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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 23, 2022)
June 23, 2021 CAREERS Special Edition Page 5 Nonprofit helps homeless, youth C ontinued FroM F ront of color, like institutional racism, unfair policing, and equity in economic empow- erment, education and other topics. “We will have speakers and have a pe- tition to clean the city up so we can get back to normal,” Minnieweather said. The event will also include vendors and live music, joining other participants including Care Oregon and the Native American Youth and Family Center. Vendors are welcome for a small fee, Minnieweather said, and can call 503- 960-9431 or send an email to straight- wayservices@live.com. “We will also set up a vaccine site, and also do (Covid) testing,” he said. Minnieweather has no lack of ideas for making the community better. A few months back, for example, he was able to secure the purchase of a used Tri-Met bus for community use, convert- ing the vehicle into a mobile kitchen to photo by M ark W ashington /t he p ortland o bserver Pastor Dwight Mnniewather and his wife Cassandra, join other volunteers from their Straightway Services nonprofit, to distribute free food and supplies for people who are hungry or homeless. feed the hungry and provide a new source for job training, some of the things he was able to accomplished when he man- aged the restaurant at the Miracles Club, a non-alcoholic and drug-free community center on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. After taking out all the seats and put- ting in a hardwood floor, Minnieweather said the “kitchen” is taking shape. “We made it like mama’s kitchen, like a big food cart,” he said. “The windows are really big, and you can see every- thing.” Minnieweather is also trying to get pro- grams suspended by prior COVID restric- tions started up again. For example, the Summer Works program, where the Port- land Water Bureau hired about 10 African American kids each summer, was put on hiatus last year, but he hopes it will start back soon. He would also like to see midnight basketball started up again, but said a major obstacle has been the loss of fund- ing from the North Police Precinct, after several years of supporting the program. On other community initiatives, Min- C ontinued on p age 10
