$60,000, twenty-one projects, twenty-one years
On June 26, 2008, the Metro Council announced $60,000 in new grants that will benefit residents of North Portland as well as support neighborhood improvement projects. The grants will fund a variety of programs, including training and jobs for local residents in conflict resolution, first aid and CPR; safety and accessibility home repairs for low-income seniors and the disabled; and educational paddle trips for area youth to learn, explore and enjoy the Willamette River.
The 2008-09 grant cycle marks the 21st year Metro has invested funds in the community through the program. In that time, more than $2.1 million has been awarded to help fund 441 neighborhood improvement projects in North Portland.
2008-09 North Portland grant awards
Bethel Neighborhood Youth Drop-In Center
$2,800 - Hire, train 4 youth to serve as counselors for 6 week summer day camp program
Graffiti Nemesis
$3,500 - litter and graffiti removal from business area, roadways, benches, parks in North Portland
Homowo African Arts & Culture (King)
$3,000 - professional dance teachers, drummers offer classes to students at 3 local schools for 8 to 12 weeks
Lifeworks NW (Humboldt)
$2,200 - hire 4 local community-based educators to offer 3 semesters of classes for students of all ages
North by Northeast Community Health Center (Humboldt)
$5,650 - purchase prescription medications for local low-income residents without health insurance who suffer from chronic diseases
North Portland Business Association
$2,000 - restore gateway signs on major highway access routes to the area
North Portland Tool Library (Kenton)
$1,950 - repair, purchase home repair and gardening tools and supplies for the 500+ piece lending library
Northminster Presbyterian Church
$4,600 - subsidize foot care and blood pressure clinics for low-income seniors and community members
npGreenway
$1,400 - reprint map, brochure used to encourage more community involvement in and advocacy for trails in North Portland
(Portland Public Schools) Tender Loving Care/Think ‘n Try
$4,500 - recruit, train 6 peer mentor counselors for summer day camp program for 500+ campers
Sauvie Island Center
$1,650 - transportation costs to send 180 Sitton and Astor elementary school students to participate in farm-based sustainable agriculture education
Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) (Pearl District)
$3,000 - volunteer recruitment, training, and give-away books for literacy program targeting 180 students from Astor, Beach and Chief Joseph elementary schools
St. Johns Bizarre Committee
$1,250 - production costs for 1-day event coinciding with St. Johns Parade that introduces people to area and encourages them to spend money locally and celebrate the area's unique character
St. Johns Parade Committee
$1,800 - production costs for community-wide parade
Straightway Services
$2,000 - clothing stipends, classroom supplies and t-shirts to 20 youth academy members conducting weekly summer litter cleanups in area parks
Willamette Riverkeeper (Hosford Abernethy)
$1,200 - 2 weekday educational, community-service paddle trips for students participating in Urban League's youth program
Need assistance?
Karen Blauer, community grants coordinator
503-797-1506
karen.blauer@oregonmetro.gov
