Community

Adam Sweet Eases the Pain of Moving

You might already know Adam Sweet as the local entrepreneur who disrupted the home-moving business (in a good way). But after keeping his personal story private for years, Adam says he’s ready to share another part of his background — his experience in Oregon’s foster system. “I was kind of embarrassed to be a foster […]

/ August 23, 2019

How Girls Build Makes Camp Accessible for Foster Kids

We’re investigating your questions about the foster care system this month, and we’re also meeting some amazing people who make a difference in the lives of foster children. Katie Hughes founded Girls Build in 2016, the same year she became a foster parent. Her goal is to put literal tools—drills, hammers, and paintbrushes, to name […]

/ August 20, 2019

The Inclusive “Living Room” for East Portlanders

Gateway Discovery Park celebrated its grand opening almost exactly a year ago, making it only the second park in Portland that’s accessible to kiddos of all physical abilities. Portland Parks & Recreation calls it a “living room” that serves the Gateway district and surrounding neighborhoods. Before its construction, nearly 1,000 new households lacked access to […]

/ August 5, 2019

We’re Asking Foster Parents: What Convinced You To Take the Leap?

“What are the incentives for interested Oregonians to take in a foster child?” —Vanessa Holmgren We’re digging into Vanessa’s question for our series on foster care, and if you are or have been a foster parent, we’d love to know: What convinced you to take the leap? You can share your story by completing this […]

/ August 1, 2019

Why East Portland’s Namaste Bazaar is a ‘Hidden Gem’ for Indian Food

If you want to experience the true melting pot of Portland, drop by the Namaste Bazaar in Hazelwood around lunchtime. The Indian restaurant and grocery store has become a favorite meeting spot for local immigrant communities, from Sri Lankans to Tongans to Samoans. And more than a few Yelpers have described it as a “hidden […]

/ July 24, 2019

Meet A Member: Erica Rife

It’s time for another member spotlight, and this week we’re chatting with Erica Rife about her passion for design (and chocolate), the nonprofit she runs, and all her favorite local spots. What’s something you’re working on that you could use help with? Spreading the word about Design Museum Portland, the nonprofit I run! It’s my […]

/ July 19, 2019

Little Red Press Wears Kenton Pride

Is Kenton the proudest neighborhood in Portland? It’s hard to say no after meeting sisters Lisa and Kerry McPherson. Lisa and Kerry started the screen-printing company Little Red Press in Lisa’s garage 12 years ago, and their Kenton-themed merch now seems to pop up everywhere around town. “There’s something special about Kenton,” Lisa says. “We […]

/ July 17, 2019

Your Questions About Foster Care in Oregon, Answered

Maybe you’ve heard about Oregon’s foster care system. Probably not in a good way if you just follow the headlines. But our goal for this project isn’t to rehash the same old story. We want to help move the needle toward solutions, and as always, that starts with answering questions from our readers. What kind […]

/ July 16, 2019

We Want To Make Sense of Oregon’s Foster Care System. What Are Your Questions?

(📸: Pixabay) Shelter care. Respite care. Department of Human Services. Embrace Oregon. From the outside, the foster care system in Oregon can seem like an impenetrable tangle of different agencies, organizations, and services — so we want this series to help make it feel a little more manageable. For the next few months, we’ll be […]

/ June 26, 2019

A 108-Year-Old Fraternity Lives On at the Kenton Masonic Temple

The Kenton Masonic Temple in North Portland is either the home of a clandestine fraternity that secretly runs the world, or it’s a good place to get a haircut. It just depends who you ask. The historic building was renovated in 2011, and it now doubles as the home for Bart’s Barbershop, Kenton Cycle Repair, […]

/ June 25, 2019