Stories

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. 

Disaster & Crisis Resilience

Healing in a Like-Minded Space

Thursday, Mar. 24, 2022

My name is Veyda, and I am an AmeriCorps member in the Confluence Environmental Program working as a Disaster Resilience Coordinator for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

Housing Stability

Fight For the Right to Stay Housed

Thursday, Mar. 17, 2022

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette ended 2021 with a $200,000 investment in the Eviction Defense Program, with the hopes of building resiliency and renters’ rights through the Oregon Law Center.

Disaster & Crisis Resilience

Highlighting Indigenous Impact

Monday, Feb. 28, 2022

There can be an unnerving sense of invisibility experienced by cultures that do not dominate the norm.

Tabitha and Debra pose for a photo in Clackamas Service Center's new Food hub
Disaster & Crisis Resilience

Building Community, One Bite at a Time

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

Hunger is not an insoluble, nor an isolated, issue. This ethos drives the work of Clackamas Service Center, a non-profit based in Clackamas County providing community, food, hygiene and resilience to families and individuals seeking it.

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