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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2016)
Problems Demand Solutions Fighting racism in the justice system QR code for Portland Observer Online See Local News, page 3 Against the Odds Youth take a stand in ‘Smoldering Fires’ See A&E, page 8 ‘City of Roses’ Volume XLV Number 11 www.portlandobserver.com Wednesday • March 16, 2016 Established in 1970 Committed to Cultural Diversity photo by L eonard L atin /t he p ortLand o bserver Rebuilding lives, restoring families and renewing our community one person at a time is the mission of Portland’s Miracles Club at 4200 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Interim Executive Director Michael R. Booker Jr. (left) and Pastor Dwight Minnieweather, head chef of the associated next door venue ‘A Heavenly Taste Café,’ welcome the com- munity to their establishments. right next door to the Miracles Club, the local and black- owned restaurant fits right in with the Miracles Club’s motto of giving second chances. The café provides free meals at times for those who cannot afford a meal, but need the recovery services. A wide variety of Southern foods that we all like such as ribs, catfish, fried chicken, greens, and candied yams are that inspires continued sobriety. Michael R. Booker Jr. is now the interim executive on the menu. You can even find neck bones, crappies and director of the non-profit organization. Housed on the chitins at special times. The prices are low enough for anyone to come and eat. ground floor of a multi-story building at 4200 N.E. Mar- tin Luther King Jr. and Skidmore Street, the club cen- You can experience this taste of heaven, from 9 a.m. to 8 The Miracles Club, a non-alcoholic social club provid- ters on peer-to-peer mentoring as an avenue to sustained p.m. daily. Breakfast is served all day. The Miracles Club is also a partner in the construction ing support services and housing in the African American sobriety, utilizing a variety of different groups, such as community and its adjacent “A Heavenly Taste Café,” are hosting 12 Step program meetings, 365 days a year. The of a new building with 47 units of affordable or low-in- entire complex has 37 affordable housing units for indi- come housing coming to the neighborhood just east of the reintroducing themselves after some recent changes. Rose Quarter. Just like its current location, the apartments Providing a safe, clean and sober environment for in- viduals and families. Pastor Dwight Minnieweather is chief executive offi- will provide more adults with housing and services in an dividuals seeking a lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs, the purpose of the Miracles Club is to offer a place in the cer of Portland’s Straightway Services who became head alcohol-and drug-free building and specialize in cultural- community where individuals and their families can find chef of “A Heavenly Taste Café in 2015. Centered in the ly competent recovery support for the African-American support services and social activities in an environment heart of Portland’s African American community and community. Rebuilding Lives Meet the team who serves the community