The Urban League
VIEW
Vol 4, No. 2
"50 Years of Creating Community Solutions"
Published by the Urban League of Portland
10 North Russell St.
Summer 1995
Portland, OR 97227 (503) 280-2600
Client profile
Amy's story shows how
League program helps
juvenile offenders
In the world of social services, it can be
easy to get caught up in numbers and
forget about people. Contracts require
reports full of statistics about clients
National Urban League President Hugh Price discushs "Developing Our Children" as
Guild President Peggy Ross and Board Chair Michael Lewellen (far left) look on.
served, hours of services provided, dollars
spent. In the blur of numbers it is easy to
miss a story like Amy's, one that reminds
us why we need social services.
(continued on page two)
Portland hosts Hugh Price and delegates to
National Urban League Regional Conference
Portland played host to Urban League
delegates from Western states and the
National Urban League's new leadership
team in April. Portland was selected as
the sight for the League's Western
Regional Conference in honor of the local
affiliate's 50th Anniversary Year. The
infrastructure; and.to help define an agenda
for the national movement. The National
Urban League will also be devoting more
resources to fund raising, developing policy
positions, and providing technical support
to affiliates.
conference showed that the League is
entering a challenging new period with
A conference highlight was the session
strong leadership.
21st Century: A Leadership Agenda."
Hugh Price presided, noting that of the
The conference allowed new National
Urban League President Hugh Price to
three goals he listed in his 1994 inaugural
speech, developing our youth had attracted
the most interest. He encouraged local
affiliates to look for creative ways to bring
make his first official visit to Portland. In
his first year at the helm, Mr. Price has
national attention for his
innovative approach to the changing civil
The conference gave
rights scene.
members of the Urban League of Portland
a chance to hear first-hand what Mr. Price
attracted
and others at the National Urban League
hope to accomplish.
entitled "Developing Our Children for the
a positive adult into the lives of every
young person. He recommended activities
that support those youth who are doing the
right thing and going unnoticed. "Why not
have a parade through downtown for those
kids who are succeeding?" he asked.
"They
need
our
support
Sen. Hatfield and
Judge Deiz to
Co-Chair 50th
Anniversary Dinner
The League's year-long 50th
Anniversary celebration will climax
with a 50th Anniversary Dinner on
Wednesday, October 11 at the Oregon
Convention Center. The dinner's Co-
Chairs are U.S. Senator Mark 0.
Hatfield and retired Judge Mercedes
Deiz.
Sen.
Hatfield
sponsored
important civil rights legislation as a
young state representative in the
1950's. Judge Deiz was Oregon's first
female African American judge and
was an early supporter of the League.
and
encouragement."
Mr. Price said that his first year objectives
were to raise the Urban League's profile as
a voice on national policy issues; to meet
with local affiliates (45 so far); to shore up
and downsize the National Urban League's
.1 Mark that date: Oct. 11
Please note the October date for the
50th
Anniversary
Dinner,
which
Other issues that attracted interest were the
replaces the Annual Dinner usually
future of Guilds, the structure of the
held in July.
(continued on page four)
community service and attended crime
classes. But Cheira pursued the case.
believing that she could make a difference
in Amy's life.
As part of her contract, Cheira required
Amy to interview her
The
experience helped improve communication
between father and daughter. Believing
that the boyfriend was part of the problem,
father.
Cheira next arranged for Amy's parents
and the boyfriend's parents to meet for the
first time. Cheira helped persuade Amy's
parents to allow her to come home, as long
as she would follow the rules of the house.
Amy had become sexually active.
So
Cheira arranged for her to receive medical
Portland Street Academy student Anthony Thompson shows off his certificate.
Urban League honors student achievers at ceremony
The Urban League held its First Student
Achievement Ceremony for students in the
Portland Street Academy and Whitney
Young Education and Cultural Center at
the end of the school year. Students
received awards for outstanding individual
achievements in such categories as Most
Improved. Most Outstanding, and Best
Transition to Work.
The Street Academy is an alternative
school for junior and high school aged
students that has helped more than 130
students return to Portland public schools
or alternative schools since it opened in
September 1993. More than 200 students
have attended the school. The Whitney
Young Center has offered free afterschool
tutoriaLassistance to students for 11 years.
In the last school year the Center assisted
more than 200 students.
More thaw 100 students, parents and family
members attended the ceremony. Several
students gave testimonials, read poetry or
sang. Dr. Harriet Adair of Portland Public
Schools presented the keynote address and
the League's Lawrence Dark also spoke.
tests and to learn about contraceptives.
Amy had dropped out of school. Cheira
took her to a local high school that has an
alternative school program. She convinced
a school administrator to take a chance on
Amy and enroll her.
She was more Americanized
than her parents: she wore
makeup and moved in with a
boyfriend who was a gang
member.
Soon Amy made new friends at school.
After a meeting that Cheira arranged with
her boyfriend, Amy decided to end that
Amy's Story: Diversion helps troubled teenager
negative relationship. She has also stopped
smoking and taking drugs. "Amy followed
through with every opportunity we created
(from page one)
for her," Cheira said. "She turned her life
Amy (not her real name) came to the
Urban League as a diversion client in
January. The diversion program works
with juveniles who have been referred by
the courts because of some offense.
Shoplifting and fighting are common
reasons. Youths who volunteer for the
program work out a contract with the
diversion staff that usually requires them to
perform community service, attend
counseling and juvenile crime classes, and
sometimes write a letter of apology or
replace a stolen item.
attended a class for shoplifters that teaches
youth how to avoid peer pressure and around once she was given a way out."
understand the severe consequences of Since returning to school, Amy has not
Oregon's tough new juvenile crime laws. missed a single day. This fall she will
Then she wrote a 1,500-word essay about enroll in her school's regular program.
her family, which uncovered some Perhaps the most amazing thing about
troubling facts.
Amy is the age at which all these events
have happened to her. This September
"Amy is a first generation American whose Amy will enter the 10th grade.
family is from another country," Cheira
Staff at the Urban League consider the
explains. "Part of her troubles came from
efforts of Cheira the only way to get a
her not being able to talk to her father.
complete resolution to a problem. The
who was more traditional. When she dedication and commitment of staff are a
misbehaved, he would send her away. She
was much more Americanized than her
Amy was assigned to diversion specialist
Cheira Belguellaoui after committing her
second theft offense. As a two-time
offender, she had to appear before a
Neighborhood Accountability Board made
Amy
up of community volunteers.
parents: she wore makeup and had moved
in with a boyfriend who was a gang
source of pride. Each case requires time,
listening, and not just one approach. Each
individual requires individual work.
We wish Amy well and we are grateful
that Cheira Belguellaoui lends her talents
The League's contractual obligations were creating community solutions at the Urban
completed after Amy completed her League of Portland. Thank you Cheira!
member."
Board elects new officers and one new member
The Urban League of Portland board of
directors recently elected the following
officers to one-year terms: Chair, Michael
E. Lewellen; Chair-Elect, James R.
Boehlke; Vice Chair, Emmett Wheatfall;
Treasurer, Rian T. Brown; and Secretary,
Laura Glosson. The announcement was
made by Board Chair Michael Lewellen.
Michael Lewellen, who was re-elected
Chair, is Director of Corporate
President's Column
On working together
"Coming together is a beginning; keeping
together is a process; working together is
success."
Henry Ford
"Whether in business or personal
relationships, what makes working together
so difficult is the individual need to be
right and to have things our way. As long
as we have a position to hold onto, we
cannot come together or work together. If
we are not willing to bend, we will
somehow get in the way. We must get
clear about what we are doing, why we are
doing it, and who we are working with.
Manager of Finance and Taxation for
Board members who have rotated off the
is Corporate Equal Employment
Opportunity Specialist for Portland General
Electric. Rian Brown, who was re-elected
Treasurer, is Director of Personnel Services
for Providence Medical Center. Laura
Glosson, who was re-elected Secretary, is
a retired Portland educator.
The chair-elect position was created this
Individual Membership Campaign.
goals and with mental garbage, the stability
of the group is jeopardized by our
dishonest foundation.
The theme of the campaign is "Open
It is my goal that the Urban League of
Portland will work together with
organizations and individual volunteers for
community solutions on issues of
education, employment and equality. It is
only through working together that these
goals can become a reality. We welcome
your input, recommendations, support, and
personal involvement.
resigned from the board in order to take a
one-year assignment in Kirgistan in Central
Asia to help develop that new country's
judicial system.
The Urban League of Portland extends its
sincere thanks to these talented volunteers
for their years of leadership and service.
The Urban League has announced the
outlines of its 1995 Membership
collective agreement for only personal
successfully."
board include James Francesconi and
Rita Lucas. Terry Ann Rogers has
Peter Gray and Joyce
Harris-to Co-Chair 1995
Membership Drive
motives and intent can we surrender to any
working or loving process. If we enter any
If we come together in honesty and work
together in clarity, we can stay together
with respect and meet any goal
the board. Larry G. Miller is Executive
Vice President of Jantzen, Inc. Prior to
joining Jantzen in 1992 he worked for
Kraft General Foods and Philadelphia
Newspapers, Inc. He is a graduate of the
Urban League Leadership Institute of the
Philadelphia Urban League and holds an
MBA from LaSalle University.
Bank of America Corporate
Affairs Officer Peter Gray will chair the
Corporate Membership Drive while Joyce
Harris, a community leader and program
director for Northwest Regional
Educational Laboratory, will chair the
Only with an honest examination of our
The board also elected one new member to
Development for NIKE. James Boehlke is
Northwest Natural Gas. Emmett Wheatfall
Lawrence J. Dark
year to help provide a consistent transition
in leadership.
Campaign.
Peter Gray
Doors, Open Minds," tying in with the
theme of the League's 50th Anniversary
The campaign will focus on
Year.
Peter, Joyce and our other volunteers, I am
recruiting volunteers who will be
responsible for bringing in new members.
the League."
Volunteers will be able to use all their
creativity to recruit members, including
home and office presentations on the
To learn how you can help this year's
importance of supporting the League.
"Our goal is to enlist 5,000 individual
members and corporate membership in the
amount of $250,000 to help with our direct
services for youth, seniors, employment
and education," said League President
Lawrence J. Dark. "With the support of
confident we can identify our supporters
and convince them to become members of
membership drive, contact Brian Black at
503/280-2619.
VIEW Staff
Michael Pullen
Editor/Writer
Lawrence
J. Dark,
Contributors
Dan Blue, Rachel Belcher
Urban League hosts
free workshops for
homebuyers
The Urban League, in partnership with
Key Bank of Oregon, the Consumer
Credit Counseling Service of Oregon
and several local realty companies, is
offering a monthly series of free
homeownership
workshops.
Workshops are held the second
Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at
the League. Upcoming workshops are
August 8 and September 12.
Members of the Senior Choir belt out a gospel favorite at last month's Multicultural Fair.
homebuyers and people who may
Client Profile
never have considered homeownership.
Topics include setting a monthly
Multicultural Center helps seniors stay active
Frieda Murray is an 84-year-old partiall
deaf African American woman who
suffered a severe stroke last year. With
the help of the Urban League's
Multicultural Senior Center Ms. Murray is
regaining her zest for life and sharing her
enthusiasm with others.
The League's Senior Center provides
activities to senior and disabled citizens in
North and Northeast Portland that enhance
their social skills and help them to
Ms.
continue to live independently.
Murray first came to the center six months
After her stroke, her doctor
ago.
recommended she participate in the
activities and companionship that the
center offered. Frieda now comes to the
center at N.E. Killingsworth and N.E.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. every day.
Her speech has improved and her spirits
are high.
"I like the Senior Center because there are
The series is designed for first-time
budget and financial goals; building
people to talk to, good food, and activities
savings; and understanding your credit
history.
that are fun," Frieda says. At first she
didn't know anyone at the center. But
To sign-up for a workshop, call the
after a few visits, Frieda learned that some
other seniors there had worked with her in
the Portlancishipyards 50 years ago.
An exercise class has helped strengthen
Frieda's arms and .upper body, which has
given her more mobility in her wheelchair.
She has fun helping put together the
center's newsletter with other seniors. On
the Fourth of July Frieda came dressed in
white and blue and handed out
cupcakes to all her new friends at the
red,
center.
League at 503/280-2600.
Western Regional
(from page one)
National
Urban
League,
and
fund
development. A spirited discussion took
place at a legislative briefing led by the
League's Washington, D.C. staff, who
were not optimistic about the League's
success with a Republican Congress.
Frieda's old friends notice a major change
Price used the conference as an
in her quality of life, especially in her
Mr.
ability to talk. The opportunity to interact
with others, in addition to activities that
help her physical and mental well-being,
are reasons why Frieda's participation at
the center has been successful.
opportunity to introduce his senior
management team, including Curtiss Porter,
Calendar of Upcoming Events
July 12: Urban League Annual Meeting, Emanuel Hospital
July 19: "Porgy & Bess" Opening Night Gala Fund Raiser, Civic Auditorium
July 23-26: National Urban League Annual Conference, Miami, FL
July 31: Century Club Luncheon with Boy Scouts, Oregon Convention Center
October 11: 50th Anniversary Dinner, Oregon Convention Center
Vice President of Affiliate Development;
Gasby Greely, Vice President,
Communications; and Phyllis Buford, Vice
President, Development.
M.
The conference included several wellattended social events.
Anheuser-Busch
hosted a welcome reception at the
Downtown Holiday Inn, while Nordstrom
and Weyerhauser Corp. sponsored a
surprise party at Doris' Cafe for retiring
Tacoma Urban League executive Tom
"The Leader" Dixon. The Urban League
Guild helped ensure that both events were
successful.
Summer Education Programs
Urban League
Mission Statement
League offers summer youth tutorial program
and accounting classses for parents
A free summer tutorial program for
students in grades six through twelve is
being offered by the Urban League's
Education Department. The P.R.I.S.M.
(Partners for Reform in Science and Math)
Program emphasizes individual instruction
in math and science.
The League is also introducing free classes
in 10-key and basic accounting for parents
of high school students. The classes are
part of the League's Parent Support
Program, which works to involve parents
in their children's education.
Field trips and
cultural activities are also offered.
The summer tutorial session runs to August
24, Mondays to Thursdays from 9:00 am
to 12:00 pm.
Lawrence Dark appointed
to national committee on
courts and community
Urban League of Portland President
Lawrence J. Dark has been appointed to
the Advisory Committee for CommunityFocused Courts: A Development Initiative
of the National Center for State Courts,
funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance
of the U.S. Department of Justice. The
main goal of this 18-month initiative is to
strengthen relationships between trial
courts and the communities they serve.
Classes are offered two nights a week for
eight weeks, beginning July 17. The 10key class is taught Mondays and
8 pm. Basic
accounting is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 - 8 pm. All classes take place
at the Urban League, 10 N. Russell St.
Wednesdays from 6
Partners in the parent program include the
local chapters of the National Association
of Black Accountants and the Oregon
Societytof Certified Public Accountants,
which provide instructors, and First
Interstate Bank, which donated the 10-key
equipment
To register for programs, contact the
League's Education Dept. at 503/280-2635.
Project Down Payment
assists homebuyers
"Public trust and confidence are essential
for a successful judicial system," notes the
Center's Senior Researcher Pamela Casey
and Project Director David Rottman.
"Public opinion surveys indicate we need
to enhance citizen involvement in the work
of the courts."
The Urban League is working to
promote a loan program that assists
As part of the Advisory Committee, Mr.
Dark will help guide the development of a
national agenda for community-focused
purchase homes within certain zip
other eight committee
The
members include trial court judges, court
managers, and representatives of major
citizen groups involved in justice issues.
courts.
Increasing efforts at collaboration between
the courts and the community is more
critical than ever before, as both grapple
with increasing societal problems such as
drug and alcohol abuse, child and spousal
abuse, gender and minority bias,
homelessness, violence and mental illness.
Portland homebuyers with
payment and closing costs.
down
Project Down Payment provides loans
of up to $4,000 to home buyers with
low to moderate incomes who
codes in North,
Southeast Portland.
Northeast
and
Loan terms are
five years at five percent interest. At
least two percent of the sales price
must come from the buyer's own
The mission of the Urban League of
Portland is to help African
Americans and others achieve parity
and economic self-sufficiency
through advocacy, community
problem-solving, partnerships, and by
conducting programs designed to
strengthen the growth and
development of individuals, families
and communities.
Employment Dept. hosts
"Women of Color" event
Women have overcome many barriers to
career success in the past 20 years.
Women of color face even more obstacles
when it comes to work place success. To
address their special needs, the Urban
League Employment Dept. and its
Employment Partners recently presented a
free professional development workshop
for "Women of Color."
"We had a capacity crowd, which shows
the need for this type of program," said
Employment Director Brenda ShermanSanders. The workshop was designed for
women of color who are unemployed,
changing carers, or interested
professional development.
in
The workshop included a panel of Women
of Achievement who shared their career
experiences as women of color, including
issues and concerns that all women face.
Panelists included Faye Burch, an event
planner
and
lobbyist
for
Northeast
Portland; Carol Chism, director of the
Center for Community Mental Health;
Professor Okianer Christian Dark of the
U.S. Attorney's Office; Charu ManchandaNair, diversity /management consultant; Judi
Pitre, manager, Housing Authority of
Portland; Lieutenant Vera Pool, Multnomah
funds (including a gift).
County Sheriff; and Marcia Vargas, human
resources manager, McDonald's Corp.
To qualify, buyers must live within the
target area for six months and qualify
Topics included setting goals,
for a mortgage (FHA 203b) from
specific lenders. For more information,
call the Portland Housing Center at
282-7744.
family
concerns, financial planning, overcoming
obstacles, and how to keep a job once you
have one. The Employment Dept. plans to
hold similar workshops in the future. For
information, call 503/280-2630.
League announces managerial changes
Brian A. Black and Clinton D. Clarke have Director of Education and Career
joined The Urban League of Portland and Development. He holds a Masters of
Ivy Chilcote has been promoted at the Education from City University in Seattle
agency. All are members of the League's and wrote his graduate thesis on Culturally
Appropriate Language Strategies for Low
senior management team.
Brian A. Black, a South Carolina native,
has been named Assistant to the President
and Director of Special Projects and
Training. Mr. Black was most recently
Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs at
Newberry College in Newberry, South
Carolina. He holds a master of arts in
teaching (business education) from the
Duane Bosworth
Davis Wright Tremaine
Mr. Clarke's responsibilities will include
directing programs such as the Portland
Street Academy. Whitney Young after-
Rian T. Brown, Treasurer *
Providence Medical Center
school tutorial program, the Male
Responsibility Program, and the Computer
Training Center.
Clinton D. Clarke is the League's new
Business Administration - Accounting from
Portland State University.
assisting the University's
President and the Executive Assistant to
the President for Equal Opportunity
positions
Faye Burch
F.M. Burch & Associates
Carol Chism
Center for Community Mental Health
Programs.
As a student, Mr. Black held several
James R. Boehlke, Chair Elect *
Northwest Natural Gas
Income Black Students, Ages Five and Six.
Ivy Chilcote, C.P.A., was promoted from
Accounting Manager to Director of
Finance and Human Resources. She has
worked as an auditor at Grant Thornton
and as controller at Churchill Companies.
Ms. Chilcote holds a B.S. degree in
University of South Carolina at Columbia.
The Urban League's
Board of Directors
David Duran
US West Communications
Kevin D. Fuller
The Oregonian
Laura Glosson, Secretary *
Retired Teacher
Brian Hicks
U.S. Forest Service
New faces at the Urban League
Jim Hill
State Treasurer
A number of new staff have joined the
Urban League of Portland in recent
State University and has previously worked
for the Boys and Girls Club, United Parcel
months. Each person brings a special set
of skills to the League.
Service, and Oregon Children's Services
The League's new accountant is Samuel
du Plessis. Sam is president of the
John Lynch
Oregon chapter of the National Association
of Black Accountants and a native of
South Africa. He holds a bachelors degree
in business administration - accounting
from Portland State University and a
masters of business administration from the
University of Portland.
Division.
League's new
Computer Network Administrator. He is a
graduate of the Novell network
administrators program. Rachel Belcher is
the new Activities Coordinator and
Assistant Director at the League's
Multicultural Senior Center. She recently
returned from several years of working in
social services in Micronesia, in the
Western Pacific.
is
the
Tahja Jackson has joined the League as
Coordinator of the Urban Parks Project. In
this new position Tahja will coordinate a
project to develop parks and park programs
in underserved areas North and Northeast
Portland. The project is supported by a
four-year grant from the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund. Ms. Jackson holds
a B.S. Degree in Sociology from Portland
Elizabeth Kutza
Institute on Aging, PSU
Michael Lewellen, Chair *
NIKE, Inc.
Charu Manchanda-Nair
The Manchanda Group
James May
Legacy Emanuel Hospital
Tom McDonald
Portland Trail Blazers
Larry Miller
Jantzen, Inc.
Other new staff at
the Senior Center
include Alma Brown, Intergenerational
Program Coordinator and Yvette Walker,
who is the new Coordinator
Alzheimer's Program.
of the
In Youth and Family Services Duc Hoang
has joined as Southeast Asian Youth
Specialist. Mary Jarrard and Robert
Judi Pitre
Housing Authority of Portland
Peggy Ross, Guild President *
Ross Development Group
Terry Tracy
Key Bank of Oregon
Wienman have joined the Education Dept.
as Computer Training Instructors.
Emmett Wheatfall, Vice Chair *
Portland General Electric
Welcome to all the new members of the
Amoy Williamson
City of Portland
Urban League family!
Urban League and Guild prepare for "Porgy & Bess"
opening night benefit to support programs
Urban League board member Duane
Bosworth and included Lou Boston,
Sherwood Dudley, Peggy Ross, Rhonda
Shelby, Christee Sweeney, Beverly White,
At press time, the Urban League and its
Guild volunteers were busy making final
arrangements for a major summer fund
raiser:
an opening night benefit
performance of "Porgy & Bess." The
League is working with several
organizations to present a gala event that
and Millie Vega Lloyd. Key support was
provided by Davis Wright Tremaine,
KATU-TV Ch. 2, KPTV Ch. 12, and the
Portland Trail Blazers.
will send a message of diversity and racial
harmony during the agency's 50th
Anniversary Year.
The July 19
performance is being sponsored by Nike
and U S WEST Communications.
available for a pre-show Patron Dinner at
"Porgy & Bess" was written by George
and Ira Gershwin in 1934. The setting is
will be hosted by Miss Black Oregon
Opening night ticket prices are: $20, $27,
$40, $50 and $65.
Tickets are also
the Marriott Hotel at 5:45 p.m.
The
package includes dinner, a premium show
ticket and free parking for $150. A preshow Community Reception at Civic
Auditorium starts at 5:45 p.m. The event
Donna Knight and catered by Doris' Cafe.
Reception tickets are $15.
Catfish Row, a Black community in
Charleston, South Carolina. The Tony and
Grammy award winning show includes
some of the Gershwins' greatest songs:
"Summertime," "It Ain't Necessarily So"
and "I Got Plenty o' Nothin."
The benefit is the first collaboration
between the Urban League and Portland
Opera, which is presenting the Houston
Grand Opera's new production. The show
has received rave reviews and performed to
full houses across the country.
Surprisingly, this is the first national
production of "Porgy & Bess" directed by
an African American. Director Hope
Clarke has added elements of African
dance and Caribbean music to the story.
There is also a greater range of incomes
and lifestyles on the Catfish Row she
portrays, which is probably closer to
reality. USA Today calls her production
"so authentic you can almost smell the
sultry South Carolina air."
Jewish/Black connection
The Urban League and the local chapter of
the American Jewish Committee presented
All tickets must be purchased from the
Urban League. Call (503) 280-2611 for
information.
Alvy Powell is Porgy and Marquita Lister
is Besstin the Houston Grand Opera's new
production of the Gershwin classic.
Fendel, elocal jazz writer and broadcaster.
who knew Ira Gershwin. Fendel owns an
extensive collection of Gershwin
Big Brother/Big Sister
coordinator makes a
climb for a cause
memorabilia which he displayed at the Urban League Big Brother/Big Sister
Program sponsors included Program Coordinator Dan Blue participated
program.
Nordstrom, Portland General Electric, in a climb of Mt. Rainier in June to raise
Cascade Pianos, and Three Lions Bakery. funds for his program. Even though poor
weather prevented 20 Big Brother/Big
Sister staff and volunteers from across the
Portland Proclamation
Porgy's multicultural roots were even country from reaching the top, more than
recognized by Portland Mayor Vera Katz, $20,000 was raised to support programs in
who declared July 19, 1995 "Portland the climbers' communities, including
The official $1500 for Portland.
Porgy & Bess Day."
proclamation notes that "Porgy & Bess
combined the creative talents of American Blue returned from The Big Climb footsore
Jews and African Americans," which but satisfied. "It was a great experience to
exemplifies the values of diversity and work with other volunteers on a common
And I definitely got a good
racial harmony which the City works to goal.
workout." Mt. Rainier is 14,411 feet high.
promote.
a program exploring the multicultural roots
of "Porgy & Bess." Many critics believe
that this story about Black life in the Deep
South, written by two Jewish brothers from
New York City, is America's greatest
opera.
Presenters at the program included Portland
Opera Director Robert Bailey, Urban
League board member Emmett Wheatfall,
American Jewish Committee board
member Mark Schlesinger and George
Three distinguished citizens are serving as Jantzen, Inc. and McDonald's Corp.
Co-Chairs of the opening night gala: arts contributed a combined $1,500 for the
patron Arlene Schnitzer, Portland Trail Portland project. Funds will be used to
Blazers President Marshall Glickman, and help local children from single parent
William Hilliard, retired editor of The homes find a caring adult role model for a
Oregonian. Ms. Schnitzer and Mr. Hilliard long lasting one-to-one relationship.
are former Urban League board members
and past recipients of the League's Equal To find out how you can become a Big
Brother or Big Sister, call the Urban
Opportunity Award.
League's program at 280-2627. There's a
The Event Committee was chaired by little boy or girl out there who needs you!
Urban League teams up with Key Bank and other
businesses to create summer jobs for teens
Forty-seven local businesses have joineu
forces to fund an expanded summer youth
employment program coordinated by The
Urban League of Portland with major
funding from Key Bank of Oregon. The
program is providing jobs for 25 teenagers
from Northeast Portland during a summer
in which jobs and educational offerings for
students are proving harder to find.
positive impact on youth, even after their
summer job ends. "This summer two of
last year's participants -- Clifford Green
and Lee Landers are working as clerical
assistants in the law offices of Stahancyk
Gazzola & Gearing. Clearly, this program
helps young people learn and acquire good
work habits and job readiness for any
career they choose. This project clearly
demonstrates
a
community
working
together for community solutions."
The youths work with an adult supervisor
Monday through Thursday, doing
landscaping work and small maintenance
jobs for low-income seniors. Many seniors
have difficulty keeping up with yard work
during the summer.
The program is coordinated by the Urban
League of Portland's Male/Female
Responsibility Program, which helps young
people learn the responsibilities of
adulthood.
This year's Youth Summer Employment
Program has more sponsors, more jobs for
youth and will tackle more yard clean-ups.
Youth in the program do maintenance
work on homes occupied by low-income
senior citizens in Portland. This year's
goal is to clean up 300 yards, up from 200
last year.
The program began in 1992 with one
sponsor: Key Bank of Oregon.
For the
past three years, Key Bank CEO Ted
Youth in summer
Winnowski has issued a challenge to other
program do yard
local businesses to join his company in
work for lowincome senior
supporting the program.
So
far 46
companies have signed on as funders,
contributing more than $61,000 to the
program. An additional 17 companies are
making in-kind contributions.
The project will operate between June 17
and August 10. An Awards Banquet will
be held August
program,
seniors
11
for youth in the
they
assisted,
and
Several companies
program sponsors.
also hired youth for in-house summer jobs
as a result of the program.
"We are happy to provide urban youth with
another opportunity to get some
employment experience and earn money
during the summer," said Key Bank CEO
Ted Winnowski. "The number of youth
crews is up to four this year. We thank
the many local companies that responded
to our challenge and we hope next year
even more companies will join us."
The cost to employ one youth for the
summer is approximately $3,000.
As
assets have been acquired, a greater portion
of program expenses has gone to salaries
for the youth each year.
Urban League President Lawrence J. Dark
noted that the program continues to have a
citizens.
1995 Summer Youth
Employment Sponsors *
Albertson's Food Centers
Becker Capital Management
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Oregon
Bonded Credit Co.
Brewed Hot Coffee
Brim, Inc.
Columbia Management Co.
Cooney & Crew, P.C.
Coral Construction Co.
Corning Clinical Laboratories
Custom Stamping
Donald M. Drake Company
Drake Beam Morin Inc.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Frye Electronics, Inc.
Gillespie Decals, Inc.
Gunderson, Inc.
Hanset Brothers, Inc.
Hydra-Power Systems, Inc.
KATU-TV Television Center
Key Bank of Oregon
Kleenair Products Co.
* Does not include in-kind sponsors
KPMG Peat Marwick
LabelGraphics
Legacy Emanuel Hospital
Malarkey Roofing Co.
Manpower, Inc.
Mason, Bruce & Girard, Inc.
North Pacific Insurance Co.
Northwest Natural Gas
Oregon Catholic Press
Oregon Iron Works, Inc.
Pacific/Hoe Saw Knife Co.
Portland General Electric
Foundation
Preston Gates & Ellis
Purdy Corp.
Red Lion Inn/Jantzen Beach
Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt
Serbaco, Inc.
Sidra, Inc.
Todd Construction
U-Develop Darkrooms
Valley Wine Company
WTD Industries
Wacker Siltronic
Western Specialty Products
Willamette Industries
Partnerships that work
learning how nonprofits assist and advocate
for ethnic minorities in the United States.
The World Affairs Council of Oregon gives
Urban League clients a window to the world
"To survive and succeed in an increasingly
international world, our children must
become culturally competent and globally
educated"
-- Lawrence J. Dark
Urban League of Portland President and
World Affairs Council of Oregon Trustee
Since taking over the helm of the Urban
League, Lawrence Dark has worked to
expose Urban League clients to the global
changes that will affect us all.
An
important ally in this effort has been the
World Affairs Council of Oregon. A
series of programs this year has helped
both agencies better serve the needs of
international
visitors
In March the Urban League and the
Council co-sponsored with the Black
United Fund a reception with South
to
the
League
programs, where League clients had a
chance to learn first-hand about other
countries and cultures. Whitney Young
students recently discussed life in Niger
with that nation's Minister of Youth and
Sports. Some of the conversation took
place in French, thanks to a few brave
African Consul-General J.H. de Klerk and
Oregon State Treasurer and Urban League
board member Jim Hill. The tremendous
turnout at Doris' Cafe, which included
community leaders Kathryn Bogle, Sam
Brooks, Jo Ann Bowman, Rep. Avel
Gordly, Roy Jay and Arnim Anderson, was
an encouraging sign of community support
for such programs.
students.
Lawrence Dark's personal interest in
As part of Earth Day 1995, the Council
arranged
for
environmentalists
eleven
African
to meet with Urban
international affairs was heightened when
he traveled to Austria as a Salzburg
Seminar Fellow to participate in a forum
their diverse constituencies.
A Frenchspeaking
environmentalist
from the African
nation of Gabon
speaks to Urban
League seniors
while a
translator
prepares to
interpret his
remarks.
The
Council is a private non-profit
organization. Its mission is to increase the
awareness of international affairs and their
relevance to our daily lives. Council
programs include organizing itineraries by
international visitors to Oregon, offering
speaker's programs on international issues,
and bringing world affairs into classrooms.
The
Council
has
arranged visits by
Wish List
The Urban League is in need of the
following items to better serve
constituents in our programs:
League students and seniors at the
Multicultural Senior Center. The Africans
described environmental challenges such as
on "Ethnicities, Cultures and the Making of
Nations." One of the esteemed faculty was
the Honorable Barbara Jordan. Individuals
deforestation, coastal erosion and water
pollution that they face. Seniors and the
participate.
African visitors had time to exchange some
for the League includes the goals that
amusing perceptions about each other's
cultures.
* HP laser printers
* Two drawer file cabinets
* Book shelves
* Passenger van
* Van with wheelchair lift
* Cellular telephones
* Electronic typewriter
* Camcorder
* 486 computers
* Portable PA system
* Overhead projector
* Camera with flash
* Copiers and paper
* Fax machine
* Office supplies (pens, paper, etc.)
Many of the Council's international visitors
are interested in minority issues. As a
nation of immigrants, the United States is
ahead of much of the world when it comes
to building a multicultural society.
Recently the Urban League hosted a group
of Hungarians representing Jewish and
Gypsy
minority
groups
which
have
experienced discrimination in Hungary.
One visitor told League President
Lawrence Dark, "A gypsy today in
Hungary is like a black person living in the
American South in the 1950's." The group
spent an afternoon touring the League and
from over 40 countries were selected to
Mr. Dark's vision statement
League constituents become
culturally
competent and globally educated in order
to succeed in today's global economy.
For more information on the World Affairs
Council of Oregon, call 503/274-7488.
Other ads share the success stories of past
and present Urban League clients. Barbara
Peterson-O'Hare tells how former
Education Director Vernon Chatman gave
50th Anniversary Update
League launches media
campaign and
commissions history
her the confidence to return to college.
Otis Clarke shares his story of how the
Urban League helped him find a job and
how he now turns to the League to hire his
own employees.
1995 is promising to be a hectic year for
the Urban League of Portland. The
League is celebrating its 50th year of
serving the community with a public
In June the League commissioned Dr.
Darrell Millner to write a 50th Anniversary
Souvenir History of the Urban League of
Portland. Dr. Millner is chair of the Black
Studies Department at Portland State
service media campaign, a souvenir history
book and a 50th Anniversary Dinner.
University.
The media campaign was produced this
spring and launched in June. Ad2, a local
society of young advertising professionals,
produced the campaign as a public service
Lights, camera, action:
Urban League
member Helloise Hill on the Ad2 set
for the League. The campaign included
radio and television commercials, print ads,
bus signs, and a public relations campaign.
opportunity and offering programs that
help constituents pass through those doors.
The League plans to produce the book in
time to present to guests who attend the
League's 50th Anniversary Dinner on
October 11 at the Oregon Convention
Center. Advertising space is being sold for
the book, which will be a high quality
memento. Call 503/280-2615 for details.
Ad2 developed a campaign that recalled
the League's origins as well as its
continued relevance. The theme "Open
Doors, Open Minds" emphasizes the
League's role in promoting equal
Helloise Hill, widow of longtime Urban
League director E. Shelton Hill, and retired
Judge liplton Hamilton recall the League's
Friends of the League who may have
beginnings as a multicultural civil rights
organization in radio and television ads.
history project can contact the League's
photos or recollections to contribute to the
Michael Pullen at 503/280-2615.
V,
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