August, 2021

"Summer always feels like a new year to us at Community Vision, because our fiscal year starts July 1. Some of the joy of new beginnings is taking the time to look back and reflect on progress made in the season that just passed. In this newsletter, we want to share with you some highlights and happenings in our work over the last few months. Enjoy!"

- Jennifer Knapp, Executive Director

9/11/2021 - Harvest Century Ride

9/13/2021 - AAC Social Group (Location TBD)

Employment Connections

Matt and Bridgetown Enterprises

Matt’s employment at Bridgetown Enterprises is what it is all about.  He started there after getting vaccinated in April, quickly filling a critical role and becoming part of the team. Bridgetown was looking for someone for just 4 hours a day, and this worked perfectly with Matt’s schedule.

In a busy warehouse, Matt keeps work flowing smoothly by managing all of the packaging material. He also keeps the area meticulously clean to maintain the warehouse’s “food safe” status. He was doing similar work at Deschutes Brewery before; so, he settled into his role with just a few minor accommodations - like labeling supplies he should use with his name and a timer to keep track of his breaks.

From the moment Matt started, people welcomed him as part of the team. He was given a safety vest with his name on it, which he wears with pride. His teammates see his value to their work and make a point of letting him know. Matt is really social and has easily formed meaningful relationships with his coworkers, leading to a natural, sustainable, on-site support system. Job coaches describe Bridgetown as filled with smiles and teamwork.

Dave Chalmers, President/CEO of Bridgetown said, “For me, Matt brings a dedicated work ethic, a desire to learn new skills, and a genuine smile and happiness towards everyone that is around him that is contagious. He is truly an integral part of our team.”

sister, Rebecca Wilson, shared, “Matt worked for Deschutes Brewery in his hometown of Bend, OR for 18 years and, while he was sad to give it up when he moved to Portland in January 2020, he was also excited to start the next stage of his life. It was really tough when COVID derailed his plans for a new job and new friends. Everything turned around the day he started at Bridgetown Trucking. With the support of Jordan and Lauren, Matt once again is contributing his skills to a great team of people. He comes home every day brimming with good vibes and the satisfaction of a job well done.”

When asked what he liked most about working, Matt said he felt, “Happy, because I am making Mom and Dad proud.”

This is a great fit for Matt and Bridgetown! Congratulations to all! We look forward to sharing more about this team in the future. 

Assistive Technology (AT) Lab

Through funding from the Sidney & Lillian Zetosch Foundation, The AT Lab recently provided Kaysen with a new iPad. It has made a significant impact on his ability to express himself.

Before getting his device, Kaysen experienced a lot of frustration when trying to communicate, and mainly communicated by pulling his mom toward something and pointing. She shared, "When he first starting using the device, Kaysen really took off with it. A moment that really sticks out is when we were sitting on the couch. I was telling him how much I love him, while cuddling and playing. He reached over to his device and said, "Love you, mom." That was the first time Kaysen was able to use his voice to tell me he loved me... Thank you for giving my son a voice."

This story is just a small glimpse into the incredible value of assistive technology. Click the button below to learn more about how Community Vision is making more moments like this possible.

Housing Access

We recently worked with a woman named Eileen who joined our Housing Access Program in October 2020. She wanted to find a safe place to call home and most importantly, a place where her family could visit. Eileen was experiencing homelessness, and contending with the additional barriers of health issues, which had led to debt, and a criminal history. Although Eileen had a couple criminal convictions, they were relatively minor, and we knew they could be explained in a cover letter with her rental applications. In the process of writing this cover letter together, Eileen revealed to us the circumstances that led to her homelessness. She explained that she had been in an abusive marriage, and her ex-husband played a role in her criminal history. 

Eileen’s vulnerability and honesty made for a compelling cover letter, and we were able to get her on 18 affordable housing waiting lists. Eventually, her name came up at a property in November. Initially, she was denied residence, but Eileen and CV persisted by submitting an appeal. After that, she was accepted and moved into her new home in March 2021!Eileen shared this with us about her experience:

With the help of Community Vision my life has been changed for the better. Community Vision provided instruction, referrals, support, and advocated on my behalf. When I felt all was hopeless in securing a home of my own, they not only gave me hope, they helped me get a home…

Without Community Vision’s Housing Access Program I know I would still be homeless… With my criminal charges, my disabilities, and my lack of hope, I had almost given up on finding a home and given up on a normal life without the agony of homelessness and uncertainty. 

Community Vision’s Housing Access Program, and especially their employee, Tova, rebuilt my faith in humanity. They wanted nothing but for me to succeed. They gave me the encouragement that led me to become empowered and self- sufficient.

Where I had given up, they gave me back me. I will always give thanks to Community Vision.

We are proud to have given Eileen the tools to find her new home and look forward to hearing about all the future family visits. Congratulations, Eileen!

Community Engagement

Last October, John Canda joined our team as the Director of Community Engagement. He has many years of experience and success as an organizer, recruiter, and champion of everyday people. John has worked for organizations like the Youth Gangs Taskforce, the Public Safety Coordinating Council, the City of Portland’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention, the Oregon Youth Authority, the State of Oregon Employment Department, and the Office of Portland Mayor Tom Potter. You may remember John for leading the activation effort around Holladay Park, Peninsula Park, the Lloyd Center, etc. in 2011 – an effort which reduced gang violence in the city and certainly saved lives. His wealth of community engagement knowledge and experience greatly empowers CV. He looks forward to continuing his work with our team to build community connections.

John enjoys Bossa Nova, biking, golf, classic movies, stormy nights, and spending time with his children – whom he considers dear friends.

Supported Living Update

Jean and Sean Cassidy

As many of you know, Jean is a major Shaun Cassidy fan.  Given the ease of virtual get-togethers nowadays, Jean's Coordinator Gabriel reached out to Shaun to see if he would be up for a virtual chat. He said yes!!  Here is a picture that Shaun actually sent to Jean after they met!  As you could imagine Jean was beyond thrilled that they were able to chat, AND SING, together. A big thank you to Gabriel for making us all believe in magic.

July 12, 2021

Hi people,

            As a lot of you know, I have been living in my house for over a year, after being forced out of my old place. I am grateful to the space that Community Vision provided for me, but under the circumstances it was hard for me to feel at home. After the One Year Mark, I felt at least secure that I wasn’t going anywhere, so I resolved to make this place my own.

            First things were the practicalities: handrails and a walk-in shower. These were basics that let me utilize my home with any kind if effectiveness. Even then, I had to fight every step of the way. The contractors, though well-meaning, tended to favor the suggestions of those who would contradict my wishes, and we had to redo some of their work ourselves. These amenities are at least useable now, so that’s nice.

            Next was the washing machine. Every time it ran it sounded like it was about to take off into space. We were able to work with the office to get a new one that works just fine. Other little things come together along the way: curtains (Superman themed, of course), turning up the water heat, and accessible furniture. Over this time the office and I have learned how to work together better, which I appreciate a lot, but for a while it felt like I was getting a No for every Yes.

            Finally feeling ready to tackle larger projects, I finally was able to fix my yard. This would occur in a couple of phases: first, clear out the storage area shared with Like Dat Apparel. The owner, Daunte, was encouraging of me clearing out and stashing away the majority of it, so now it’s less cluttered and more accessible. Still got one or two big things, but it is much improved. Then onto the lawn, which got overgrown over the spring. The office got me a weed whacker and it works great. Finally, was the apple tree and the shrubs, which took an appointment with NW Naturals to get cleaned up. Now I can see my own neighborhood!

            My most recent endeavor has been getting myself a new mattress. As much as I hate to admit it, im getting to be an old man, and my body has been begging for a new bed. So I went to see my friend Kelli at Shamrock Medical, who showed me a magnificent mattress with a substantial price tag: one thousand dollars. Determined, I went to my other friend, Lynette at Unitus, and got enough credit to cover the cost. As an added bonus, I may finally break an 800 credit score! Now that’s what I call a Win-Win. I can say after a week of sleep, it was worth every penny. I am sleeping better and experiencing less chronic pain!

            It took a long time, but I am finally feeling at home. This place screams Laddie Read, and it’s never been more beautiful.

Laddie
(and Porcelain)

The Art Gallery

To share the work of more artists with disabilities, we partnered with North Pole Studio to exhibit works by Austin Brague. The pieces are currently on display at The Gallery at Seven Corners, our street-facing gallery on SE Division and Ladd-Tamarac Alley. Come by and see his incredible work!

Meet the Artist

Austin Brague

Austin Brague works predominantly in pencil and ink, and finds inspiration in a variety of subjects from architecture to animals. Austin currently works out of his home in SW Portland and at the North Pole Studio at NW Marine Art Works.

I love to do detailed drawings of cities, transportation, and more. I have a passion for these specific topics and I like to share my interests through my artwork.
                                               - Austin