When Central City Concern gave me housing, healthcare, and addiction treatment services, they didn’t change the world. But for my daughter and me, the whole world changed.

In December 2006 I was pregnant, homeless, and addicted to drugs and alcohol. I wasn’t feeling very merry or bright about the approaching holidays.

The gift I wanted more than anything? Change. And I wanted it desperately.

A friend told me about the Letty Owings Center, a program run by Central City Concern that provides housing and healthcare for pregnant women who are homeless and struggling with addiction. I got in, and by March 2007, I was clean and sober. For the first time in a long time, I was living in a safe, stable, supportive environment surrounded by people who wanted me to succeed. In August 2007, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

In April 2008, I moved out of the Letty Owings Center and into Central City Concern’s alcohol- and drug-free family housing. Over the next three years, Central City Concern gave me the support I needed to stay sober through their Recovery Mentor Program, get job training through their Supported Employment program, and be a good mom.

Central City Concern gave me the gift of change I so desperately wanted five years ago. Now my daughter and I have our own place. I have a job that I love and I’m off all public assistance. And this year, I’m looking forward to the holidays.

I am so grateful for the support I received from Central City Concern. But I know there are hundreds of people out there who are still struggling like I once did. This holiday season, you can help by supporting Central City Concern with a gift of $500, $250, $100, or whatever you can afford. To make your gift on our secure, online server, click here.

Please make that gift today. The need for your support has never been greater.

Central City Concern brought an array of service to Salina Perez -- beginning with Letty Owings Center and Alcohol/Drug-Free Family Housing to Supported Employment services. See how we never gave up on Salina and how far she has come.  (This video was shared at our annual Working Our Way Home luncheon.)

http://www.youtube.com/centralcityconcern#p/a/u/0/uJBe4t1HfU0

Thank you for visiting this website to learn more about how Central City Concern helped me turn my life around.

Arrogant, unstable, unwilling to change.

High school dropout. Cocaine addict. Hustler and thief.

Chronically homeless. A drain on society.

That’s how I’d describe myself up until Thanksgiving 2008, when Central City Concern gave me one more chance to turn my life around.

I’d run away from home at age 10 and starting using drugs at about the same time. Between the ages of 12 and 44, I’d been arrested almost 200 times—126 times in Portland, alone. I’d spent 32 years living on the streets, been through four rehabs, and made countless trips to jail.

I was exhausted. And I was ready for something different.

I first became a client of Central City Concern in the Fall of 2006. CCC offered me a safe place to live and a case manager to help me get pointed in the right direction. I wasn’t particularly grateful for the help, at first. In fact, I continued to cause trouble for two more years. But Central City Concern never gave up on me.

In March 2009, I got a room at The Estate, one of several CCC buildings dedicated to housing people who are newly engaged in treatment and recovery. Shortly thereafter, I was hired on as a “barrel pusher” for the Clean & Safe program, where I started to gain job skills and earn a reputation as a dependable employee. I worked my way up, becoming a janitor through CCC’s Business Enterprises program.

Now I’m the Weekend Supervisor for the Clean & Safe program, a father to my children, and a mentor to other addicts struggling to get clean and off the streets. I’ve got my driver’s license, I’ve paid off my debts, and I’m planning on enrolling in community college so I can continue to advance professionally.

None of this would be happening for me without Central City Concern. I’m in the mainstream for the first time in my life.

I know there are countless other people out there like me who still need help. On any given night, approximately 2,500 adults—some with young children—are sleeping in shelters or doorways in the City of Portland. Nearly all of them are suffering from mental health problems, alcoholism or drug addiction. Some are victims of domestic violence. Some are military veterans with PTSD. Some have had experience with the legal system.

They all deserve the same chance I got to get on their feet.

That’s why I’m asking you to make a donation today to Central City Concern of $250, $100, $50, or whatever you can afford. You can click here to do so.

Thank you very much for supporting Central City Concern and giving others like me the chance to turn their lives around, too.

Sincerely,

Darrell W.

P.S.: For more information on who is homeless and why, please visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness website’s FAQ page.

at left: Selena, happy customer employed (and promoted) at Burgerville with her supervisor
Daniel Cogan.

I want to congratulate the 200+ individuals who turned out Wednesday night at City Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of the 460 customers of the Employment Access Center (EAC) who became employed in 2010.  Customers were placed in jobs across 15 different sectors in 53 zip codes with an average hourly wage of $13.46. 


above: David Wynde at left, Rachel Beaudoin in center with her supervisor and manager from U.S. Bank

It was a remarkable event that was organized and orchestrated by the entire team of 24 staff at the EAC and Kathy Pape.  Ed Blackburn, Commissioner Nick Fish , Mayor Sam Adams, Customer Walter Ryce, Customer Rachel Beaudoin and U.S. Bank Employer and Vice President David Wynde all spoke so beautifully about the importance of employment in recovery and ending homelessness. 

Jennifer Wilcox then handed out 91 graduation and outstanding achievement certificates after which everyone enjoyed a large spread provided by VOA’s food services.  May next year be as bright as 2010!

Rachel Post
Director of Supportive Housing and Employment
Central City Concern

Recently, Central City Concern grieves the loss of a very special friend, Hal Saltzman. From the beginning, Hal was part of the family. When we weren’t discussing Central City Concern’s Veterans programs, we discussed local and national politics, sports and, of course, family. Hal is survived by Ruth, his wonderful wife and best friend of 57 years, and four children, Debbi, Cindy, Stephen and David. Although Hal was a successful businessperson, professional pitcher, Marine captain who served twice (once in World War II and the Korean War) and dedicated civic leader, family was his first priority.

His many values, and order of those values, were always reflected in our conversations. The last time Hal and I spoke on the phone, he asked me the same five questions he always asked:

What’s new at Central City Concern?

How are you?

How is the running?

How is your boyfriend?

Do you have “plans” (insinuating marriage, of course)?

He always began with business, and ended with family. All of it was important to Hal.
Hal was an extraordinary person with deep character who positively impacted lives. At Hal’s memorial service, various loved ones spoke about Hal’s compassion, strength and upstanding moral character, all of which affected his family members and friends. One man said Hal was his mentor for over a decade, and it was from Hal who he received the soundest advice. Hal Saltzman created, and hosted, Central City Concern’s Veterans’ Celebration Picnic held in June these past few years.  On average, 100 Veterans representing over 300 years of military experience, attended the picnic. The Veterans enjoyed a picnic lunch and music from the 60s and 70s performed by The Shwing Daddies. It was an opportunity for everyone involved to stop and appreciate the individuals who have done so much to protect our country and freedom, some at a high expense. Hal reminded us of what was truly important, and he lead by example.

Success is defined in many ways. Hal was an incredibly successful person, and not because he always “won.” Like everyone, Hal suffered his own hardships. However, he handled the ups and downs of life with a grace that few can claim. He embodied an optimistic yet realistic spirit, compassion for others and drive to be the best form of himself, whatever the task or goal. The following Ralph Waldo Emerson quote reminds me of Hal. It reads:

“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded!”

If the terms in Emerson’s quote are the barometer, Hal was an outstanding success. He will be gravely missed by Central City Concern. He was a teammate, leader, strategist, volunteer, donor, advisor and friend.

The world is indeed better because of you, Hal. Thank you for your many enduring gifts. 

Last Thursday we spent the day at the Hollywood Senior Center, where we are always greeted with smiles. The first thing I noticed was the exercise class that was going on in the big area. It was nice to see seniors taking care of themselves.

We were able to help the Center with their holiday set-up. They had a party to get ready for and we were there to make sure the place was ready. We trimmed the tree and hung decorations throughout the Center. We were able to help with every request. I organized things in their Thrift Store while others cleaned the kitchen, cleared leaves off the roof, cleaned up outside, organized magazine racks, and did general clean-up.

You could tell that the seniors really appreciated the help. They always interact with everyone and seem to enjoy our group’s age range. When we left they were extremely thankful.

I think we made their day. That’s what Community Volunteer Corps is about – giving to all.

Chris O.

Fifteen staff members (plus a consultant and the bus driver!) from  North joined the Community Volunteer Corps (CVC) team at the ReBuilding Center on Friday, December 10th.  CVC provides meaningful volunteer opportunities to CCC clients. Over a three-month period, they volunteer for 80 hours learning new skills, improving work habits and preparing themselves for permanent work. The program recently surpassed 16,000 hours of service to community.

Click the photo gallery for more images from the afternoon.

For the past three years, North, a Portland ad agency, has opted to do a half-day service project instead of a lavish holiday party. Working with CVC participants, the volunteers transferred huge piles of wood siding and  moved dozens of sinks onto new shelving at theReBuilding Center.

“It was great having North join us,” said Adrienne Karecki, Director of CCC’s Business Enterprises that operates the CVC program. “We love seeing local businesses engaged in community service over the holidays.  The ReBuilding Center is one of our many non-profit partners and we were delighted to give them an extra dose of help this month.”

Central City Concern Clean & Safe staffer Rodney Haven was again given the honor of the first ceremonial flush. Rodney participated in Portland’ first public “loo” flush two years ago when it opened at NW Glisan & 5th Avenue.  Formerly homeless and calling the shelter of the Ross Island Bridge “home” for some time, Rodney has worked with Clean & Safe for two years – taking care of the “loos” is his main job and he visits each of the public restrooms twice daily.  He is also the first responder for emergency clean up needs in the facilities. Rodney disinfects the loos from top to bottom, removes graffiti, resolves clogs, disposes of trash and any drug paraphernalia and restocks supplies.  “It’s a unique job,” he says. “There are details … around the edges, under the rim, odors….” Once a week, the facilities are pressure washed.

Rodney is one of more than 30 Clean & Safe staff members who keep the downtown area in order. In a recent 30 day period, Clean & Safe reported the following accomplishments:

• 2,080 graffiti tags removed
• 1,957 bags of trash removed
• 575 citizen cleaning responses
• 1,293 needles and items of drug paraphernalia removed
• 2,285 restroom inspections and cleanings
• 242 bags of leaves removed

The Portland Downtown Business Improvement District  contracts with Central City Concern for the maintenance portion of its Clean & Safe program to address a 213-block area in central downtown and along the bus mall

Stand Down & Job Fair

Central City Concern serves upwards of 800 Veterans every year. We revel in our success stories and share the following to inspire your Veterans Day – tomorrow – November 11, 2010!

Dedicated Father
A 36-year-old US Army Veteran came to CCC’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) seeking assistance with employment and housing. A father to 5 young children, he came to us homeless, separated from his family, and determined to be reunited with his partner and children. He worked diligently with his HVRP Employment Specialist and the Job Developer to build his resume and increase his computer skills. All of his hard work eventually paid off and he took a temporary job through CCC’s Clean & Safe Program, and has since then obtained a permanent position. Despite these difficult times, he and his family have stayed together and, through it all, he has worked hard and has stayed positive.

From the Streets to His Own Apartment
Another of our veteran customers arrived in Portland from Las Vegas only to find himself sleeping on the streets. We were able to provide temporary shelter through vouchers to City Team Ministries until he was accepted into TPI. He completed his HVRP pre-employment action plan and became active participant in our job club. He obtained a 6-month position with CCC’s Clean & Safe, and then became a janitor, earning nearly 50% more than in his previous position. He is currently living in his own apartment, and has moved into retention with HVRP.

A Veterans Program Specifically for Women Makes the Difference
One customer recently found herself homeless again, and was living in the woods. While reluctant to return to traditional programming, the fact that Central City Concern now has a female specific program attracted her enough that she re-engaged. As a result, she is now accessing safe housing and employment development support as well.

Today, in downtown Portland, the City of Portland honored two Clean & Safe staff:  past Central City Concern staffer Stephany Noll who picked up litter and debris from Portland’s streets, and security guard Ken Sterns who is a private security presence in downtown.

Clean & Safe is a program of the Portland Downtown Business Improvement District and is designed to keep a 213-block area of downtown Portland clean and safe for visitors and residents alike.

Central City Concern operates the “clean ” portion of Clean & Safe and employs roughly 20 people at any one time in six-month cleaning positions. Stephany began her employment with Clean & Safe in September 2008. She completed the program and greatly impressed her supervisors. Frequently, Clean & Safe employees have histories of incarceration, addiction and homelessness and they are working to reintegrate into the community. Stephany had come to the program after a 13-month prison sentence.

When Clean & Safe employees are nearing completion, they participate in Central City Concern’s “Life After Clean & Safe” array of classes at CCC’sEmployment Access Center. The classes address job readiness, resume writing, job search techniques and interviewing skills. Participants may also access one-on-one assistance with the job hunting process.

Central City Concern’s Employment Access Center put Stephany in touch with a warehouse job opportunity. She impressed the employer and she was promptly hired. She has worked for Universal Recycling Technologies for 18 months.

Ken has been with Clean & Safe for almost eight years and brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience to Portland’s downtown business district.