United Way Statement Against Violence

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019

At United Way, we are working hard to build a region that lives up to the ideals of inclusion, opportunity and racial equity. We believe hate has no place in our communities. Now, more than ever, is the time to stand united. That’s why we’ve joined a coalition of our community partners, local businesses and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, in publicly denouncing the groups planning to spread hateful rhetoric and violence in Portland on August 17.

We remain committed to working with our partners and our community to build a region that not only rejects racism, exclusion and disparity but actively dismantles them. For us that means working in high schools to increase graduation rates for the kids we have left behind; it means helping families who have been historically shut out obtain stable housing; it means being honest about the barriers that continue to stand in the way of our local kids and families of color and working in partnership with culturally-specific organizations to remove them. 

Let’s work together to make our region a better place for everyone.