Category Archives: community resource

Kitchen Commons seeks volunteers to train for food security

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SAVE THE DATE! Cooking up Community

Do you work with an organization or non- profit that is thinking about integrating community cooking programs into your work?
Are you interested in using collective cooking groups as a way to support food justice and increase food security in your community?
Have access to a kitchen space that can be utilized by the public?

If so, join Kitchen Commons for an informal info session and training on Collective Cooking Group Facilitation. Our group leaders and coordinators will share what we have learned throughout the year in our pilot cooking groups, share resources and help you navigate through the initial steps of organizing your own cooking group. We’ll be meeting in one of our partner kitchens, with a chance to prepare a simple dish together. Our brand new Collective Cooking Group Handbooks will also be available to share with participants.

Collective Cooking Groups are a way of stretching food dollars, strengthening community ties and fostering resource and skill sharing. A typical group meets monthly or weekly, divides into teams to cook large quantities of several recipes, shares a meal together, and then takes home portions of each recipe to freeze or use during the week. Participants learn from each other, sharing tips and tactics for cooking healthy food even with busy schedules.

WHEN: Saturday, October 20th 2012 12-2 pm
WHERE: Trinity Full Gospel Pentecostal
Church, 4801 NE 19th Avenue Portland, OR 97211
Light refreshments provided. Send RSVPs or questions to rell@kitchencommons.net. Space is limited.

MISSION: Kitchen Commons matches kitchen resources with community need, making it affordable and practical to cook healthy food, putting the dream of a food business in reach of low-income entrepreneurs, and advocating for food justice. http://kitchencommons.net

Leaf Day(s) 2012 Coming, Will Cost $30

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It’s that time of year again! Leaf Day is fast approaching. If you live in King west of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., city crews will be sweeping streets and removing the leaves on November 20th and December 13th. You will be billed $30 for the service unless you opt out due to not having street trees or because you agree to take care of your own leaves. To opt out or for more information, go to the PBOT website: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/55380

Leaf Day Made Easy

NECN Small Grants Return

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Grant Proposals Due: 5 PM, November 1, 2012.

The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods is offering $10,220 in small grants to neighborhood, business and community-based groups through a grant announced September 1, 2012. The goal of the grant program is to provide opportunities for building community and increasing and sustaining involvement in neighborhood associations, district coalitions and the community at-large. This program prioritizes engagement of historically under-represented organizations representing people of color, immigrants and refugees, low-income families, youth, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bi and transgendered people. Click here for more information and to download our application. http://necoalition.org/services/community-based-project-support/neighborhood-small-grants-program/

Considering applying for one of NECN’s grants? Join NECN for a Small Grants Orientation to learn more! Orientation will be on October 4, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, King Neighborhood Facility, 4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211

This informational session will answer questions about the application, the committee review process, what funds can be used for and NECN’s unique priorities. The session will also include a brief overview of basic grant writing tips. RSVP to Babs at 503-388-6100 or babs.adamski@necoalition.org

PP&R, Sprite and Blazers Team Up to Revitalize King Basketball Court

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Via Portland Parks and Recreation:

Jerome Kersey to Help Celebrate Public/Private Partnership on NE Portland’s King School Park

Beginning this summer, local teens can express their uncontainable moves on a completely renovated basketball court at Portland’s King School Park on NE 6th Ave and Humboldt St. The court will be revamped as a kick-off to the Sprite Spark Parks Project, a program that will refresh an additional 25 basketball courts in public parks and recreation centers throughout the nation.

In partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers, Sprite will donate $20,000 to Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) to refurbish rims, backboards, benches and playing surfaces – sparking new life to King School Park. The park is on Portland Public School property, and managed by PP&R. Work is expected to be complete by the end of summer. Both the park and adjacent school are named for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“This is another wonderful example of a successful public-private partnership,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. “Sprite and the Trail Blazers are helping us increase the neighborhood’s vitality and livability with their generosity. The King School Park court enhancements will benefit the neighborhood, King School students, and park users for a long, long time.”
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Gathering of 100 Women this Saturday at First AME Zion Church

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From Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church:

Good morning friends:

I’m sending this message on behalf of “Connected”, the group who has walked in Holladay Park since April of last year as a result of the loss of young brother Shiloh Hampton and the determination to do everything possible to reduce violence. This group is Co-Chaired by Brother John Canda and Elder Rob Richardson and I’m one of nine Board Members. Many people on this e-mail have walked with us or has had a desire to, but have not been able to make it. If you haven’t and wish to, feel free to meet us in Holladay Park or the Lloyd Center Food Court. We have two session times to walk from 30 minutes to an hour (your discretion) one starts at 4:30 PM and the other 6:00 PM each Friday. As we get further into Daylight Savings Time we may consider, as we did last year, making the second start time 8:00 PM. You don’t have to call anyone or e-mail ahead—just show up in either place on any given Friday. We committed ourselves to walk until God tells us not to. Next Friday marks a year since we started and I don’t see any signs we will be stopping soon. All glory to Him.

The North Precinct’s Command Staff of the Portland Police Bureau has lauded the work of “Connected”, often publicly, and states that among other things, our presence or “Ministry of Place”, has help reduce the amount of crime in the park by over 30% between 2011 and 2012.

In recent months there has been a clarion call about 100 women coming together along this same line, but an emphasis might be on supporting the needs of young women as they make healthier choices, need or desire mentoring, and help transforming their lives.

An initial meeting for 100 women is scheduled for this coming Saturday 11:30 AM-1:00 PM at First AME Zion Church on the corner of Skidmore and Vancouver Avenue. We realize there are a lot of functions going on these days, but there will never be a “best time” to schedule a meeting. So those that can make it, please do. A light lunch will be provided and you’re welcome to bring your children if you don’t have anyone to babysit them and/or it will prohibit your attendance.

We envision a sharing of the work we’ve been involved with, discussion you have about where you would like to see this gathering go, an ask from “Connected” about supporting the efforts underway, and direction you decide that day.

Many blessings to all of you,

Pastor H.