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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2023)
Page 2 November 01, 2023 Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue Opens Education and Career Opportunities for Underserved Communities Portland Community College marked a significant milestone in its commitment to advancing edu- cation and career opportunities for underserved communities with the grand opening of the Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue. This transformative facility, lo- cated at 4299 NE Killingsworth St., is a collaborative endeavor supported by the Oregon Depart- ment of Human Services and the Native American Youth and Fam- ily Center, offering a comprehen- sive array of services, educational resources, and workforce devel- opment initiatives. PCC worked with Living Cully, a partnership of nonprofit groups committed to supporting the community by building economic, social and en- vironmental opportunities, to con- duct outreach to the neighborhood to plan for the resources the com- munity needed.. "The use of CLT in the build- ing of the center is helping PCC meet the sustainability goals of (from left) Kien Truong, PCC Board Member; Sherrelle Jackson, Oregon Dept of Human Services District Manager; Susheela Jayapal, Multnomah County Commissioner; Dr. Adrien Bennings, PCC President (with scissors); Tiffani Penson, PCC Board Chair; and Rob Wagner, State Senator. our bond-funded project," said Tiffani Penson, PCC board mem- ber. "The center aims to provide a warm and welcoming environ- ment where our students and com- munity members can access many services like workforce training, healthcare, childcare, and SNAP benefits -- all in one place. I love that. Centralized services make it so easy for our students and mem- bers of our community." This center's primary mission is to address racial and econom- ic disparities by providing indi- viduals with access to education and career-track employment opportunities. The services of- fered include career exploration, coaching, skills development, and comprehensive support sys- tems to help individuals achieve their goals. PCC's Opportunity Centers, such as the new 42nd Avenue fa- cility, play a pivotal role in reduc- ing opportunity gaps by equipping individuals with the skills and confidence necessary to pursue high-demand careers. These cen- ters assist students in navigating resources, finding employment, and progressing in their academic and career pathways. "It is spectacular," said Rebec- ca Ocken, Planning & Capital Construction director. "I want to acknowledge the contributions that the center's staff made to the design of this building. The dedication and commitment that you gave to the process is trans- formative. This building is the way it is because of all of you." The grand opening is just the beginning for this vital com- munity resource. In the coming year, public art installations re- flecting the values of the cen- ter and college, as well as the diverse stories of the commu- nity, will be added. Addition- ally, Multnomah County is set to open a 10,000-square-foot health clinic, offering health- care and dental services. Home Forward will begin construction on an 84-unit affordable hous- ing complex in partnership with PCC, including NAYA's Early Learning Center for child devel- opment services. "With our new health clinic, we will be able to serve more than twice the number of people we serve at the current location," said Susheela Jayapal, Mult- nomah County commissioner. "We'll go from 2,000 to 5,000 people. But the Opportunity Center is not just about this clin- ic, it's also about housing, edu- cation, wrap-around services and childcare -- all of which demon- strates PCC's commitment to workforce development." For more information on the center's services, visit https:// www.pcc.edu/locations/42nd-ave/ r this c o f s u Join dramati bold & ogram! pr Nolan Tu, piano 2023 PPI Concerto Competition Winner This Midnight Hour November 11 | 7:30 PM Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Anna Clyne: This Midnight Hour Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 Camille Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist and 2023 Portland Piano International Concerto Competition Winner Nolan Tu portlandyouthphil.org/concerts
