The American Dream is based on the promise of financial and economic security, but we know that promise isn’t an option for many of our neighbors because of extractive and racist policies that have disproportionately harmed BIPOC communities. The financial insecurity our systems have produced is not a new challenge. Even prior to the pandemic, […]
Committing to our equity goals in seeking our new office space
For the past fourteen months, the Neighborhood Partnerships office on First Avenue has stood empty. With our lease ending in August of 2021, our team was faced with a decision: Renew the lease on a mostly-unused office with no return to in-person work in sight; or seek out something new? Our staff formed a subcommittee to […]
Welcome Michael!
We’re excited to announce that Michael Ninen has joined Neighborhood Partnerships as the new IDA Program Coordinator! In the past he has worked in community organizing and development in order to support marginalized communities locally and internationally. In his work he employed diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks and he hopes to bring his experience with […]
Director’s Desk: May 2021
A couple of years ago, many of us had the opportunity to hear Glenn Harris from Race Forward speak at Meyer’s Housing Summit on creating and operationalizing racial equity. He had so many great nuggets of information but the one that stuck with me the most was this simple quote, “what you put intention to, […]
Welcome Ethan!
We are excited to welcome Ethan Livermore, who has joined the team as the Economic Justice Organizer! Before coming to NP, Ethan worked at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon doing direct service, Public Policy advocacy, and program support for close to 3 years. He was born and raised here in Portland and is the fourth generation of his […]
Director’s Desk: April 2021
For this month’s Director’s Desk, I wanted to be able to share some news with our partners. After much discussion among staff, this year, we have decided to transition our annual RE:Conference, and move to an every other year RE:Conference. As you’ve read in this space previously, NP has been on a journey to incorporate racial equity, diversity, and inclusion into […]
Director’s Desk: March 2021
Over our 30 years history, Neighborhood Partnerships has played a convener role helping to bringing people together to talk, to share ideas, and to build relationship with one another. Prior to the pandemic, we met for in-person meetings, had coalition convenings at our office and welcomed everyone to RE:Conference in Salem to exchange ideas, ideate solutions, and […]
Equity Update: Inclusion in the Legislative Process
The Oregon Legislature is often called the “citizens’ assembly.” Why? The common answer is that legislators often have other jobs, and reflects that the Representatives and Senators are themselves members of the public. A better reason to call the Oregon Legislature a “citizens’ assembly” is to reflect who’s actually in charge: Oregonians. Neighborhood Partnerships has […]
We’re hiring!
Neighborhood Partnerships is hiring an Economic Justice Organizer! Neighborhood Partnerships’ (NP) mission is to help create a better Oregon, one in which we all have access to opportunity, stability, and what we need to thrive. For us, this begins with financial well-being and a stable, affordable place to call home. Our work calls on us […]
Director’s Desk: February 2021
This Black History Month should be different. After enduring months of overlapping crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on communities of color to the uprisings against anti-Black racism and police brutality to the White supremacist insurrection just a few weeks ago, it’s beyond time for our sector not only to commit to […]