On November 1st, Central City Concern held its annual Homeless Action Fund Luncheon at the Portland Art Museum. This year's event honored Edward J. Reeves of Stoel Rives LLP Attorneys at Law, and the late Harold Saltzman.  Commissioner Saltzman gave a touching tribute to his uncle.  I was seated at the table of Central City Concern Board Chair Dean Gisvold. 

Per its website, "Central City Concern meets its mission through innovative outcome based strategies which support personal and community transformation:  

• Direct access to housing which supports lifestyle change.
• Integrated healthcare services that are highly effective in engaging people who are often alienated from mainstream systems.
• The development of peer relationships that nurture and support personal transformation and recovery.
• Attainment of income through employment or accessing benefits."

Pictured below with Central City Concern's Executive Director Ed Blackburn (right) are Emily and Joey Harrington, who generously provided a $10,000 matching grant from the Harrington Family Foundation.  It was fun to drop into an email to my older son later in the day, a reference to "as I heard while having lunch with Joey and Emily Harrington."  Emily is a Nurse Practitioner, Joey is a commentator for ESPN Radio after his NFL career.  Both graduates of Central Catholic High School, Joey and Emily are wonderful ambassadors and stewards of community spirit in Portland, so seeing their connection with our nationally-respected Central City Concern non-profit partner made me happy.  Donations to support Central City Concern's work may be made here.