Cultivate Initiatives

THE ORGANIZATION IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING EAST PORTLAND THAT WORKS ALONGSIDE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH AN INCLUSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: THIS INITIATIVE CONNECTS HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS WITH LOCAL JOB AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT A DIGNIFIED WAGE. THE NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOUSELESSNESS ARE OFTEN HIGHLY SKILLED, SO THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES THE SUPPORT, OPPORTUNITY, AND TRAINING NECESSARY TO GET THEM BACK TO MEANINGFUL WORK.CURRENTLY, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF PORTLAND AND MULTNOMAH COUNTY AND PROPERTY STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES. BOTH OF THESE INITIATIVES ARE MANAGED AND PERFORMED PRIMARILY BY NEIGHBORS WHO ARE FORMERLY OR CURRENTLY HOUSELESS.ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS AN INTERN PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SHORT-TERM, LOW-BARRIER WORK OPPORTUNITIES. THIS IS AN ON-RAMP INTO FURTHER EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOUSELESSNESS.

COMMUNITY HEALTH: THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON MEETING BASIC NEEDS, PROVIDING PREVENTATIVE CARE, AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON HEALTHY LIVING. THE ORGANIZATION BRINGS CRITICAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTLY TO HOUSELESS NEIGHBORS, OVERCOMING MANY BARRIERS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, LACK OF TRUST, AND COST. THE ORGANIZATION'S MOBILE SHOWER AND HYGIENE RESPONSE BRINGS FREE SHOWERS AND HYGIENE SERVICES TO NEIGHBORS DAILY. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION'S PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLUNTEER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY NURSING, PROVIDES HEALTH SCREENINGS, COVID-19 SCREENINGS, WOUND CARE, AND OTHER NURSING SERVICES ALONG WITH THE MOBILE SHOWER AND HYGIENE RESPONSE.

HOUSING AND SHELTERING: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES AND SHELTERING SERVICES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOUSELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSECURITY. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH MULTNOMAH COUNTY AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE THROUGH THE MOVE-IN MULTNOMAH PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THE MASTER LEASE PROGRAM WHICH CREATES LOW-BARRIER MOVE-IN ASSISTANCE AND LANDLORD RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE RAPID RE-HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN WHICH THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE GETTING REHOUSED. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES THE MENLO PARK VILLAGE THROUGH THE CITY OF PORTLAND'S SAFE REST VILLAGE PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATION'S HOPE IS THAT THIS TRANSITIONAL SHELTER IS A PLACE OF SAFETY AND BELONGING FOR ALL NEIGHBORS WHO RESIDE THERE.ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES SEVERE WEATHER SHELTERS WHENEVER MULTNOMAH COUNTY DECLARES EMERGENCY WEATHER SITUATIONS.