HIGHLIGHTS OF FUNDED PROGRAMS

EDUCATION INCOME HEALTH

EDUCATION

Jefferson High School has a much higher dropout rate than other Portland high schools. Many students have substantive barriers to success: poverty, absent parents, family substance abuse, and even gang involvement. Over 60% of all students live in poverty. And there are systemic challenges as well.

High schools serving students of color and low-income students in the Portland area offer limited support, fewer electives and advanced classes, thus resulting in lower achievement. The majority of Jefferson students are youth of color – 66% are Black.

Jefferson is one of several schools hosting Self Enhancement Inc.’s Youth Potential Realized program, which provides academic support, arts experiences, recreation activities, life skills, community service and leadership training for African-American students.

To address the achievement gap at Jefferson, United Way is providing three-year funding to support parent involvement programs and summer enrichment activities. For sophomore Brianna Williams, being part of the program has made a big difference. She maintains good grades and is active in after-school programs at SEI. She says she appreciates having the support of counselors who are committed to seeing her reach her full potential.

Counselors work with each student to monitor attendance, behavior, and academic achievement. Together, students and counselors develop an “Individual Success Plan,” setting academic, personal and social goals.

“If this program wasn’t around, I’ll be at home with no one to talk to,” says sophomore Brianna Williams. “If we fall off the path, the counselors are there to help us get through tough situations.”

INCOME

Financial education and resources is a top priority for Clark County’s Community Housing Resource Center (CHRC), one of 13 lead agencies executing United Way programs that help people become financially stable and self-sufficient.

CHRC provides financial assistance, education and mortgage counseling to low-income households in Multnomah and Clark counties to repair credit, become homeowners and increase assets.

According to Teri Duffy, CHRC Executive Director, the prolonged recession has resulted in greater need acrzss the board. A majority of clients served by the agency are single women heads of household, and more men are coming to seek help. The unemployment rate in Clark County is high, 13.2%. Since the economy started going downhill, many of the jobs lost have been in manufacturing and construction. Credit repair is still one of the most sought-after services, but more people are seeking help with mortgage default prevention. When someone is laid off, they become at risk for losing their homes.

United Way funding has also allowed the program to take a special lens toward the unmet needs of the growing Latino and Russian immigrant communities in Vancouver. Financial consultant Carlos Garcia, who is bilingual and bicultural, is making great strides in reaching out to the Latino community.

Having someone who understands the intricacies of a particular culture goes a long way. Working families served by CHRC have not used traditional financial services. Because many come from countries with a history of collapsed financial institutions, they have difficulty trusting banks.

“Minority communities are among the most underserved when it comes to banking and financial services. Our work focuses on helping clients get over their fears and concern, and empowers them to access services that are in their best interest,” Carlos says.

HEALTH

Over the last few years, areas of north Clackamas County that surround 82nd Avenue have experienced an increase in homeless campers, sex workers and injection drug users – many are in a downward spiral of poverty and addiction.

Enter Outside In’s medical mobile unit. With funding from United Way, the medical van began serving homeless, uninsured people at the Clackamas Service Center. In 2008, the van started serving students once a week at New Urban High School.

“Providing medical care was a step in the door toward developing relationships,” says Zachary Goldman, project manager. “The work helps connect people with community resources aimed at job training and getting stable housing.”

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is a primary funder of Outside In’s Neighborhood Sparks Project, a collaborative effort to create permanent, sustainable medical and social services in north Clackamas County.

Since its launch in 2007, the project has brought together nonprofits, hospitals, and government agencies to design a social services and medical plaza with a medical clinic, mixed-income housing, social services and community resources. Construction is slated to begin in 2010.

While partners work toward long-term community development and revitalization efforts, the medical van continues its services. The van is available twice a week at Clackamas Service Center. In addition to getting help with chronic conditions, patients also have the chance to get information on housing assistance and job training from Human Solutions. A staff member from the Portland Women’s Crisis Line is available for people dealing with partner abuse or sexual violence.

At New Urban High School, the work focuses primarily on intervention: providing support for at-risk youth. In addition to a primary care doctor, United Way funding supports an alcohol and substance abuse counselor who works directly with students.

“If we can provide services to young people while they are still engaged in school and connected with family, then we can intervene in a meaningful way,” says Zachary.