On Friday May 18, Central City Concern’s Downtown Clean & Safe presented the Clever Cycle at the Ride Your Bike to Work Day event held at the US Bancorp building.

The Clever Cycle is a unique tricycle that will be used in addition to the Clean & Safe’s truck to pick up biohazards within the 213-block area of downtown where Clean & Safe operates. The Clever Cycle is equipped with a large tank, powered by a battery that allows for the quick removal of these biohazards. Previously, it took the Clean & Safe workers approximately 45 minutes to answer a dispatch call due to traffic congestion. By introducing the Clever Cycle, Clean & Safe hopes to cut down on these response times to 30 minutes or less. This project will result in quick cleanup of biohazards and safety improvement in the downtown area.

Matthew Smiley, CCC’s program manager of Clean & Safe, is excited about the project. “By adding this position it allows for one of our trainees to gain a full-time job, and look forward to becoming self sufficient. Having a special project bike that provides speedy bio-hazard clean ups allows for a clean, and welcoming Central City for tourist and the general public.”

Marcus Marchand, Sidewalk Ambassador for Downtown Clean & Safe, displayed another unique bicycle at the event, the bicycle kiosk, which was introduced in 2009 and carries information for visitors. Marchand is thrilled about the new Clever Cycle and thinks it will help make Portland safer and more appealing to tourists. And in the spirit of Ride Your Bike to Work Day, he is excited about the City’s ability to introduce bicycles into many types of industries.

Downtown Clean & Safe is a Portland Business Alliance program that keeps the downtown area clean and safe, contributes to efforts to create more jobs, with benefits and helps individuals re-enter the workforce.

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When Central City Concern gave me housing, healthcare, and addiction treatment services, they didn’t change the world. But for my daughter and me, the whole world changed.

In December 2006 I was pregnant, homeless, and addicted to drugs and alcohol. I wasn’t feeling very merry or bright about the approaching holidays.

The gift I wanted more than anything? Change. And I wanted it desperately.

A friend told me about the Letty Owings Center, a program run by Central City Concern that provides housing and healthcare for pregnant women who are homeless and struggling with addiction. I got in, and by March 2007, I was clean and sober. For the first time in a long time, I was living in a safe, stable, supportive environment surrounded by people who wanted me to succeed. In August 2007, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

In April 2008, I moved out of the Letty Owings Center and into Central City Concern’s alcohol- and drug-free family housing. Over the next three years, Central City Concern gave me the support I needed to stay sober through their Recovery Mentor Program, get job training through their Supported Employment program, and be a good mom.

Central City Concern gave me the gift of change I so desperately wanted five years ago. Now my daughter and I have our own place. I have a job that I love and I’m off all public assistance. And this year, I’m looking forward to the holidays.

I am so grateful for the support I received from Central City Concern. But I know there are hundreds of people out there who are still struggling like I once did. This holiday season, you can help by supporting Central City Concern with a gift of $500, $250, $100, or whatever you can afford. To make your gift on our secure, online server, click here.

Please make that gift today. The need for your support has never been greater.

 

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Central City Concern brought an array of service to Salina Perez -- beginning with Letty Owings Center and Alcohol/Drug-Free Family Housing to Supported Employment services. See how we never gave up on Salina and how far she has come.  (This video was shared at our annual Working Our Way Home luncheon.)

http://www.youtube.com/centralcityconcern#p/a/u/0/uJBe4t1HfU0

 

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Thank you for visiting this website to learn more about how Central City Concern helped me turn my life around.

Arrogant, unstable, unwilling to change.

High school dropout. Cocaine addict. Hustler and thief.

Chronically homeless. A drain on society.

That’s how I’d describe myself up until Thanksgiving 2008, when Central City Concern gave me one more chance to turn my life around.

I’d run away from home at age 10 and starting using drugs at about the same time. Between the ages of 12 and 44, I’d been arrested almost 200 times—126 times in Portland, alone. I’d spent 32 years living on the streets, been through four rehabs, and made countless trips to jail.

I was exhausted. And I was ready for something different.

I first became a client of Central City Concern in the Fall of 2006. CCC offered me a safe place to live and a case manager to help me get pointed in the right direction. I wasn’t particularly grateful for the help, at first. In fact, I continued to cause trouble for two more years. But Central City Concern never gave up on me.

In March 2009, I got a room at The Estate, one of several CCC buildings dedicated to housing people who are newly engaged in treatment and recovery. Shortly thereafter, I was hired on as a “barrel pusher” for the Clean & Safe program, where I started to gain job skills and earn a reputation as a dependable employee. I worked my way up, becoming a janitor through CCC’s Business Enterprises program.

Now I’m the Weekend Supervisor for the Clean & Safe program, a father to my children, and a mentor to other addicts struggling to get clean and off the streets. I’ve got my driver’s license, I’ve paid off my debts, and I’m planning on enrolling in community college so I can continue to advance professionally.

None of this would be happening for me without Central City Concern. I’m in the mainstream for the first time in my life.

I know there are countless other people out there like me who still need help. On any given night, approximately 2,500 adults—some with young children—are sleeping in shelters or doorways in the City of Portland. Nearly all of them are suffering from mental health problems, alcoholism or drug addiction. Some are victims of domestic violence. Some are military veterans with PTSD. Some have had experience with the legal system.

They all deserve the same chance I got to get on their feet.

That’s why I’m asking you to make a donation today to Central City Concern of $250, $100, $50, or whatever you can afford. You can click here to do so.

Thank you very much for supporting Central City Concern and giving others like me the chance to turn their lives around, too.

Sincerely,

Darrell W.

P.S.: For more information on who is homeless and why, please visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness website’s FAQ page.

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at left: Selena, happy customer employed (and promoted) at Burgerville with her supervisor
Daniel Cogan.

I want to congratulate the 200+ individuals who turned out Wednesday night at City Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of the 460 customers of the Employment Access Center (EAC) who became employed in 2010.  Customers were placed in jobs across 15 different sectors in 53 zip codes with an average hourly wage of $13.46. 


above: David Wynde at left, Rachel Beaudoin in center with her supervisor and manager from U.S. Bank

It was a remarkable event that was organized and orchestrated by the entire team of 24 staff at the EAC and Kathy Pape.  Ed Blackburn, Commissioner Nick Fish , Mayor Sam Adams, Customer Walter Ryce, Customer Rachel Beaudoin and U.S. Bank Employer and Vice President David Wynde all spoke so beautifully about the importance of employment in recovery and ending homelessness. 

Jennifer Wilcox then handed out 91 graduation and outstanding achievement certificates after which everyone enjoyed a large spread provided by VOA’s food services.  May next year be as bright as 2010!

Rachel Post
Director of Supportive Housing and Employment
Central City Concern

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I wanted to place a well deserved shout out to our CCC 2011 NAMI walk team. This year we were festooned in beautiful vibrant yellow and orange t-shirts, carried multi-colored signs and radiated lots of enthusiasm. We clearly had a presence on the waterfront.



Our participants included; 16 staff, 6 consumers and 5 volunteers. Several people walked over to our table to pick up signs to carry in the walk in support of CCC.

A special thanks to Jenni Eldredge, Cheryl Zechman, Chris Colburn and Maria Gargano who comprised our illustrious planning committee. Thanks to Nic Granum who drove the RCP van for the 2nd year in a row.

And thanks again team CCC for all your support.

Walkers for the CCC 2011 Team

Erika Armsbury and daughter Zara Hayes
Anne Holcombe
Laura Brown
Katie Hainley
Richard Braucher
Linda Golden
Claudia Krueger
Cheryl Zechman
Michael Mellick
Laura Nelson
Hydee Rickert
Seiza the Fairy deTarr
Maria Gargano
Jenni Eldredge
Nic Granum
Kathleen Roy
Anne Clark
John Harlan and son (Criminal Justice)
6 fabulous consumers


Kathleen Roy, LCSW
Assistant Director of Mental Health

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On what we hope will be a sunny Sunday on May 22nd, more than 30 of our staff members, clients, providers and friends from the 12th Avenue Recovery Center will join hundreds in the community for the NAMI Northwest Walk. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a strong advocate for people with mental illness in the community, working to reduce stigma and isolation, and providing support to family members as well as professionals in the field.

The 2011 event marks the third year of an official Central City Concern team and every year we draw more and more participants. Each walker joining our team will receive a CCC 12th Ave Recovery Center t-shirt. We will provide transportation to and from the walk from the Recovery Center location. Click here to register for the walk today!

There are a number of compelling stories from people in our community about why they participate in this walk - check it out here. Join us!

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Last Thursday, nearly 100 of Letty Owings Center's closest friends gathered to raise funds for Laura's Place - a transitional housing option for graduates of LOC. The evening was a great success with more than $40,000 raised! We'd like to thank generous major donors NW Natural, Providence Health Plans and George Anderson, in-kind donors Wilfs Restaurant and Sysco Portland, and the many individuals in the audience who pledged the support of the program! Also thanks to the wonderful Brad Mersereau for his jazz piano and Adam the Great magician. It was a musical and magical night for all!

Click here to view a few photos from the event!

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Join us on Thursday, April 21st at 5:30 p.m. at Wilfs Restaurant for an evening of Magic & Music! Beverages, hearty hors d'oeuvres, jazz piano by Brad Merserau, magic by Adam the Great. This event benefits Laura's Place - a transitional housing option for women who have completed treatment at LOC, but who still need support to maintain their success. Laura's Place has provided stability and promise for LOC clients since it opened in 2008. But the cost of running Laura's Place is not covered by traditional funding sources -- come have some fun with us and help us keep Laura's Place a vibrant option for self-sufficiency.

Online ticket purchasing now available. Click here.

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Recently, Central City Concern grieves the loss of a very special friend, Hal Saltzman. From the beginning, Hal was part of the family. When we weren’t discussing Central City Concern’s Veterans programs, we discussed local and national politics, sports and, of course, family. Hal is survived by Ruth, his wonderful wife and best friend of 57 years, and four children, Debbi, Cindy, Stephen and David. Although Hal was a successful businessperson, professional pitcher, Marine captain who served twice (once in World War II and the Korean War) and dedicated civic leader, family was his first priority.

His many values, and order of those values, were always reflected in our conversations. The last time Hal and I spoke on the phone, he asked me the same five questions he always asked:

What’s new at Central City Concern?

How are you?

How is the running?

How is your boyfriend?

Do you have “plans” (insinuating marriage, of course)?

He always began with business, and ended with family. All of it was important to Hal.
Hal was an extraordinary person with deep character who positively impacted lives. At Hal’s memorial service, various loved ones spoke about Hal’s compassion, strength and upstanding moral character, all of which affected his family members and friends. One man said Hal was his mentor for over a decade, and it was from Hal who he received the soundest advice. Hal Saltzman created, and hosted, Central City Concern’s Veterans’ Celebration Picnic held in June these past few years.  On average, 100 Veterans representing over 300 years of military experience, attended the picnic. The Veterans enjoyed a picnic lunch and music from the 60s and 70s performed by The Shwing Daddies. It was an opportunity for everyone involved to stop and appreciate the individuals who have done so much to protect our country and freedom, some at a high expense. Hal reminded us of what was truly important, and he lead by example.

Success is defined in many ways. Hal was an incredibly successful person, and not because he always “won.” Like everyone, Hal suffered his own hardships. However, he handled the ups and downs of life with a grace that few can claim. He embodied an optimistic yet realistic spirit, compassion for others and drive to be the best form of himself, whatever the task or goal. The following Ralph Waldo Emerson quote reminds me of Hal. It reads:

“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded!”

If the terms in Emerson’s quote are the barometer, Hal was an outstanding success. He will be gravely missed by Central City Concern. He was a teammate, leader, strategist, volunteer, donor, advisor and friend.

The world is indeed better because of you, Hal. Thank you for your many enduring gifts. 

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