Projects to deliver youth programs, work readiness training and jobs
With the deepest recession in decades still lingering, Metro Council gave North Portland residents some good news in approving a $15,000 grants package earmarked for neighborhood projects. Funds will support programs that benefit youth with literacy intervention efforts and merit scholarships for college-bound high schoolers, result in weatherization and safety repairs for 60 elderly and disabled residents, and pay the salaries and stipends of more than 20 North Portlanders who, in turn, will directly serve their community.
“Critical times like these call for public funders to play an active role in meeting emergency needs and supporting a strong recovery,” said Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, chair of Metro’s North Portland grant selection committee and whose district includes North and Northwest Portland. “I’m confident the investment of the public’s money, coupled with great community involvement, will deliver tools and solutions for the common good,” he added.
The North Portland fund was created from a 50-cent surcharge imposed on each ton of garbage disposed of at the now-closed St. Johns landfill. Today, interest generated on the fund supports the grant program. Projects must directly benefit residents or neighborhoods around the facility, including Arbor Lodge, Cathedral Park, Kenton, Overlook, Portsmouth, St. Johns and University Park.
“Metro’s narrowed in on funding priorities that respond to the community’s most pressing needs,” said Tom Griffin-Valade, director of North Portland Neighborhood Services and one of several local activists that work with Burkholder to help guide the selection process.
“Giving local residents the authority to make decisions about these community investments demonstrates Metro’s commitment to authentic involvement,” Griffin-Valade said.
The 2011-12 grant cycle marks the 24th year Metro has invested funds in the community through the North Portland enhancement program. In that time, more than $2.2 million has been awarded to help fund 460 neighborhood improvement projects.
For 2011-12, Metro awarded a total of $15,000 to 7 organizations, including the following:
- Bethel Neighborhood Drop-in Center
$1,000 – Youth counselor training program for summer day-camp that serves 60 children a week. - Boys & Girls Club
$2,500 – Targeted literacy intervention program for 175 youth participating in New Columbia’s Regence Club. - Columbia Slough Watershed Council
$2,000 – Classroom and field-based science education program for 500 students from Ockley Green, Rosa Parks and James John schools. - Community Energy Project
$2,500 - Volunteer training program to weatherize and repair homes of 60 seniors and people with disabilities. - Impact Northwest
$3,000 – Urban Opportunities work readiness and life skills training program for 20 under-served and credit-deficient Roosevelt High School students. - Theodore Roosevelt Women's Scholarship Association
$2,000 – Merit scholarships for post secondary education for female graduates of Roosevelt High School. - PPS Tender Loving Care/Think ‘n Try
$2,000 – Stipends for peer mentor counselors at a summer day camp program serving 400 children.