The Metro Central Enhancement Grants awarded $246,717 for 11 projects to be completed this year.
In order to qualify for funding, projects must take place in or benefit residents of the target area surrounding the waste transfer station located in Northwest Portland. Grant recipients are chosen by a committee of representatives from the area’s surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and environmental community. The committee is chaired by Metro Councilor Sam Chase.
The 2018 recipients are:
Chapman Elementary School will receive $47,000 to build their first playground and continue their partnership with the nonprofit, Reading Results, which helps ensure students finish third grade with a third-grade reading level.
Community Alliance of Tenants will receive $50,000 to expand education, membership and leadership development opportunities in north and northwest Portland. This program targets low-income, houseless, and racially and culturally diverse populations.
Forest Park Conservancy will receive $15,000 to support their volunteer program. Volunteers are the backbone of the conservancy’s restoration work and trail maintenance.
Friendly House will receive $56,275 to help fund their Community Services for Seniors program, which helps low-income and other underserved seniors live active, independent lives. Funds will also be used to help increase access to technology and technology comprehension for members of the Friendly House community.
Hereford House Food Pantry at St Andrew and All Souls Episcopal Church will receive $17,940 to install a cleaner, safer, drought-resistant landscape around the pantry. Funds will also be used to help expand the pantry space and improve the shopping experience.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership will receive $17,346 for the development of a summer internship program for people of color. The program aims to increase diversity within the estuary, as well as within the environmental education field.
Meals on Wheels People will receive $10,000 to help address the problem of malnutrition among the elderly in downtown Portland. Meals on Wheels People Elm Court Center serves and delivers more than 100,000 hot, nutritious meals every year.
Portland Festival Symphony will receive $2,500 to underwrite the costs of a free Portland Festival Symphony concert in Cathedral Park in August 2018 to help build community and introduce children and families to classical music.
St Johns Center for Opportunity will receive $28,154 to support food equity work at the St. Johns Farmers Market.