Solution Salons:
We Hope to See You! |
| We've been having such great results with the 2015 Solution Salon series - thank you to all of our supporters for attending and sharing your thoughts. We've welcomed more than 40 volunteers, donors, and community partners like New City Initiative, Transition Projects, Meyer Memorial Trust, and Home Forward to the conversation at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter.
We are happy to announce that Jes Larson from Welcome Home Coalition will join us again for the next Solution Salon on Thursday, May 14th, at 6pm at the Thirteen Salmon Family Center.
We do hope you can join us! Please confirm your attendance with Emily at [email protected] or (503) 915-8306.
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| Volunteer Appreciation Party |
| This celebration is a fun and family-friendly opportunity to get together with fellow volunteers, eat some fabulous food, and celebrate the successes of your dedication and hard work.
We're excited to announce that this year's theme is a
Family Bar-B-Que! Bust out those blue jeans, throw on a plaid piece, and come on down to
Wallace Park for an evening of games, awards, prizes, and - most importantly - appreciation for you!
Take a look at the details and put in on your calendar.
Please RSVP no later than May 15th.
(Family members & guests are welcome!)
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| Help PHFS Win 'Make More Happen Award' |
| Your Vote Could Mean $10,500 for PHFS from Safeco Insurance! |
| Just one click from you could help PHFS win up to $10,500 from Safeco Insurance. That's right - just one click. Our friends at Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, Inc. has been selected for a Safeco Insurance® Make More Happen Award because of their volunteer service with PHFS. The award comes with a $3,000 donation from Safeco Insurance to PHFS and entry in the Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Contest. Voting in the Make More Happen Contest begins 10 a.m. PDT April 27 and closes 10 a.m. PDT May 18. You can vote once every 24 hours throughout the contest. PHFS and EPB&B would love your support in voting as much as possible to help us win this incredible award.
Click here to submit your vote now! |
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Thank you to our friends at EPB&B Insurance!
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Tuesday, May 5th
Wednesday, May 14th
Tuesday, May 19th
Wednesday, May 20th
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- Infant & Children's Tylenol
- Baby shampoo
- Baby wipes
- Travel-sized conditioner
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Spring Time Brings Change to the PHFS Staff
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L-R: Naimah Johnson & Monica Smith
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PHFS is happy to announce the addition of two new staff: Naimah Johnson and Monica Smith! Naimah is transitioning into the role of Housing Placement & Retention Specialist, working within the Mobile Housing Team to support families in housing outside of shelter. Monica is our newest full-time Shelter Coordinator, leading in operations at both Goose Hollow Family Shelter and Thirteen Salmon Family Center. You can learn a little more about them both on our
staff biographies
page on our website.
Please join us in making Naimah & Monica feel welcomed as you see them around at PHFS!
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| A Special Send-Off to Some Dear PHFS Family |
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Dear PHFS Supporters,
After almost two years working with some of the best communities in Portland to support families experiencing homelessness, I'll be stepping down as Director of Outreach this May to pursue an exciting opportunity with the Oregon Natural Desert Association.
I could not be more proud of PHFS and the countless families we have helped together with your support. Since 2013, volunteers and community partners have contributed more than 20,000 hours of direct service and half a million dollars in meals and shelter supplies. Those are astounding numbers, and they played a pivotal role growing our capacity to work with more families.
It's a wonderful feeling to depart on such a high note. I remain convinced PHFS is a vital and unique foundation of support for families in our community. No where else do so many passionate people provide the relationships and essential family supplies needed by our guests.
From faith communities to local businesses, it has been a joy to work closely with so many thoughtful, talented, and dedicated supporters. Their commitment to the mission of PHFS never failed to inspire. It has been and always will be the bedrock of our success.
I have enjoyed my time with PHFS especially because it is a dynamic organization with great people, leadership and vision. I extend my deepest gratitude to Brandi, the board, staff, community partners, and - most important - volunteers. Thank you for your friendship and support. I know you will welcome my successor with open arms.
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Mary Babcock has been with PHFS for over 6 years: from being a leader as Shelter Coordinator to helping to launch the successful Mobile Housing Team, we are so thankful for her dedicated service to families in need.
Though Mary will remain as an On-Call Coordinator at PHFS, she is now taking time to focus on her studies as a full-time student at Portland State University, majoring in Community Development. While we will miss her humor and kindness around the office, we are so excited for her and this next step in her career!
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Mike Manuel
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How long have you been volunteering with PHFS and what got you involved initially?
I first volunteered in the early days (mid 90's). On one occasion I was an overnight host for a not-so-busy night: there was only one client - albeit a very pregnant client! I remember being worried she might go into labor that night, even though she was still a week or two from her due date. I didn't keep up with volunteering at that time, and fell off the map until years later after a friend (the brantastic Brandi Tuck) got involved and became the Executive Director.
In what position/shift do you typically volunteer and has that changed or evolved over the years (and why)?
After the Thirteen Salmon shelter opened, a need arose for someone to periodically shuttle things around and other odd jobs. I seemed to fit the bill: a vehicle with cargo space, flexible schedule, etc. More recently I mostly just make runs to Goodwill or to/from storage.
What's your favorite thing about volunteering with PHFS?
It's a way for me to 'give back' that has the flexibility to fit my sometimes odd schedule. And of course the PHFS staff!
What's something nifty or fun that few others would know about you?
I'm really not as tall as I appear, I wear 8" lifts in my shoes.
In the gorgeous summer of Portland, what's your favorite thing to do?
Hike, camp, walk, sail; other mono-syllabic activities.
Anything else you wish to share?
Don't forget to attend the Volunteer Picnic May 19th, which will also be a farewell to our out-going Outreach Director Matt Kertman!
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