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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2017)
March 1, 2017 The Skanner Page 3 News cont’d from pg 1 “ more likely to be sen- tenced to prison than Whites,” Commissioner Loretta Smith told The Skanner. “Creating a cul- turally specific program like Flip the Script for our Black and Brown men leaving prisons is critical.” A 2016 report from The Sentencing Project ranks Oregon as having the sev- enth-highest incarcer- ation rate for Blacks in the nation, while African Americans make up only roughly 2 percent of the population. For every 21 Black men in Oregon, one is in prison. Locally, in the tri-coun- ty area, 30,000 at-risk youths between the ages 16 and 24 are not in school and are without jobs. “That’s why I have been fighting so long and hard to create a summer jobs program to give these kids a place to go, ‘You do your time, but you’re continuing to pay for your crime’ checks, she was continu- ally turned down. “You do your time, but you’re continuing to pay for your crime,” she said. Eventually Ceaser walked through the doors of Central City Concern, which serves people im- pacted by homelessness, poverty and addiction in the Portland metro area. To her surprise she knew the woman behind the desk — they had served time together in prison. Inspired, Ceaser applied for work. Today Ceaser is the di- rector of employment services at Central City Concern, and is behind its transformative new program called Flip the Script, which aims to end the cycle African Ameri- cans face yon returning from prison. According to Central City Concern’s data, an African American has a 36 percent chance of re- cidivism (or reoffending) after being released. For a White person, it’s 29 percent. The organization and its partners — Mult- nomah County’s Depart- ment of Community Jus- tice, the city and county Joint Office of Homeless Services, and Meyer Memorial Trust — are hoping Flip the Script can reduce recidivism by helping Black parol- ees get a leg up through housing, job coaching and culturally respon- sive services. “We know that here in Multnomah County, Blacks are seven times to provide an alternative to the street,” said Smith. In Multnomah County, African Americans who are released from prison, jail or treatment can be recommended for Flip the Script through their corrections counselors and DCJ parole officers. The program is projected to serve 150 people in its first year. Setting it apart from other rehabilitation pro- grams is Flip the Script’s Afrocentric approach. “Afrocentric therapy is a self-actualization tool. It’s about realizing your own potential, tapping into your ancestry, un- derstanding your cul- ture and exploring what it means to be a Black woman, what it means to be a Black man, and how that in itself creates in- tersectionality through- out a person’s life,” said Ceaser. “We know our traditional school sys- tems have a very watered down, strategic and in- tentional way of educat- ing us about ourselves — and the information is monetary, it’s from a place of power.” African American peer mentors, who have first-hand experience with the criminal justice system, will also be avail- able on-site to Flip the Script parolees. “It’s important to have people who look like us, who can relate to those circumstances,” ex- plained Ceaser. Read the rest of the story at TheSkanner.com Larry Gossett’s Birthday King County Council member Larry Gossett prepares to cut his cake at his 72nd Birthday Party and fundraiser Feb. 25 at Garfield Community Center. Washington cont’d from pg 1 nies, Washington was interested in taking the leap to the non-prof- it sector. “It was amazing what they were doing,” Washington told The Skanner. “And it was an op- portunity for me to use what I’ve learned to help other people out. So I thought I’d give it a shot.” Since 1966, Impact NW has been serving individuals of all ages in the Portland metro area by pro- viding the skill set and resources to help their communities pros- per. Annually over 36,000 low-in- come children, youth, families, seniors and adults with disabil- ities participate in Impact NW’s comprehensive programs. In 2016 Washington joined the Impact NW team as the control- ler, and said his recent promotion was a natural progression. As CFO Washington will help manage the non-profit’s recent growth while presiding over all Ascent “ “But thinking about it from that aspect is somewhat new to Im- pact NW,” Washington said. “Of course, I have to keep in mind that this is a social services agen- cy for people in need, and a lot of times you can’t treat everything ‘It was an opportunity for me to use what I’ve learned to help other people’ as a business. However, you can use efficient and effective pro- cesses and technologies to keep costs down. I think that’s not only unique to for-profits.” In addition to its numerous pro- grams for early childhood, fam- ilies and seniors, Impact NW’s fiscal department performs all the back office functions for the YMCA of Greater Portland. That’s a hefty amount of num- bers. But for Washington, it’s business as usual. been here, how much my for-prof- it experience comes to bear on a daily basis at Impact NW,” said Washington. “From an operational and finan- cial standpoint, I’d like to look at the work that we do more as a business.” He cites the organization’s nu- merous contacts, including with Multnomah County and the city of Portland, drawing compari- sons between selling products and providing services. cont’d from pg 1 loan for his truck, the organiza- tion has been able to help him cover invoices to keep the busi- ness afloat during months when he may be running short — for instance, if he’s expecting a check from a contractor for a recent job but it hasn’t come in yet. “ its financial operations, including communicating with the board, the banks and various funders. He’s also hoping to employ his business prowess to the non-prof- it workflow. “I’m really surprised since I’ve would remain the same. Accord- ing to the organization’s website, the rebrand was the result of a seven-month process in which dozens of community partners, current and former clients and others participated in focus groups and discussions to pro- The change reflects a shift in emphasis from one neighborhood – Northeast Portland’s historically Black Albina district – to helping business owners throughout the whole Portland area Ascent’s press release an- nouncing the name change said the change reflects a shift in em- phasis from one neighborhood – Northeast Portland’s historically Black Albina district — to help- ing business owners through- out the whole Portland area, but emphasized that apart from the name change, the organization’s mission, focus and leadership vide feedback on the shift. “Rebranding forces you to take a fresh look at your organi- zation,” Robin Wang, Ascent’s executive director, said in the press statement. “In our case, we learned that our community was often just as valuable as our capi- tal. Our clients tremendously val- ued the community of support — whether it is from our volunteer PHOTO COURTESY OF BAILEY’S CONSTRUCTION she was living in a hotel with friends. Struggling to make ends meet back in 1998, they shoplifted from a Nordstrom Rack in Clackamas with the in- tent to return the clothes for cash. When they were caught, one of her co-de- fendants engaged physi- cally with the security on duty, which resulted in a second-degree robbery charge for her friends and herself. Ceaser took a plea bar- gain, but under Measure 11, the judge gave her a mandatory sentence of five years and 10 months. The amount she stole was less than $100. After serving her time, Ceaser was eager to move forward with a job and secured housing. But re-entry was another unforeseen challenge. Through numerous routine backgrounds PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED Flip Tyrone Bailey said Ascent Funding – which changed its name in February from Albina Opportunities Corporation – has made all the difference in keeping Bailey’s Construction up and running. advisors or partner organiza- tions — that come with every loan so that they can overcome their challenges, better manage their business, and ultimately become bankable one day.”