I will be facilitating a focus group for transportation projects to improve walking, biking, and transit in North Portland. For this group we want to engage seniors and people with disabilities. Here’s a little more information.
North Portland in Motion (NPIM) is a Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) planning effort to identify transportation needs and near-term investments to support walking, biking, and transit use in the North Portland peninsula. Community feedback is an important part of shaping the recommendations in the plan. For this focus group, seniors and people with disabilities who live, work or travel in North Portland regularly are invited to share about transportation needs and priorities for North Portland. To learn more background information about North Portland in Motion visit the NPIM Webpage
The focus group will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 6 from 4 – 5:30. Participating community members will be given a $20 Fred Meyer gift card as a thank you for their input. Registration in advance of the session is required.
Is this something you can share with North Portland Neighborhood Services community members and provide my contact information if they are interested?
By the end of May, the Independent District Commission must deliberate and vote on their district plan for the four political districts from which Portlanders will elect 12 members of City Council. Maps are being considered now that could reshape what neighborhoods are in the SE Uplift Neighborhood Coalition and that could bisect neighborhood boundaries. Here’s how you can share with the Commission how you define your community: Wednesday, May 17:Comment at the Commission’s Next MeetingWednesday, May 31: Attend the Commission’s Work SessionSubmit a comment via their online public comment form, via email to DistrictCommission@portlandoregon.gov, or via phone by calling 3-1-1SE Uplift has invited the Commission to present its draft plan to our 20 communities in June, so please stay tuned for a separate email when details are confirmed. In July, the commission will hold eight to-be-announced Public Hearings to take official comment- two in each proposed district. In the meantime, visit and bookmark this hub for the Independent District Commission activities and opportunities and sign-up for email updates from the Commission.
Mary Jaron Kelley, MLA
Program Director | North Portland Neighborhood Services
Pronouns: she/her/hers
City of Portland |Office of Community & Civic Life
Important Telephone Resources Hello everyone, It’s been a pleasure to serve the last week in sunny Salem. This week, I’m excited to share the latest updates from the legislature and provide information on available telephone resources. It’s commonly known that numbers such as 411 exist as a helpful tool for directory assistance; however, 411 is far from the only number people can dial for help. We’ll be going through other numbers such as 211, 311, and 988, and the resources each number can help you navigate and discover. St. Johns Parade Before getting to the important resources in the rest of the newsletter, I wanted to share some photos from the St. Johns Parade. After a long hiatus, the St John’s Parade came back with a bang this Sunday! It felt awesome being amongst the people who are the heart and soul of North Portland! I was happy to be joined with Senator Lew Frederick and Representative Maxine Dexter. It was great seeing Governor Kotek back at the parade!
211
Through 211 access free and confidential information about health, community, and social services near you. Calls can be answered in over 150 languages. 211 is everyone’s front door to information on more than 7,000 nonprofit, government and faith-based health and social services programs in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
There are multiple ways of obtaining information through 211:
311 improves access to local government within Multnomah County by providing a single point of contact – in person, online, or over the phone to find information, report issues, or request services. The 311 mission is to simplify community member access to local government programs and services.
Dial 3-1-1 within Multnomah County or (503) 823-4000
In-person at the Portland Building’s Customer Service Desk at 1120 Southwest Fifth Avenue.
PDX 311 staff can be reached Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays, by phone or email.
Staff are fluent in English, Spanish, Romanian, and Tagalog and have resources to assist community members in additional languages.
988
988 also known as “the Lifeline,” has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and is active across the United States. The Lifeline connects individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.
When people call, text, or chat at 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
*For veteran crisis support, dial 988 then Press 1*
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. The hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.
Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.
Community Resources List from the City of Portland
Check out this link to see a complete list of community resources. Numbers can be found for help with: alcohol/drug addiction, clothing/food, domestic violence/ assault, energy/rent/ emergency help, employment/re-entry help, LGBTQ, health/medical/dental help, HIV/AIDS care, housing/homelessness, legal support, mental health support, STD testing/ reproductive care, and East Multnomah County/ Clackamas County specific help.
Legislative Updates
Over the last week, I carried several Senate Bills on the House Floor. I want to draw your attention to one specific Senate Bill that passed this week.
Senate Bill 558 is a simple but important bill. It would allow Oregonians to purchase hearing aids that do not require a prescription over the counter, which is already allowed in most states. Many people will be able to save time and money once SB 558 is signed into law. The bill is currently awaiting the signature of Governor Kotek and will take effect on passage.
Quick Shout Out to My Session Intern
Justin has been one of my session interns this session. His focus is on health policy. Congratulations to Justin and all of the recent graduates!
Thank you all for your continued support. As we near the end of the Legislative Session, I will continue to deliver for my community. This Wednesday, May 17th, will be the revenue forecast and we will know more about Oregon’s financial status. I am hoping that the forecast will allow for funding many of my priorities in Ways and Means.
Travis Nelson State Representative House District 44
Walk through Historic Vanport and Explore the Past, Present and Future of Flood Safety
2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Columbia River Flood of 1948 that destroyed the City of Vanport, once Oregon’s second-largest city.
Join Flood Safe Columbia River on a walking tour that highlights Vanport’s history, the conditions that led to the devastating flood of 1948 that destroyed the city, and what community partners are doing today to upgrade flood control infrastructure and manage flood risk in a changing climate.
Special guest Ed Washington, Vanport survivor and lifelong civic leader, will speak to his experience as a resident of Vanport.
WHEN: Sunday, May 21st from 10am to 12:30pm
WHERE: The Vanport Marker next to the Delta Mark MAX Station
The event is part of the 8th Vanport Mosaic Festival – two weeks of memory activism to commemorate Oregon’s Katrina-like disaster with exhibits, performances, documentary screenings and oral history recordings, tours of the historic Vanport sites, and opportunities to honor the Vanport Community.
Flood Safe Columbia River is an initiative to manage flood risk in a changing climate. It represents the work of existing Drainage Districts and a new flood control agency created by the Oregon Legislature.
Join Flood Safe Columbia River on a walking tour that highlights Vanport’s history, the conditions that led to the devastating flood that destroyed the City of Vanport, and what community partners are doing today to upgrade flood control infrastructure and manage flood risk in a changing climate. Hear stories from a Vanport survivor.
The walking tour will start at the Vanport Marker near the Delta Park MAX Station, and will end at the site of the historic embankment failure. There is an option to walk back to the MAX station together. Expect about an hour and a half of walking total, about 40 minutes (2 miles) in both directions. Water and light refreshments will be provided.
This event is hosted as part of the 2023 Vanport Mosaic Festival that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the flood that destroyed Vanport and honors the community that called Vanport home.
When: Sunday, May 21st from 10am to 12:30pm
Where: Meet at the Vanport Marker near the Delta Park MAX Station.
Mission: To enhance community safety and support the region’s vitality by reducing flood risk, maintaining our levee system, managing drainage, and responding to emergencies.
What is MCDD?MCDD provides flood protection by maintaining the Columbia River Corridor levee system and removing stormwater for residents and businesses. MCDD also serves three other drainage districts along the south shore of the Columbia River (Peninsula Drainage District #1, Peninsula Drainage District #2 and the Sandy Drainage Improvement Company). The four districts collectively extend from the edge of Smith and Bybee Lakes on the west, to the Sandy River on the east.
Important Telephone Resources Hello everyone, It’s been a pleasure to serve the last week in sunny Salem. This week, I’m excited to share the latest updates from the legislature and provide information on available telephone resources. It’s commonly known that numbers such as 411 exist as a helpful tool for directory assistance; however, 411 is far from the only number people can dial for help. We’ll be going through other numbers such as 211, 311, and 988, and the resources each number can help you navigate and discover. St. Johns Parade Before getting to the important resources in the rest of the newsletter, I wanted to share some photos from the St. Johns Parade. After a long hiatus, the St John’s Parade came back with a bang this Sunday! It felt awesome being amongst the people who are the heart and soul of North Portland! I was happy to be joined with Senator Lew Frederick and Representative Maxine Dexter. It was great seeing Governor Kotek back at the parade! 
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 