Portland observer., June 21, 2023, Page 2, Image 2

Page 2
Expansion of the Clean Start Program
Oregonians can
expect to see
more jobs and
cleaner streets
Central City Concern (CCC)
announced the regional expan-
sion of the Clean Start Program
thanks to a combined investment
from Governor Kotek’s Stra-
tegic Reserve Fund and Mult-
nomah County totaling $2.5
million. Established in 1996,
Clean Start provides trash,
graffiti removal and cleaning
services to the Portland metro
area. Clean Start is one piece of
CCC’s larger economic devel-
opment strategy.
Since its inception, Clean
Start has removed millions of
pounds of trash and needles
from Portland’s streets. Over
six months, trainees in the
program receive peer mentor-
ing while learning critical job
skills and building confidence
for future employment oppor-
tunities. Trainees are connected
to CCC’s wraparound services,
including supportive housing,
integrated health care, addiction
treatment, employment assis-
tance and more. Most trainees
Clean Start worker standing in front of truck. Photo courtesy of Central City Concern website.
exit the program with long-term
employment and housing.
With this investment, CCC’s
geographic footprint will expand
to include cleanup of Oregon’s
highway corridors, select busi-
ness districts, specialized teams
deployed to areas highly im-
pacted by growing trash issues
and specialized graffiti removal
teams. Clean Start is expected
to ramp up within 60 days and
be at full capacity within six
months. CCC anticipates hiring
25 new employees from a range
of partners, including the De-
partment of Corrections, various
affordable housing development
and shelter providers, and CCC’s
own Parole to Transition Pro-
gram. CCC will partner in inno-
vative ways to hire, with a focus
on people with lived experience
of homelessness and those who
HELP FOR PEOPLE
AFFECTED BY GAMBLING
Is Gambling Still Fun?
How do you feel when you gamble? Do you enjoy the fun of
playing, even if you don’t always win? Are you able to shrug off
your losses? Or do you bet more often than you’re comfortable
with, even if you’d like to cut back?
Free Help is Available
In Oregon free resources are available. If you want to
change how you gamble, reach out. Oregon Problem
Gambling Resource (OPGR) has trained counselors who
specialize in supporting people affected by gambling.
They can help you explore new choices and get you back
in the driver’s seat when it comes to gambling. Call, text or
chat. You can feel better about gambling — starting today.
have been involved with the jus-
tice system.
“CCC is honored to be the
steward of this investment from
the state and county,” says Pres-
ident and CEO Dr. Andy Men-
denhall. “Oregon is emerging
from one of the toughest times
in our state's history as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This investment creates jobs for
folks in transition and recov-
ery. Our Clean Start workers
contribute to cleaner and safer
streets and hope for the future of
our community. I can’t think of
a better way to invest taxpayer
dollars than by providing living
wage jobs while simultaneous-
ly responding to the homeless
crisis in our community. Our
thanks to Governor Kotek and
Chair Vega Pederson for their
vision and leadership.