Name: Anthony Jackson
Profession: Social services coordinator with St. Vincent DePaul.
Residence: Northeast Portland
Family: Proud father and recent grandfather
Hobbies: Anthony has always had a passion for basketball, track and field, and tennis.
Background: Anthony Jackson was born in Montgomery, Alabama, but has lived in Northeast Portland for most of his life. His draw to public service is not only a passion, it also runs in the family with a father who was involved in the Civil Rights movement and active in aid organizations. After graduating from Grant High School and earning an associates degree in science and general studies from Portland Community College, Jackson followed in his father’s footsteps by working for the internationally-renowned Society of St. Vincent DePaul. He began his career as a helper there. Six months later, he was working as a dock foreman, loading and unloading supplies for families in need at St. Vincent stores. When the director of the organization approached him about working as a social service provider, Jackson had no idea it would become his profession of more than two decades. Since then, he has helped countless struggling Oregonians facing eviction or discontinuation of utility services stay in their homes. He helps to provide rental assistance, utility assistance and food, and often goes beyond the call of duty by getting extensions on overdue bills for families in need and connecting people to crucial resources and services. Throughout his career, Jackson says he has learned to listen and not be judgmental. He lives by the code: treat others as you want to be treated. “I love what I do - I love to help people and their families - so its a passion.”