May 20, 2020
Page 3
INSIDE L O C A L N E W S
The
Week in Review
page 2
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
pages 8
Joy Sinviengxay manages the counter at the Chai Thai restaurant in east Portland, one of two eateries
providing meals to homeless shelters operated by Human Solutions as part of a partnership with two
nonprofits providing financial backing to businesses impacted by the coronavirus health crisis.
Restaurants in Crisis Feed Hungry
Program is a
win win for
homeless, small
businesses
pages 9
O PINION
C LASSIFIED /B IDS
pages 10
E DUCATION &C AREERS
page 6
Established 1970
munity members have economic
and housing security.
Leaders for both groups said
they saw an opportunity to col-
laborate and meet multiple com-
munity needs in a unique moment
where restaurants are struggling
to survive due to the COVID shut-
down and emergency shelters are
stretched to meet their ongoing
need for warm meals.
Human Solutions Executive
Director Andy Miller said he was
thrilled with the results thus far.
“This is how community re-
sponds in a crisis,” he said. “Pros-
per Portland stepped in quickly to
do what they do best - supporting
local small business to keep them
working, The Rosewood Initiative
did their part by recruiting local
minority-owned restaurants they
already partner with and Human
Solutions was able to relieve some
of the stress on our courageous
C ontinued on P age 5
$8.5 Million Provided for Rent Relief
USPS 959 680
4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.,
Portland, OR 97211
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A new partnership between
two east Portland nonprofits, local
restaurants and the city of Port-
land is bringing food to people in
homeless shelters and supporting
struggling businesses during the
economic crisis created by the
coronavirus.
The city is providing financial
assistance for the feeding program
through Prosper Portland, the
city’s urban and economic devel-
opment agency, and the nonprof-
it Rosewood Initiative is chan-
neling funds to struggling local
restaurants in east Portland that
are strapped for business during
COVID-19.
Nelly’s Taqueria and Chai Thai
are two of the participating restau-
rants, preparing hot, delicious
meals delivered to two Human
Solutions shelters, Lilac Mead-
ows for Families and the Gresh-
am Women’s Shelter. On a typical
night, about 220 people eat dinner
in these shelters.
Program organizers hope to
find additional resources in the
community to expand this win-
win effort. Human Solutions and
The Rosewood Initiative are com-
munity-based organizations work-
ing in east Multnomah County to
address the root causes of pover-
ty and build vibrant communities
where everyone can thrive.
he Rosewood Initiative sup-
ports community-driven solutions
for a healthier, more economically
vibrant Rosewood neighborhood.
Human Solutions is a 31-year-
old community organization that
develops affordable housing and
operates shelters and a range of
programming to ensure all com-
PO QR code
Mark Washington, Sr.
e ditor : Michael Leighton
Office Mngr/Clasfds: Lucinda Baldwin
s ales d irector : Leonard Latin
c reative d irector : Paul Neufeldt
o ffice a sst /s ales : Shawntell Washington
P ublisher :
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Postmaster: Send address changes to Portland Observer, PO Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208
The Oregon Housing and Com-
munity Services announced Mon-
day that it has accumulated over
$8.5 million to provide rent relief
across the state.
As many Oregonians are strug-
gling to pay rent during the coro-
navirus public health crisis, the
rent relief program is providing
assistance to those who need it
most.
According to a news release sent
by the organization, the money is
allocated to regional Community
Action Agencies by a needs-based
formula which takes rent burden
data, poverty data, homelessness
data, and unemployment claims
into consideration.
“Through no fault of their
own, many Oregonian families
are facing an abrupt loss of in-
come and find themselves unable
to pay their rent during this pan-
demic,” said Gov. Kate Brown.
“Through Oregon Housing and
Community Services, we can de-
liver immediate rent relief so that
more families can stay housed
as we work to build a safe and
strong Oregon.”
Oregonians looking to apply
for aid should contact their local
CAAs directly or call 2-1-1 for
assistance. Officials said they will
begin taking applications in up-
coming days. Any rent payments
given will be made directly to the
landlord on behalf of the tenant.