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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2015)
Page 8 September 9, 2015 Volunteers forming a church committee to help former prisoners reintegrate into the community prepare for their annual fundraising dinner and concert, Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Highland Christian Center in northeast Portland. Church Helps Former Inmates Back to Life Harvest Saturday at Highland brate five years of community ser- vice with a fundraising dinner and concert. The Highland Access Re-entry and Recovery Program has helped men and women transition back into society by overcoming barri- ers like housing applications and A local non-profit that helps for- finding appropriate jobs, and most mer prisoners reintegrate into the importantly, proving them indi- community is gearing up to cele- vidual mentors to help guide them through the tough decisions ahead. The program will host its “Back to Life Harvest” celebration on Sat- urday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Highland Christian Center, 7600 N.E. Glisan St. Tickets are $35 per person. The semi-formal event is open to the public. It will feature soul music from Elliott Young, for- merly of the world famous Coast- ers, the EYB Express, and special guest, Motown artist and Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Shirley Nanette. There will also be an electrifying performance by Highland Chris- tian Center’s Mime Team. The keynote speaker will be Oregon Sen. Chip Shields, a well- known expert in the recovery and re-entry fields. The emcee will be Roy Jay, founder of Project Clean Slate and national director of Proj- Housing Help for First Time Buyers Bond revenues support below market rates Resources are available to help first-time homebuyers get a mort- gage loan at below market interest rates, officials from Oregon Hous- ing and Community Services an- nounced last week. “For many members of our Aubre Dickson community, homeownership re- mains a key part of the American dream,” said Margaret Van Vliet, director. “My agency, Oregon Housing and Community Ser- vices, is pleased to be able to help qualified first-time homebuyers access loan products that will help ensure their home remains afford- able for years to come.” One program offers a below market interest rate of 3.25 per- cent; a second offers a 3.75 per- cent interest rate and gives buyers the ability to use up to 3 percent of the loan to pay closing costs. Eligible homeowners can buy a new or existing home anywhere in Oregon, including site built homes, qualified condominiums, and manufactured housing. “Buying a home is a life-long dream for many families and pro- vides them with an opportunity to secure a better future for them- selves and their kids,” said Aubre ect Second Chance. Roy Jay Enterprises has donated a pair of tickets to “Janet: Unbreak- able,” Janet Jackson’s World Tour, coming to the Moda Center in Port- land in January, as a door prize. A ticket purchase will automatically enter the purchaser in the raffle. To get tickets to this event, visit harrp.eventbrite.org or call 971- 801-4412. Dickson, chair of the State Hous- ing Council. “Purchasing a home at an affordable interest rate is one of the best ways to ensure they will be able to continue to remain stable in their homes for years to come.” The Oregon Bond Loan pro- gram uses the proceeds from tax exempt revenue bonds to finance the below market rates, work- ing in partnership with mortgage lenders, local governments, and non-profit organizations to assist homebuyers. To learn more and see if you qualify, visit oregon.gov/ohcs.