We’re excited to introduce a project we’ve been hard at work on: developing a coalition of Portland nonprofits that are working together to better serve those in need in the Portland area. We’re calling it the Community Services Network.
DePaul Industries’ mission is to provide job opportunities for people with barriers to employment, such as a disability, a criminal record or the experience of homelessness. While we can help our associates to find jobs, many need access to other social services, such as transportation, affordable childcare, food or education, in order to be successful. These additional services can play a vital role in an individual gaining and keeping a job.
The Community Services Network is Born
While 211info and Street Roots’ Rose City Resource are valuable guides to Portland’s hundreds of nonprofits, DePaul President & CEO Travis Pearson thought a network of social service nonprofits that could provide referrals between one another could be a great asset to the community. Travis envisioned a wheel-shaped network (represented in the graphic at right) connecting nonprofits that provide services in areas such as employment, training/education, clothing, food, medical/recovery, housing, childcare and more.
DePaul Administrative Coordinator Annie Lindekugel began to meet with nonprofit professionals in summer 2017 to gauge interest. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the Community Services Network officially kicked off in 2018. Thus far DePaul has hosted two meetings, which were well-attended by representatives from nonprofits like North By Northeast Community Health Center, Central City Concern, the NW Regional Re-Entry Center and Neighborhood House, as well as the Oregon Department of Human Services.
While the structure and goals of the organization are still being hammered out, the next step is to plan a community resource fair this spring. This resource fair will bring together representatives from various nonprofits to create a one-stop shop for those seeking services. We’ll be sure to share more when we have a date and location for this event.
Want More Info?
Interested in joining the Community Services Network? Are you a Portland DePaul associate who needs access to additional services? Just want to learn more? GET IN TOUCH.
