Problems
Demand
Solutions
Fighting racism in
the justice system
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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