role through which she will oversee program growth, strengthen community ties, and continue empowering the survivors the organization serves. They have also hired a strategic partnership officer with a financial focus, based in Colorado.
Director of Programs Jolene Fuller, Board Member David Stock, and Executive Director Stacy Sawin (Photo courtesy of Andrea Allison)
Working Theory Farm Tour
On July 30, 10 Girlfriends carpooled to Hillsboro for a tour of Working Theory Farm, a 2024 Impact Partner. They were treated to a lengthy 90-minute tour of the beautiful 24- acre property that grows vegetables, fruit trees, chickens (for eggs), and pigs (being raised to sell by fall). A small pond surrounded by trees creates a quiet space for staff, youth, and visiting seniors from Centro Cultural.
A centerpiece of this farm’s model is that high-school-aged youth (from alternative schools and Harkins House, an alternative to detention) participate in paid summer work to learn about and participate in all aspects of organic farming. Produce is offered for purchase through community-supported agriculture shares* (sold out this year), and through collaboration with Centro Cultural for distribution through their Free Food Mercado.
Bagel, a spunky mixed breed with a zest for fetching, followed behind her bosses David Altuzar (communications manager) and Henney Sullivan (development director).
David Altuzar was recently hired (partially funded through our Impact Award). He summed up the experience as follows:
“As if on cue, clouds rolled in to soften the summer sun during the ninety-nine girlfriends visit. As we strolled through the fields, we paused to meet the pigs and chickens and to share how our no-till, regenerative, organic practices are both a commitment to the land and a vehicle for transformation. Along the way, the Girlfriends saw youth actively working and heard how vital it is for young people to have spaces like this, where they can find purpose, connect with the earth, and redefine their relationship to food and community.
One of our youth, Maverick (15), captured it best: ‘Working here makes me more appreciative of everything I have — in knowing the process, the love, the energy, the hard work that goes into growing food.’ ”
All who participated felt grateful for the Working Theory Farm staff taking time to treat the Girlfriends to this tour during their busiest time of the year. When it works for our Impact Partners, a visit to experience the mission of their organization enriches our knowledge and appreciation of all the pieces that our partners manage. Beyond vegetables…it was food for the soul!
Path Home
Last week, Path Home presented their Lullaby Project at Alberta Rose Theater. Through an ongoing partnership with the Oregon Symphony, the Lullaby Project uses creative expression to build bonds and improve maternal health for families experiencing homelessness. The project pairs musicians from the symphony and local singer-songwriters with parents from Path Home to create personalized lullabies for their children, expressing comfort and hope for the future. The project was an inspiring showcase for these powerful collaborations and received coverage from the Oregonian and KOIN. To learn more about the project and listen to prior seasons of the project’s lullabies, visit Path Home’s website.
FinAbility
FinAbility’s Survivor Advisory Committee just wrapped up their first 2-year term, working to ensure that the organization’s work is trauma-informed, accessible, and relevant – and they’ve created an impact report of their accomplishments since 2023…check it out on their Instagram or LinkedIn. Also, do you know anyone who would like to get more involved with their work? They are recruiting board members.
ELSO
ELSO has been full steam ahead with its youth-focused programs. On May 10, they will host their annual Youth Design Forum, engaging young community members in learning about the history of Portland and collaborating to shape ELSO’s future headquarters! In addition, registration is now open for ELSO’s summer 2025 Wayfinders Camp, a STEAM-based program for K-8 students. These week-long adventures in July and August 2025 focus on science and nature, aiming to cultivate environmental literacy and a lifelong love of learning. Campers will engage in science projects and learn from expert speakers. For more information and to register, visit their website.
Working Theory Farm
The team at Working Theory Farm is busy working their 24 acres of land, supporting vegetable and livestock farming and educational and employment programs for youth, so much so that they are sold out of their 2025 CSAs! For those hoping to snag a weekly veggie share, keep your eyes peeled for a reminder on their next round in October. But did you know that they also offer shares for sustainable meat? Working Theory Farm raises Red Wattle pigs known for their hardiness, foraging abilities, docile temperament, and high-quality meat. The pigs rotate through the forested southern end of the farm and are available for purchase by the whole or half pig on a sliding scale of $5.00-$6.50 per pound. For more information, check out their site or write henney@workingtheoryfarm.com.
Path Home
Path Home's recent Family Reunion Fundraiser proved a resounding success, bringing in over $272,000 to support their vital programs and sharing uplifting stories from community members like Taylor and Trina, who stayed at Path Home's Goose Hollow shelter 15 years ago. Excitement is also building for their annual Lullaby Project, a beautiful collaboration with families staying at Family Village shelter and the Oregon Symphony. Tickets are on sale for the May 13th event! The impact of Path Home's work is evident in their 2024 Annual Report, which reveals that 98% of families transitioned from shelter to stable housing. Executive Director Brandi Tuck also recently lent her expertise to a broader audience, discussing solutions to family homelessness on OPB's Think Out Loud.
Rose Haven
Community-led fundraisers like Reigning Roses helped Rose Haven serve 4,294 guests in 2024, including 870 children and 1,532 people who were brand new to them. The walk is a FREE event for the whole community. Register or donate here.
FinAbility
FinAbility seeks volunteer financial mentors who can empower survivors to achieve greater financial independence through one-on-one support. No specialized financial background is required. You just need to complete financial coaching training, meet with mentees 3-5 hours a month over the year, and support at least one mentee per quarter. Learn more and apply at finabilityus.org/financial-mentoring.
Path Home
Suzanne Savaria, our liaison to Path Home, recently attended their Family Reunion.
“It was a beautiful and inspiring event celebrating 25 years of serving women, children, and families. The evening began with food, drink, and games like Buckets, Cornhole, and Putt Putt golf, where guests could earn raffle tickets for game prize packages. Later in the evening, we celebrated many of the people who have contributed time, effort, and money as Path Home has grown from its small beginnings as Goose Hollow Women’s Shelter.
A special performance by Amenta Abioto featured her “Flower, Love of My Life” lullaby written with a Path Home resident. Amenta is one of the singer/songwriters who participated in the Lullaby Project – a collaborative program with Path Home, Oregon Symphony, and local singer/songwriters. Songwriters work with parents to write lullabies for their children.The Lullaby Project will share the songs at a concert on Tuesday, May 13 at the Alberta Rose Theater. Tickets are only $10.
In a powerful and moving part of the Family Reunion called the “Mission Moment,” a mother and son who stayed at the shelter 15 years ago shared their experience. The values of dignity, family, innovation, and compassion were center stage throughout the evening. It was a special event, and I’m proud that ninety-nine girlfriends is supporting such a wonderful organization.”
North by Northeast Community Health Center
Trina Brodsky, last year’s liaison to Impact Partner North by Northeast Community Health Center, welcomes anyone who might want to join in on the joyful experience of their annual Community Supper! Taking place on April 3, this event is more than just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity to gather community, hear from patients, and learn about the center’s visions for the future. Find more information on the event website.
ELSO
Are you connected to youth who have an interest in design? Share information about ELSO’s online spring cohort, Studio Justice. Registration has just opened. The program is a paid opportunity, offering after-school programs and outreach events for learners ages 14-20 to learn about design as a tool that enables leadership and agency for youth. ELSO has more information on their website. Please share the application with potential participants. Registration closes Wednesday, April 2!
Working Theory Farm
Henney, development director of Working Theory Farm, took liaisons Holly Van-Edmonds and Barbara Long for a great tour of the farm, along with his dog Bagel. It may be late winter, but there is a lot of work going on, including winter crops, pruning, seed propagation, and prep for the summer’s garden. They learned more about the youth development /mentoring that is central to the farm’s mission, food distribution, and important community partnerships (such as Centro Cultural, another Impact Partner). Working Theory Farm has partnered with Harkins House since 2019 to welcome adjudicated youth to the farm once a week and provide paid internships throughout the summer. Henney considers this a different model of workforce development.
Support opportunity: Sign up for a CSA share at https://workingtheoryfarm.org.