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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2007)
juStOUt APRIL 6. 2007 northwest JMV The Law Office of John V. McVea, P.C CRIMINAL DEFENSE PERSONAL INJURY • • • • • • • • • • DUII / DWS PROPERTY CRIMES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THEFT ASSAULT Step Inside Our House A closer look into the residential care facility AUTO ACCIDENTS WRONGFUL DFATH BICYCLE / PEDESTRIAN ABUSE VICTIMS MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE by Malka Geffen he gay community is familiar with the efforts of Our House of Portland to provide residential health care to people with HIV/A1DS. A charity event rarely occurs 503-223-1708 www.mcvealaw.com The Morgan Bldg. • 720 SW Washington, Suite 75 PEGGY MINTER, at Corry’s Tax Services in the Gresham area S pecializing in T ax P reparation S ervices for A lternative F amilies Also: small business bookkeeping & payroll services FRIENDLY, ACCURATE, PROFESSIONAL, AFFORDABLE 503-661-6456 745 NE 239th Place, Wood Village, OR 97060 peggyminter@comcast.net MENTION THIS AD FOR A 15% DISCOUNT \J When it comes to neighborhood home loans, I really know my way around the block. Riley, Our House assesses for medical acuity, active addiction and psychiatric issues. According to Oules, the system that is in place works, and people who move into Our House can meet the that does not list Our House as a benefici state’s requirements. “We wouldn’t put a person in ary. Our House gets the biggest cheers at Basic a situation if it’s beyond their means or ability,” he Rights Oregon fund-raisers and during the Pride i says. In the case of a person who gets sick quickly, parade. The community at large came out last summer to support the unveiling of the new and improved Our House facility. This is the side of Our House we know and support. “Especially in the gay community,” says marketing and communications manager John Oules, “someone knows someone who has received care here.” The nonprofit organization, which holds compassion, collaboration and respect among its core values, has touched many people and owes a large portion of its volunteers to the gay commu nity. Understanding how Our House operates, away from the fund-raisers and the public eye, helps the community Social interaction between staff and residents is part of a balanced relate to the organization, its lifestyle at Our House. residents and staff even better. According to Alienirady, director of adminis Riley says Our House commits to helping this per trative services, Our House receives 52 percent of son who needs care and can’t wait around for his its yearly operating budget of $2.3 million from Social Security application to go through. state funding, holds a few major fund-raising “Sometimes there’s a gap when we cannot collect events, applies for grants and accepts donations to room and board—not many facilities will do make up the rest. “Half of Our House is just like that,” she says. any other residential care facility, and then there’s half of us that has private fund raising that is the ccording to Miya, Our House has had several part the community sees and is so loved and under involuntary move-outs. “A common one is due stood in more tangible ways," says Kristin Riley, to endangering oneself and others; another is director of social services. “The state funding side where a person’s acuity is too high and we can’t is a complicated system.” take care of them adequately; another is the mon What most people don’t know is that Our House ey issue,” he explains. “There have been cases of charges for room and board. Executive director nonpayment of rent where we’ve worked with the Wayne Miya says that this is one of the strings of person for months and nonpayment has been regulations and required compliance attached to the totaling up into the thousands and we have to ask state funding. “All funding regulations [from the how fair is that to everyone.” Portland Development Commission, state and fed If a client does have to leave, otherwise endan eral government! require that residents pay a portion gering the organization with losing state funding, of their income toward room and hoard here. If we Our House staff says they will do everything they don’t comply, we’re at risk of losing our funding,” can to make for an easy transition. “Until that explains Miya. “The state figures out what residents point we’ve spent time and effort working with need to pay us based on their income, and then the them so they can stay, hut when you’ve crossed that state deducts that from what [the state allots] us.” line, another process comes into play so they can According to Brady, residents are allowed to go somewhere to continue to get care," says Brady. keep $141 a month of their income for personal “They’re not out on their own.” Riley explains that incidental funds, based on state regulation. once a notice is issued, there’s heavy emphasis on Regardless of whether residents have a direct deposit a gixxl and ethical discharge. “We have to balance of their Social Security funds into their account and upholding the state system and still recognize that write Our House a check or have the funds sent to leaving here is not easy," she said. the facility where they sign over the amount less Miya added: “As we carry out the state regula $141 in cash, Riley says rixim and hoard payment is tions, we operate under a philosophy of care that typical of residential. care facilities that have has respect for the resident, the community and the contracts with the Department of Human Services. staff. Rules may he conflicting, hut we need to kx>k When a person is considered for residency at at the overall issue and see what’s in the best inter est for all of us.” © Our House, many factors are at play. According to A As your local Countrywide® home loan expert, I not only have my own considerable experience to offer, I also have the technology, resources and innovative loan products from one of America'^ leading lenders to make your next home-buying experience fast, convenient and virtually hassle-free. No matter what your financial situation or home loan needs, call me today and let me open the door to your dream house No one can do what Countrywide can. «* Michael Curry Loan Consultant Office (direct): (503) 624-4709 Cell: (503) 593-5777 Fax: (503) 670-0393 H Countrywide HOME LOANS Lake Oswego Office 6000 SW Meadows Road #100 Lake Oswego. 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