Portland, OR. 2016 as been a busy year for Portland’s Habitat for Humanity and the new homeowners who are part of the program. The nonprofit does not build homes for people, but with them as equal partners. Homeowners must invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” into the building of their home. The homes are then sold at no profit, with an affordable mortgage. Each homeowner’s monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more local Habitat homes.
Dejene is hammering some nails into his new home. He is in the process of completing his 500 hours of sweat equity, and will move into his new home with his wife and four children in February. “I want to say thank you, because my family is getting the confidence to be successful,” he recently told volunteers on the build site. “Shelter is a basic need for our lives, so Habitat saved our lives.”
Here are some details about the program:
Habitat homes are built with a volunteer labor force, utilizing building materials and services that are donated by local business as well as individual and corporate donations. Working in partnership with individuals, businesses, neighborhood groups, and organizations, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has built over 300 simple, decent homes since 1981.
Families are selected based on the following criteria:
First-time homebuyer.
Citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
Currently living in substandard or subsidized housing, and earning 35-60% of Portland MFI.
Ability to repay a mortgage (satisfactory credit and stable income).
Willingness to partner with Habitat.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East serves low-income families earning 35% to 60% of the Portland area’s median family income (MFI) or approximately $25,865 – $44,340 for a family of four. Habitat is the only program in the Portland area that offers homeownership opportunities to families in the 35% bracket.
Habitat sells houses for market value, which cannot be determined until the house is complete. No matter what the price of the house, Habitat is committed to keeping housing payments affordable. Habitat partner families’ housing payments will be set at 30% of their household gross monthly incomes at the time of sale. This monthly amount will include the mortgage payment, homeowners’ insurance, possibly HOA dues, and property taxes.
Portland, OR. Every year the B.U.L.L. Session event brings together hundreds of regional Business, Union and Labor Leaders to benefit one of our community’s most valuable assets: the children. On November 30th, $293,000 was presented at a reception held at the offices of the National Electrical Contractors Association, 601 NE Everett, Portland, OR 97232, to these charity organizations: Albertina Kerr’s Children’s Developmental Health Services, Gales Creek Camp Foundation, March of Dimes, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Portland, and Wheel to Walk Foundation. (Photo credit, Ivan Vejar)
Tim Gauthier, BULL Session President; Sandy Getman, Founder of Wheel to Walk; and Jason Kaufman, BULL Session Board Member
Tim Gauthier, BULL Session President; Jeff Carr, CEO of Albertina Kerr Children’s Developmental Resource Center; and Jason Kaufman, BULL Session Board Member
The two-day fundraiser, attended by many of the area’s leaders, began Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, with a dinner and auction gala at the Oregon Convention Center. Day two, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, was a golf tournament at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club.
Since its inception in 1991, the B.U.L.L. has raised over $5.8 million for local children. The B.U.L.L. Session is now one of Oregon’s largest charity events.
Beaverton, OR. The First Tech Federal Credit Union team and members have come together for their fourth annual Season of Giving. This year, First Tech engaged the community to direct giving through a statewide vote. Three local organizations were featured: Oregon Food Bank, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and SMART – Start Making a Reader Today. They received $19,500, $19,000 and $8,500 donations respectively.
Oregon Food Bank took first place in the polls. With a statewide network of over 20 regional food banks and 970 agency partners, Oregon Food Bank helps nearly one in five households experiencing food insecurity through fresh meal distribution and educational programs. First Tech’s $19,500 donation will directly benefit those in need, funding a total of 58,500 meals for families across Oregon and Clark County, Washington.
“With its strong dedication to providing nutritional, fresh food for low-income families, Oregon Food Bank is truly making a difference within its communities. Their mission aligns perfectly with our credit union’s cause focus areas of education, research and innovation,” said First Tech President and CEO Greg Mitchell. “Our First Tech family couldn’t be more proud to support a deserving organization like Oregon Food Bank this holiday season, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand to ensure healthy and well-fed communities across Oregon.”
With more than 22,000 employee volunteer hours logged in 2016, the year concluded with donations to 22 regional and national non-profit organizations. First Tech’s Season of Giving serves as a celebration and continuation of the credit union’s philanthropic work within local communities.
Visit firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Visit oregonfoodbank.org/ to learn more about Oregon Food Bank’s mission to eliminate hunger, as well as the statewide communities the organization supports.
Visit ohsu.edu to learn more about Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Visit getsmartoregon.org to learn more about SMART – Start Making a Reader Today.
About First Tech Federal Credit Union
First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $9.4 billion institution headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, CH2M, Intuit, Google and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to its 425,000 members through its 40 branch locations, more than 5,400 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 COOP Network ATMs and 286,000 ATMs nationwide. First Tech offers a full range of banking services, including traditional banking, mortgage, financial planning and insurance services. For more information, visit firsttechfed.com.
About Oregon Food Bank
With sufficient public will and support of the entire community, we believe it is possible to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Oregon Food Bank collects and distributes food through a network of four Oregon Food Bank branches and 17 regional food banks serving Oregon and Clark County, Washington. The Oregon Food Bank Network helps nearly 1 in 5 households fend off hunger. Oregon Food Bank also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, garden education, and helping communities strengthen local food systems. Visit oregonfoodbank.org for more information.
Portland, OR. Members of the Portland Chapter of the Nation Charity League were out in force at the Sentinel Hotel for the organization’s annual holiday tea. Nearly 300 moms and daughters took time to celebrate the season including Ava Fechner, Gigi Remy and Genevieve Klein. (NCL) is a national non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who volunteer at dozens of charities. Last year members of the Portland Chapter volunteered thousands of hours in the local community.
Holiday tea organizers included Denise Gooding Julie Borok and Lanelle Fechner.
NCL members Jennie Menendez, Stella Kalomiris, Bailey Cook, Genevieve Klein are seniors at Jesuit High School.
The Portland Chapter of National Charity League, Inc. was chartered in April 1995 and was the first National Charity League chapter formed in the State of Oregon. National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Its goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. Daughters participate in a six-year program of philanthropic work, educational activities and cultural events.
Portland, OR. Adventist Health hosted its 8th annual community Thanksgiving concert on Nov 19th at New Hope Community Church. Rob Anderson from Portland Rescue Mission joined Dr. Terry Johnsson, the Executive Director of Mission Integration at Adventist Health and David Russell, CEO, of Adventist Health. The “Celebration of Thanksgiving” featured Laura Story, three-time Dove Award and GRAMMY winner. The concert is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item or socks. Adventist Health collected nearly 3,500 pounds of food for the Oregon Food bank and more than 2,800 pairs of socks for the Portland Rescue Mission. According to the Portland Rescue mission socks are one of the most requested items for the homeless.
GRAMMY winner Laura Story performs at New Hope Community Church.
3,500 pounds of food was donated to Oregon Food Bank.
A mountain of socks was given to the Portland Rescue Mission.
Donations were packed and ready to go.
About Portland Rescue Mission
Formed in 1949, Portland Rescue Mission serves men, women and children in need. We give hope through meals, rest and safety, and restore life through recovery, training and community. Our Mission is a faith-based nonprofit supported by 30,000 dedicated donors and 3,000 caring volunteers, working in close coordination with other public and private resources, and churches of many denominations. Our recovery programs restore life for a majority of those who complete them. More information is at www.portlandrescuemisson.org.
About Oregon Food Bank
With sufficient public will and support of the entire community, we believe it is possible to eliminate hunger and its root causes. Oregon Food Bank collects and distributes food through a network of four Oregon Food Bank branches and 17 regional food banks serving Oregon and Clark County, Washington. The Oregon Food Bank Network helps nearly 1 in 5 households fend off hunger. Oregon Food Bank also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, garden education, and helping communities strengthen local food systems. Visit oregonfoodbank.org for more information.
About Adventist Health
Adventist Health—Portland is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care network consisting of a 302-bed medical center, 34 medical clinics and home care and hospice services in the Portland metro area. Our full-service acute care medical center provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and diagnostic services to communities on the eastside. Our key services include cardiovascular care, emergency services, orthopedics, radiation oncology, behavioral health, surgery, imaging, rehabilitation and women’s health.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! info@portlandsocietypage.com
