Recently, KGW did a feature on the work that Trash for Peace is doing through their Ground Score Association initiative!
To learn more about our Impact Partners’ accomplishments, challenges, and other insights, remember to check out their recently-completed reports to ninety-nine girlfriends!
Want to learn more about the work of our current Impact Partners in advance of the member gathering on Thursday, Sept. 29? We are starting to receive reports from the organizations who received Impact Awards last year, and you can review their updates on our website!
Some exciting news as summer moves into fall! The 2022 Grants Steering Committee and Grant Review Teams (“GRTs”) are delighted to announce that 20 semifinalists have been chosen from among the 131 grant applications that ninety-nine girlfriends received in June. Our GRTs have worked really hard to advance organizations that inspire them and align with our 2022 Funding Priority and Guiding Principles.
In July, the organization was a recipient of a large grant from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund in support of Building Equity: Clean Energy Careers through Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training.
On October 6, Constructing Hope will be hosting their 15th Anniversary Celebration & Awards Happy Hour!
Constructing Hope was recently featured in a construction industry news site, Construction Dive–with a profile on the organization's work.
POIC+RAHS' annual gala is coming up around the corner on November 3 at 6pm, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center. The POIC + RAHS Gala is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year, drawing a diverse array of business and community support.
POIC was featured on OPB for their collaboration w/ PSU to support BIPOC students and college graduates entering the workforce.
They are also hiring for various positions on their team.
A Friday morning with Trash for Peace
Francie Royce, liaison to Trash for Peace
On a Friday morning I arrived at the Trash for Peace warehouse on SE Water Avenue in Portland's Central Eastside, a bit before 9:00 am to look for Mo. A man greeted me and introduced himself as Mo, the day coordinator for Trash for Peace. Two other men entered the warehouse and Mo made introductions. Jim and Dave are hired to clean up the Central Eastside neighborhood. I followed Jim out the door as he rolled a custodian cart on our way to gather trash.
Building Local Power, a podcast, features Trash for Peace’s Ground Score Association initiative, a ‘peer-led’ effort organized by and for workers who identify as canners. Taylor Cass Talbott and Kris Brown from the initiative are interviewed: https://ilsr.org/canning-waste-episode150/
I learned so much about the origins of this 50+ year old organization which began by providing education, work experience, and opportunities to primarily Black adults in underserved communities. Their work is now centered on providing those same opportunities to youth who are at risk. With four school campuses many students have experienced homelessness, poverty, violence and the criminal justice system.
My visit with [2021 Impact Partner] Constructing Hope was a great experience. I spent a little over an hour there, got a tour of the facility, and had lots of time to chat with [leaders] Pat Daniels and Courtney Jenkins.
Also, they welcome guest speakers when classes are in session and inquired whether any Girlfriends might have expertise in these areas: HR and job interviewing, general life skills/balance, nutrition and physical fitness, financial planning, and strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety. They seemed very happy with their experience with ninety-nine girlfriends and are thrilled about the partnership." Betty, Impact Partner Liaison
There’s a lot going on at Bradley Angle. Renovating the Bonnie Tinker shelter is a big project for the organization, as the facility was long overdue for updates. They have worked to make trauma-informed upgrades, prioritizing the shared spaces, and are raising additional funds for the phase-two upgrades to the other areas of the facility.
This year, ninety-nine girlfriends will fund organizations from five focus areas that are working to dismantle systemic racism, advance anti-racism, and move our region towards racial equity. These FAQ and definitions provide additional information about our 2022 Funding Priority and process. Funds may be used for general operating or project support and impact partners can choose to have funds disbursed in one year or over the course of two years. Our Timeline provides key dates for application review, decision-making, and payment.
My visit with [2021 Impact Partner] Constructing Hope was a great experience. I spent a little over an hour there, got a tour of the facility, and had lots of time to chat with [leaders] Pat Daniels and Courtney Jenkins. They wanted to invite any and all Girlfriends to their events this year, which are posted on their web site, particularly their grand re-opening on 4/21 and their 15th anniversary celebration sometime this fall (TBA).
“The funds received from ninety-nine girlfriends helped pay the salary of a full-time, bilingual, registered Nurse Manager. The addition of this new position was critical for ensuring we were able to adapt from a walk-in to an appointment-based model. This appointment-based model allowed us to pre-screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms, have fewer patients in the clinic at one time, and better protect patients, volunteer providers and staff from potential exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses. The Nurse Manager is an integral part of the medical team, who oversees the day-to-day operations of patient services. This includes providing direct patient care and supervising medical assistants and volunteers. This position was also vital for implementing the new electronic medical record system and developing policies and procedures around its use.” – Free Clinic
Rose Haven, a 2019 $100,000 impact partner, has accomplished their goal of opening a new day shelter in northwest Portland and we couldn’t be more excited for them! Learn more in this KATU news piece featuring Liz Starke, Rose Haven Development Director and Girlfriend.
"Because of the 99 Girlfriends grant, we were able to promote one of our Ground Score Coordinators to Operations Manager! Nic is helping us streamline our operations for our programs, including our People's Depot and our GLITTER programs."
Bradley Angle
2021 Impact Partner, Bradley Angle, is hosting their first community event and fundraiser! The Albina Scavenger Hunt is a free event that will have participants visit 10 locations of historic Black importance in the Albina neighborhood and complete challenges to earn points for raffle prizes! Taking place March 18 - April 3.
If you missed the Awards Celebration and Membership Kickoff we invite you to view it here. Coty Raven Morris was inspiring and we got to learn how our impact partners are already putting their awards to work in impactful ways. What a wonderful opportunity to learn more from them about how our grants are truly creating positive change.