September 19, 2018
Page 9
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
Ayasha Shamsud-Din and Talunaka Washington (center) of the Portland African American Leadership Forum (PAALF) visit the Oregon State
Penitentiary to accept a 2017 donation of $2,500 to purchase coats for children in foster care. The donation was raised by inmates of Uhura Sasa,
an African American culture club at the prison. A new campaign to raise donations for coats for children is now underway.
Giving Back; Making a Challenge
e arl m C D onalD -W ilkinS
In 2016, Uhuru Sasa, the African
American culture club located in-
side the Oregon State Penitentiary,
learned that Talunaka Washington,
a child and community advocate
with the Portland African American
Leadership Forum (PAALF) and the
daughter of Portland Observer Pub-
lisher Mark Washington was trying to
raise funds to purchase coats for chil-
by
Inmates reach out to help foster kids
dren involved with the Multnomah
County foster care system.
Uhuru Sasa decided to hold a fund-
raiser inside the prison to help. In the
first year, the club raised $1,000; and
Talunaka purchased 120 additional
coats for children in our community.
Last year, Uhuru Sasa raised $2,500
and Talunaka was able to purchase
300 additional coats for children.
This year, Uhuru Sasa will hold
its third annual fundraiser in Oc-
tober; and the club has issued a
challenge to the Black Parent Ini-
tiative, Intel, Beneficial State Bank,
OnPoint Credit Union and/or their
chief executive officers to match
whatever dollar amount Uhuru Sasa
can raise inside OSP. 100 percent
of all funds will go to purchase
winter coats and other clothes for
children in need.
All financial contributions can be
sent in care of Talunaka Washington,
Dept. of Human Services, District 2
Volunteer Unit , 11826 N.E. Glisan
St., Portland, OR 97220.
Earl McDonald-Wilkins oversees
community outreach for Uhura Sasa