WELCOME: Save the Date

Join us for the next panel presentation and discussion—Sharing Ideas: Grassroots Projects Started by Neighbors on Saturday, July 24th at Ecotrust from 1:00pm-3:00pm.  This panel will showcase local, grassroots community-building efforts throughout the Portland metro-area.  All of the projects are volunteer or non-profit driven, have a community benefit, and could be replicated in other neighborhoods. 

Our hope is that these events will inspire people to initiate similar projects in their own neighborhood.  Panelists will share the spark that ignited their idea, the tools and strategies they used to turn it into action and their hopes and dreams for their project into the future.  Look for more details on our website closer to the event.  To read reviews of the previous Sharing Ideas panels we hosted last year, click here.

INVITATION: Community History Storytelling

We are hosting a series of Community History Storytelling events.  The first of the series will focus on the history of Southeast Portland communities.  Connect with stories told by residential and business neighbors who have lived and worked in the Southeast Portland communities.  This event is FREE and open to anyone interested.  Please extend the invitation to your friends, family, colleagues, faith communities, and neighbors.

Community History Storytelling: Southeast Portland
Thursday, June 17th from 6:00pm-8:30pm
St. David of Wales Church at SE 28th and Harrison

RSVP by Monday, June 14th. 
For questions or feedback, call 503.546.7499.

TIPS & TOOLS: Preventing Conflict with Your Neighbors

Your behavior affects your neighbors, just as what they do effects you. The primary way to prevent conflict with neighbors is to be a good neighbor. Simple consideration and conversation with neighbors helps achieve a peaceful coexistence.  Check out some of the ways you can prevent conflict and build positive relations with your neighbors. 

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Idea Development Plan Workbook

The Idea Development Plan is an outline of questions designed to help turn ideas into action.  By working through each step of the plan, groups or individuals can set goals, develop strategies, and envision outcomes for their project idea. 

Questions include:
  • What are the values motivating our idea?
  • What positive outcomes can we hope for?
  • What are the skills, interests, or talents of each group member?
  • What methods or strategies will we use to get the word out?

On our website you can print off the workbook and use it for your next brainstorming or strategic planning session.  The Tool Packets listed on our website are a free community resource.  You may take from them whatever works best for achieving your own neighborhood or community goals. 

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR: Supportive Neighbor Checklist

26. Share knowledge of community resources
27. Hang out in the front lawn, porch, or sidewalk
28. Take a meal to someone housebound, sick, or a new parent
29. Initiate contact with neighbors before there is a need
30. Coordinate what you are growing in your garden with a neighbor to share the bounty

This is an ongoing checklist of suggestions from neighbors. For the whole list, click here. If you have ideas to add to this checklist, send them to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

SHARING INSPIRATIONAL STORIES: The Speaker’s Bureau

One way to learn about people is to listen to their lived experience.  The Speaker’s Bureau of the Partnership for Safety and Justice helps communities learn how to support formerly incarcerated people returning to community life.  The Speaker’s Bureau presents a first-person view of re-entering the community after imprisonment. 

Speakers share their experience within the criminal justice system and beyond – focusing on what happens upon returning to community life.  One woman told about being turned down for job after job, despite her qualifications, because of a prior felony conviction.  Another woman shared her story of being imprisoned shortly after giving birth and the challenges she now faces as a formerly incarcerated parent.  One man discussed his efforts to help other formerly incarcerated people obtain education and training to successfully negotiate life beyond their sentences. 

Each story is intensely personal, moving and, most importantly, enlightening.  Some of the topics they cover include barriers to employment, prison programs, youth justice, education, and crime survivors.  If you would like to know more, please contact Patty Katz at 503-335-8449 or Peter Pincetl at 503-896-5074 with the Partnership for Safety and Justice or visit http://www.safetyandjustice.org/.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Make a Friend of Your Neighbor Workshop Participant

“I had a blast and learned a lot from the workshop-even made some new friends. I look forward to future workshops and networking opportunities. Our United Villages plays a critical role in our community.”