WELCOME: Inspirational Storybook Coming Soon

Community Outreach is producing the first edition of Sharing Ideas: Grassroots Projects Started by Neighbors.  This book showcases local grassroots initiatives and projects that benefit the community as a whole.  It is a collection of stories and photographs of everyday people doing extraordinary things.  The inspirational storybook will be available on our website soon or you can stop by our office to check out a copy from our Community Resource Library. 

INVITATION: Community History Storytelling: Northeast Portland

Connect with the history of Northeast Portland communities as told by the people who have lived and worked within them.  In addition to featured storytellers, there will be an open forum for anyone to share their stories related to Northeast Portland history.

     Saturday, January 29th
     12:00pm-3:00pm
     Redeemer Lutheran Church
     5431 NE 20th Avenue Portland OR 97211

This event is FREE and open to anyone interested.  A light lunch will be provided.  Please RSVP by January 24th so that we can prepare adequately.  Child care (for children 9 and under), interpretation, and transportation provided upon request.  For more information or to RSVP for this event, click here.

TIPS & TOOLS: Hosting a History Storytelling

We believe that storytelling is a bridge of shared learning that connects people from all backgrounds and enhances social vitality.  We have hosted Neighborhood History Storytellings, an Intercultural History Storytelling and are currently offering an ongoing series of Community History Storytelling events focused on each quadrant of Portland.  Each of these events has included featured storytellers and an open forum for anyone to participate.  We put together a Tool Packet on Hosting History Storytelling Events to share the lessons we have learned.  This document is like a tool chest, take from it whatever works best for achieving your own neighborhood or community goals.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Free Consultation and Brainstorming

Do you have an idea to build community, create a more vibrant neighborhood, or a project that will benefit the community as a whole?  We provide free consultation to individuals and groups working to make a positive difference.  We listen, brainstorm, strategize, and give feedback to build capacity for people to turn their ideas into action.  Sometimes we may link you to other people or groups who are interested in or working on similar efforts, or search for community resources that will help the idea come to fruition.  We don’t claim to have all the answers or know the one-best-way, but we are here to listen and respond. The consultations are free to grassroots, volunteer or non-profit groups. To schedule a consultation or learn more, click here.

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR: Supportive Neighbor Checklist

36. Maintain your property and take into consideration your neighbor’s perspectives. 
37. Keep your sidewalks clear of toys and debris. 
38. Use a lawn mower, power tools, and other noise-makers at considerate times.
39. Obey the speed limit or go even slower on residential streets where kids and animals play.
40. Seek to enjoy the people living around you by befriending them.

This is an ongoing checklist of suggestions from neighbors.  For the whole list, click here.  Top

SHARING INSPIRATIONAL STORIES: Interfaith Women's Potluck

Between Women is a monthly interfaith gathering working to build community among Muslim, Christian, and Jewish women in Portland.  Inspired by interfaith peacemaking efforts in Israel and Palestine, 3 local women (Sanaa Sammour of the Muslim Educational Trust, Jan Elfers of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and Sherry Fishman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland) organized a potluck group in 2008. The group has continued to meet every 4-6 weeks since in various members’ homes.  About 12 regular members share their faith, traditions and holidays and learn from one another.  Members have reported that they have experienced strengthening of their own faith by honoring the faith of other women.

Despite the focus on food and cultural awareness, a significant purpose of the group is building relationships.  Member, Rania Ayoub, explains that the group got to know each other on a personal level which promoted a strong bond between them. She underscores the value of the friendships she has made, especially during difficult times. For instance, Jewish and Christian members are willing and able to respond if they hear negative comments about Muslims in their community.

Rania explains that her involvement with Between Women has been personally rewarding, “I am always learning something new.  When something happens, everyone responds. For example one woman’s daughter had surgery and all of the members visited her at the hospital.” The women have also attended plays and gallery shows supporting the creative work of members.

If you would like to follow Between Women’s model, Rania offers the following tips:

• Start small (originally, 3-4 women from each faith group were invited)
• Share about your own personal experience, rather than what your faith community expects of you
• Rotate locations (spend 2-3 hours in someone else’s home)
• Promote personalized interaction (Rania remembers, “We were already friends after only the 2nd meeting.”)

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: From a Consultation

“This is tremendously helpful!  I’m so happy to learn about this organization and I will definitely help spread the word.  Every community truly has the power to shape its own destiny if the tools are there.  I have subscribed to the newsletter and I look forward to joining future Community Conversations.  I really appreciate your time.”
-Honore Depew