Volunteer Opportunity

p:ear is currently looking for volunteers to help gather left over food from Pioneer Square Farmer’s Market on Mondays. It’s about an hour-long commitment, 1:30-2:30pm. You will go into the market just as it is closing and talk to venders who have previously agreed to donate any food they might have left over from the day. There are about 13 different stands that have agreed, but the market closes rather quick so 4-5 volunteers plus a vehicle is ideal to touch base with all the donors and gather everything possible. If you are interested, please email tierneyyy@yahoo.com to schedule the day(s) you’d like to help out.

Looking for a place to celebrate? Check out p:ear!

Art openings, mechanical bulls, weddings; p:ear's seen it all. If you're looking for a place to hold an event, meeting or party, p:ear offers nearly 3000 square feet that can hold 220 people. Each area has WiFi access, separate restrooms, and entry/exits. Contact Pippa (pippa@pearmentor.org) for rates and details!

A pat on the back: housing program goes above and beyond projections

p:ear recently closed the books on 2009, and soon we'll be sending out a "state of the p:ear" card showing the breakdown for the past year. The "state of the p:ear" is a snapshot of everything we've done in the past year: how many kids came through our doors, how many meals were served, how many kids participated in our programs, etc.

But we're really pleased about our housing program. Thanks to a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust, we were able to help 50+ kids into housing last year. That's double what we had projected placing in houses (which was 20 kids). AND the project came in under budget. Maybe the government could use our help... but I think we'll keep our day jobs.

Look for the "state of the p:ear" in the mail soon!

Who was that mysterious masked donor?

p:ear's transitions coordinator Rudolfo Serna recently participated in the 30 Hour Day, a very cool livestreaming telethon to support Oregon non-profits that took place July 2nd to 3rd. Rudolfo helped p:ear raise over $400, and we're excited to see what the creative minds behind the event have in store for next year!

Like your mother always told you, it's important to say "thank you" after every gift. And - darn her - she's right. But mom didn't leave us instructions for how to thank anonymous givers. So in hope that they'll see this: THANK YOU! We are grateful and appreciative of your generosity.

Mysterious superheros/donors!

Stakes is High=Success

June and July's First Thursday event with guest artist Roscoe Hall II was a huge success! Music rocked the vibe of the gallery adding a strut to your step as you walked from art piece to art piece. From DJ Nonprofit to the acoustic tones of Rob Johnston head boppin' occured in rhythm with the beats and visual strokes on of the canvas.

It was a ton of fun, hanging out with new and old friends, watching p:ear's artists in painting action, while enjoying a cappuccino from the p:ear's very own coffee bar. While we take a break next month, September will bring fresh art and a new surprise!

Giving it all away

Recently Paul Allen pledged that the majority of his estate "will be left to philanthropy to continue the work of the [Paul G. Allen Family] Foundation." Warren Buffett and Bill Gates recently challenged the wealthiest Americans to give away at least half of their wealth to philanthropic organizations. Forbes estimates the total gifts of the wealthiest Americans could total around $600 billion. That's right - $600 billion.

However, most of us aren't in that sliver of a percentile representing the wealthiest of wealthy. But each gift, no matter the zeros behind the amount is still essential and worthy to many organizations. It's not always the amount but the motivation and generosity behind the gift that weights the gesture.

In the upcoming weeks, p:ear will be launching a new summer campaign to help support our fall program, and we're hoping to achieve our goal through small gifts. And during the process, we'd like to learn more about our supporters; who you all are, how you learned about p:ear, what motivates you to give, and what you think. We're really excited about this new approach and hope it helps us better know our giving community while showing you all the upcoming plans and hopes we have for this organization and the kids.

The economic forecast might not be the brightest but this might be a new era for philanthropy.

When the temperature rises, it's time for SALSA

Summer might have taken its sweet time in coming to Portland, but things always heat up for salsa! p:ear's transitions coordinator Rudolfo Serna has put together a great night of dancing in support of p:ear. Unsure of your two left feet? Come at 9 pm for dancing lessons from George Caceres of Sabor Latino Dance Company. And if DJ Armando can't get your feet moving, then there's always the tequila bar...

Once you've mastered the steps, test out your moves for the dance competition. Or keep hanging out at the tequila bar. And be sure to stay around for the raffle featuring:

*Photo shoot with photographer Shannon Butler *Class gift certificate for Sabor Latino Class *One hour massage by Anne Gray *Private lesson with Ritmo del Alma & Son Latino Pdx

The evening will also include performances by: *Remix Dance Company *Leo & Rositsa *Los Peques de la Salsa

Check out the p:ear Echele Salsa Facebook page for all the information. See you this Friday!

Thanks to Pacific Natural Foods!

There's no better way to start the day than seeing support like this: Pacific Natural Foods, an Oregon-based company that makes all-natural and organic foods, recently made a generous donation to p:ear's food program. The food from Pacific Natural will help us to continue in providing delicious and healthy meals for p:ear students while also teaching kids about cooking and nutrition. Thanks to Carolyn Rayback, Nate Armbrust and Paul Finlay to making this possible!

Creative, exploitive or what? Austin's unique campaign to put a face on homelessness

Last May Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an Austin-based ministry that "lifts homeless people off the streets, into gently used RVs and mobile homes and on the way to a better life," tried a unique approach to put a face on homelessness. Check out the story from Good Magazine about Danny, the homeless man who spent three days living on the catwalk of the billboard to raise $12,000 to help move him and his wife into a RV. What do you think about the campaign? An effective way to raise the profile of the issue of homelessness? Or a short-term solution that missed the root of the problem?

p:ear kids explore Forest Park with help from the BTA

With help from BTA Bike + Walk Ambassador Joel Holly, a handful of p:ear kids set out to explore Forest Park via bike last week. Holly brought the bikes while p:ear Executive Director (and tough-as-nails bike racer) Beth Burns helped out with the more technical parts of riding. Thanks to the BTA for their support and assistance! Want to help support activities and programs like these at p:ear? Click on the "Donate" tab to help out!