Department of County Human Services program keeps thousands from houselessness, hunger and crisis
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Multnomah County’s Bienestar de la Familia program presented its transformative and culturally specific safety-net work to the Board of County Commissioners.
The program, created in 1997 as part of the Department of County Human Services, prioritizes the Latino/a/x community and also serves Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
“This program is a wonderful example of how Multnomah County provides key safety and services to some of our County's most vulnerable communities,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson.
Based in the Cully neighborhood’s Baltazar F. Ortiz Community Center, Bienestar de la Familia provides a comprehensive range of services: housing stability and eviction prevention, economic recovery, food security, youth services, mental health and substance-use treatment services, and community education.
Bienestar de la Familia also works to adapt to the community’s changing needs. As the cost of living continues to increase post pandemic, the program has focused on safety net services for families, providing the support programs they need to stabilize and build a future.
“Bienestar de la Familia is an example of how our County shows up for the people of our community,” said Rachel Pearl, deputy director of the Department of County Human Services.
Bienestar de la Familia’s housing stability and eviction program focuses on keeping families from losing their homes and falling into homelessness. Bienestar de la Familia has provided case management, rent assistance and legal aid to households facing eviction. Since March 2020, over 11,000 households have benefited from these services. In the past fiscal year alone, 2,600 households received emergency rent assistance, with 79% remaining in their homes and 90% reporting improved financial stability six months later.
This work has been provided in every neighborhood and city in Multnomah County, including Fairview and Gresham.
Nabil Zaghloul, Bienestar de la Familia’s manager, said the program’s economic recovery services also help families long-term, after they’ve been helped with their housing stability. A pilot project provides financial wellness workshops, workforce development and educational support. Participants are seeing success, with some returning to college, obtaining high school equivalency degrees, and even securing employment within Multnomah County.
“This program proves that it works and we are making a difference,” said Zaghloul.
This holistic approach — in partnership with financial and higher education institutions — helps families achieve sustainable incomes, so they won’t have to keep seeking rental assistance based.
Beyond housing
Bienestar de la Familia also continues to provide food security, youth services, mental health, substance-use services and community education.
“We realized a long time ago that we cannot do this work without inclusion and listening to the people who receive our services,” said Zaghloul. Many of the services now being provided were identified through the program’s Community Advisory Board, as well as through client feedback and surveys.
The monthly “Mercado” provides free food in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank. This initiative has served 2,982 households and 7,815 people, with additional support provided through federal food assistance outreach events.
Bienestar de la Familia also advances the potential of young people through music, robotics and aviation programs, allowing for career exploration, creativity and enrichment. The music program is available to youth of all ages.
Recognizing the importance of culturally relevant mental health support, the program offers both individual counseling and connections to inpatient and outpatient services. Bienestar de la Familia served 237 clients in the past fiscal year.
The program also provides computer, guitar and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Board Remarks
Commissioner Sharon Meieran expressed her deep appreciation for Bienestar de la Familia’s work, particularly its focus on mental health services and culturally specific providers. “It exemplifies the kind of work we should be doing at the County,” she said.
“Bienestar really embodies and encompasses all the services people need to reach their full potential,” said Commissioner Lori Stegmann.
Chair Vega Pederson thanked the program, particularly for providing eviction and rental assistance.
“We still have so much need, and yet don’t have as many resources,” she said.
