Portland's Homeless Street Count results released

Back in January, the city did its biennial street count and recently released the results. Not surprisingly the levels of homelessness in Multnomah County have increased over the past couple years. Nearly 3,000 people were counted as "literally homeless" for the one night, an increase of 7-9% from the 2009 count. The count gives us a broader picture of what homelessness in Portland looks like and what the needs are, but there are some "hidden" populations that don't show up in the report.

Many of the youth p:ear serves are couch surfing, staying with friends or cycling on/off the streets. As they were not literally homeless on the night of January 26th, those youth are not in the count. Expanding the definition of homelessness to its broadest (including those who are couch surfing or in temporary housing), the report estimates the number of homeless folks in Portland to be closer to 15,000.

As the City of Portland is over half-way through its 10 year plan to end homelessness, it will be interesting to see how the results and information from the Street Count effect and guide the way we address homelessness.

p:ear Youth Sings about an Educational Revolution

PORTLAND, Oregon – Thursday, June 9^th 2011 – The 4^th of July celebrates the independence our nation achieved through revolution. On July 4^th, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the p:ear headquarters on 338 NW 6th Ave, p:ear youth Kayla Stone, recipient of the city sponsored Youth Action Grant, invites you to join her and several other performers for a free music, food and poetry event to share in the celebration of a revolution she sees just as imperative to our nation’s success: an educational revolution.

The Problem

As a result of the budget crisis, funding for educational programs that Kayla loved was cut. “All of a sudden we weren’t going on field trips”. However, unlike many that see such cuts, complain about the cuts and do nothing, Kayla was motivated. “You can’t just bitch and not do something”. What Kayla discovered was that there are many resources for people that are willing to work a little. “Students need to know about the grants that are available to sustain their schools and fine arts programs”. Unusually resourceful, Kayla attended grant-writing classes, applied and was awarded the Youth Action Grant to make Multnomah County a better place to live.

Kayla’s Quest

With this grant seed money in hand, Kayla has set out on a most noble quest; to educate others and bring them together to fix and save what she sees as incredibly important; an educational system that builds upon synergies, increases awareness, and promotes the work of inspirational teachers. On July 4^th Kayla is celebrating the kick-off of her mission to bring many educators and students together. “We are barely brushing shoulders with one another,” says Kayla. As a result she feels we are all working on our own little projects and programs instead of looking outward to see how we can all work together. “Building an ant hill happens quickly because they (the ants) are all working together”. Kayla’s big dream has garnered attention from some big names; Caffé Vita, Outside In, KBOO Radio, and New Avenues for Youth are all participating in her event on the 4^th.

The Party

Kayla, quoting Emma Coleman said “You can’t have a revolution you can’t dance to” and so on July 4^th, the band Lady Liberty – of which Kayla is a member – will be performing. Youth from Guerilla Theatre, a peer education program based at Outside In, will unveil a mural that will be on display at Outside In’s clinic. Aztec dancers will also present as a reminder of our heritage. But it isn’t a party without food, particularly on the 4^th of July so at this free event attendees can expect complimentary BBQ and non-alcoholic beverages. Be warned though, everyone is expected to mix and mingle and determine how they can do their part to build a more sustainable and inspiring educational system. Talk about a revolution.

Event Specifics

The Educational Revolution will occur on Monday, July 4^th at 6:00 pm at the p:ear headquarters located at 338 NW 6th Ave. Food and beverages are complimentary and the public is invited.

Gathering around the kitchen table

The 2010 Cenus results are starting to come out and providing insight Portland's neighborhoods, people and its future. Of particular interest to us at p:ear is the information on the city's "food deserts," areas that lack access to grocery stores with in a mile radius. The Oregonian has broken down that definition to .5 and .75 miles, showing more residents farther and farther away from stores, shops, farmers markets and other places to buy fresh food.

How do food deserts effect us? How does this effect the kids we serve? Just adding megamarts to these areas isn't enough to address all issues that come along with food deserts. And that's where the work at p:ear becomes crucial. One of our cornerstones is our kitchen and nutrition program which recreates that "kitchen table" atmosphere and conversations about healthy eating and food preparation. Fresh delicious food becomes the conversation piece between p:ear's volunteer cooks and youth. We firmly believe that what you put in your body is a sign of the respect you have for your body. Think back to when you were a kid and your mom told you to eat your beets because they were good for you. And maybe at first you thought they tasted like dirt, but after a while (and a few different recipes) you started to think, "hey, beets aren't so bad." For many of our youth who lack these role models, our meals are examples of a way to care for and nurture the self.

While many people may associate "community" with their Facebook page, a physical strong community is crucial to helping these young people be successful. Having access to fresh food and being able to use the knowledge they've picked up around the p:ear kitchen table can only be truly effective when they are surrounded by the proper resources.

Interested in being part of the kitchen table conversation at p:ear? Contact joy@pearmentor.org

Message on tolerance and acceptance

Though Minnesota will be voting in 2012 to add a ban on gay marriage, the debate sparked some of the most thoughtful dialogue from Rep. Steve Simon. He posed simple questions to the lawmakers, but they were poignant, powerful. And while the debate is in Minnesota, the topics are relevant inside p:ear where nearly a third of the youth we serve identify as LGBTQ. Here's hoping Rep. Simon is able to spark a larger conversation about making the world a more accepting place for everyone. Watch Rep. Simon's remarks here.

Letter From Executive Director Beth Burns

p:ear youth working with the community on a mural

Dear p:ear supporters, p:ear is a community delicately and strongly fabricated and orchestrated by you, these kids, artists, bakers, students, moms, teachers, waiters, small business owners. It is a community of people that truly understand that we, all of us, can transform our lives, and, more importantly, can play a role in transforming the lives of others. We are interconnected.

Nine years ago, p:ear opened its doors, naïve and hopeful. I could never have predicted the grace and compassion of the p:ear community to so significantly transform a mere physical space into a place of change, courage, and beauty. Thank you. Over 2000 youth have come through our doors, and have been positively affected - over 50 kids per day right now!

To be young and homeless does not simply mean that you don’t have a house or a job. You don’t have people to share your life with, make decisions with, rejoice with, find redemption with, heal with, and become a healthy adult with. p:ear believes in these young people, and is there for them through GED graduations, weddings, births, incarcerations, and sometimes death.

We are busy! Youth homelessness in Portland rose by 25% last year and our numbers are hovering at over 50 kids a day. Daily the p:ear community is confronted with poverty, homelessness, suffering, neglect & abandonment, abuse, and the perils of being left alone to raise yourself. Imagine! And everyday we remain hopeful, because inside p:ear, change happens.

On May 14th, we will formally celebrate our 9th birthday at p:earblossoms. This year, the theme is "ALCHEMY" and we invite you to explore that journey of transformation with us. Please find out more information on our website.

Leaving the streets, leaving your own personal darkness, is not easy, nor systematic. It is a process of ups and downs and sideways - rising and stumbling. It is a kind of surrendering and openness that is so visceral, these youth radiate bravery, compassion, love and spirit beyond anything I knew existed before my work here.

Whether working on their GED, creating art, cooking, learning the art of the barista or unpacking their first apartment, these young people show up daily because they are valued. Don't miss this opportunity to shape a young person's life: please give generously and support these kids during the precarious journey into young adulthood - the journey of forgiving their pasts and creating their futures.

Please consider a gift for the p:ear 9 campaign in honor of our ninth year of work.

Thank you,

Beth Burns

Executive Director

The impact of Oregon non-profits

A couple of interesting stats on the impact non-profits have on Oregon's economy from last Sunday's Oregonian:

• 33 percent of Oregonians contribute their time or money to a nonprofit, one of the highest rates in the country
• Oregon's 22,715 registered nonprofits employ more than 160,000 Oregonians, accounting for 12 percent of private-sector jobs in the state

"Crack Alley"?

Last week the Portland Tribune published an article citing the growing drug problems in Old Town/Chinatown, terming the corner of NW 6th and Flanders "the center of 'Crack Alley'." Does that location sound familiar? While p:ear was absent from the article, it is worth noting that we are one of the few business and buildings open throughout the day and the presence of drugs on our corner has been detrimental both to our youth, some of whom are dealing with addiction issues, and our programs. While coming to work at the p:ear barista school coffee cart early in the morning, our baristas have had to chase away drug dealers congregating new the cart, and foot traffic along NW Flanders has decreased along with potential business for the coffee cart. While Executive Director Beth Burns does not endorse re-instating the Drug Free Zone in Old Town (see Sisters of the Road's Chani Geigle-Teller's comments in the article for reason why), p:ear urges city and neighborhood leaders to work together to address these issues in a safe and respectful way for all the businesses, social service organizations and inhabitants of Old Town.

Where are you sleeping tonight?

Today's forecast calls for fog with a high of 41 and a low of 36. There's a low chance of precipitation but since this is the Pacific Northwest, you just never know when the rain is coming. And for those who have to sleep outside tonight, that could mean need to find materials for a shelter or a protective doorway. Those in temporary or emergency housing will have a bed for a short time but will have to prepare for wetter (and colder) weekend when they might not have a solid roof.

Tonight is Portland's biennial count of both unsheltered people along with those in temporary or emergency shelter. In 2009, nearly 1,600 people slept outside on a January night while another 820 were in temporary shelter. While that number might seem small, it is only a estimate of how many people, both youth and adults, lack stable and safe housing.

At p:ear, we'll be counting the youth who plan to sleep outside tonight and those who might be lucky to sleep inside tonight. And while we hope that the 2011 numbers will be lower than those in 2007 and 2009, the count serves as a reminder of the need for services helping people - and our young - have safe places to sleep at night.

Please consider gift to p:ear and our transitional housing program to continue helping youth transition off the street into safe and permanent housing.

The state of Oregon politics and culture, Jan. 27th

The Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (their executive director Liz Fuller, is a p:ear board member and supporter) works to increase public investment in the arts, heritage and humanities across Oregon. With a new governor (kind of) and a new legislative session starting soon, the CAC will soon be getting to work down in Salem. If you're interested, opinionated or concerned about funding for the arts and humanities, the CAC is holding an information session about their upcoming legislative agenda on January 27th.

Our Goals for the 2011 Legislative Session

Come learn about the Cultural Advocacy Coalition’s Legislative Agenda, share your ideas, and find out how you can help advocate for the cultural sector.

January 27, 2011 5:30pm-7:30pm Program to start at 6:00pm

Blue Sky, the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts 122 NW 8th Avenue Portland, OR 97209

Beverages and Light Hors D’oeuvres to be served

· Hear from State Senator Betsy Johnson and other elected officials. · Presentation of the CAC’s Legislative Agenda by CAC Lobbyist Kristina McNitt. · Come prepared to share your cultural policy ideas & questions. · Enjoy exhibits by Israeli artists Natan Dvir & Shai Kremer

RSVP to Liz Fuller, Liz.Fuller@gmail.com or call 503.552.5053

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?