West Gresham

Source: Gresham Outlook, January 3, 2022
By Angel Rosas

Project Zero interns also shared values of conservation with East County community

With growing fears of climate change and its effects on the Pacific Northwest, Portland General Electric is attempting to face those challenges through its Project Zero internship that allows young adults to experiment with and learn about environment-specific careers. Ellie Taylor was one of those interns. Taylor was paired with the nonprofit Play Grow Learn as she taught East County children about the environment by removing invasive species and planting native ones at Nadaka Nature Park in Gresham.

COURTESY PHOTO: PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC - PGEs Project Zero interns help in forest restoration at Nadaka Park in Gresham

"The entire purpose of this program is because climate change is here and we have to face that," said Taaj Armstrong, PGE Project Zero dean of cohort. "And the way we do that is working with underserved communities to make that change. We understand that people of color and low income people are the first affected by climate change and are often not represented in these organizations."

PGE started the program in 2020 and Taylor's cohort is only Project Zero's second group of interns. The six month program chooses interns to work with environmentally focused nonprofits.

The program works to recruit opportunity youth, which are young adults disconnected from work and school. Armstrong said there has also been a large push to prioritize offering this opportunity to BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and low income individuals.

"We look to have about 50 percent of our interns to reflect one of those demographics (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, low income)," said Kimberly Howard Wade, the Project Zero director. "This year we have 75%."

'A rewarding experience'
Taylor, who was originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, moved to Oregon in February. Her stay in Oregon was a struggle as she became homeless. Taylor connected with Project Zero and was accepted into the program.

Working with Play Grow Learn and the city of Gresham's Environmental Services, Taylor and another intern removed invasive species and planted native plants like Oregon grey and swamp rose at Nadaka Park, while also teaching East County children about environmental stewardship.

"One of my favorite parts of the program would be the connections we made between us and the community of Gresham and Rockwood," Taylor said. "A lot of the kids we were working with came from disadvantaged home lives and to offer some stability while also teaching them how they can better their community through stewardship was just great."

During the internship the group also had days where they focused on specific themes with their fellow interns like equity and also took trips to visit other environmentally focused organizations to learn about careers there. To give interns more one-on-one help, they are also paired with mentors who help the interns with some of the growing pains of returning back to a more structured environment while also providing comfort and guidance throughout the program. Mentors even stay with the interns three months after the program has ended to help with their job search.

Noelle Saint-Cyr only recently started working with PGE as a transportation project manager, but when she heard about the opportunity to be a mentor she jumped at the opportunity. She ended up working with Taylor as her mentor/champion.

"I helped her as she returned to the workforce, which isn't an easy thing," said Saint-Cyr. "I just have to say it was such a rewarding experience to see her grow."

Taylor had the same sentiment. "I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through this program without Noelle," Taylor said. "She was the one that I vented to, and also just offered so many tips."

Starting a career
Now that Taylor's internship has concluded she is making plans to get her career started. She is thinking of going to community college to get a certificate to work in waste water treatment after a trip the group took got her invested in the work that is being done at Clackamas Water Environment Services.

However, Taylor believes the most impactful thing that Project Zero did for her was bring people unfamiliar with the field and make connections to people in those careers. "This program offers you an opportunity to make connections," Taylor said. "You are often required to have previous experience. But this internship gives me the ability to meet many different people in these fields that I am interested in."

This story first appeared in The Outlook. Support community newspapers. Subscribe at http://savinglocalnews.com

Get Your Green On! Volunteers Needed When: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:30AM-12PM Where: Nadaka Nature Park 17615 NE Glisan St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Volunteer!
Come lend a hand to restore a healthy habitat at Nadaka Nature Park with the City of Gresham's Annual No Ivy Day Saturday, November 20th at 9 AM! We will be removing English Ivy and other invasive plants from the 10 acre forested portion of the park and planting new native plants!

Parking in St. Aiden’s Church lot adjacent to the park.

• Arrive 9:15 to 9:30
• 9:30 to 10 am: Introductions, instructions and safety training
• 10 am to Noon: Ivy removal/sword fern planting

*Twenty volunteers needed *Masks must be worn *Bring gloves if you have them, water bottle, sturdy shoes, rain gear

We provide: tools, extra gloves, extra masks, sanitizer

RSVP: Keri.Handaly@GreshamOregon.gov.

More Info
For more information email Keri.Handaly@GreshamOregon.gov.

Fall Meeting Notice When: Mon Nov 08, 2021 7PM-8:30PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom Click here to Join Meeting (New to Zoom? Go to https://zoom.us/join) Dial-in Zoom +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 864 2480 4501 Passcode: 061657

Neighborhood Meeting, Everyone's Invited

Join Your Neighbors. Get involved. Make a difference!

Save the date
Be sure to save Monday Nov 8th at 7PM for the Wilkes East Neighborhood 2021 Fall Meeting.

Agenda

• Kevin Dahlgren, City of Gresham, Homeless Services
• Mary Ann "Miki" Herman, New CEO of Ablertina Kerr
• Election of Officers
• Q & A
• Neighborhood news and more

Who should attend?
Participation is open to all residents who live, own property or a business, organization, church or government agency within our boundaries

Be Part Of Your Community. Plan To Attend.

Watch for these red & white Meeting Signs the week before our meeting. The signs were purchased with assistance of the City of Gresham Neighborhood Grant Program, and with volunteer hours to set them out and retrieve them. Signs Now NW also made a generous contribution to this project.

Mark your calendar. See you there!

Questions or comments?
Contact Wilkes East Neighborhood by email at info@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: Wilkes East Neighborhood, 17104 NE Oregon St, Portland Oregon 97230

Retired, have a flexible schedule, want some exercise, need school credits? The City of Gresham is requesting volunteer support to help manage trails and plant species in the forest at Nadaka Nature Park, 17550 NE Pacific St.

Work will be led by PGE interns and will include digging, pulling and pruning. Work will require use of shovels, loppers and wheelbarrows. Equipment and work gloves will be provided, we suggest you bring your own water bottle. Bring sturdy work shoes and clothing you’re comfortable working in, as we approach fall weather please ensure to come dressed for the weather.

Covid-19 protocols: Everyone must be wearing a mask at all times, unless more than 6ft away from others. Hand sanitizer will be provided. Volunteers will be required to complete an application and sign a waiver.

Volunteer schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:00pm-5:30pm, Thursdays and Fridays 10:00am-2:30pm

More Info?
Please email keri.handaly@GreshamOregon.gov to inquire/rsvp.

Summer 2021 Newsletter "Diversity, Harmony, Community - Together 'WE' can make a difference!”

Read it now!

Summer 2021 Newsletter Inside This Issue: Trackers, Never Lose Stuff Again New Special Needs Adult Program Wilkes East Land-Use Update Saving 267 Trees; Shaull Woods Meet City Councilor Dina DiNucci

Download your copy here. (includes active web links)

Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.

View archive   |   Policy & Ad Rates

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Where: 17104 NE Oregon St Portland, OR Get Map!

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jul 12, 2021
• Aug 09, 2021 *
• Sep 13, 2021
• Oct 11, 2021
• Nov 08, 2021 *
• Dec 13, 2021
• Jan 10, 2022

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Online meeting via Zoom Click here to join. By phone Meeting ID: 892 2254 1468 Passcode: 336727 One tap mobile +12532158782,,89222541468#,,,,*336727# US (Tacoma)

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jun 14, 2021
• Jul 12, 2021
• Aug 09, 2021 *
• Sep 13, 2021
• Oct 11, 2021
• Nov 08, 2021 *
• Dec 13, 2021

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Neighborhood Board Meeting When: Mon May 10, 2021 6:30PM-8:00PM Online meeting via Zoom Click here to join. Passcode: 226696

Board meetings are now scheduled for the 2nd Monday each month 6:30PM
For more information please contact: info@wilkeseastna.org

Upcoming Meetings

• Jun 14, 2021
• Jul 12, 2021
• Aug 09, 2021 *
• Sep 13, 2021
• Oct 11, 2021
• Nov 08, 2021 *

  * Public Meeting

Wilkes East Neighborhood
17104 NE Oregon St
Portland OR 97230

Public Welcome When: Tue, May 11, 2021 6PM- Where: Online meeting via Zoom

A public meeting of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission Budget Committee (GRDCBC) will be held on May 11 at 6:00 pm, at which time the proposed fiscal year 2021-22 budget for the Rockwood-West Gresham Urban Renewal Area (URA) will be considered by the GRDCBC.

How to participate

In conformance with the governor.s limitations on public gatherings, the meeting will be conducted using Zoom, an online meeting platform. The meeting structure is consistent with the governor.s Executive Order No. 20-16.

Join the meeting

• Join the meeting online
  Passcode: qstdx7

• One-tap mobile: +12532158782,,99053194321#,,,,*418699#
• Join by phone: 1+ 253-215-8782
  • Webinar ID: 990 5319 4321
  • Passcode: 418699

Public comments during COVID-10 pandemic

Please note the updated process for providing public comments during the meeting.

• Written testimony: Must be received 24 hours in advance of the meeting to the Program Technician at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.
• Oral Testimony: If you plan to provide oral public testimony, you must register your name, email address, phone number and subject matter to the Program Technician via email to Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
• If you want to provide testimony and are unable to provide written comments in advance or are otherwise unable to access the meeting via Zoom, please notify the Program Technician Cecille Turley via email to Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov 24 hours in advance of the meeting so that the City can provide alternate arrangements.
• If you need translation services for the meeting, contact Alex Logue by 5:00 pm on Thursday, May 6 at Alex.Logue@GreshamOregon.gov.

For more information about the GRDCBC or about this meeting, visit the GRDCBC page or contact Sharron Monohon, Budget and Finance Director, at 503-618-2890 or Sharron.Monohon@GreshamOregon.gov.

Get involved, Make a difference When: Tue, May 18, 2021 2PM Where: Online meeting via Zoom Get Map!

The Gresham Redevelopment Commission (GRDC) meets as needed on the third Tuesday of the month following the 1:00 pm Gresham City Council meeting. The GRDC meeting start time will vary depending on the length of the Gresham City Council meeting.

GRDC meetings allow necessary Urban Renewal business to be dealt with, such a bid and grant awards, budget adoption, public hearings, resolutions, approval of projects and related updates, and policy and property matters.

COVID-19 emergency order meeting procedure

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings are held online via Zoom.

How to attend and access agenda materials

• The Zoom meeting log-in/call-in information is listed on the first page of the meeting agenda. The agenda and related materials are posted on the Council Meeting Agendas and Videos web page under Upcoming Events (Redevelopment Commission applicable meeting), and on the Gresham Redevelopment Commission web page in the Meeting agendas and minutes section. Agenda materials are posted to those locations approximately one week before the meeting.
• If you are unable to access the meeting via Zoom, contact Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov no later than 2:00 pm the day before the meeting so the City can provide alternate arrangements.

How to provide testimony

• Residents who want to provide oral testimony must register their name, e-mail address, phone number, and subject matter no later than 2:00 pm the day before the meeting via email to Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.
• Residents who want to provide written testimony must submit their written testimony no later than 2:00 pm the day before the meeting via email to Cecille Turley, Program Technician at Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov so the testimony can be provided to the GRDC before the meeting.

For more information, contact Cecille Turley, Program Technician, at 503-618-2545 or Cecille.Turley@GreshamOregon.gov.