Portland observer., April 20, 2016, Page Page 11, Image 11

April 20, 2016
Page 11
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Hello
Neighbor
Developing a More
Connected Community
The city of Beaverton’s arts program has un-
veiled “Hello Neighbor,” a project created by
Portland artist and journalist Julie Keefe that
seeks to create identity and community invest-
ment through photography and conversation.
Hello Neighbor introduces neighbors to each
other, engages youth, and helps develop a more
connected community.
Through a generous grant provided by The
Nike Community Impact Fund of the Oregon
Community Foundation, collaborated with
HomePlate Youth Services, the program brings
photojournalism classes to the Wednesday drop-
in space at Merlo Station High School.
HomePlate Youth Services is Washington
County’s only drop-in center and outreach team
designed to support and empower youth experi-
encing housing instability.
Keefe, Portland’s irst creative laureate and
an accomplished documentary photographer,
created the now nationally renowned “Hello
Neighbor” project in 2007. She saw irsthand the
shifting demographics from African American
families to young, white transplants of her north
Portland neighborhood. The purpose of “Hello
Neighbor” was to start a conversation between
neighbors who had lost the sense of connection
and community.
The Hello Neighbor project
displays photographs and
conversation on buildings
around Beaverton in a
collaborative project to
create identity, community
investment, and bringing
neighbors together.
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton