News Topics
DD Awareness Month #DDAwareness19
Individual & Provider Highlight
DD Advocacy Days in Salem
Build A Movement on March 8th
Customer Survey on Gaming Events
Resources for Individuals & Providers
March is DD Awareness Month!
Help us spread awareness about developmental disabilities this month and every month. Follow along with us on Facebook to help us support, advocate for, and empower individuals and families experiencing developmental disabilities in Oregon and beyond. Please use #DDAwareness19 and #support #advocate #empower in your own social media posts.
In honor of DD Awareness Month, we’re excited to be sharing the story of Chris and William, an individual and a provider team who volunteer together to collect and give hygiene products (toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, etc.) to people experiencing houselessness in Portland. Learn more about their community service by reading their story below.
Thanks for reading! Questions or comments? Let us know. Email Kristine at kolson@communitypath.org or call (503) 935-5243 ext. 228. We value your feedback.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
-Team Community Pathways
Image of artwork by Gary Murrel including the words #DDawareness19 and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Image Source: https://nacdd.org/ddam/
Feature Story: Individual and Provider Volunteer to Give Hygiene Products to Portland’s Houseless
Chris and William recently met with our staff to share their experiences as an individual-customer and support provider volunteering together to collect and give hygiene products to people experiencing houselessness in Portland.
William, who works as a direct support provider, explains that he started serving people living without a house in Portland by using his own money to buy hot meals for people who might not be able to afford one. With time, his attention shifted to hygiene products because he wanted to provide longer-lasting support to people. By providing people with hygiene products they are able to stay more clean and healthy despite not having direct access to basic amenities.
Chris, who is involved in many service projects through his church, quickly joined William's efforts when he learned about them. The volunteer duo share that with the support of Chris’ church congregation they were able to collect enough hygiene products to fill over 100 small backpacks to create what Chris refers to as “hygiene packs.” Targeting areas around the Burnside Bridge and Pioneer Square, Chris says they were able to give most of the hygiene packs away in a short span of time. The pair note the high demand for hygiene products among people living without a house in Portland highlights the larger housing crisis the City is experiencing.
Asked if they are still collecting products, or interested in continuing this project together, Chris and William both say yes. They would like to continue providing support to their community in this way, and welcome donations and support in their efforts.
Asked if he’s working on other service projects, as well, Chris shares that he regularly volunteers with his church. Primarily, he helps sew and assemble sanitary pads that are donated by the church to an organization in Africa that provides support to women in need. As an aside, William points out that it would be helpful to include disposable sanitary pads in the hygiene packs they make for people living in Portland.
What products do Chris and William currently collect for the hygiene packs? In travel sizes, they collect: tooth brushes, tooth paste, mouth wash, floss, shampoo, soap, razors, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, bottles of water, and snacks. Q-tips, toilet paper, nail clippers and disposable sanitary pads are also appreciated. They are also open to suggestions.
If you would like to learn more about Chris’ and William’s service project(s), or would like to donate toward their cause, please let us know. Contact Kristine at kolson@communitypath.org or (503) 935-5243 ext. 228.
DD Advocacy Days in Salem
Image description: A group of advocates sitting around a conference room listening to a presentation on legislative advocacy at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem in February 2019./Oregon DD Coaltion at https://www.facebook.com/ORDDCoalition/photos
Join us at the next DD Advocacy Day in Salem on Tuesday, March 5th (10am - 2pm). Community Pathways is joining the Oregon Developmental Disability Coalition's GO! Project Advocacy Team and self-advocates to help support DD rights and services during the 2019 Legislative Session. Come learn about legislative advocacy and how you can make your voice heard!
Sign up to get the GO! Project Bulletin (newsletter) for the latest advocacy updates. Visit https://orddcoalition.org/go-project/
Upcoming Event: Build A Movement Meeting
Image description: Build A Movement event flyer.
Community Pathways is proud to help sponsor and support the next Build A Movement (BAM) meeting of self-advocates on March 8th. BAM participants are self-advocates living in the Portland area who work together to address issues related to DD Services, Housing, and Healthcare. To learn more about BAM and how to get involved, contact Jennifer Knapp at knapp@cvision.org or (971) 347-7825.
Customer Survey on Gaming Events
Do you like playing board games, video games, Virtual reality, etc.? Let us know by taking a short survey on gaming events.
Community Pathways invites individuals-customers to take a short 5 question, confidential survey to let us know if you’re interested in joining a gaming event or group. Our team would love to host a game night or gaming event here at Community Pathways. But, first, we need your feedback!
The survey asks 5 questions and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. You can take the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPWPD9Z
Request a paper copy to be mailed to you, with a stamped return envelope, by emailing Kristine at kolson@communitypath.org or calling (503) 935-5243 ext. 228. You may also contact your PA who can request the survey be mailed to you.
Deadline: April 15, 2019
We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
Resources for Individuals and Providers
Please let us know if you have additional recommendations for resources Community Pathways can share with individuals-customers and providers online. Thank you! Call (503) 935-5243
Find a Provider (or individual to support)
OHCC Registry and Referral System: https://or-hcc.org/Welcome/Login?serviceGroupId=2
Food and Shelter
211 Info: http://211info.org/
Oregon Food Bank: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/
Health and Safety
Additional Needs Registry: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/586275
Arts and Culture
The Gallery at Seven Corners Collaborative (2475 SE Ladd Ave, Portland, OR 97214)
Public Annex: http://www.publicannex.org/
PHAME Academy: https://www.phamepdx.org/
Activity Groups and Recreation
Off the Couch Activities: http://www.offthecouchevents.org/
Adventure Without Limits: https://www.awloutdoors.org/tripcalendar
Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (City of Portland): https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/39830
Tech and Gaming
Guardian Games: http://www.ggportland.com/calendar/
Free Geek: https://www.freegeek.org/
Fidgetech: http://fidgetech.org/
Do you have more resource recommendations? Please help us share them with the community.
Contact Kristine at kolson@communitypath.org or (503) 935-5243 ext. 228. Thank you!