Resources to Support BIPOC communities
This list is intended for those looking to more effectively spend their time, energy, and resources to benefit Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) through direct financial assistance and personal (re-) education on issues directly affecting BIPOC communities.
- The Black Resilience Fund is an emergency fund dedicated to healing and resilience by providing immediate resources to Black Portlanders.
- Black United Fund of Oregon has been committed to providing financial support and life-changing programs for underserved communities and BIPOC communities in Oregon.
- Imagine Black (formally PAALF) helps Portland’s Black community imagine the alternatives we deserve, builds our political participation, and supports leadership to achieve those alternatives.
- IRCO’s Africa House is the only culturally and linguistically specific one stop center targeting the increasingly diverse and rapidly growing number of African immigrants and refugees living in Oregon.
- Kairos PDX is an education nonprofit focused on transforming education through a model built on love and inclusion that elevates the voices of historically underserved children, their families and communities.
- POIC + RAHS provides youth and adults culturally-specific education services, housing, job training, and mental health support.
- Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives (PCRI) provides affordable housing and associated services that achieve family stability, self-sufficiency and resident wealth creation
- Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) is comprehensive, one-stop resource for youth and families, primarily African Americans and others living in poverty or seeking culturally responsive services
- Unite Oregon is led by people of color, immigrants and refugees, rural communities, and people experiencing poverty; they work across Oregon to build a unified intercultural movement for justice.
- Urban League of Portland empowers African-Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life.
COVID-19 Resources
For general questions about receiving services please dial 211.
COVID-19 Testing
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Multnomah County Community Testing Sites offer no-cost testing available by appointment for anyone with symptoms or anyone who has had recent close contact with a person with COVID-19.
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OHSU Health Testing and Vaccination Sites are offered at the Oregon Convention Center and Hillsboro Stadium.
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OHSU has information on testing criteria and availability through their health system.
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A flyer about COVID-19 testing from OHA can be found here.
Accessing Food, SNAP benefits, and other Basic Needs
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Partners for A Hunger-Free Oregon: A list of food resources from how to apply for SNAP (or report a decrease in income) to food pantries to school meal replacements.
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School Districts Offering Meals: Nearly all school districts are offering "grab and go" meals at various locations (such as schools or bus drop-off sites) to ensure that students and their families have access to food.
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Handwashing Stations: The City of Portland has placed hygiene stations throughout the community—portable toilets and handwashing stations—so that everyone has access to this critical health tool.
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Sick Leave: Guidance on Oregon sick leave during COVID-19.
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Utilities: Many Oregon internet companies are offering free service; energy and telecommunications utilities are suspending service disconnections, and waiving late fees to support Oregonians impacted by COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Mortgage Relief provides financial relief to help homeowners catch up on mortgage payments. Review the eligibility requirements here.
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Information about the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium.
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Click here to learn about statewide COVID-19 tenant protections.
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Click here for information about the Portland Security Deposit Ordinance.
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Click here for information about the Portland Tenant Screening Ordinance (FAIR Ordinance).
Information for Youth and Parents
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Healthy Birth Initiative is providing services via telephone only, and accepting new clients and referrals to support pregnant parents.
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Portland Public Schools Nutrition Services has expanded our meals sites from the spring and summer to 38 schools where families can pick up breakfast and lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
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Some Student Health Centers are open. Locations and hours listed on the website.
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The Oregon Early Learning Division has important updates on child care programs for parents who are working in essential services and need safe places to leave their children while at work.
Information for Businesses and Employees
- Information on Governor Kate Brown’s Moratorium on Commercial Evictions
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Prosper Portland: Assistance and resources for community-serving organizations and businesses access and navigate impactful resources.
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Disaster Loan Assistance: SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters.
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SCORE is a counseling agency and resource hub for small businesses.
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Business Oregon: Resources for Oregon businesses looking for assistance in the event of local, regional, or statewide economic impacts due to identified disasters.
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OSHA Oregon’s technical staff can answer questions to help you understand how to apply our rules to your workplace.
Behavioral Health
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Lines for Life launched a new BIPOC resource. It’s a Crisis Line for Racial Equity Support that is answered by BIPOC counselors.
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Coping with Anxiety During COVID-19 has tips for balancing mental health along with crisis hotlines available.
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Caring for Children in a Disaster has helpful tools for supporting your children’s emotional well-being during crises.
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NAMI-Oregon, the Oregon branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a helpline where callers can get live assistance. You can call 503-230-8009 or 800-343-6264, or email at namioregon@namior.org.
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Steps for Healthy Relationships during Crisis and Quarantine.
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The Safe and Strong Community Care Guide is a community-built resource designed to connect individuals and families with culturally-responsive and linguistically accessible resources including mental health therapists, substance use disorder support, peer networks, faith-based programs, and more.
COVID-19 ASL Resources
Information from Multnomah County
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Regional COVID-19 data dashboard: This dashboard shows COVID-19 cases by county, over time, and breaks those down by sex and age.
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Multnomah County Resource Request is for those in need of resources during COVID-19. The direct link to the form is available here.
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Multnomah County Health Department:The County’s COVID-19 page lists all of our guidance for specific groups and organizations, and also provides links to the federal and state health department resources.
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Multnomah County Library: The library is frequently updating its services on its website.
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Multnomah County Library is issuing library cards online and seeing an increase in use of digital resources.
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The Joint Office of Homeless Services is coordinating our COVID-19 response in shelters and among people experiencing houselessness.
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Multnomah County Circuit Courts: Updates and guidance on court hearings and appearances.
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Multnomah County District Attorney's Office: Additional updates on operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office.
Information from City of Portland
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City of Portland: For updated information on the city's response to COVID-19.
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Portland Parks & Rec: Updates on recreation facilities closures.
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Portland Police Bureau: If there is an identified safety issue related to the Governor's order, the non-emergency dispatch line at (503) 823-3333 can be utilized to report order compliance.
Information from the State of Oregon
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Landlord Compensation Fund: Landlords can apply for rent assistance from Oregon Housing and Community Services on behalf of their tenants who owe rent.
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Governor Kate Brown’s COVID-19 Information and Resources page
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Governor Brown’s Press Releases: Governor Kate Brown’s newsroom with COVID-19 updates.
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Oregon Health Authority: coronavirus page, with links to a number of resources.
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You can sign up here for regular coronavirus updates from OHA.
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The Oregon Employment Department: Q&As on a number of employment issues related to COVID-19 (e.g., eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits).
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The Oregon Education Department: Additional school information on COVID-19 updates.
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Oregon DMV has partnered with Oregon law enforcement agencies to exercise discretion in their enforcement of driver licenses, vehicle registrations and trip permits that expire during the COVID-19 emergency declared by Governor Brown.
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Oregon State Parks will share updates on what’s open and closed for recreational use.
Other Resources
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COVID-19 information in the following languages: Mixteco, Zapoteco, Maya, Nahuatl, Chatino, Purepecha, Otomi, Tlahuica, Mazahua, Matlatzinca, Ashi Añane, Huasteco, Mixe, O’dam, Triqui, Embera, Garifuna, Tseltal, Chontal, Tzotzil, y Hñähñu.
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Domestic violence service providers have a message for survivors: “We are still here for you.” Call to Safety Crisis Line: 1-888-235-5333.
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Self Enhancement Inc. Domestic Violence Program is a harm reduction strategy to meet the culturally specific, confidential needs of a close-knit community.
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Talking to Abusive Men is a tool for neighbors, friends, and family in understanding the warning signs and risk factors of woman abuse.
Federal
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Center for Disease Control’s COVID-19: For updates on the national response to COVID-19.
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How to Wear a Face Cloth Covering: Guidance from the CDC on slowing the spread of COVID-19 using a face mask.
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Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s staff compiled a spreadsheet of local to nationwide resources related to COVID-19.
Relief Funds, Donations, and Volunteer Opportunities
Last updated: 2/9/21