From the Director – March 2018

By Janet Byrd

2018 is racing along, and the team at Neighborhood Partnerships is hard at work, trying to make a positive difference by supporting our partners, moving policy changes and resources to improve the lives of our neighbors, and building towards the long term health of our communities. We are humbled by the talent and dedication we see in all of you, and grateful to be able to do this work alongside you. Thank you for the work you do every day, for sharing your experiences and voices, and for helping to shape solutions.

The year ahead will bring us many opportunities to come together and share our work, to reflect on where we are, and to move our ideas forward. Here’s a short preview of what’s ahead:

  • The Oregon IDA Initiative will be gathering often (next date is March 21st!) to learn from and be inspired by experts in financial capability. Partners will be testing new innovations and approaches as they work with Oregonians to build savings habits and create a cushion of assets to help them reach their goals. Together we’ll be laying the groundwork for an even bigger investment in asset building across Oregon.
  • The Oregon Bright Futures Plan will continue to move towards our goal of providing each child born in Oregon savings for post-high school opportunities. Partners from across the state continue to be excited about the impact of small amounts of savings on children’s futures, and are thinking carefully about how they can engage. Look for more details later this Spring!
  • The Housing Alliance will wrap up their work in the 2018 Legislature by March 11, and will turn right away to laying plans for 2019. After we take a minute to celebrate what we got done in February and early March, there will be lots of work to do to develop proposals, educate policy makers, and bring new partners and voices into the conversation about how we create housing opportunity for all of our neighbors.
  • October 23rd and 24th may seem like it’s a long way off, but we’re already planning great content! This year’s RE:Conference will be a chance to celebrate progress, dig into the details of policy and program delivery, and meet with your peers. Mark your calendars – registration will be open before you know it!
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