Volunteering for the Point in Time Count, attending the WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center’s Open House and community meetings among this snapshot of County Commissioner activities and appearances this week
Commissioner Sharon Meieran
On Saturday, Commissioner Meieran attended the Chinese Friendship Association of Portland Lunar New Year Celebration Gala which featured several performances and an art and calligraphy exhibit. Commissioner Meieran started her week by volunteering for the Point in Time Count (PITC). She was able to learn more about the PITC approach and work alongside incredible people. On Tuesday, Commissioner Meieran was invited to attend the Lan Su Garden Chinese New Year Opening event. The event was beautiful and inspiring, Commissioner Meieran enjoyed watching the lion dance performance and connecting with community at one of the city’s renowned cultural institutions. Commissioner Meieran met with OMSI leadership to learn more about their property redevelopment project which includes an emphasis on restoring the presence of Native Americans to the Willamette. On Friday, Commissioner Meieran also attended the WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center’s Open House to celebrate the organization’s new space in Gresham. This new space will allow WomenFirst Founder/President Shannon Olive and her team to expand their services in helping women rebuild their lives. Commissioner Meieran spent her Friday night in scrubs, working another emergency room shift.
Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson
On Sunday, Commissioner Vega Pederson volunteered for a second time for the Point in Time Count, volunteering with an incredible group from Rahab’s Sisters, an organization that creates community through radical hospitality with those marginalized by poverty, houselessness, sex work, violence and substance use. Many of the homeless neighbors the Commissioner spoke with had worked with Rahab’s Sister and knew their work. As a result, they were very willing to be surveyed and discuss their situations. Commissioner Vega Pederson spoke with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty about Preschool for All and visited the WomenFirst Transition of Referral Center open house in Gresham. She met with the chair and vice chair of the County’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability and Innovation, as well as with Environmental Health Division staff about upcoming board actions to improve air quality and further regulate wood smoke pollution. She also toured OMSI’s Nelson Mandela exhibit.
Commissioner Lori Stegmann
This week, Commissioner Stegmann celebrated the start of the Lunar New Year, one of the most important celebrations of the year among many East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and her very own Korean community. The week also recognized the beginning of Black History and Futures month and Commissioner Stegmann spent time with youth leaders from Word is Bond as they led tours of their communities highlighting the experiences and dreams of young Black men. The ‘In My Shoes’ walking tour storytelling project will continue with tours across nine neighborhoods throughout the month of February and organizers invite community members and partners to join them to walk, listen, and learn.
Commissioner Susheela Jayapal
Commissioner Jayapal started her week volunteering for Multnomah County’s Point in-Time Count in the Hollywood Neighborhood. Volunteers are crucial for this report. This data is needed to understand the number and needs of people who are houseless; watch Commissioner Jayapal’s interview here to learn more. The 2022 legislative session is here. As Co-Chair of the Association of Oregon Counties Governance and Revenue Steering Committee and member of the Public Safety Steering Committee, she will be monitoring the opportunity to advocate on any bills this short session. In addition, she attended WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center’s Open House, celebrating their new building donated by Bridges to Change. WomenFirst will be able to expand their services and help more women transition out of recovery and the criminal legal system. The Commissioner ended her week visiting Rossi Farms with the Multnomah County Farm Bureau and to learn more about supporting local farmers. Did you know that there are about 14 small farms in District 2?
