• HVRP – Homeless Veterans Reintegration Grant

1 year competitive renewal grant of $300,000
Provide housing and employment services to approximately 200 homeless Veterans yearly, primarily males.

• Women’s HVRP – Homeless Veterans Reintegration Grant

New! 1 year $75,000 grant
Grant will enable CCC to serve an additional 60 female homes Veterans every year with housing, employment training and placement services

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20100917.htm

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/VETS20100869.htm

Central City Concern hosted the Third Annual Veterans’ Picnic Celebration in Washington Park on Saturday, June 26th that attracted 50 Veterans from six different branches of the military. The picnic is sponsored by CCC friend, WWII & Korean War Veteran Hal Saltzman.  Many of the Vets in attendance are served by CCC housing and services.  Music was provided by The Shwing Daddies and the featured speaker was Eddie Black, a Desert Storm & Iraq War veteran who speaks throughout the area on post traumatic stress disorder. The Veterans in attendance represented 176 years of combined service.

Central City Concern also produces an annual Veterans Stand Down event where Vets gather for employment and social service assistance.

 As the economy and employment in the Portland metro area continue to recover slowly from the recession, there is a bright spot. A recent Portland State Study of Central City Concern’s Supported Employment program found that over a two year period, 71% of enrollees found employment. Equally surprising is the population of the study:

100% were homeless upon entry into the program, 100% were battling addiction to drugs or alcohol and the majority had felony convictions.

 “The Supported Employment program achieved stunning success with a group of more than 200 people who many would regard as unemployable,” said Central City Concern (CCC) Executive Director Ed Blackburn.

“What’s great about the Central City Concern employment program is that they do the leg work for the employer. They have screened and trained their clients and know a lot about the individual,” said Minoosh. 
 

“In my experience, I have found the placements from CCC have a good attitude, and are very loyal, hard working individuals, like Hakeem, who has been a great addition to our team.”

Hakeem has been working in the Courtyard by Marriott/The Original restaurant for nearly a year. He recently moved out of CCC housing into his own apartment, has reconnected with his children and is considering a number of educational opportunities for further his skills. Reflecting on the value of the CCC Supported Employment program Hakeem said, “I spend my time wisely now. I like my job and have peace within me.”

Minoosh said she wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the CCC Supported Employment program to other businesses. “We’re all one community,” said Minoosh, “and the more connected individuals feel to programs like those at CCC, to their families and to their employers, the more successful they will be. And that’s good for business.”

Other study highlights include:
• 53% of employed participants worked full-time; 28% worked 21-31 hours/week
• Average wage was $9.96, 14% greater than Oregon’s minimum wage
• 72% of participants completed outpatient treatment
• 77% were still employed after their participation in the program ended.

Click here for the complete study.  The study has also recently been featured on a national website regarding homelessness – the Homeless Resource Center administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

The best perk of my job is realizing these individuals are some of the most interesting, creative, funniest, people I’ve ever met.  The power of their will to completely transform their lives fuels me daily. Their stories and motivation to get up and out and onward when all odds are against them, is infectious. 

It’s been my privilege to lead some of CCC’s programs that help connect these individuals to a second chance. Just nine months after we launched the Community Volunteer Corps, I’m proud to report that we’ve recently broken the 6,000 hour mark of dedicated community service to the Portland area.  Within that number lies 50 graduated volunteers – each who have given 80 hours of volunteer service.  Talk about a triple bottom win.  Volunteers have regained their dignity, confidence, and fulfilled their desire to give back.  CVC is another avenue of support to those we serve.  And our community partners such as Portland Parks and Recreation, Free Geek and the ReBuilding Center have reported their parks are cleaner, their operations smoother, and that our volunteers are setting the highest bar.   What a gift.  You should come to our next graduation – guaranteed to make your day. Send an email to admin@centralcityconcern.org to receive notice of our next one.

Adrienne Karecki 

PARTNERS:
Portland Parks & Recreation
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
City Nature
Habitat for Humanity
Pesticide-Free Parks
Free Geek
Community Reaps Our Produce & Shares (C.R.O.P.S.)
Peace Memorial Park Foundation
The ReBuilding Center
Hollywood Senior Center
Loaves & Fishes
Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation