John started at CCC in June of 2004 as an On-Call Client Monitor. He began working the front desk in housing in August of 2004, and worked on the initial leasing and qualification of the 8 NW 8th Building (now known as the Richard L. Harris Building). He has since built upon his knowledge and experience in the delivery of affordable housing, and today is the manager of the Occupancy & Compliance department. John currently oversees the implementation of complex project funding agreements, and the myriad subsidy and rent revenue streams which keep CCC’s portfolio vibrant and our residents safely housed.

“CCC has one of the most complex portfolios in the Portland metro area,” says John. “My goal is to ease the complexity for the client and service providers as much as possible, so that they can focus on the process of recovering from homelessness.

“Part of my own journey (before enrolling with CCC programs and services) was complicated by excessive bureaucratic red tape. As a homeless addict seeking recovery, it was too much to handle, and delayed my recovery significantly. I think it is critical that the doors to recovery are kept clear of unnecessary barriers. All of us who seek to intervene in the process of homelessness do what we can to smooth the way.”

“John’s tremendous leadership and passion to help people get the housing they need is evident in his work on a daily basis,” said Ed Blackburn, CCC Executive Director.

Other award recipients included:

Edith Ayon, Daybreak Shelter Network Coordinator, Human Solutions, Inc.

Pastor Steve Kimes, Founder & Director, Anawim Christian Community

Rick Lesniak, Board Director, Home Builders Foundation

Rev. Kate Lore, Social Justice Minister, First Unitarian Church of Portland

Tiffany Tucker, Program Director, Insight Teen Parent Program

Full press release from Portland Housing Bureau available here.

The one-year grant supports a full-time mental health therapist and two Promotoras de Salud (Health Promoters), Spanish-speaking staff who provide assistance in accessing primary and behavioral health services.  Promotoras act as a bridge between the health care agencies and potential clients who are more likely to trust someone with a shared cultural background. This work is done in the community, with the Promotoras frequently accompanying clients to necessary appointments for support. Promotoras get to know clients and their family situations well and they help develop individualized strategies that will keep them connected with treatment resources.

The grant continues the work of the Puentes MIOS team which received initial funding in 2007 and serves a minimum of 78 people yearly.  The services at MIOS are solution-focused, strengths-based, family-oriented, and culturally driven.  All service approaches are based on an understanding of the values that underlay the Latino culture and how they impact the therapeutic process.

Services are provided on an individual and group basis with a focus on those who are low income and uninsured.  Clinical assessment and counseling services are provided by a bilingual, bicultural Qualified Mental Health Professional. Medication management and primary healthcare are provided through multiple providers at the Old Town Clinnic.  MIOS partners with El Programa Hispano at Catholic Charities to provide outreach and engagement.

Culturally-Specific Services

Outreach and engagement strategies are an integral part of this work, and we recognize that individuals experience many barriers to independently locating and accessing services. Our experience has shown that the barriers are both internal and external.

External barriers are on an institutional or societal level, and are experienced by other minority populations and low-income groups as well.  This includes lack of knowledge of where to seek help, transportation, child care, location of treatment facilities, and hours of operation.  The lack of insurance coverage is also a primary barrier for many.  In this community, there has also been a lack of Spanish-speaking providers who are trained to understand and meet the needs of Latino individuals and families. Internal barriers are generally cultural values and beliefs that may impede an individual or family’s decision to seek mental health services.

New Office Location

All Puentes program and services now operate out of its new location at 231 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR  97214. Phones (503-546-9975) and fax (503-546-9976) remain the same. 

Top photo is Daniel Garcia, Program Manager, recently accepted in the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber’s Latino Leadership Program.  Above Photo features: Celina Bonnie, Family Mentor and Aglahia Blanco, Alcohol & Drug Counselor.

Click on the above link to view the video.

• 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.

In mid June, Central City Concern will join the Housing Authority of Portland (HAP), Multnomah County, the City of Portland and the State of Oregon  in celebrating the opening of the Martha Washington Hotel at 1115 SW 11th Avenue in downtown Portland. Vacant for several years, the stately 1923 hotel had been owned by Multnomah County.  In 2008, to spur redevelopment, the county conveyed the property to HAP to serve as real estate developer managing financing, design and construction of the $17.9 million renovation. With HAP continuing in the role as owner of the property, Central City Concern joined the project partnership as property manager and service provider for the building’s low-income residents.

Project funding included Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity, State of Oregon Mental Health & Addictions, Enterprise Green Communities, Multnomah County, the City of Portland and HAP.

Formerly a women’s boarding house, a commune, and a restitution center, the property at SW 11th and Main is nearing completion of a historic renovation to create 108 new units of studio or one-bedroom housing for Section 8 and public housing residents, and permanent supportive housing for homeless and chronically mentally ill populations.  The building is expected to be at full occupancy by the end of the year and the project expects to have a LEED® Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Highlights of the renovation include:

* Restoration of lobby and other common areas to original character
* Weather stripping of original windows like these bay windows below
* New, low-emission flooring throughout
* Elevator upgrades and improved emergency exits
* Seismic upgrades, roof replacement
* Complete new construction of residential units
* Overhauled plumbing, electrical, heating and sprinkler systems to meet  sustainability goals
* Kitchens and baths installed in every unit

Central City Concern will manage the leasing of all units and will provide 24-hour front desk service in the building’s lobby. The main lobby will also feature mail boxes, two computer stations and seating spaces in front of the fireplace for small gatherings. “We look forward to building a new community of residents at the Martha Washington,” said CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn.  CCC’s resident services will include advocacy, conflict resolution assistance, rent assistance and service referrals.  Potential tenant inquiries may be directed to 503-525-8483 or via email to Martha Washington.

Twenty-five units will be occupied by clients from CCC’s 12th Avenue Recovery Center that serves people with mental illness. 12th Avenue clients moving into the Martha Washington have most recently either been homeless or living in substandard housing. “It great to have this housing option,” said Kathleen Roy, Program Director. “We will have a case management and housing presence in the building to help establish a healthy, recovery community and help our clients be successful.”

Nearly 40 Central City Concern staff and clients gathered on a rainy, chilly Sunday afternoon for the 8th annual NAMI Northwest Walk. NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness – is a nonprofit organization providing self-help, support and advocacy for consumers, families, and friends of people with mental illness. Central City Concern has participated in the fundraising walk yearly. The event raised more than $150,000 for NAMI.

Shauna Hahn, a staffer in Central City Concern’s 12^th Avenue Recovery Center has participated in the walk since 2006. “The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill began with a much smaller grassroots group called AMI or the Alliance for the Mentally Ill. “Ami” is also the French word for friend. There is so much accomplished by this rhetoric. There is more affection, more equality, and more devotion. If we believe that dignity is found where there is a meaningful life, why wouldn’t we engage in the pursuit of this dignity for our friends?”

Photo at right: CCC walkers were treated to root beer floats, courtesy of Standard TV & Appliance, at the end of the afternoon.

Photo above:

Walkers get ready for the event to begin.