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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 2024)
Page 4 October 23, 2024 25 Years Of Homeownership Fairs Photo Courtesy of African American Alliance for Homeownership Continued from Front bus will take 35 first time buyers to 7-10 homes for sale within the Portland Metro Area. Information on first-time homebuyer programs and the current market will be pro- vided by AAAH, Kor Realty, and Fairway Independent Mortgage tour guides. The tour is FREE to attend for the first 35 registered. Organizers with the AAAH hope those who take the first step by attending the FREE fair will continue to make progress towards buying a home long after the fair. To aid in this effort for those who wish to Obtain, Maintain, Re- tain, and Sustain homeownership AAAH provides wrap around services such as Deferred Main- tenance/Home Repair/Water Leak Programs, Estate Planning, and our newest program to address the adverse effects of climate change, Power to the People PDX (P2P). P2P is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) and NW Gas. Qualified homeowners may receive electrical upgrades, furnaces, water heaters, insula- tion, and other upgrades to bring their home up to efficient stan- dards. These programs are FREE to qualified applicants. There will also be youth activ- ities and great door prizes such as wine tastings, a $25,000 down payment grant and much more. AAAH is a non-profit, HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency that provides pre & post purchase counseling, 8-hour HUD certified homebuyer education, mortgage default/loss mitigation counseling, and limited financial assistance for first-time home- buyers and current homeowners. AAAH’s services are FREE and open to the public. AAAH is an equal housing opportunity agency. Honoring a Decade of Visionary Leadership and Dedication René Mitchell to Step Down as Founding Executive Director After co-founding and serv- ing as a volunteer Executive Director of Scalehouse for over a decade, René Mitchell has an- nounced she will be stepping down from her role and passing the torch to Marley Weedman Lorish, who will assume the position of Executive Direc- tor starting in January 2025. Mitchell’s visionary leader- ship has been instrumental in transforming Scalehouse into a thriving contemporary arts cen- ter, known for its commitment to fostering artistic expression, broadening equitable access to the arts, and advancing cultural engagement throughout Bend. Mitchell, alongside co-found- ers Patricia Clark, Sandy An- derson, and Alex Anderson, laid the groundwork for Scalehouse during the organization’s early brainstorming sessions in 2011. Together, they envisioned a space that would go beyond art exhibitions, creating a platform where diverse voices, creative thinkers, and community mem- bers could gather to explore and address pressing social and cultural issues. Founding Board Members who joined this ef- fort include Cristy Lanfri, Dave Fox, and Elizabeth Quinn. "René has been an integral part of Scalehouse’s growth and success, leading the com- munity’s only contemporary art center organization," said Mar- We are Open! 3901 N. Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR 97227 P: 503.281.0453 Fax 503.281.3408 Web: www.sunlanlighting.com E-mail: kay@sunlanlighting.com Rene Mitchell and Marley Weedman Lorish tha Murray, Scalehouse’s Board the Executive Director position. Member and Co-Producer of Lorish is a fourth-generation Bend Design. "Her leadership Central Oregonian and inducted has ensured that Scalehouse re- member of Phi Beta Kappa. Lor- mains a place where art and de- ish is an interdisciplinary artist sign are not just displayed but with an interest in the intersec- actively contribute to looking at tion of art and social health. She served as a college ambassador the challenges of our time." Under Mitchell’s leadership, with Planned Parenthood Colum- Scalehouse launched numerous bia Willamette, and co-authored impactful programs. "Scale- the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion house arrived at a pivotal mo- and Justice glossary for Central ment in my life, offering me Oregon Health Council. She is the space to both discover and trained in creating queer inclusive lose myself. It has been one of arts learning spaces for youth. “Having grown up in Bend, the greatest honors of my life to collaborate with such talented I have witnessed remarkable and passionate artists, creative growth in access to arts and thinkers, volunteers, non-profit cultural spaces. Scalehouse partners, and donors to create a represents this growth and has container where we can exhibit, offered a space for people to engage, and grow together as a celebrate creativity in Central community,” said Mitchell. “I Oregon. Places like Scalehouse am so looking forward to see- serve as a reminder to creative ing where the ever-so talented people of all ages that our role Marley takes this dynamic and as artists and art appreciators is impactful organization with her important to the wellness of our leadership and new ideas,” add- communities; arts spaces don’t only enrich our local economy, ed Mitchell. Marley Weedman Lorish start- they offer us an opportunity to ed as a volunteer at Scalehouse in connect with each other by en- 2020 and has been the Operations couraging conversations and and Programming Manager since consideration of ideas. By slow- Fall 2023 and will transition to ing down to view and talk about what we see (art) in a neutral space like a gallery, we are able to develop skills which enrich our everyday lives, making us better observers, listeners, and neighbors. It is my great honor to continue Scalehouse’s mis- sion of making contemporary art accessible in the area. “ René’s departure marks a new chapter for Scalehouse, and we look forward to continuing to build on the foundation she helped create," said Sandy An- derson, Founding Board Mem- ber and Co-founder. For more information about Scalehouse, upcoming pro- grams, and future leadership updates, please visit www. scalehouse.org.
