NW Community Corner Garden Project Proposal

Northwest Portland Ministries(NWPM) is raising funds to develop the corner of NW 18th and Irving (map) into a community space and herb garden. This corner is the site of the Rose Haven Women’s Resource Center, our emergency food pantry, and our senior lunch program. Using sustainable methods and materials, our goal is to create a garden space to solidify and sustain the sense of community for patrons of our services and our neighbors, AND to engage the larger Portland community through free events, volunteer opportunities, and education.
Each stage of this project provides a valuable opportunity for interpersonal dialogue and networking among NWPM staff, volunteers, service recipients, neighbors of various incomes, other organizations and the rest of the local community. In the process of beautifying the space and addressing its privacy and drainage issues, we hope to build community with public events held at the site. Through a combination of volunteer and paid labor, we expect the space to be transformed from a blank corner into an aesthetically pleasing and functional community space that will continue to inspire and promote community involvement for years to come!

Here is our first official community meeting for the site:

Community Corner Planning Meeting

Tuesday, Feb. 15th 12:30-1:30 PM

at 1808 NW Irving (in the Lounge)

First Immanuel Lutheran Church

Here is the proposed site as it currently looks:

And here is a concept drawing of how the site could look (please note, the actual plan would be developed with the input of stakeholders and neighbors):

NW 18^th & Irving Community Corner Partners List

Property owner and hosting organization: First Immanuel Lutheran Church
1816 NW Irving St. Portland, OR 97209-1295
www.firstimmanuelluth.org


Coordinating Organization: Northwest Portland Ministries
2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102, Portland OR 97210
(503) 221-1224 www.nwpm.org
* Dan Currin, Project leader garden@nwpm.org
* Kelly Caldwell, Outreach and oversight
503-221-1224 x 105 Kelly@nwpm.org


Contributing Partners:
Mark Lakeman, of City Repair/Communitecture
www.communitecture.net/communitecture/index.php

Tim Lanfri of Community Garden Creators
www.communitygardencreators.org

Dan Heims, Owner Terra Nova Nurseries
www.terranovanurseries.com

John Kallas owner of Wild Food Adventures
www.wildfoodadventures.com

Bennett Stein, Marketing & graphic design professional

Rebeca Siplak, Oregon Food Bank Learning Gardens Program Coordinator
www.oregonfoodbank.org/Volunteer/Individuals-and-Families/Learning-Gardens

Erica Stokes, West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District
http://www.wmswcd.org

Yveline Wilnau, Living Gardens
www.livinggardenspdx.com

5th Annual Fall Auction & Dinner!

We invite you to join us at our 5th Annual Fall Auction & Dinner on Saturday, October 23, 2010 to support the work of Northwest Portland Ministries. Please help us raise funds for our important services by purchasing your tickets now (click here). Please bring your friends and family and sponsor a table. If you are interested in making a direct cash donation please click the "Donate Now" tab. If you have "in-kind" donation to contribute to our auction you can click on the "Donors" tab above and fill-in the form.

Northwest Portland Ministries is a local non-profit organization, celebrating 30 years of service in 2010.
We inspire volunteers from congregations and the larger community to help neighbors live with dignity and purpose.

The current economy has had devastating effects in virtually every aspect of our lives. Seniors, people living with disabilities, homeless children, and a growing number of individuals need our services at Northwest Portland Ministries. We are asking for your support to help us carry out our mission of creating a caring community by purchasing a ticket, sponsoring a table, in-kind donation for auction night, or a direct donation to support our work. NWPM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our 5th Annual Auction & Dinner will be held
from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
on Saturday, October 23, 2010
at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

View the online catalog!

We welcome Group Tables and table Sponsorships:

• $400 - Group table for 8 guests
• $500 - Group table for 10 guests
• $750 - Table Sponsorship

General Ticket Pricing:

• $50 per Guest Ticket
• $75 per Patron* Ticket

*Our Table Sponsors and Patron Guests who purchase by September 30 will receive recognition in our auction program. If you have any questions concerning auction tickets, tables, or sponsorships, please e-mail our Office Manager at codi@nwpm.org.

Please call 503-221-1224, ext. 103 for more information. Visit us online and learn more about our work at nwpm.org, nwpmcommunity.blogspot.com/p/auction, facebook.com or youtube.com/nwpmtv.

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

Check out our exciting new Live Auction items by clicking on the titles below:

La Pietra Villa in Umbria
Gearhart by the Sea Condo
Brasada Ranch

Communities Creating Change: Tips from Your Neighbors About Success

You're invited to attend the second workshop in the Community Leadership Series developed by the seven Neighborhood coalition offices and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement.

This workshop will include volunteer presentations from local community projects - with lessons learned along the way; small group discussions allowing participants to share stories, tips and resources; and networking to share with other participants on an individual level.

Join us to share with and learn from volunteers citywide creating change in their neighborhoods.

Are you researching resources? Looking to clear obstacles from your path? Wondering how to invite others to join you? Or just want tips on getting started? Share your story with other local community members and learn from your peers.

When: Thursday, October 28, 2010, 6:00 to 8:30 PM at
Where: Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital's Wistar Morris Room, 1015 NW 22nd.

An RSVP is required due to space limitations. Please RSVP at www.nwnw.org/resources/trainings.

Don't let these networking opportunities pass you by!

Volunteer presenters will include:
. PHLUSH, www.phlush.org
. Cornell Road Sustainability Coalition, www.nwnw.org/projects/crsc
. Baltimore Woods, www.friendsofbaltimorewoods.org
. Art on the Peninsula, www.artonthepeninsula.org
. Friends of Parklane Park

This post courtesy of information provided by:
Angela Southwick
Community Resources Program Manager
Neighbors West-Northwest
angela@nwnw.org

503-823-4211
2257 NW Raleigh St.
Portland, OR 97210

Find neighborhood events and meetings online at www.nwnw.org/calendar

Perspectives on Positive Aging

First Thursdays, noon–1 p.m. at the Central Library U.S. Bank Room, 801 S.W. 10th Ave.

Thursday, October 7

Reshuffling the Investment Deck for Retirement
Selene Petersen, CPA with Young and Meyers, P.C.
Learn how you can adjust your retirement investment strategy in this turbulent market.

Thursday, November 4
Cultivating Fierce Joy as We Age
Brian Doyle, Author and Editor of Portland Magazine

Paying ferocious attention may be the only way to stay sane, healthy and happy.

Thursday, December 2
Seeking Wisdom: The Art of Inner Harvesting
Mary Lonergan, Spiritual Director
Hear about aging as a time of winter grace, unprecedented potential growth and new change.

Registration not required. Bring a lunch. Questions? Contact Bess Piñón at bessp@multcolib.org or 503.988.3468.

Perspectives on Positive Aging is a free, monthly series sponsored by Multnomah County Library, partners with Life by Design NW, lifebydesignnw.org. This program is made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Oregon State Library.

Central City Concern Graduation Ceremony

Volunteers from Central City Concern often help out at NWPM's food pantry when we receive deliveries. Central City recognizes individuals who complete 80 hours of community volunteering with a graduation ceremony and will do so Wednesday, September 8th at 3:00pm.
If you would like to support these members of our community for reaching this milestone, come celebrate their success. RSVP via email to malejos@centralcityconcern.org or call (503) 467-4630.

Faith in Action Network of Oregon 1 Day Fall Conference

Announcing: Faith in Action Network of Oregon 1 Day Fall Conference hosted by Northwest Portland Ministries, member of the state wide network and provider of transportation, nutrition , recreation & helping hands in NW & downtown Portland.

For: Interfaith volunteer programs that serve seniors, and interested partners and individuals.

What: Faith in Action Fall 2010 Conference ~ Topic Fundraising/Engaging Volunteers

Where: Saint Patrick's Church, 1623 NW 19th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209

When: Monday, September 27th, 08:30AM- 4:00PM

Why: Networking, education and professional development for interfaith volunteer programs.

Cost: $10.00 for members of FiA of OR & $25.00 for non-members (includes lunch).

Register by 9/22/10 using the conference brochure below (click and print), or for more info. contact:

Kathy Watson
Faith In Action
310 Villa, #110
Newberg, OR 97132
Kathleen.Watson2@providence.org

VISTA Position

Due to budget cuts in the state, our VISTA Community Outreach position is no longer available. We are greatly disappointed and apologize for any inconvenience.

Food Pantry Service Hours Changing

Please make a note of the following change and share the information with anyone who may need it. (Click image at right for flier.)

Beginning July 1, 2010, the hours of operation for Northwest Portland Ministry's (NWPM) Food Pantry will change. The new service hours are from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at First Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1808 NW Irving Street.

A new ramp was recently built at First Immanuel Lutheran so that recipients can better access services in the building. Use of the ramp is being coordinated with another program co-located in the lower level, Rose Haven, which needs ramp access in the morning. NWPM Food Pantry recipients using scooters and wheelchairs will now be able to enter the pantry - and those with carts of food can exit the building more easily - during the new afternoon hours (starting at 12:30).

The NWPM Food Pantry serves people residing at NW Portland addresses, and we extend south to include the triangle south of Burnside to Taylor and east to SW 10th. A map of our service area is available by clicking here. For more information about the Food Pantry, click here.

• We will continue to deliver emergency food boxes to those who are ill or otherwise unable to make it to the food pantry to shop for themselves. Food box delivery happens regularly by special arrangement.
• Volunteer drivers can provide rides on Tuesdays (arranged in advance) for those who need help getting home with their groceries.
• Ramp access prior to July 1, 2010 can be scheduled between 12:30-1:00 by contacting: Kelly Caldwell (503) 221-1224 ext. 105 or kelly@nwpm.org

You're Invited

May 3-7 is Nurse's Week at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, and for the 700 nurses working here, that means the Fourth Annual Nurse Week Food Drive Competition!

Twenty nursing units compete to donate the most food-per-nurse, with the collected food supporting two fabulous neighborhood programs run by Northwest Portland Ministries: the Emergency Food Box program for low-income residents, and the Food for Kids Backpack program benefiting Chapman School students who otherwise would go home hungry for the weekend.

Weigh-in for the trophy and weighty honor is 8 a.m. Friday, May 7 in the Good Samaritan lobby, 1015 N.W. 22nd Ave. Please join us as we tip the scales against hunger in our neighborhood. (map.)
Last year, Good Sam nurses donated nearly 3,000 pounds of the foods most needed by these programs!

"Nurses are not only focused on their caring and compassion in the hospital, but caring and compassion in the community. The people who need this food are the people they take care of," said Denise Fall, RN, who co-chairs the Nurses Week Food Drive Competition with Desi Shubin, RN. "Nurses," added Shubin, "are really generous."

Hope to see you there!

Alert! We need a new FREEZER!

Hello friends. Today, the freezer at Northwest Portland Ministries pantry, photo below, went out of service! It has had it's share of repairs, but this time it looks like it is out for good.

Please, if you know of anyone willing to donate a commercial or industrial size freezer to NWPM, please call Preston at 503 221-1224 Ext. 104.

In addition to the regular Pantry hours today from 11:00am to 1:00pm, we did a "portable food pantry" run to residents in need at Williams Plaza to ensure that food would not spoil and go to waste. We served over 70 households today! Additional items went to folks at Medallion & Helen Sweindell Apts.


Big thanks to today's volunteers: Barbara C., Yolanda L., Michele F. Chris B. Timm D, Larry Nelson, Cissy L. & Helen s. Dennis S & of course, Preston H, for getting the food distributed on short notice today!

NWPM 2010 Annual Meeting & Luncheon

Northwest Portland Ministries, Inc. 2010 Annual Meeting & Luncheon

with
guest speaker David Sarasohn of the Oregonian speaking about hunger.

Date and Time: Thursday, January 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Congregation Beth Israel – Goodman Hall (1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209 - map)
Cost: $17.00

Please - RSVP by Wednesday, January 13 by e-mailing codi@nwpm.org or by calling 503-221-1224 ext. 103.

Something Jewish for Christmas Dinner

Northwest Portland Ministries is serving a free Christmas dinner Dec. 25 at Congregation Beth Israel’s Schnitzer Family Center, 1972 NW Flanders St., noon-2 p.m., for neighborhood residents. Guests will also receive knitted scarves and hats and a gift bag of practical items. Last year, 414 turkey dinners were served and another 83 meals were delivered to people unable to leave their homes. Anyone needing transportation should call NWPM at 503-221-1224 before Dec. 22. Other sponsors include: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, St. Mary’s Cathedral, First Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ascension Parish and Food Front.

What: Free Christmas dinner for NW Portland neighborhood residents
When: Friday, December 25, 2009, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: Congregation Beth Israel's Schnitzer Family Center, 1972 NW Flanders St.

View or print the flyer!

NWPM Food Pantry Schedule & New Service Area

NWPM Food Pantry Hours:
• Every Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:00 am to 10:30am for Harvest Share Day (free produce distribution).
Location: First Immanuel Church, 1808 N.W. Irving St.

Our Food Pantry service area has expanded! In addition to the Northwest neighborhood north of W Burnside, we have extended our service area to include residents in the downtown area north of SW Taylor Street and west of SW 10th Avenue.(map)

Ride, Baby, Ride!

One very important and successful program that Northwest Portland Ministries offers is our Transportation Program. Now, we are pleased to announce great new transportation resources available this summer to NW neighbors who are elderly or disabled, including:
New grocery trips
Rides to free concerts, and
Service to neighborhood nutrition resources!
As mentioned in the post below, our Senior Shuttle is now the NW Shopping RideAbout! It's true. Two days a week, the RideAbout makes a loop serving a variety of locations including:

Gretchen Kafoury Commons, Rose Schnitzer Tower, Elm Court Loaves & Fishes, Helen Swindells, Rosenbaum Plaza, The Morrison,Union Manor, Gallagher Plaza, Medallion Apartments, Northwest Tower, Fred Meyer and Trader Joe's.

For more details or to learn more about our transportation options, click here! Or, contact Dave Truman at: 503-221-1224, ext. 100.

Summer Newsletter

Be sure to check out the recently mailed Northwest Portland Ministries' Summer Newsletter. In it, you'll find news about the new RideAbout Shopping Shuttle, updated "key messages" developed by our board, and how one local high school's Community 101 class raised money for our Food for Kids Backpack program. Also, find out how you can tour our programs, and see who Congregation Beth Israel honored with the Song of Miriam Award in June. The Summer newsletter may also be accessed via the link on the sidebar of this blog, or by clicking here.

The NWPM office has moved!

We're happy to report that our move to our new location is complete. Please note the new location:

2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102

Portland, OR 97210
Main Phone: 503-221-1224
Fax: 503-505-5028

NWPM Volunteer Opportunities & current news are available at any time here on our blog: http://nwpmcommunity.blogspot.com/

NCJW resuscitates emergency food-box program

In the photo at right, Zinaida Iskaliera selects bread at the food-box pantry. The photo is from an article by Jenn Knudsen, published in the Jewish Review. Jenn happens to be the daughter of Nikki Director who is NWPM's liaison from the National Council of Jewish Women. Nikki helped spearhead the volunteers to support the Nob Hill Business Association food drive back in May and is also serving on the auction committee.

"Thanks in large part to a substantial grant from the National Council of Jewish Women to Northwest Portland Ministries, Inc., its emergency food-box program is helping feed thousands of the working poor and their families, as well as the elderly on fixed incomes."
Read the full article here! - Jenn Director Knundson Photo