Every Fall, we get to celebrate the swearing in of the new and returning Multnomah Youth Commissioners. For the year ahead, they will represent their peers as they collaborate with each other and with adult leaders in Portland and Multnomah County.

The Multnomah Youth Commission is comprised of young people aged 13-21 who volunteer to provide youth input in local government and regional organizations. They also engage their peers in projects such as the Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence. Projects like this generate constructive conversations about how policy impacts our youth and community.

If you or someone you know wants to be a voice for youth, visit the Multnomah Youth Commission site to learn more and apply for next year.

Job growth, sustainability, and prosperity for all Portlanders depends on creating a pipeline of future talent. BizConnect seeks to bridge our economic development strategy with what’s happening in schools so we can begin to have a systemic impact on career opportunities and success. 

Learn more and join the effort at the BizConnect Homepage.

Dear Portlander,

Over the past four years, Summer Youth Connect has served 6,500 youth through the Ninth Grade Counts, Career College Connect, and SummerWorks Program.  This year, the City of Portland sponsored 96 SummerWorks internships in 17 bureaus with 75 supervisors volunteering their time in order to make a difference in a youth’s life and in our organization.  Overall, 148 organizations participated, serving 1,750 youth and over $100,000 in private-sector sponsorships of SummerWorks youth wages.

I want to thank those in the business community who stepped up. I had the opportunity to join youth as they visited Wieden + Kennedy, which has participated in Summer Youth Connect for the past two years by hosting site visits for the Ninth Grade Counts piece of the continuum.  Last year they hosted ninth graders from Native American Youth Family Center (NAYA) and this summer they hosted youth from the Police Activities League (PAL).

VIDEO: Mayor Adams joins a group of 9th graders in the Summer Youth Connect program as they visit Wieden + Kennedy to learn about what it takes to work for the famous company.

And a very special thanks to both Multnomah County and City of Portland staff for participating in the Summer Youth Connect continuum and offering youth support on all levels – mentoring, job skills training, introduction to government services, and much more. All of these career exploration programs have helped many youth connect the dots between classroom attendance, graduation, and jobs.

Youth who have successfully completed two or more years of Summer Youth Connect are eligible for a Future Connect Scholarship. This is a partnership with Portland Community College, Clackamas Community College, and community partners to provide youth with a scholarship and more importantly wrap around support services to youth while they attend post secondary education.  Currently, we have given over 100 scholarships and have some participants working in the Water Bureau, Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Parks and Recreation, and Procurement Services while they attend college.  We will be announcing more college partnerships in the upcoming months.  To learn more about this opportunity and future partnerships, visit the new website: www.futureconnectpdx.org.

Summer Youth Connect is a prime example of the type of collective impact we can have when education and government join with non-profits and the private sector to improve the outcome of our youth. Our work does not stop here, moving forward the Cradle to Career effort will bring similar focus to key milestones as we help every young person in Multnomah County complete college or skills training and enter a career

I want to sincerely thank you for all of the volunteering of your time and work to make Summer Youth Connect a success and look forward to you helping the city carry on this very important investment for our future.

Onward,

Sam

Double Tree Hilton Portland is a co-sponsor of this year’s Spirit of Portland event by providing the venue at a significant discount to the City to support this community-oriented event.

“The Spirit of Portland awards are a wonderful tribute to the many amazing community and neighborhood leaders who contribute to our thriving civic life in the City of Portland,” says Commissioner Amanda Fritz, commissioner-in-charge of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement.

Awards were determined by a selection committee of representatives from the Mayor’s and City Commissioners’ offices, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the Neighborhood District Coalition offices, Business Associations, diverse non-profit community organizations and past award winners. In addition, the Mayor and each commissioner have recognized individual and organizational leaders.

The award recipients and the categories for which they are being honored are:

Mayor Sam Adams

• Gwyneth Gamble Booth
• Dr. Preston Pulliams

Commissioner Nick Fish

• Grant High School Community Garden Team
• University of Portland Women’s Soccer Team

Commissioner Amanda Fritz

• Northeast Broadway Business Association

Commissioner Randy Leonard

• Rodney Haven

Commissioner Dan Saltzman

• Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
• Miriam Green, Oregon DHS, Child Welfare Program Manager

THE SPIRIT OF PORTLAND WINNERS (CHOSEN BY COMMITTEE) ARE:

Community Stewardship

Kathy Fuerstenau

Bruce Murray

 Outstanding Organization

Bradley Angle

Albina Head Start

Independent Spirit

Charlene Williams

Community Harmony

Gigi Lambert

Linda Nguyen

Emerging Community Leader

Chabre Vickers

Outstanding Partnership

Arlene Kimura

Neighborhood Association of the year

Ashcreek Neighborhood Association

Sandy Diedrich Award

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park – Weed Warriors

Dear Portlander, 

This Wednesday, as I have for the past 3 years, I had the opportunity to travel around our city welcoming our students back to their first day of school. This year took me to Benson and Parkrose High Schools, and Mill Creek Elementary, where I heard from students, teachers, and principals about our schools' latest efforts to keep our students on track and connected.

Benson students arrive to their first day of school.

Starting the day off with the students and faculty of Benson High School, I spoke with Superintendent Carole Smith and our School Resource Officers about their efforts to reduce truancy and keep our kids on the path to graduation. PPS has organized their efforts into a resource called the Reconnection Center. It helps kids who have dropped out find their way back to school, and get back on-track to earn a diploma.

When I became mayor, I knew the city had to step in with innovative ways to help our kids stay in school and graduate. Portland's graduation rate in 2009 was an astonishingly low 53 percent. Today, through programs like Summer Youth Connect that give at-risk youth the opportunity to do skills training and get paid internships and Future Connect, which is a city sponsored scholarship to help our most disadvantaged students pay for college tuition, we are helping more and more of our students reach their goals of graduation and a college degree. After decades of declines, we've raised our graduation rate to 62 perfect for the class of 2011; and we'll continue that focus by giving our kids more reasons to stay in school, new ways to get back into school for students who have dropped out, and skills training to help them get into the colleges and trade schools that will train them for tomorrow’s jobs. We know that youth who are engaged in their education and given access to work opportunities are far less likely to join gangs or become involved in illegal activity, and more kids graduating high school means a safer city for us all. But schools can’t do it alone.

One of the ways that the City has partnered to help our students stay on track and succeed has been the development of an app for PPS. With the help of a local software developer and United Way, the new ‘Portland Public Schools’ app for iPhone and Android means that more parents will be able to see closure information on winter weather days, learn about volunteer opportunities at each school, and even check out what’s on the day’s lunch menu. It’s about leveraging technology to keep students, parents and the community more meaningfully connected to what’s happening in their neighborhood schools.

At Parkrose High School, I got to talk to the students there about the City’s Future Connect Challenge,which is a step-by-step guide to navigating the college admissions, student aid, and enrollment processes. By investing in our kids and helping them get the education they deserve, we are also helping our own regional economy. It allows Portland to attract employers seeking a skilled and educated workforce, it allows today’s students – tomorrow's workers – to get better jobs, earn more money, and invest it in their own families and communities. It’s also a key component of Portland’s efforts to be the prosperous, healthy, equitable, and educated city we want it to be.  

The back-to-school assembly at Parkrose High School.

I also had a chance to talk with some students about what they dreamed of doing one day and where they see themselves attending college. I can tell you that our students are dreaming big, and it is up to all of us to support their potential.

Of course the dream starts young. One of the biggest highlights of this year’s first day of school for me was visiting the kindergarten class at Mill Park Elementary School in the David Douglas School District.  In partnership with the children's book bank, over 7,000 books were provided to one of the highest-poverty elementary schools in the city.  Did you know that in many low-income neighborhoods the ratio of books to children can be as little as 300 to 1?  Handing out books and encouraging literacy is a key first step to getting kids on the pathway to high school graduation, and seeing our students' faces light up when they are handed their new books is a testament to the hard work of the many public-private partnerships that make up our educational enterprise.

During the visits to our schools, I am always reminded of how much our students' success depends on the adults who are there to support them, and how lucky we are to have such dedicated parents, teachers, and leaders in our schools when there is so much important work to be done.

Onward,

Sam Adams,
Portland Mayor

Learn more here:

KGW's Back to School ride-along with Mayor Adams

The PCC Board is responsible for the budget and overall policy direction of the college. Ladd has expressed that one of her goals as a board member is to increase retention rates -- particularly for youth of color and first generation college students -- plus increase access for students to attend college in a climate where tuition increases are the norm and students are struggling to pay for school.

"The cost of attending college is a huge barrier that worries me and I'm dedicated to increasing financial support for students," Ladd says. "Youth can get lost and drop out when systems aren't in place to financially support and keep them engaged."

Ladd holds a Masters Degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University and is a Board Member of both Camp Fire USA and the Portland Leadership Foundation. 

On Wednesday, Portland City Council unanimously approved an agreement between the City, Portland Public Schools and TriMet to continue collaborating on a Youth Pass program that offers free transit passes to Portland Public School high school students who do not have yellow bus service.

Valued at $2.9 million, the Youth Pass provides free transit passes for the nearly 13,000 high school students in the PPS District who ride TriMet to get to class, to after-school activities and to work. TriMet and the City of Portland have agreed that the city will fund $200,000 of the program and Portland Public Schools (PPS) will fund $950,000. TriMet will absorb the program balance of $1.8 million in foregone fare revenue.

As Portland Public Schools superintendent Carole Smith testified on Wednesday about the Youth Pass program:

"It's been a hugely important program for student access in both getting to school and also to work experience, to mentorship, internships, extracurricular activities. It's the kind of access that supports students graduating from school and becoming contributing citizens in this city. It's also been important for fostering lifelong users of public transportation." 

Multnomah County's program Striving To Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE) captured the youth perspective in street surveys during Spring Break. Here are their answers about what type of violence they see, where they feel unsafe in the city, and what prevents youth violence.

Check out Multnomah's STRYVE site to find out more about what it is.

On July 9, 2012, the City of Portland, along with Multnomah County, Worksystems Inc. and several local business partners kicked off the SummerWorks program for 2012. Students participating in this year’s program filled the Portland Building auditorium to hear from program organizers and local leaders about the importance of the work experience they will gain and what to expect from the experience.

SummerWorks is the 11^th/12^th grade component of Mayor Sam Adams’ Summer Youth Connect initiative, which aims to keep students engaged who are at risk of not graduating on-time. It gives students work-readiness training, targeted academic skill-building, and 180 hours of paid work experience at diverse employment sites across the Portland region. The mayor highlighted the aims of Summer Youth Connect, noting that “it’s all about getting more Portland high school students to graduate on time.”

Kali Ladd, Mayor Adams’ Education Director, spoke to this years students at the kick-off event about the significance of gaining work experience, saying “almost everyone has a story about a summer job that changed their life, so I hope that this can be yours.”

Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith pointed out the importance of a well-educated workforce to our local economy and job growth, stating that “we need to make sure that we train the next generation of students.”

ABOVE: Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith addresses the 2012 SummerWorks interns.

For more information about Summer Youth Connect, including how to earn a $500 tax credit by hosting a student as a summer intern, click here.

Dear Portlander,

For the past several months, I’ve been working with TriMet to find a way to continue our city’s innovative YouthPass program. Launched in 2009, YouthPass supports our city’s youth by providing free transit passes to Portland Public Schools (PPS) high school students, helping them get to class, to after school programs, and to part-time jobs. PPS is one of the few districts in Oregon that have never had a “yellow bus” system for their high schools. Helping our students get around via TriMet is a smart investment in our city’s next generation—an investment that, for some students, is the difference between staying in school or dropping out.

Last year, the state Legislature eliminated the Business Energy Tax Credit, which had been the funding source for YouthPass. Since then, I have been working with TriMet and PPS to replace the funding and continue the program.

That’s why I agreed to support the end of TriMet’s Free Rail Zone. With the nearly $3 million dollars in savings from eliminating free rail downtown, TriMet has funds to keep the YouthPass program alive. In fact, TriMet’s own analysis shows that YouthPass does not actually add to the transit agency’s costs. No new busses, MAX trips, additional routes or drivers are needed to accommodate YouthPass riders.

Despite an informal agreement with the agency’s Executive Director linking free rail elimination to YouthPass, when TriMet’s board passed their budget earlier this month, they eliminated the Free Rail Zone—but took no action on YouthPass.

I’m personally disappointed, not only because I’ve always had a very good working relationship with TriMet’s leaders, but because the YouthPass program is key to supporting our city’s youth as they work to graduate high school and prepare for post-secondary education or job training.

This week, I proposed an increased fee on TriMet’s bus benches and shelters that are installed on City property, and on the busses’ impacts on our pavement. While the City used to absorb these costs, we can no longer afford to do so if we are to find the funding to continue YouthPass.

You can read more about my proposal below, in a piece from BlueOregon:

Mayor Adams to TriMet: No, really, you’re not giving up on youth passes.

In a brilliant stroke, Mayor Sam Adams is forcing TriMet to keep its commitment to free youth passes forPortlandhigh school students.

After TriMet bailed out of the commitment, he proposed raising the fees the city charges TriMet to place bus benches and shelters on city property (from $0-25 each to $1650 each). The new fee would total $2 million -- which he'd spend by giving it all right back to TriMet for youth passes.

In other words, if they won't negotiate in good faith on youth passes - he'll force the issue. Sure, it's a power play, but it's the right one. (Brad Schmidt at the O has more on the story.)

For years, I've believed that TriMet should just allow any young person under age 18 free access to buses and light rail. After all, what better way is there to produce the next generation of transit riders? Riding the bus can be confusing for newbie riders - so adolescence is exactly the right time to get folks accustomed to it.

I've never understood why TriMet doesn't just do it. Since the buses and trains will run anyway, the marginal cost approaches zero (and would be even lower if they dropped the idea of "passes" and just let the kids on the bus.) One could argue that when buses are full, those additional youth riders force TriMet to add capacity. Maybe. But that's a minor effect, and one that's clearly trumped by creating new riders for the future.

Bravo, Mayor Adams. Bravo.

Onward,

Sam Adams
Portland Mayor 

Check out this great video from Roosevelt's SUN School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Program. They partnered with Multnomah Youth Commission and PFLAG to explore bullying through the eyes of youth.

Editor, sound design, post-sound engineer: Darren Aboulafia.

On May 30, Mayor Sam Adams and Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams handed out college scholarships to over 200 Portland-area high school graduates as part of the City's innovative education program Future Connect.

Future Connect is a scholarship program that's a partnership between the City of Portland, Portland Community College (PCC) and the community. As part of the Portland Plan, Mayor Adams has put a strong emphasis on equity and increasing the graduation rate in our area: Future Connect is one program doing just that.

This year marks the addition of new partners Clackamas Community College (CCC) and Mount Hood Community College (MHCC), offering Portland-area youth an even bigger selection of community colleges to choose from. It also ensures that our youth in east Portland have an option that is more accessible to them. Donations to the PCC Foundation (as well as MHCC and CCC) fund these scholarships and the City of Portland doubles all gifts as part of a generous matching challenge of up to $500,000 each year (total) to support this life-changing program.

All Future Connect scholars demonstrated an ability to overcome academic and socioeconomic adversity. The awards are based on high school or GED completion, a complete scholarship application, and connectivity to one of the City of Portland’s Summer Youth Connect (SYC) programs.

Mayor Adams greeted the packed PSU Ballroom by sharing with scholarship recipients and their families how this partnership began a few years ago with PCC President Pulliams. In his address, he highlighted the “wrap-around” programs that accompany the scholarship funds. Future Connect doesn’t just provide cash scholarships to students, but also provides necessary academic advising, career planning, work readiness, life skills, education, referrals to community resources, access to emergency funds and paid internship opportunities during college as well.

“Every time we increase degree attainment by just 1 percent, that translates to an additional $1.6 billion for our local economy. Education translates to real economic success and an engaged, informed public,” said Mayor Adams.

Current Future Connect scholar Sophia Herrera, a single parent who graduated from Helensview High School in 2011, spoke about the value of the program and its role in transforming her life. She offered thanks to a high school advisor who supported her application for Future Connect and provided guidance. Herrera is one year into her degree and is planning to become a nurse-midwife.

Mayor Adams, President Pulliams and Portland State University President Wim Wiewel signed an agreement establishing a partnership between PSU and Future Connect scholars which will allow them to continue a Bachelor’s degree at PSU. A similar agreement is in the works at Lewis and Clark.

The URA is just one step in a city-wide approach to increasing educational opportunities in Portland in order to make this city more prosperous, connected and healthy. The Education URA will help Portland State University increase its position as a major research university and help the city continue to accelerate the region’s growth and instructional excellence. As Commissioner Nick Fish said before he voted: “The ultimate question is: are we prepared to make some targeted investments in our community to grow family wage jobs, to create prosperity so that down the road the pie is bigger for everybody? Are we willing to make tough decisions today for a better tomorrow? I have concluded on balance that the formation of this district is in the best interest of the city as a whole and so today I proudly cast my vote: aye.”

VIDEO ABOVE: Portland City Council testimony on the Education Urban Renewal Area with Mayor and Commissioner votes.
 
More than ever, it has proven imperative for the City to step in where the state cannot when it comes to education. In our upcoming City budget, we plan to provide an unprecedented amount of money--$7 million–-to Portland-area public schools. This, and our support of Portland State, are part of the education spectrum that are a priority for the city.

An investment in Portland State is an investment in the city and our overarching education goals. Currently, only 62 percent of Portland Public School students graduate and move on to post-secondary education. Through our Cradle to Career initiative, we aim to change that and we have already improved the graduation rate, up from 54 percent. But much more needs to be done. Students from immigrant families and low-income families need a robust, affordable university in the city that allows them to live at home and further their studies. Currently 58 percent of PSU’s student body is from the tri-county area.

Through our Future Connect Scholarship program, we are able to help students move on to community college while providing on-going support for them once they get there. We have partnered with Portland State to offer scholarships for these students once they finish two years of community college. If we are successful in our goal of sending more Portland youth to college, Portland State currently doesn’t have the capacity to handle it. This URA will help.

The PSU URA will also create mutually beneficial partnerships between the city and business community, attract investments and jobs and develop an educated workforce. It is projected to provide up to $169 million in tax increment financing for investment in educational facilities, affordable housing and private taxable development. As Commissioner Randy Leonard said before he voted yes: “This is a natural, wonderful partnership between the City and Portland State University that I, on a variety of levels, am not only proud of, but am particularly proud of being a part of.”

In a testimony hearing last week, Portland State University president Wim Wiewel summed up the virtues of the URA: “What this is really about is providing access to education for Oregonians, for people in the Portland region. And it’s about economic development in the region. That’s the purpose of Portland State and the purpose of this Urban Renewal Area is to make it possible for Portland State to pursue that twin mission.”

PSU has experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and is anticipating growing their enrollment from 30,000 in 2011 to 50,000 students in 2035. For a campus already straining to meet the needs of current students, strategic investments and planning are necessary. The funding PSU will receive from the URA is just a piece of their overall expansion plan -- a vision that includes almost $1.26 billion of total investment.

The URA will fund new buildings and infrastructure, not just for PSU but for Multnomah County Department of Human Services and school improvements in the Goose Hollow neighborhood. Housing needs -- both student and low income -- will be funded by $46 million (30%) of financing set-asides.

The URA funds will stimulate private investment and philanthropy in PSU and the region: this will add additional capacity to the tax base in the area. It is estimated that this investment in the Education URA will nearly triple the size of the existing tax base in the region from $608 million to $1.7 billion in 32 years. As the Oregonian Editorial Board noted in its recent Op/Ed: “The proven contributions of programs such as the PSU Business Accelerator show that these investments indirectly would boost jobs and incomes -- and thus income taxes. The increase in income taxes should, at worst, partially offset the forgone property tax revenue.”   

While the URA will benefit PSU, it will also help Portland Public Schools (PPS). In fact, the district will see a $5 million benefit from the URA. While PPS may forgo $5 million tax dollars over the 28 year life of the URA, it will receive $10 million in funding from provisions in the URA: a net gain of $5 million.

Mayor Adams said before he cast his aye vote: “I think that Portlanders will look back on this day as a real watershed moment -- a turning point in making a good university great. I would say to New York University: look out because that’s PSU close on your heels in becoming the best urban university in North America.”

The summit drew over 250 people to the Highland Christian Center in Northeast Portland.

While the morning portion of the summit was exclusively for youth to interact with each other on violence issues, the afternoon opened the youth-led discussions to adults including Mayor Sam Adams, Police Chief Mike Reese, Commissioner Amanda Fritz, and Mayoral Candidates Charlie Hales and Eileen Brady.

Mayor Adams listens to youth share their stories about violence.

The Multnomah Youth Commission established a Youth Against Violence Committee last year in response to the growing violence directed at young people in the community. “Youth should have a voice about violence because they can make our community a safer place,” said Violeta Alvarez, one of the co-chairs of the committee.

For more information about the Multnomah Youth Commission, and the Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence, click here. 

For information on the City's Office of Youth Violence Prevention, click here. 

Mayor Adams addresses attendees at the 2012 Youth Action Grants awards ceremony.

"It is an important time in our city's history for youth to have a voice in planning." noted Mayor Sam Adams at the awards ceremony, "We are one of the best places to live in the U.S., but we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of our potential... Your projects showcase some of the best examples of investing in our communities." Highlights from this years grant-winning proposals include a program to combat youth substance abuse, a campaign to end racial stereotypes targeted at middle school students, and a youth-driven campaign to initiate a public discussion about bullying.

Check out the video below to see highlights of this year's awards ceremony and to hear more about the different projects from the grant recipients. More information about the City of Portland's Youth Planning Program and the Youth Community Actions Grants program can be found here.

VIDEO: Highlights of the Youth Action Grants award ceremony in City Council Chambers.

Portland Community College Students4Giving, the Multnomah Youth Commission, the City of Portland’s Youth Planning Program, the Office of Mayor Sam Adams, and Mercy Corps Global Citizen Corps will award almost $10,000 to eleven projects proposed by youth 21-and-under as a part of the Youth Action Grants Program at a ceremony this Friday, March 23 from 5:30-8 pm at City Hall. Mayor Sam Adams, Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack, and PCC President Preston Pulliams will present awards.

The Youth Action Grants support new and creative youth-designed and youth-led projects, which engage large numbers of youth, broaden youth skills, and involve new youth leadership. The eleven projects awarded prioritize specific articles of Our Bill of Rights:  Children + Youth. Projects will commence this spring.

At the awards ceremony youth organizers will speak about their projects and discuss how they see their ideas changing Portland for the better.

2011-12 Youth Grant Award Winners

• Campaign to “obliterate” racial stereotypes targeted at middle school students created by David Douglas High School Black Student Union.
• “Teen nights” throughout East Portland created by the East Portland Action Plan Youth Subcommittee.
• Safe spaces for Gender and Sexual Minority youth throughout Portland created by youth leaders of the “East Portland Dream Team.”
• Youth entrepreneur farmers from Food Works will promote healthy eating and living habits by offering weekly, free vegetables from their 2.25 acre farm to families and youth in St. John’s Woods and New Columbia communities.
• A soccer tournament designed and organized by Gilbert Park Elementary SUN Program students ages 8-10.
• A concert organized by youth from Slavic community churches that brings together Slavic and American youth from all backgrounds, to create stronger bonds in Slavic communities and share Slavic culture with all of the Portland.
• An event from the Roosevelt High School Gay StraightAlliance to showcase youth-made videos that reverse the roles of LGBTQ youth who experience bullying.
• The Oregon Partnership Youth Advisory Council will produce an event that uses mural art, photography and workshops to express the influences, both positive and negative, that impact their lives to end substance abuse and suicides in their communities.
• Project Believe in Me, a completely youth driven campaign, will bring youth throughout Portland together to initiate a public discussion about bullying.  An event which can inspire youth and community members to change their schools, homes, workplaces and Portland as a whole.
• A youth-led Spring Break Camp, organized by the Student Alliance Project, will bring together 30 youth leaders from under-represented communities, to develop their leadership skills and prepare them to train 200 additional youth over the summer.
• A “mockumentary” film, organized by students from the Alliance High School, to raise awareness throughout Portland about alternative education.

Read about the actual ceremony here.

VIDEO: Announcement of five percent increase in on-time graduations in PPS.

• Elevated attention to more accurate data that shows us the truth about graduation rates and the alarming need for action

• Targeted support to youth as they enter high school through programs like Summer Youth Connect’s Ninth Grade Counts

• Continued investment despite the down economy in programs that work such as SUN, SEI, NAYA Family Center

• Recognition that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work and continued targeted supports are a must from Cradle to Career

• Increased incentives that show if youth do graduate there are options on the other end like Future Connect

 

Position Title: Future Connect Strategies Coordinator    

Status: AmeriCorps VISTA Member

Dept/Program: Office of Mayor Adams/ Portland Parks and Recreation

Created: January  2012                            

Duration: April 16, 2012 – April 19, 2013

________________________________________________________________________

Future Connect gives students the opportunity to seek better paying jobs through post high school education. It’s a partnership between businesses, colleges, and communities to help students find success at the next level of college or their career. As an initiative of the Mayor’s office it’s a key strategy to grow the Greater Portland economy and keep our rich quality of life

General Function: 

Under the overall management of the AmeriCorps Lead Coordinator and the task supervision of the Program Coordinator and Site Supervisor, the members will serve for a year in Portland Parks and Recreation Community  Centers. The members will act as Future Connect Strategies Coordinators, with duties including: outreach coordination, program coordination, general program development and support at their placement sites, volunteer recruitment and training, grant writing, and development of college-access classes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and improve on pre-existing Future Connect programs (Portland Goes to College Week, Future Connect Challenge, Financial Aid Tweet/Facebook-a-thon)
• Develop and pilot new programs from pre-existing plans (Get There Day, College Access Telethon)
• Develop post-secondary information and support  classes to be offered at the community centers
• Establish and maintain a rapport with school staff and administrators
• Survey and assess community needs and strengths
• Strengthen systems of support that impact students’ decisions to seek post-secondary education, as identified by the youth survey
• Develop outreach plans to increase community involvement in Future Connect programs
• In collaboration with the Central and Site supervisors and the rest of the AmeriCorps team, the member will develop volunteer recruitment plan and coordination systems
• Implement effective volunteer recruitment and coordination strategies for ASPIRE programs
• Organize volunteer orientation/trainings
• Maintain relationships and coordinate outreach strategies with the PCC Future Connect team
• Maintain Future Connect web presence, with both website and Facebook page
• Build relationships with businesses and faith communities
• Communicate frequently and coordinate closely with the site supervisor
• Attend supervision meetings
• Communicate about needed support and progress
• Actively participate in AmeriCorps, Community Center, and Communities team meetings
• Work collaboratively with other PPR Service Areas and programs
• Provide data and written reports as required
• Effectively and consistently market the organization, communicating about Future Connect and its programs in a way that is both compelling and on message. Follow marketing guidelines in place when communicating with volunteers, clients, partners, and potential supporters
• Work within PPR policies, and uphold confidentiality of proprietary information and participants
• Comply with Portland Parks and Recreation policies and procedures

Secondary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to do resource development
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups
• Values working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively and consistently prioritize, plan and demonstrate initiative
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Possesses excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage any critical and/or safety incidents and effectively act in emergency situations
• Excellent problem solving and problem prevention skills
• Competency with web and social media sites
• Possesses graphic design knowledge and skills
• Competency in using Word, Excel and database programs
• Commitment to the goals of Future Connect
• Fluency and ability to communicate effectively in languages in addition to English is strongly preferred

Education and Experience Requirements:

• AA, BA, or BS  in public service, education, public administration, recreation or human services related field.
• Experience with program coordination, community outreach and project management preferred
• Fluency and ability to communicate effectively (read, write and speak) in other languages is strongly preferred

Other Requirements:

Must pass a criminal background history check.

Service Environment:

Service is normally performed in a community center environment and/or other locations as deemed necessary.  Some positions may require service at more than one location. The position may require occasional service during early morning, weekend or evening hours.  Position requires ability to sit for extended periods of time, work at a computer for extended periods of time, and using telephone, fax machine and copier.  Other than completion of secondary knowledge, skills and abilities, the above essential duties may be completed with or without accommodation.  This description lists the essential service requirements.

Application Instructions:  Please submit application by accessing the AmeriCorps website.

http://bit.ly/AAu3C0

2012 YOUTH ACTION GRANTS PROGRAM

$10,000 is available for community-based projects initiated, designed, and run by youth 21 and under. The Youth Action Grants Program will provide grants of up to $1,000 to youth or youth groups who want to take action that makes Our Bill of Rights:  Children + Youth and Portland's community vision a reality.

CLICK HERE to find out more about the program.

Upcoming YOUTH ACTION GRANT Workshops

The City/County Youth Programs are also pleased to offer four free grant workshops designed for YOUTH and THEIR ADULT PARTNERS to answer their grant-related questions. You must attend at least one workshop to apply for a grant. 

PCC Metropolitan Work Force
Training Center / Rec Center
Thursday, January 26th @ 6-8 p.m.
5600 NE 42nd Ave. Portland, OR 97218

p:ear
Saturday, January 28th @ 1-3 p.m.
338 NW 6th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209

University Park Community Center
Wednesday, February 1st @ 6-8 p.m.
9009 N. Foss Ave. Portland, OR 97217

Midland Library
Saturday, February 4th @ 2-4 p.m.
805 SE 122nd Ave. Portland, OR 97233

YOUTH ACTION GRANTS APPLICATION FORM

APPLY NOW! to view and download application!

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted to Pam Phan, Youth Planning Program c/o Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100, Portland, OR 97201 by 8PM on Tuesday, February 8th.

Please contact Pam Phan at (503) 823-9912 or pam.phan@portlandoregon.gov with any questions about the YOUTH ACTION GRANTS Program or to RSVP for a YOUTH grant workshop.

Sponsored by the City of Portland, the Office of Mayor Sam Adams, Multnomah County, Portland Community College and Global Citizen Corps of Mercy Corps International.

Samir is originally from Olympia, Washington and moved to Oregon in 2007 to continue his education at Oregon State University, later attending Portland State University. He went on to pursue his masters in Conflict Resolution and continue his training in mediation and intercultural communications.

While living in Oregon, he has worked and volunteered in the education system, including working with Schools Uniting Neighborhoods and the Portland Public School System. Through his work with youth, he discovered his passion in helping and supporting youth reach their academic and personal potential.

In his free time, Samir enjoys attending Portland Trail Blazer games, spending quality time with his family, and tasting all of the exquisite cuisine Portland has to offer. He will also take advantage of any opportunity to travel and experience new places, food, and culture.

As the new Youth Strategies Policy Coordinator for the Mayor, Samir looks forward to helping the ongoing success of the Mayor’s Education Team and is devoted to working hard for equitable education for all youth in Portland.

Can’t afford college? Think again. Future Connect is kicking off 2012 with two great events to connect students to financial resources for college. With the FAFSA going live and scholarship deadlines arriving soon, Future Connect is here to help you get started and get the funding you need.

On Friday, January 13^th, the East Portland Community Center is hosting “Show Me the Money!” a financial aid-themed night where youth can learn about scholarship resources and ask questions about the FAFSA, all while having fun and playing games. Join us from 6:30-9 pm alongside representatives from Portland Community College and the University of Portland.

It doesn’t stop there! Future Connect has also partnered with the Black United Fund of Oregon, the Luis Palau Association and Mt. Hood Community College to offer a FREE Scholarship Writing Workshop on Saturday, January 28^th at Mt. Hood CC. This workshop will teach you how to find financial aid and write an outstanding scholarship essay, leaving you prepared to apply for numerous grants and scholarship opportunities – all money you don’t have to pay back. A little work now pays off big! So what are you waiting for?

Money doesn’t have to be a barrier to attending college - there’s lots of aid available out there. Future Connect provides access to resources that will help you get there.

Photo by valore_sellers via Flickr under CreativeCommons

Guidebook titles include, "I Am Going to Cross the Skybridge" and "I Am Going to Lloyd Center to See Santa." Check out the books and the project at MESD's Explore Portland site.

ABOVE: Mayor Sam Adams, Brett Bigham, and Katy.

The YouthPass Program has been a collaborative partnership between TriMet, PPS, and the City of Portland, with support from the Multnomah Youth Commission. The YouthPass supports families by eliminating the cost of transportation, reduces traffic congestion around neighborhood schools, lowers carbon emissions in support of Portland’s Climate Action Plan, and nurtures the next generation of transit users.

The YouthPass Program had been funding by Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credit. Due to action by the State Legislature, BETC funding will no longer be available for student passes beginning January 1, 2012, creating the funding shortfall.

“When I met with students on the first day of school this year, I heard how important the YouthPass is for the many students who don’t have a safe and reliable alternative way to get to school every day,” Mayor Sam Adams said. “Today, the City, TriMet, and PPS are committing to making sure these students can continue to get to class and after school jobs this year.”

“We’re doing everything we can to keep students engaged in and connected to high school. YouthPass offers every student access to an education and I’m pleased we can extend it throughout the school year,” Superintendent Carole Smith said.

 “On behalf of Portland students, I want to thank TriMet, Portland Public Schools and the City for keeping YouthPass in place this year,” added PPS school board student representative Henry Li. “YouthPass is critical in helping many students even attend school. I appreciate the role of the Multnomah Youth Commission and all the students who spoke out about the importance of YouthPass. Your voice kept this program alive.”

Shani Josefina Plunkett-de la Cruz, a junior at Roosevelt High School, and a Multnomah Youth Commissioner, is one of the youth who advocated for continuing the YouthPass. “Many students in my school alone have no other option. They depend on the bus pass and for some, without it, they would not be able to get to school at all,” said Plunkett-de la Cruz, a junior at Roosevelt High School, and a Multnomah Youth Commissioner. “My mom works two jobs, so she doesn't have time to drive me everywhere I need to be. With the YouthPass, I can travel to and from extracurricular activities such as sports, or the Multnomah Youth Commission.”

The funding gap will be closed through a $375,000 YouthPass discount from TriMet, consistent with TriMet’s discount given to prepaid passholders, and retroactively applied to the passes provided to students since September 2011. PPS will contribute an additional $75,000 and the City of Portland will contribute an additional $225,000.

PPS, City of Portland, and TriMet continue to seek a funding solution for the school year beginning September 2012.