FORTH and Hacienda CDC have partnered to bring two electric vehicles for shared use at Las Adelitas and Salón Comunal.

Read more about the community launch event and what to expect from the EV carsharing system.  

A new Chevy Bolt will be available for carshare rental program in partnership with FORTH.

Hacienda’s dedication to supporting and uplifting communities is strengthened through valuable partnerships. Collaborating with remarkable organizations, we develop resources to engage residents and community members. 

On January 23, 2024, Hacienda’s Resident Services team, in collaboration with FORTH, a nonprofit organization focused on clean transportation, introduced an exciting new carshare program to the Cully community. But what exactly is carsharing? It's a solution aimed at overcoming transportation limitations by providing access to a fleet of vehicles for short-term rentals. Additionally, with its utilization of electric vehicles, it also contributes to reducing carbon emissions. 

The 2-hour Launch Event served as an opportunity for residents to discover more about the carshare program and its benefits. The system will feature a specialized app allowing residents to easily reserve, unlock, and drive the vehicle during their allocated time. Moreover, participants were assured of receiving travel support throughout their journey, highlighting one of the many ways FORTH supports participating residents. A standout feature of the carsharing program is its use of electric vehicles as a transportation option. Residents got an exclusive first look at the new Chevy Bolt and eagerly explored the vehicle they will soon have access to. 

Families and individuals across the Cully community will utilize the carshare for their daily errands and to create new memories during their vacations. Thank you FORTH for partnering with Hacienda and making transportation accessible to everyone!  

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Are you a Hacienda Cully resident interested in using the carshare system?  

Download the MDO Carshare app from the Google Play or App Store or scan the QR code to get started:

1. Register Account  

2. Onboarding Call 

3. Reserve 

4. Unluck and Drive  

5. Return and Pug-In  

Need help? Please visit goforthcarshare.com or call 503-850-0007 

Portland Parks & Recreation engages the next generation of environmental leaders through volunteer naturalist training, paid work programs, nature-based camps, field trips, guided walks, and stewardship. Learn more about opportunities available.

In 2006, Hacienda’s Plaza Los Robles, a thriving farmworker community, opened its doors in Molalla, OR. Seventeen years later at 415 Toliver Rd., Plaza Los Robles has evolved into a central location where families come together and connect through Hacienda programming. Read on to learn more about this community and the Hacienda staff that impact the Plaza Los Robles community every day.  

The Molalla team stands alongside City Manager Dann Huff, Mayor Scott Keyser, and Risk Manager Andy Oliva during a 2023 community event.

Farmworkers are the backbone of Oregon’s agricultural economy, yet these workers are some of the lowest paid in the state. Low wages and an overall lack of adequate housing created barriers for families whose primary language is Spanish, who don’t speak English, and who often experience challenges assimilating to a new and sometimes unwelcoming culture. 

In 2006 Hacienda, in partnership with Casa of Oregon, confronted this issue by developing Plaza Los Robles, a 24-unit affordable housing community in the countryside of rural Molalla, to provide housing for farm workers and their families. Located in beautiful countryside, Plaza Los Robles provides affordable housing near the farms where many of its residents work. What sets this community apart outside of its location is the intentionality placed behind the programming and support systems that address the concerns of families. 

At Plaza Los Robles, residents and local neighbors have access to a range of programs offered by Hacienda, including Expresiones, an after-school program designed to support the children of Plaza Los Robles residents. This support has proven to be crucial for families navigating the challenges of assimilation and integration into a new community. Santa Avila, a longtime Plaza Los Robles resident who now serves as a Senior Community Organizer at Hacienda, recalls how as families moved in, it also sparked a sense of belonging among all residents.

Santa, alongside other founding community advocates, saw the needs of families, many of whom are Latino, and began to seek more resources to support community members. In April 2013, after years of being a volunteer, Santa led advocacy work and supported children in the community as the Plaza Los Robles After-School Coordinator. Over time, Santa's tireless advocacy work resulted in the establishment of culturally specific services and partnerships that directly benefit Plaza Los Robles residents. From tax preparation assistance provided by El Program Hispano to instrumental help from partners like the Ford Family Foundation for programs such as Expresiones, these collaborative efforts have significantly enriched the lives of Plaza Los Robles residents.

“My younger siblings and my nephews and nieces were in the program, so I know how much impact Expresiones had to the community of Molalla and Plaza Los Robles…”

Bianca Delgado Mendoza, who embodies the values and legacy of Plaza Los Robles, excitedly joined Hacienda as the newest Program Coordinator for Plaza Los Robles in 2023. Bianca’s family was one of the first to live at Plaza Los Robles and she has seen generations grow up there. “My younger siblings and my nephews and nieces were in the program, so I know how much impact Expresiones had to the community of Molalla and Plaza Los Robles… I wanted to work here because I knew some of these kids since they were very young.”

Bianca believes that Expresiones is an important space for students to access opportunities, such as joining the Lobos and Lobitos soccer team, that otherwise wouldn’t be possible for them. Bianca excitedly mentions “these teams are led by volunteers, and they are known here in Molalla because they are so good!” Los Lobos and Los Lobitos have taken people by surprise and have quickly become a gem in the community after winning many games and tournaments!

Given the demanding workdays of farmworkers, parents frequently depend on after-school programs like Expresiones to provide their children with not only a safe but also a welcoming environment. Bianca says, “I have students who don’t live in Los Robles but are still part of the program. They attend every day even if they don’t live here.”  

As Molalla’s Latino community continued to grow it became apparent that additional help was needed to meet these needs. “Families knew they had after-school help for their kids, but there wasn’t any support for their babies… there was a need there” says April Arellano, a Sembrando Semillitas Early-Childhood Educator.

In mid-2023, the Sembrando Semillitas program launched, and April became Molalla’s first Sembrando Semillitas Coordinator. For April, this was more than a job, it was a way she could help parents gain understanding and feel encouraged, something she needed during her motherhood journey with her four-year-old son. “My son has development challenges… I get to help families, but I am also learning more about how to be a mom for my son.” April’s passion for serving Latino parents stems from her desire to see more culturally responsive resources that reflect the community and people she serves. According to April, there are things that she would never have understood had she not had help during her initial years of parenting. She hopes she can shed some light the same way it was granted to her.    

Plaza Los Robles has become an important place for the Latino community in Molalla, offering opportunities and pride. The community center in Plaza Los Robles is the preferred location for City Council meetings, where community opinions and ideas are regularly voiced. And from this place stems incredibly passionate individuals. For Santa, breaking ground as the first Latina to collaborate with Oregon Health and Science University serves as a powerful platform to advocate for her community and extend outreach to the Latino population in Molalla. Meanwhile, Bianca is nurturing mentoring connections with students who share a similar background, fostering a sense of solidarity and support. Additionally, April is actively searching for new networks to meet the needs of Latino parents, enhancing access to vital resources and services.

"Queremos ser una voz para la comunidad Latina... we want to be a voice for the Latino community," says Santa. "Plaza Los Robles means a lot to many people in Molalla," adds Bianca. We look forward to seeing what is next for Plaza Los Robles as they continue to advocate for and with the community they serve.

Muchas gracias to the Molalla team for pioneering Hacienda programming. We know Plaza Los Robles will continue to demonstrate its community strength for years to come.

Click here to learn more about Hacienda’s Youth and Family Services. 

Vanesa Mendoza-Cruz shares how her desire to SERVE Our community is a direct reflection OF her personal journey. Read more about Vanesa’s story as A hacienda resident to chief of staff to the ceo.

Vanesa Mendoza-Cruz is an example of what it means to exude tenacity, determination, and passion for her community. Most recently named Hacienda’s Chief of Staff, Vanesa has inspired our team and community through her engagement and community advocacy. Throughout her life, Vanesa has demonstrated the importance of elevating voices and stories that speak the truth of our community’s spirit. Read more about Vanesa’s story.   

Vanesa’s journey with Hacienda began twenty-four years ago upon her arrival from Oaxaca, Mexico to NE Portland at age eight. Like many immigrants, her family’s arrival in the United States signified a moment of hope and change. Her childhood was shaped by Portland’s Cully neighborhood. She grew up attending neighboring schools, and lived in Hacienda’s Clara Vista community in apartment thirty-nine; Vanesa’s first home during a time that gave her a place of belonging. “A lot of my memories since I arrived in the United States here happened there in that apartment …” 

As her journey into adulthood began, Vanesa found herself feeling a desire to serve and give back to the community that supported her. After three years of working in the banking industry, she felt compelled to fulfill this passion by finding opportunities to directly engage with community. It was during this waiting period that a temporary three-month Data Entry position opened for the then-Portland Niños program, now Sembrando Semillitas. It wasn’t before long that her passion for our work and community was noticed, and Vanesa transitioned into the role of interim Executive Assistant to the CEO. Yet, due to the role’s short-term nature, she became an Administrative Assistant within the Hacienda’s Real Estate Development program. “I pretty much have worked in every department except Economic Opportunity…”  

As fate would have it, the full-time Executive Assistant position became available and she was offered the opportunity given her natural skillset. For Vanesa, it was both exciting and nerve-wracking; “It was intimidating but I gave it a shot and said yes.” Little did she know her yes to the challenge would result in a six-year career as our CEO’s executive assistant. 

What’s next for Vanesa? She has proudly accepted a recent promotion as Chief of Staff to the CEO.  

“It’s the ‘Hacienda Effect’, everyone who’s worked or been part of Hacienda ends up returning somehow regardless of where they go…”

Vanesa strives to serve her community, and as she explains it, “…meet our communities where they are at.” Meeting communities where they are at means understanding their needs and goals and creating awareness of the various opportunities accessible to them. It means creating a seat at the table but making sure you’re also heard at the table once you’re there.”  

Raising awareness for the needs of our Latino and low-income communities is one of the primary ways Vanesa believes change can occur. Often, community members don’t know the resources they can access, such as schools or after-school programs, so Vanesa makes it a point to inform others and advocate for them.  

Time and time again she has seen Hacienda’s impact and its commitment to uplifting our communities. “It’s the ‘Hacienda Effect’, everyone who’s worked or been part of a Hacienda ends up returning somehow regardless of where they go… Our residents are the main example of this.” For Vanesa, her journey is a clear example of this “Hacienda effect” as her experience as a Hacienda resident led her to return to make a difference and be a leader in her community.  

When looking to the future, Vanesa is excited to continue her work at Hacienda and use her wisdom as well as her personal story to help the organization meet communities where they are. As the new Chief of Staff to the CEO, she aims to foster an environment of hospitality and promote the needs of community members. “I’m looking forward to what’s to come and to continue this work and find ways to meet other community needs. We can work on mental health and see the youth in our programs fulfill their dreams from beginning to end.”  

Vanesa’s story is an example of resilience and passion. Her impact continues to bring unity and hope to many. Let’s celebrate her newest role as Chief of Staff to the CEO and her continued efforts to raise individuals within our communities! Felicidades, Vanesa! 

Hacienda CDC programs encompass our values. Learn more about Hacienda’s mission by clicking here.  

Hacienda CDC is excited to announce that it was selected by Portland General Electric’s 2022 Drive Change Fund to receive funding for two electric vehicles to support ongoing programming and vechicle access to community members. The PGE DCF is funded via the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program. Funded by the sale of Oregon CFP credits, which PGE aggregates on behalf of residential customers who charge their electric vehicles at home, the fund supports projects aimed at expanding electric mobility options and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The DCF prioritizes projects focused on serving vulnerable populations and underserved communities.  

“Portland General Electric is excited to support our partners in expanding cleaner transportation systems across the state,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of PGE. “Transportation electrification plays an essential role in accelerating the clean energy transition. It is going to take all of us working together to achieve a cleaner and more equitable future for all Oregonians.”

Transportation is the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon and a major source of other air pollutants. Hacienda CDC is excited to partner with PGE to accelerate the conversion to electric transportation through this investment in our mission and community.

 In addition to the positive impacts on our environment and communities, EVs are a better consumer choice

• Cleaner air. EVs have zero tailpipe emissions and reduce carbon monoxide emissions, nitrogen oxide emissions and other toxic compounds

• Safety and comfort. EVs are quiet, reducing noise pollution in our communities

• Cost of ownership. Less maintenance—no more oil changes or trips to the gas station! And the price of electricity is regulated unlike gasoline

About Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, with operations across the state. The company serves approximately 900,000 customers with a service area population of 2 million Oregonians in 51 cities. PGE owns 16 generation plants across Oregon and other Northwestern states and maintains and operates 14 public parks and recreation areas. For over 130 years, PGE has delivered safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. PGE and its 3,000 employees are working with customers to build a clean energy future. In 2020, PGE, employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.6 million and volunteered 18,200 hours with more than 400 nonprofits across Oregon. For more information visit portlandgeneral.com/news. -30-

Alex Valle shares how he passionately serves Our community youth and his personal development as an educator. Read more about his experience as an After-School Program Coordinator and his contribution to Hacienda’s Expresiones program.

Photography by Héctor Salazar @hectorsalazarphotography. Courtesy from the group IDEAL PDX.

Alex Valle has always had the desire and passion to work with youth. He is driven to make a difference in the lives of future generations using his gifts of teaching and relationship building. From educating and helping students through art as well as physical education in local schools, to his current role as an Expresiones After-School Program Coordinator, Alex nurtures his talents daily and finds that his work includes more than just teaching, rather he goes further to impact his community and the youth involved.  

Alex began his career at Hacienda in 2019 and transitioned into his role as an After-School Program Coordinator recently. After two years supporting organizational events and entrepreneurs in our Empresarios program, he was drawn to this particular position due to his natural ability to teach and desire to work with youth. Alex describes his current role as being a central person who “… provides a safe space for youth from the community to gather, someone who provides educational assistance with homework, develops cognitive developmental activities and connects them with programs, places, and activities that they would normally not have access to. Needless to say, After-School Program Coordinators serve as “… mentors and teachers for the kids that they work with while also being a resource center for families.”  

“…Expresiones has a vital role in the communities we serve. Not only for the educational value but also because it serves as a support for families involved.”

One of the most compelling ways Expresiones is making an impact is by allowing children to be in a safe environment upon returning from school. Parents oftentimes have busy schedules which prevent them from picking their children up. Youth are dropped off thanks to school transportation near program sites, and head to Expresiones without needing to head home beforehand. They go to their classrooms and parents have peace of mind knowing their children are well taken care of.

Alex explained that as a result of his personal involvement with Expresiones growing up, he stayed away from trouble and difficult situations. Having experienced the impact of this programming firsthand, Alex is sure to make every day count with his youth and quickly learned that every day is a new adventure in Expresiones. The most meaningful part of his work is relationship-building, from activity planning to talking with families.

“The most rewarding part of this position has been to connect with the community, both the kids and the families. Through building this connection I have been able to learn about the needs of the communities and how Hacienda and myself can help. When we are not able to provide help, we connect them to outside programs or resources that can support them. To me, this is the most rewarding part because I know how much help that brings to a family in need.” Alex has built rapport among children and families by being a support system and providing a safe environment for children to access.

“To me, this is the most rewarding part because I know how much help that brings to a family in need.”

After a short period of time, Alex saw that his impact extended beyond after-school activities. Building trust is a crucial component in his work. “When I first started in this position, I imagined it to be much simpler than it truly is. As months have passed, I’ve realized that our goal in the Expresiones program is to provide much more than just help with school and homework. I have developed relationships with the kids as a mentor and role model and relationships with the parents as a guide and family friend. While performing my duties I want the families to see me as someone they can trust and someone that will be there in case they need something. Not just an after-school teacher.”

Meanwhile he teaches children within the classroom, Alex also provides relief to families in moments of need. During the 2022 holiday season, Alex and his Expresiones team provided gifts to families they serve, which primarily encompass low-income households. The holidays can put a strain on families who cannot afford to provide their children and family with gifts. Thanks to the Youth and Family Services team as well as our partnering programs, KGW 8 and Fox 12 Oregon, gifts were given to all the youth within the program—providing help and relief for residential families.

Expresiones provides additional academic support, but its central goal and impact have evolved into something much deeper; its developed into a support system for residential families and a space to cultivate relationships—where community members are listened to. As Alex describes it, “…our goal is to build and strengthen the community and voice the needs of the people we serve… I believe that we are doing just that.”  

Beyond being a mentor and educator, Alex is an incredibly talented multimedia artist. Growing up, he had teachers and mentors who encouraged his artistic pursuits and he believes it was through their support he continued with art. He teaches his love of art to his students on a daily basis in the hope they too feel motivated to foster their individual talents. Overall, Alex shares that by teaching art, he demonstrates “the value of having someone who values and believes in your work…” ensuring to practice this value with the youth he serves.

Alex Valle is an example of a passionate and driven individual that helps Hacienda offer bilingual and bi-cultural academic support to youth in our communities.

Expresiones is an Hacienda CDC program available to residential families. Learn more about Expresiones and Youth and Family Services by clicking here.  

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Shawn Uhlman, Prosper Portland, 503-823-7994

Portland City Council has voted 5-0 to approve the creation of the Cully Tax Increment Finance district and adopt the Cully TIF District Plan for one of the city’s most culturally and ethnically diverse communities. 
 
An Exploration Leadership Committee (ELC) made up of community-based organizations and Cully residents, along with staff from Prosper Portland and the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB), co-created the Cully TIF District proposal in a four-year process that centered historically underserved, marginalized, and underrepresented community voices.
 
ELC partners included Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Our 42nd Avenue, Cully Boulevard Alliance, Verde, Cully Association of Neighbors, Hacienda CDC, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, and Cully community members at large.

These partners came together in 2018 with the stated goal to turn the traditional urban renewal district creation process upside down, to ensure the funds are focused on benefiting the very people who have historically been displaced by these projects.  They presented the idea to Prosper Portland and PHB who agreed to work with them. 
 
The Cully TIF District Plan, Report and Governance Charter are the products of multiple years of co-creation among City staff and the ELC as well as extensive community outreach. The vision for the work is to transform Cully into a place that provides a sense of belonging for its residents, particularly for priority communities.   
 
More specifically, that vision encompasses plentiful safe, affordable housing, thriving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned businesses, rewarding employment opportunities, safe and accessible transportation options, parks and open spaces, a clean and healthy environment, and climate resiliency, with places and programs that reflect the cultural diversity of BIPOC individuals. 
 
The newly adopted Plan will guide future five-year action plans and establishes the project list, a list of legally eligible housing and economic development project types for future TIF investment that will help move the community toward its vision. TIF spending will be administered under the guidance of the Community Leadership Committee. The city will hold an open application process to recruit committee members in the spring; action planning, the process by which specific investment priorities are identified, will kick off next summer. 
 
Quotes from partners: 
Chach M. Heart, mobile home resident, Community Engagement Committee member, and ELC member: “[I’m] proud of the work we have done and inspired to see what this community will create collaboratively with this funding.”
 
Mayor Ted Wheeler: "I am deeply impressed by the level of partnership and collaboration that went into developing this new TIF district, which will guide more than $300 million in public investments in Cully over the next 30 years.  These resources will fund affordable housing and economic development projects that will help address some of the displacement pressure that Cully is facing, and advance other community priorities." 

Paul Lumley, Native American Youth and Family Center: “We’re proud of being a part of creating a new model of collaboration, partnership, and dialogue between the community and the public sector. We look forward to continuing to work with the Cully community and partners to implement their priorities while upholding the plan’s vision, values and principles.”
 
Commissioner Dan Ryan: "Prosper Portland and the Portland Housing Bureau have led a collaborative effort in partnership with the Cully neighborhood community to take a fresh approach to TIF districts. The Cully TIF district represents a 30-year vision for the neighborhood's future and continued success of this project requires deep neighborhood involvement, and the community must persist as the glue that implements this just and ambitious vision. I see the fire in the belly of the Cully community, I have confidence they are committed for the long term, as such, I am enthusiastic about the Cully TIF district."

Kimberly Branam, Prosper Portland: “We believe this collaborative model of district development and priority setting is the future of TIF, and we appreciate the historic action taken by City Council. While we recognize this new district is not a panacea, we do look forward to working in partnership with the Community Leadership Committee to achieve the vision for Cully.” 

Maddie Norman, community engagement and research coordinator with Living Cully: “People who have been doing anti-displacement work in Cully said, what if we can use this tool that’s caused harm, instead, to stabilize? And we have created a way that we think that can happen.”  
 
Tracee Wells-Bryant, Training and Education Specialist at PCC Workforce Development Center and ELC member: "As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, 'The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.’”

Molly Rogers, Portland Housing Bureau: “This is a historic opportunity to use our resources in a new way to support a community-led vision for Cully that is equitable, inclusive, and vibrant. Affordable housing investments early on in the life of the district will be critical to preventing displacement and ensuring that existing Cully residents can share in the benefits and opportunities these investments will generate. We look forward to working in partnership with the community to create housing opportunities that reflect the needs of one of our city’s most diverse neighborhoods.”
 
Elizabeth de Jesus, Community Engagement Leader, Cully TIF ELC member: "I appreciate that this plan supports people of color and low-income people, and they don't focus on their status. It betters our community, especially kids. Our community is tired of false promises. We want to make sure our community is receiving what we ask for so the community can have trust." 

Steve Messinetti, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region: “Redefining urban renewal for the nation, such that it is for the people, by the people! This is historic. Everyone who put the hard work and long hours into this should be very proud.” 

David Sweet, ELC member representing the Cully Association of Neighbors: “This TIF district is unique in that it was conceived and led by the Cully community.  We set out to find the resources to prevent displacement from Cully.  Now we can work with the City to make that happen.”  

Over the past two years Hacienda has worked quickly to meet the urgent needs of our community during the COVID-19 crisis. Read the infographic below to learn about our work to support the health of our community.

Hacienda’s community card is a new initiative that will enable you to seamlessly access programs and services in Hacienda’s network. Read more to learn about this card and its benefits. 

About the Community Card  

Hacienda’s affordable housing and holistic programming have supported our residents and broader community since 1986. During that time, we have grown to over ten communities with thousands of residents and community members.  

Our growing impact requires innovative new systems that increase access to our array of programs and services. The new Community Card initiative will provide Hacienda’s current and future clients with a seamless way to access our programs with the scan of a single card. 

This card can currently be used to access to our bi-weekly food pantry, transit assistance, and our state-of-the-art Learning Centers. In the future, Hacienda's Community Card will be implemented in additional Hacienda programs.  

Why a Community Card? 

This new initiative allows residents and community members to seamlessly access our array of holistic programming with the scan of a single card.  The Community Card allows Hacienda to centralize our program intake process and support accurate and efficient data collection while ensuring a positive client experience.

A pilot of the Hacienda Community Card began in June 2022 and has been successfully implemented with over 100 community members. Through this pilot we learned that the Community Card created a better client experience, improved accuracy of information collected, and increased engagement within other Hacienda programs that currently accept the Community Card. 

Where can I get one? 

Register for a Hacienda Community Card at a Learning Center near you or visit our bi-weekly food pantry at the Hacienda headquarters to receive a card and gain seamless access to our services. 

What information is collected? 

Hacienda’s Community Card gives us insight into individual and community trends so that we can do our best work.

When requested, demographic and programmatic trends may be shared with partners that support Hacienda CDC’s work.  Information collected via the Community Card will only be distributed as numbers and trends that broadly demonstrate the impact of our work. Individual information is confidential and never shared with third parties.

How To Use the Community Card

(New Users)

Receive a card from a Hacienda employee

Click
“I need to register”

Fill out Intake form

Scan the QR code to finish registering!

How to Use the Community Card

(Returning Users)

Click
“Check-In”

Select method for check-in

Scan the QR code or enter your unique pin and

follow the prompts on screen to check-in!

Hacienda CDC is proud to announce funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund—the first ever climate fund in the country created and led by people of color.

This investment in Hacienda’s MEE Casa initiative will provide cleaner air, increased comfort, better health, reduced financial burden, and improved social outcomes by upgrading six multifamily affordable housing communities with a total of 243 units.

These upgrades will positively impact over 1000 low-income residents in our communities, 92% of whom are people of color. The project includes removing gas-powered heating, installing solar arrays totaling 849.5 kW, heat pumps and cooling devices where needed, as well as LED lighting, and new bathroom fans. An average energy savings of almost 70% is expected for residents.

This MEE Casa initiative aims to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and related greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, and support the well-being of over 1,040 members of our resident communities, including 473 children. The vast majority of our residents identify as black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and all households earn 60% of Area Median Income and below.

The MEE Casa initiative will directly benefit these historically underserved communities and give them the opportunity to directly benefit from climate action investments that will build a stronger Portland.

This $9.4 million investment is critical to providing green and healthy affordable housing in North and NE Portland and includes solar power installation; new cooling and heating units; transition to all energy efficient electrical systems and appliances; heat pump water heaters; LED lighting and bathroom fans.

Hacienda CDC will implement the project over a four-year period with our strategic partners Neil Kelly Company, International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (ICAST), PAE Engineers, and the Oregon Environmental Council.

“We are thrilled the PCEF Committee is recommending Portland City Council fund this investment which will improve the lives of over 1,000 people. We feel strongly that this is the exact type of investment the Portland Clean Energy Fund was created for– improvements that will measurably decrease energy consumption and increase the quality of life for Portland’s community members.”- Ernesto Fonseca, Chief Executive Officer of Hacienda CDC.

Residential buildings account for one-third of Oregon’s climate emissions. Retrofitting existing buildings is critical to meet decarbonization goals and create green and healthy homes and communities.

Low-income and underserved communities bear the burden of rising temperatures and climate-driven events such as heat domes and wildfires associated with a warming planet. As a Latino-founded and led organization that is an owner and steward of affordable housing and community building, Hacienda CDC is a leader on this front and is committed to increasing the well-being and resiliency of our communities.

Hacienda CDC places the health and well-being of residents front and center, especially now as the warming climate becomes a threat to their well-being. Investments made through the MEE Casa initiative will improve their safety and comfort, resulting in healthier and more resilient households. The implementation of this initiative will allow residents to not only feel supported and secure enough to successfully navigate their day-to-day lives but to also advocate and champion preventative climate-related investments after feeling the benefits of such policies firsthand. 

Multnomah County, City of Portland announce cooling shelter and cooling center locations starting Tuesday, July 26 

Overnight cooling shelters opening Tuesday at 2 pm

Charles Jordan Community Center: 9009 N. Foss Ave., Portland

East Portland Community Center: 740 S.E. 106th Ave., Portland

Portland Building: 1120 S.W. 5th Ave., Portland

Sunrise Center: 18901 E. Burnside, Portland

Daytime cooling center opening Tuesday, from 2 to 10 pm

Old Town: 435 N.W. Glisan St., Portland

Transportation

TriMet will not turn away anyone riding to a cool place who cannot afford to pay fare. TriMet asks riders to let their driver know they are headed to a cool place.

When riding transit during extreme heat, riders will want to plan extra time and check trimet.org/alerts before traveling, as there may be heat-related delays to service.

Anyone who needs transportation support to a cool space can also dial 2-1-1 (866-698-6155).

Libraries Many libraries are open until 8 p.m.

Extended hours until 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday:

Central: 801 S.W. 10th Ave.

Gresham: 385 N.W. Miller Ave.

Holgate: 7905 S.E. Holgate Blvd.

Misting stations

12 pm to 8 pm starting today (Tuesday 7/26):

East Portland Community Center: 740 S.E. 106th Ave. 

Glenhaven Park, near skate park: 7900 N.E. Siskiyou St.

Harney Park, near restroom: S.E. 67th Ave. and S.E. Harney Street

Knott Park, west restroom: N.E. 112th Ave. and N.E. Russell Street

Lents Park, at Walker Stadium: 4808 S.E. 92nd Ave.

Mt. Scott Community Center, near playgrounds: 5530 S.E. 72nd Ave.

Community spaces, including Lloyd Center

Community locations, including pools, splash pads, senior centers and Lloyd Center mall, which is welcoming people with extended hours starting Tuesday : Interactive Map of Cool Spaces

The Joint Office of Homeless Services supply center is providing water, electrolytes, sunscreen and more for groups doing outreach. Email JOHSSupplies@multco.us for an appointment.

Las Adelitas will soon be coming to life and will provide 142 safe, quality, affordable homes in the heart of Portland’s Cully neighborhood. We are excited to announce a collaboration with an incredible Latina artist, Michelle Angela Ortiz, who will be outfitting the building with a custom mural inspired directly from neighbors and community members in Cully. Read on to learn more about her work, inspiration, and the importance of this project. 

Image courtesy of Michelle Angela Ortiz

Michelle Angela Ortiz is an artist who describes herself as using her “art as a vehicle to represent people and communities whose histories are often lost or co-opted.” We might also think of her as a historian in real time, capturing histories as they happen, creating a testament of community that represents them and their stories, allowing them to feel seen and understood.

Ortiz has created over 50 large-scale public works in the United States and abroad. She has been a cultural envoy in Fiji, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Venezuela, Honduras, and Cuba. Her work happens in a range of expressions with the common thread of giving communities a voice. 

We are honored to be working with Michelle Angela Ortiz to bring a mural to Las Adelitas which will extend along the main entrance of this community along Killingsworth St.  Her work will be assisted by local Portland artist Oliver Casillas.

Her Background  

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ortiz proudly shares that she still lives in the same neighborhood she has lived in all her life. Her mother is from Colombia’s Caribbean coast and her father from Puerto Rico, both activists before there was a name for it.  

“It was about being kind and standing up when things were not fair,” she explains. Her father was a bolero singer and a janitor, bringing home scrap paper from offices he cleaned for Michelle to turn into art. Everything she saw, she turned into art, from scenes in the open-air market to everyday acts of courage. She remembers these days fondly as the roots of her artistic career: “I saw art everywhere, it was my foundation.” 

Orgullo Otomí, public art created Michelle Angela Ortíz.

Michelle Angela Ortiz’s work dives into the importance of heart and home within the immigrant experience. “I come from a family that might not see its experience as having importance, but for me, it is placing value in that, acknowledging and honoring the story of my grandmother; to me it is as important as knowing about Thomas Jefferson, understanding our journey and where we come from.” 

The artist translates the communities’ stories into art. Whether immigrant communities, formerly incarcerated groups, teens, graffiti artists, grandmothers, she values the importance of this responsibility. What results is a local response to the common theme of “how can we utilize moment /space to represent their stories and the changes they want to see?” 

Conversations with the Community 

After 23 years working as an artist in communities, her process always begins with a conversation. Jessica Lam, Resident Services Manager at Hacienda CDC worked with Living Cully to organize a series of meetings with the community.  

In one of the conversations, the community was asked what images might represent family to them, home away from home, and even freedom. The group came up with a list of different images, which will then direct future images taken by photographer Mariana Fernandez, to inspire the design of the mural.  

“How do you build community and belonging in a space that is working so hard to displace you, whether through systems or individual interactions?”

— Michelle Angela Ortiz

Olga from Guatemala suggested an image of girl playing freely, hands making tortillas, feeding her family, showing a connection to tradition. Carrie spoke of having a white mother and an African-American father and reflected on racial discrimination. Lizette even wrote a love letter to Cully. The images, says Ortiz, have meaning that “is both personal and universal.”  

Mural in Tegucigalpa, Honduras by Michelle Angela Ortiz.

Michelle points out that she is aware of her role as “la visitante,” and is able to connect to individuals by hearing their stories fully and finding her own parallels with the community where she grew up. This allows her to make connection about what is being said, but also looking for what is missing. She begins deeper conversations with a poignant question: “What have you learned from your ancestors that you bring into the work that you do?”

Her work strives to understand belonging, a concern among many immigrants. She knows this feeling well, developing art that reflects a community while simultaneously acknowledging and fighting against the systems of oppression that works against that community and reflects, “how do you build community and belonging in a space that is working so hard to displace you, whether through systems or individual interactions?” 

These conversations have helped craft a mural that will represent the strength of women and the bright future of the Las Adelitas community while balancing the struggles of the past and present. “Acknowledging the struggle, but not letting it be the focus… filling the mural with light and positivity and all good things Cully has to offer, without shying away from the current obstacles the community faces.” 

Reflections 

Learn more about Michelle Angela Ortiz and the impact of her work and visit her website www.michelleangela.com

After years of doing this valuable work, she shares that for her, “the common thread is the importance of speaking up and sharing our story and sharing our truth. And I have seen change happen in waves, from little ripples to huge waves of change and I feel that art plays a role in supporting local justice, local community involvement and engagement, and I think that for artists, we play a huge role in really getting to the heart or the core of the work.” 

When asked what she hopes the observer takes away from this mural, she says, “I really would like them to see themselves represented. It is so important to have representation, to feel seen, to feel valued.” She hopes that the young children that see the mural and the transformation of the space will feel a sense of new possibilities and witness the impact of collective action on their community.   

FREE TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY!

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In response to last year’s heat wave, PCEF (Portland Clean Energy Fund) has funded a heat relief program to distribute portable heating and cooling units to the homes of vulnerable populations throughout Portland.

Installations and trainings are included!

Qualifications:

• Must live in Portland and earn below 60% of the area median income (co-qualification and self-attestation can be provided)

Prioritization: People who do not have cooling and meet two or more of the following will receive units first

• Do not have a functioning cooling device

• Over 60 years old

• Has a medical condition (self-reported, no medical verification needed)

• Living alone: household size = 1

Additional factors:

• Community programs (Verde Builds) can prioritize recipients

How to request a cooling unit

The following information is intended to help eligible Portlanders access a cooling unit through the Heat Response Program. The CDPs are responsible for identifying and selecting recipients in the program, the City of Portland is not selecting recipients.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a heat emergency, we urge you to seek a public cooling space or call 911. For more information about how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and how to find a cooling shelter or transportation during a heat emergency, visit https://www.publicalerts.org/heat

Housing Provider CDPs : If you live in a housing unit managed by one of the following housing providers in the Heat Response Program, you can contact your property manager to determine if you are eligible to receive a cooling unit. Housing providers are currently only serving people who live in the housing that they manage.

• Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare

• Central City Concern

• Hacienda CDC

• Home Forward

• Innovative Housing

• Northwest Housing Alternatives

• PCRI – Portland Community Reinvestment Inc.

• REACH CDC - Note : REACH CDC is only serving people who are homeowners eligible and participating in their Community Builders program. If you live in a rental property managed by REACH CDC, contact one of the community-based organizations below.

• Rose CDC

Community-based organizations: The following organizations are serving low-income Portlanders and have intake processes to determine eligibility and prioritization.  If you are Portlander who meets the income qualifications, you can contact one of these organizations to request a cooling unit.

The processes are not on a first-come, first served basis, and there are no guarantees that you will receive a cooling unit this summer. PCEF recognizes that there is significantly more need in the community than units available.

• African American Alliance for Homeownership

  • Email: info@aaah.org

  • Phone: 503-595-3517

  • Intake form: LINK

• APANO (intake process coming soon)

• Verde

  • Email: info@verdenw.org

  • Phone: 503-290-8570

  • Intake form: LINK

If you are receiving health benefits from a Health Share Oregon provider, whether you live in Portland or in another city:

You may be eligible to receive a cooling unit from your medical provider, if you are covered by one of the following organizations: CareOregon, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy, OHSU Health, Providence. Contact Health Share Oregon for more information

• Health Share Oregon

  • Website

  • Phone: 503-416-8090

Verde is working with the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) to make ductless heat pumps more affordable or even free for those who qualify.

A ductless heat pump uses 30-40% less energy than traditional AC systems which can save you money on your utility bill!

Through Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), Portland residents can receive up to $600 in total incentives by attending a stewardship workshop that provides additional tips around weatherization, energy efficieny information, and maintenance.

See how the DHP program has helped others.

Interested in a DHP? Fill out Verde’s Build DHP Intake form here.

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Are you behind on your sewer/stormwater/water bill?

The City of Portland has a new program that could help you get your sewer/stormwater/water bill back on track. They have federal funding to give a limited number of bill payment support credits.  

You can apply if…
  *  You pay your sewer/stormwater/water bill to the City of Portland;
  *  You have overdue charges on your household water bill;
  *  You have been affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
  *  You meet the income guidelines on this chart.

The application usually takes 10–15 minutes to fill out and is due April 11, 2022.  

The process for giving credits
Program staff expects to receive more requests than the program can fund. View the criteria for how the City of Portland will distribute the funding.

If you haven’t been able to stay on top of your bill, please apply today!  

Hacienda has seen a lot of growth this past year. With so many new developments and updates, we are showing up for our community now more than ever. We are proud to announce that Rockwood Village, the first metro-bonded housing to welcome residents, now has two new staff to support the community. Welcome to Hacienda!

Blanca Munoz Villarreal

RESIDENT SERVICES COORDINATOR

Mayra Jimenez

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM COORDINATOR