Stories

Volunteerism

Offering Hope Through Community Support

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we see ourselves as conveners, knowing that the issues we seek to tackle, and the systemic change they require, necessitates a diverse group of problem solvers.

Early Learning

Making STEM Learning Fun and Inclusive

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022

Early learning is vital to children, families and communities. But significant cultural barriers amplify the systemic racism that undergirds our education ecosystem and makes it more difficult for communities of color to succeed and thrive.

Early Learning

STEAM Community Trainer Q+A

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

Building confidence and expertise in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) is integral to a modern education.

Volunteerism

Creating Impact Through Volunteerism

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

For more than two decades, our Hands On Greater Portland team has hosted numerous volunteer projects during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend known as the MLK Weekend of Service.

Ann Takamoto and Oscar Arana poser in front of a mural depicting a pastoral Native village
Housing Stability

NAYA Brings Culture and Beauty to Housing in the Cully Neighborhood

Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2022

A red, geometric pattern encircles the modern-looking, four-story podium building found in the Cully neighborhood of Northeast Portland. This pattern, emblazoned into slats of wood, represents friendship and comes from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

Disaster & Crisis Resilience

Refuting Disaster Capitalism

Wednesday, Jul. 13, 2022

At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we value those who are closest to the crises. The knowledge and experience of those working within communities, especially in times of crisis, should be paramount. Their voices should be held in highest regard around the tables where decisions are made.

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette staff members get together to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
Culture

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Tuesday, May. 31, 2022

For the first time in over two years, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette held an in-person staff lunch event to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. A small step to celebrate in the face of this unrelenting pandemic, yet significant in its own way.

A group of masked kids hold books up in front of shelves lined with more books.
Volunteerism

Keeping the Pages Turning

Wednesday, May. 25, 2022

Late last year Serenity White, a pre-K student who attends Portland Public Schools Kelly Head Start, came into the northeast Portland warehouse of the

Kianna speaks to a roomful of volunteers.
Disaster & Crisis Resilience

Culturally Relevant Communication Creates Common Ground

Tuesday, Apr. 26, 2022

Cultural relevancy is a term we use regularly at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. But it can be hard to pin down a universal definition of the phrase, and difficult to understand the tangible effects of implementing cultural relevancy in community work.

A group of 13 volunteers from WaFd Bank and United Way Staff members pose with completed STEM kits.
Early Learning

Making STEM Accessible

Monday, Apr. 25, 2022

Without the help of volunteers, some tasks feel impossible to tackle.

Early Learning

Proud to be a Part of Preschool Progress

Friday, Apr. 22, 2022

Check out this informative comic from Sarah Mirk describing how necessary Pre-K education is and how our Early Learning Multnomah County's Parent Accountability Council championed the cause. 

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