MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Greetings,
I would like to take this time to wish everyone a happy fall! This season represents a time to slow down and take a few deep breaths of the fresh crisp air. For many, it also represents a season of sharing and remembering others. It can also represent a very busy and bustling time. Whatever it means to you, I hope you find some time to slow down and really enjoy the landscape and the season.
Community Pathways wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving at the end of November. We also want to recognize the many holidays that are happening in December. Whatever your belief, we can all celebrate the diversity that surrounds us and makes this country a wonderful place to live. At Community Pathways we are working to strengthen our diverse understanding and the various perspectives we all come with. We look forward to sharing that work with you in the new year. For now, here is a list of some celebrations that will take place in December. See you again in 2024!
December 1 – World AIDS Day: This day highlights the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness and raises money for its cure
December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities: This United Nations holiday raises awareness for the rights of individuals with disabilities
December 10 – International Humans Rights Day: A holiday adopted by the UN in 1948 following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 16 to December 24 – Las Posadas: A religious festival celebrated in Mexico and parts of the U.S. during the Christmas season
December 7 to December 15 – Hanukkah: A Jewish holiday celebrating Jews rising up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt
December 22 – Winter Solstice/Yule: A festival celebrated by Pagan and Wiccan faiths
December 25 – Christmas: A Christian holiday marking the birth of their lord and savior, Jesus Christ
December 26 to January 1 – Kwanzaa: A 7-day holiday often celebrated by Black Americans that was inspired by African harvest celebrations
List taken from Diversity Resources by Erich Toll.
COMMUNITY EVENTS – HOLIDAY GIVING
Can you believe the holidays are almost here? Reach out to these local organizations to get assistance, give assistance, or both!
"Toy & Joy Makers" celebrates 107 years and counting of helping children
"Toy & Joy Makers" mission for over 100 years has been to promote the spirit of helping children and their families in our community during the holiday season. This mission manifests itself by providing qualified families in need with appropriate gifts for their children, bringing joy to both givers and receivers during the holidays and throughout the year.
Online Toy Request Form: For families within the Portland city limits.
Click here after November 13 to apply. [Apply in English] [Aplicar en Español]
(In 2023, we are accepting applications online only.)
To make a donation visit https://www.toynjoymakers.org or call: 503-823-0922
SUNSHINE DIVISION HOLIDAY FOOD BOX DELIVERY
This annual holiday tradition dates back to the earliest days of the Sunshine Division. In December 2022, Sunshine Division had their 100th Holiday Food Box Delivery. They distributed 4,000 food boxes and 2,500 turkey meal kits to families throughout Portland. This was only possible with the help of hundreds of volunteers who helped assemble food boxes and deliver them to people’s doorsteps.
Each year, hundreds of volunteers come to Portland International Raceway to pick up and deliver 2,500 food boxes and turkey kits; the remaining 1,500 boxes are distributed by our community partners.
Request a food box from Sunshine Division.
Volunteer or make a donation to Sunshine Division.
Oregon Food bank - Food for All Oregonians
The Oregon Food Bank is an incredible coalition of 100+ community organizations working to make sure food is available to all Oregonians, no matter where we were born or our immigration status.
Learn how the campaign is bringing solutions to our elected leaders and moving a big step closer to ending hunger for good!
Find food or get involved https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/
support local nonprofits with Willamette Week’s 20th Give!Guide
Each year, the Willamette Week Give!Guide shows the power of individual giving, supported by dozens of local partners. Last year, some 16,000 individuals contributed more than $8 million. This makes a significant impact on the people these nonprofits serve.
Go to their website (giveguide.org), and learn about 250 truly amazing — and equally worthy — nonprofits serving the greater Portland area.
These wonderful organizations do so much for so many and are so important for our community. As you read their inspiring stories, consider joining Willamette Week’s program to support these nonprofits between now and midnight on Dec. 31, when the campaign closes for 2023.
COMMUNITY EVENTS – HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES
Ring-A-Ding-Ding Radio Winter Concert
Join PHAME for a fun twist on a winter tradition with the first annual Ring-A-Ding-Ding Radio Winter Concert. Take a joyful trip to yesteryear with performances by PHAME’s music ensembles, soloists and small groups, as well as comedy and dance.
Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 6:45-8:30 PM (doors open at 6 PM)
Preshow: 6:45-7 PM | Main event: 7-8:30 PM
Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 Northeast Alberta Street Portland, OR, 97211 & streaming online!
Tickets - choose your price: $20, $15, or $10 per ticket. Oregon Trail Card holders can purchase $5 tickets by calling (503) 764-9718 ext. 13.
Click here for: In-Person Tickets Online Streaming Tickets
Community vision CELEBRATES 34 YEARS OF WORKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL
Join Community Vision to ensure that people with disabilities can find an affordable, accessible place to call home.
There is a major lack of affordable housing across Portland. For people with disabilities, the lack of availability is compounded by accessibility barriers and extremely low incomes. With Community Vision’s 34 years of experience, they have developed a process to connect people with disabilities to affordable, accessible rentals. Since 2020, they have successfully helped over 80 people find a place to call home. With your support, Community Vision will continue to break down barriers in housing for people with disabilities.
Date: Thursday, November 9
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Jupiter Hotel NEXT | 900 E Burnside St, Portland
Attire: After work Happy Hour/Cocktail
Food: Heavy Apps, Gluten-free and Vegan options available
Beverages: Beer, Wine, and Non-alcoholic Beverages
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES
Here at Community Pathways, we encourage and support self-advocacy. Keep reading for resources and opportunities to share your voice.
be heard with Oregon self advocacy Coalition
OSAC is a self-advocacy organization fighting for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Operated by people with disabilities, OSAC organizes and advocates for full inclusion in society, working to reverse the assumption that people with disabilities deserve only limited roles in society.
OSAC represents self-advocates in Oregon, and works to educate others that people with disabilities can contribute to society in meaningful ways. OSAC has a voice in legislation affecting people with disabilities, and lobby our lawmakers on a local, state, and national level.
On behalf of all people with disabilities, OSAC stands for equal employment opportunities, living wages, and affordable healthcare.
Help End Health Care Discrimination
Access to health care for people with disabilities should be a fundamental right. Yet, people with disabilities face so many barriers to health care and support services every day. To reduce these barriers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working to create new rules to protect our community from discrimination. We need you to join Disability Rights Oregon in showing support for the new regulations and submitting comments to make it even stronger.
Submit comments by November 13 on proposed updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and play a direct role in government decisions that impact people with disabilities!
Learn more about your rights and resources with Disability Rights Oregon.
UPCOMING CPI EVENTS
join us for cPI GAME NIGHT
INFORMATION FROM ODDS
CAREWELL Continuing Education REQUIREMENT
The Continuing Education requirement through Carewell Training for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) has been postponed until March 1st, 2026. Providers who complete all 12 hours of the training will receive a $216 stipend from Carewell SEIU 503.
TOASTY FALL RECIPE
Terisa’s Favorite Gluten Free Granola Recipe
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 21 mins
Total Time: 26 minutes
Yield: 8 cups
Ingredients
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
1 1/2 cup raw nuts and/or seeds (I used 1 cup pecans and 1/2 cup pepitas)
1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (if you’re using standard table salt, scale back to 3/4 teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup dried fruit, chopped if large (I used dried cranberries)
Totally optional additional mix-ins: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or coconut flakes*
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.
Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make it gluten free: Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
Make it nut free: Use seeds, like pepitas or sunflower seeds, instead of nuts.
*If you want toasted coconut in your granola, stir the coconut flakes into the granola halfway through baking. They’ll get nice and toasty that way.
Serving suggestions: This granola is awesome on its own, with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit, and you can even throw a couple handfuls into a salad for granola “croutons.”
Recipe from Cookie and Kate: https://cookieandkate.com/healthy-granola-recipe/
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Veterans Day (Observed) - Friday, November 10
Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24
Christmas Day – Monday, December 25