EPAP Plan & Updates

COMMUNITY BUILDING

CB.1 Increase interaction among cultural communities and geographic neighborhoods

CB.1.1 Promote block parties and develop a block party kit that can be distributed to existing organizations, neighborhoods and community events.

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CB.1.2 Engage ethnic communities in neighborhood activities; provide translation/language services to remove barriers; improve messaging and invitations.

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This garden has brought to gathered a number of communities in the neighborhood such as Vida Abundant Fellowship (Hispanic congregation), Oromo Church (Ethiopian congregation), David's Harp (adult mental health day center). Each of these communities have taken part in the garden.

Participants in the Building Cultural Bridges video project participated in the Friends of Trees community project, attended the Bhutanese civic education classes' graduation ceremony, and interviewed city leaders like Amanda Fritz. The youth group that learned video skills was pulled from two different geographical locations, and traveled around Portland to film sections of the film, which encouraged new relationships amongst people and places. The final project, which is in Nepali and English, will also provide access to information about services in Portland in a visual format, which helps break down information barriers.

The third annual East Portland Exposition was held July 23 and 24 of 2011. Through support from the East Portland Action Plan, the event has successfully evolved into the largest multicultural event in Portland. In 2011, the event included 22 cultural performances, 6 multicultural Villages, mostly culturally inspired foods, exhibitors, and inflatables for kids. The event was also held in conjunction with Movies in the Park and included a movie each night. Attendance over the two days, including the movies each night, is estimated to be approximately 6,000 people.

We addressed goal CB.12 through our "Subotnik" project, by rallying all community members for event participation via numerous flyer campaigns, posters, and door to door recruitment. Potential language and cultural barriers were addressed by utilizing existing and community resources to provide culturally competent support. The Springwater community boasts a wide representation of nations, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Families from Ukraine, Russia, Latin American countries, and the Middle East participated. This project was also multigenerational; ages ranged from pre-school children to middle aged parents, aunts and uncles.

CB.1.3 Create an annual event to celebrate the ethnic cultures of East Portland.

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The 2011 East Portland Exposition will be on July 23 and 24. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. For more information go to the event Internet site at www.epoxpo.org.

The East Portland Exposition is an annual event in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood designed to promote East Portland with an emphasis on multiculturalism and children and families. The event will conduct its third event in 2011. The event includes culturally-inspired performances and interactive activities. It has quickly become the largest multicultural event in the City of Portland.

CB.1.4 Organize walking or biking tours through the area.

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This is a brief summary of our 2010 EPAPbike-sponsored rides: We had 12 riders for an April test ride in Hazelwood, Woodland Park, & Parkrose Heights; we had 9 riders for our May Planning Loop ride in Hazelwood, Glenfair, Wilkes, & Centennial; 16 for our June Art on I-205 MUP ride through Powellhurst-Gilbert, Lents, & Hazelwood; 9 for our August Parkrose Farmer's Market ride; 9 for our September Volcano ride through Powellhurst-Gilbert, Pleasant Valley, Lents, & Hazelwood; and 10 for the Sacred Spaces ride in October through Russell, Parkrose Heights, Hazelwood, (Maywood Park), Parkrose, Argay, & Wilkes; for a total of 65 participants for the 6 rides. We also had 65 riders for the co-sponsored Equity Ride in August through Hazelwood & Powellhurst-Gilbert. We plan on doing an additional ride in November. So far in 2010, we have had rides in all 13 East Portland neighborhoods, as well as Montevilla, the City of Maywood Park, and Wilkes-Gresham.

CB.1.5 Provide full/additional resources for community organizing efforts that support ongoing community building and development work (including community small grants program).

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* Maxaction provides safety vest for volunteers at many community events
* Maxaction is working with Trimet to develop and implement an Adopt a Station program.

The garden supports the ongoing community development work of the church by bringing together church members, neighbors, hispanic church members, pre-school students and clientele of David's Harp both working in the garden and in the harvest dinner. It gives us a chance to meet each other and work together in a way we would not otherwise. It creates pride in the neighborhood. Neighbors who do not participate in the garden often stop to chat and ask questions about it.

We have a gardener who grows tomatoes only. The gareden was over flowing with tomatoe plants. We were able to sell tomatoe plants at Gateway Area Business Association Fun~O~Rama. These plants where heirloom plants.

CB.2 Empower and engage East Portland residents and businesses in civic decision-making

CB.2.1 Build ongoing East Portland Action Plan advocacy group to sustain action plan efforts over time.

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July 23, 24
Benedict Community Park
EPOEXPO:
Bernie Foster sponsored a booth promoting the Focus East Project and The Skanner Foundation.

Aug 25
LENTS
EQUITY BIKE RIDE - Bernie Foster Spoke about Focus East and upcoming events at the Equity Bike Ride.

Aug 31 - Sept 15
The Skanner Foundation Offices
Bernie Foster met with EAST PORTLAND community leaders to discuss upcoming FOCUS EAST events. "East Portland meets North Portland" is an added value event planned for October to promote FOCUS EAST events. Bernie stated that "The FOCUS EAST project has been very inspiring and motivating."

CB.2.2 Host Elected Officials week or Leaders Forum in East Portland.

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CB.2.3 Develop and hold leadership and civic engagement classes/programs for East Portland citizens to build capacity for participating in lobbying, advocacy, board participation, partnerships, etc.

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Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon's(APANO)held 6 workshops over the summer of June-August 2011 focusing on leadership development and youth empowerment in addressing cultural and social issues

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Summer Seminar | Seminarios del Verano
East Portland Action Plan 2011

Guest Presenters:
Jobs with Justice Organizer, Mr. Marco Mejia
United Way Diversity and Inclusion Director, Maria Rubio

Friday-Saturday, August 12-13, 2011
6:00-8:00pm & 8:00am-3:00 p.m.
East Portland Community Center & Pool
740 SE 106th Ave
Portland, Or. 97216
Food, Transportation, Spanish/English Translation and Childcare Provided

Agenda (8/12/11)
6:00-6:30 Welcome and Introduction: EPAP, ONI, NWHF and LatNet
6:00-7:50 Documentary: A Class Apart
7:50-8:10 Film discussion
8:10-8:15 Upcoming events
8:15-8:20 Closing remarks

Agenda (8/13/11)
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:05-9:05 Welcome and Introduction: EPAP, ONI, NWHF and LatNet
9:05-9:15 Agenda Approval
9:15-10:00 Dinámica
10:-11:00 Workshop 1 w/ Marco Mejia:Community Organizing for all
11:05-12: Workshop 2: Introduction to leadership
12:00-1:0 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Workshop 3 with Maria Rubio: Our Regional Government
2:00-2:20 Next Steps and upcoming steps
2:20-2:50 Diplomas
2:50-3:00 Closing remarks

Notes

On August 12-13th, Latino Network conducted two seminars focused on civic engagement and leadership at the East Portland Community Center and Pool. Made possible through grants from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, Northwest Health Foundation, and the East Portland Action Plan, the Summer Seminars series launched a new outreach effort in East Portland for Latino Network.

With the growing presence of Latinos east Portland and recognizing the need for increased civic enagagement, the Latino Network developed this seminar to give Latinos leader the tools to be agents of change in their community. In addition, Latino Network developed a leadership curriculum for the children in attendance.

On Friday (Aug 12) at 6pm, the first seminar kicked off with the screening of the documentary "A Class Apart". The film analyzed the historic achievement of a small group of Latino lawyers who took their case of institutional discrimination against Latinos to the Supreme Court in 1954. Seminar participants had a lively discussion on the progress made by Latinos in the U.S. since the landmark ruling and the challenges we still face.

The following day, the participants returned at 8am for breakfast and to resume the dialogue on what constitutes being an effective leader. The first workshop was presented by Marco Mejia, an organizer with Jobs with Justice and a member of the New Sanctuary Movement. Marco talked about strategies and how to mobilize the grassroots community.

Maria Rubio, the New Diversity and Inclusion Director of United Way, shared her knowledge of local, regional, and state governance with the participants. She explained the functions of the state legislature, the City of Portland, the jurisdictions of Counties, and the various agencies and bureaus--such as Metro, DHS, and PPS. The last portion of the time was dedicated to devising a plan for communication and working together on upcoming events and actions pertaining to immigration, health, education, and the build environment.

In all, we had 22 folks attend the seminars. Latino Network couldn't have done it without the support of our partners and the community. The work is ongoing so keep an eye out in 2012 for our Summer Seminars in East Portland!

A Project of East Portland Action Plan

Dialogue with the Latino community and U.S Attorney for the District of Oregon Dwight Holton: Meeting Notes

Leadership Academy Workshop

Guest Presenters:
U.S Attorney for the District of Oregon, Mr. Dwight Holton
Victim-Witness Unit, Gerri Badden
Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent, Mario Galindo

Wednesday, July 20, 2011
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
East Portland Neighborhood Office
1017 NE 117th Ave.
Portland, OR 97220
Light Refreshments, Spanish/English Translation and Childcare Provided

Agenda
4:00 Welcome by Cynthia Gomez, Program Director of
Civic Engagement and Leadership Programs
4:05 Introductions and Dinamica/Icebreaker
4:20 Guest Presenters & Dialogue
5:00 Q & A
5:20 Closing Activity and Dinamica/Icebreaker

Notes
Mr. Dwight Holton spoke about the Criminal and Civil Rights divisions in his office. His agency works at the federal level with large-scale prosecutions such as fraud, white-collar crime, environmental violations, identity theft, hate crimes, and violators of civil rights. Community was encouraged to communicate with police first. If there are doubts, community members can always call US Attorney office for details and clarification.

Mr. Holton also spoke briefly about the current effort to research alleged violations committed by the Portland Police Bureau.
Mr. Mario Galindo spoke about the FBI. There is a Adult and Youth Academy (see below), partners with Victim-Witness unit, and offered himself as an advocate and contact.

Mrs. Gerri Badden spoke about her office. They provide information about the court system, are present at the crime scene, works closely with FBI, collaborates and refers community to services, tracks down attorneys and others who are in the system, have materials in Spanish and Spanish speaking staff.

Open Discussion Community members had doubts and questions about how immigration status affects access to these services. Mr. Holton made it clear that he is working closely with Secure Communities to ensure that those who are deported are those with prior convictions, deportations and offences. He receives reports that show that there are an insignificant number of immigrants who are deported who do not fit the aforementioned description.

Community members also asked about “redadas” or round ups where if in search of specific offenders, others with no prior convictions are also deported. He is open to continuing the discussion.

Actions Items
• Anti-Bullying Curriculum: Information will be provided by Mr. Holton’s office. Test run was completed at Irvington School with teachers, parents and students. Run by Mrs. Holton.

• FBI Adult and Youth Academy: A program for emerging and established leaders, this is an opportunity for community to learn their rights and how to advocate. This is a free federal service. Holly, through Mario’s office is the contact.

• Substance Abuse Commission: Claudia (ALL alumni) was asked to provide feedback to the commission as they are seeking voices that can speak to the issues.

• Community Relations Service: Information available about this service that addresses racial tensions. Currently working in Umatilla with White and Native Indian community members.

• Opportunity to improve Crime Reporting: Mr. Holton expressed an interest in moving forward with an initiative to improve services. Partners identified: U.S Attorney’s office, Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs, and Latino Network.

• Univision: Hilda (ALL alumni) is interested in having Mr. Galindo on Univision (Spanish Language TV) to share information about the FBI.

• Courtroom Tours: Mr. Holton offered to host a tour of the courthouse. Jackeline, LN Program staff, has ideas to work this into the ALL curriculum.

• Portland Police Bureau Investigation: The US Attorney’s office if conducting an investigation of violations by the PPB to see if there are systemic problems that lead to these violations. He seeks the communities assistance. Latino Network has access to this information and may assist in distributing the reporting opportunities to the larger community. See below for copy of e-mail correspondence:

As you are aware, on June 8, 2011, the United States Department of Justice (Department) opened a civil investigation into allegations of use of excessive force by members of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), in accordance with the pattern or practice provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

As you may have seen in the press release announcing the investigation, throughout the course of the investigation, the Department will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law by officers of the PPB.

The Justice Department will consider all relevant information, particularly the efforts that Portland has undertaken to ensure compliance with federal law. The Department has taken similar steps involving a variety of state and local law enforcement agencies, both large and small, in jurisdictions such as New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Louisiana and California.

As we discussed, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon in conjunction with the Special Litigation Section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division will be conducting interviews at all levels of PPB, the city, and the community, during the first week in August.

We also discussed that the Department wants to include individual community members, including those who live on the outer east side who have had interactions with PPB, whether good, bad, or indifferent. We request any assistance the Latino Network can provide in helping to reach out to community members to participate in individual interviews.

Contact the U.S. Attorney’s local Civil Rights Hotline at either 503-471-5577 or by email at usaor [dot] civilrights [at] usdoj [dot] gov. Members of the public who do not desire an individual meeting, or for whom we are unable to meet with individually may also provide any information about PPB that they would like to share by emailing community [dot] portland [at] usdoj [dot] gov or by calling 1-877-218-5228.

The library has two priorities that speak to community building:
• Resources for immigrants - Immigrants will have the information and resources they need to participate successfully in life in the United States; and
• Facilitating civic engagement - Patrons will have access to resources that support, create opportunities for, and inspire participation in our community, as well as address issues of public concern.
As part of meeting these priorities, the library offers a series of six citizenship classes where attendees:
• Learn about the process of becoming a citizen
• Prepare for the citizenship interview
• Study United States history and government for the examination

Midland library is hosting citizenship classes this fall and winter, with full enrollment expected (20-25 attendees).

Another program is Intercambio/Language Exchange, is also offered at Midland. This program gives participants an opportunity to practice English or Spanish and help other learners in a friendly atmosphere. Participants speak half the time in English and half in Spanish.

Pageturners, the library’s monthly book group program, is offered at every library location. These groups engage in stimulating conversation about books, exchange perspectives about characters and plot, and get to know their neighbors. Pageturners is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Everybody Reads, the library’s annual community-wide reading project, asks the question, “What if everybody read the same book?” with the goal that we'd talk to each other about issues that matter and we'd celebrate the power of books in creating a stronger community.

The Everybody Reads 2011 selection is The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, the story of two kids with the same name and similar backgrounds but very different destinies. While one went on to become a Rhodes scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader, the other is serving a life sentence in prison. The author asks "How did this happen?" and explores the impact of personal choices and the influences of environment and community on today's youth.

The library’s meeting rooms are available to public groups and individuals for meetings and programs that serve an educational, cultural, civic or recreational purpose. Meetings and programs held in library meeting rooms must be free, open and of potential interest to the general public.

CB.2.4 Develop an ongoing program to assess and improve East Portland's participation in City and County policy making and budget setting activities.

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In process of developing public participation framework for transit-dependent communities, primarily from East Portland, to influence TriMet policy decisions within their Transportation Improvement Plan

CB.3 Involve East Portland residents in community projects and building community identity

CB.3.1 Develop survey instruments and tools for community conversations.

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Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon's (APANO)youth created a survey tool to ask other youth and adults in their communities about cultural identity and education.

Developed and implemented bus rider survey to identify and prioritize transit concerns for East Portland bus riders.

CB.3.2 Establish a "listening post" or information center at existing community-based events.

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Maxaction is working with Trimet to establish community bulletin borads at area max stations.

CB.3.4 Initiate "community conversations" at community forums and with existing groups to lay the foundation for community identity.

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For the Building Cultural Bridges project, two community brainstorming sessions happened in East Portland. One involved over 20 members aged 5-75, and the other happened amongst students in the Bhutanese student club about their experience coming to school in America. Together, members of the Bhutanese community discussed common experiences of coming to America, life in the camps, and the realities of transition. After this, the team of students at David Douglas and two representatives from the community meeting (a boy and a girl) were chosen to learn video skills. They then conducted inter-generational dialogue with their elders at two different community testimonial sessions, where over 40 community members turned out for a day of taped discussion. By having the film be screened and talked about in public with the community on December 17, we also built points of discussion amongst the community members with the final product as the beginning point.

We addressed goal CB.3 by the very nature of our "Subotnik" event – a collaborative, community project requiring the participation of East Portland residents living at Springwater Commons. The event provided a forum for multicultural interaction and ongoing discussion. The event was represented by a diverse group of families hailing from many nations, including Iraq, Honduras, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and other countries. Families representing many cultural and ethnic backgrounds came together and collaboratively rebuilt, restored and revitalized their community.

Convene monthly Bus Riders Unite! general membership meeting for residents of East Portland to discuss transit-related concerns and develop solutions

CB.4 Create community gathering places in East Portland to increase community identity and pride

CB.4.1 Develop areas that are a source of community pride and identity: foster an 'eastside downtown' and community gathering areas and/or farmers markets.

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The garden has been around for three years and each of those years we have had a Harvest Festival to celebrate what has been grown in the garden and the celebration of community (meaning the people) who have worked together to keep the garden looking so good.
A number of people who live the neighborhood walk by and comment:
"The neighborhood looks better with the garden here and I enjoy watching it grow"
"You have done a great job with the garden"
"I'm glad your are helping the people of David's Harp learn to grow organic food"
"This garden is beautiful and they are doing a great job keeping it growing

CB.4.2 Identify target areas for holding community organizing activities such as commercial nodes or neighborhoods focal points such as schools, parks or community centers.

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In the early building of the community garden we had a youth group from Idaho come and help build some of our raised beds as a community service project.
We added three raised beds this year and the last one to go in was worked on by our joined youth groups from Parkrose United Methodist and Parkrose Community United Church of Christ. These youth worked together in the garden and produced a number of tomatoes plants from their raised bed and made a number of canned items.

CB.4.3 Develop gateway plans for key entries into East Portland.

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CB.4.4 Support East Portland as the location for a citywide Multicultural Center.

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Community visioning sessions in East Portland were conducted for the Building Cultural Bridges project. One East Portland based community wide meeting happened to develop ideas for the film, and another full day of testimonials and interviews that included over 40 members of the Bhutanese community aged 5-75 were conducted. B Media Collective met with members of David Douglas High school's Bhutanese student group over the course of 5 months to do skill-based teach ins, and film sections of the film. Members of the youth video team attended the community civics class at the East Portland Community Center to invite their elders to participate in the project, and document their graduation ceremony. All together a rich series of community meetings happened in East Portland over the course of this project.

CB.5 Foster and market East Portland's positive attributes

CB.5.1 Promote positive media stories for East Portland.

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Maxaction has help 5 cleanups along the Max Blue line during 2011. Three of these evets have been covered by local media as positive neighborhood events.

Direct link: http://eastpdxnews.com/general-news-features/parkrose-heights-gardeners-...

The Building Cultural Bridges Project as a whole is worthy of press, considering the deep youth-elder mentorship component, and the popular education models that were experimented with and developed in the project. See the Oregon Live coverage at: http://blog.oregonlive.com/my-portland/2011/12/documentary_film_coming_t...

A story about NW Garden Academy has been published and advertising purchased in the Mid County Memo. This is a local newspaper that reaches thousands of households in the local community. In addition, gardening sessions and workshops have been listed on the iFarm link of "Friends of Family Farmers" and the Oregonian event pages. The Academy has been presented to Argay and Parkrose Neighborhood Associations as well as the Midway and Parkrose Business Associations. Finally, signage and an information box has been erected at the garden site on NE Shave St and NE 122nd Ave and Parkrose Community Foundation had an information booth set up at the Parkrose Farmers Market distributing brochures for four weekends.

CB.5.2 Develop a marketing campaign about why East Portland is a great place to buy a home.

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CB.5.3 Inventory East Portland's unique assets and create a long-term marketing/media campaign to publicize; include development of website.

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Zenger Farm, Audubon Society, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, Environmental Education Assoc. of Oregon, Leach Botanical Garden, and other interested parties who share the area from 116th to 128th and Foster have been meeting quarterly to discuss common ground and programs. One major conversation focuses on how to reframe the geographic node in people's minds with an eye toward positive future investment and image. We've taken to calling this area "Eastern Eden", thinking of the potential for a 'green zone' with 10/10/10 characteristics anchored in the enviro-argicultural-botanical-cultural landscapes.

CB.6 Strengthen and increase participation in neighborhood services

CB.6.1 Provide annual mailing to all East Portland addresses about role of neighborhood associations and how to become involved.

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CB.6.2 Develop and implement outreach program to residents typically underrepresented in East Portland neighborhood associations: renters, youth, disabled, diverse race and ethnicities, etc.

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Bus rider outreach program is designed to reach residents from East Portland's diverse and underrepresented communities, specifically low-income, transit-dependent, youth, elderly, disabled, people of color

CB.6.3 Create an advocate position to seek funding for livability improvements, neighborhood associations and groups.

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CB.7 Enhance East Portland's sense of community through historic resource identification and preservation efforts

CB.7.1 Gather information regarding historical resources and determine focus areas for additional research and potential historic preservation efforts.

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Leach Botanical Garden possesses a substantial collection of physical objects, images, documents, and other ephemera from the historic collection of John and Lilla Leach. Much of this is from or referential to the developments in Lents, East Portland and outer Southeast. In acknowledgement of our 30th anniversary as a public garden, we are exploring creation of a video production rooted in the Leach story, including their expeditions of plant discovery around the Pacific NW.

The City of Portland received a small grant from the State Historic Preservaion Office to conduct a survey of "mid-century" residential areas developed in the 19040's - 1960's. The survey is complete and Bureau of Planning and Sustainability staff will provide a briefing to the Landmarks Commission on November 22nd 2010 at 3:15pm. The surveywork will enhance our understanding of the building history in Portland's eastside neighborhoods. Information and photos from the survey will be entered into a state database and will be available to the public for mapping, planning, and neighborhood character illustration.
For more information contact Liza Mickle at Liza [dot] Mickle [at] portlandoregon [dot] gov.

CB.7.2 Initiate oral history project for East Portland - integrate results into broader historic resources work.

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