Paying NWPP's Mission Forward - Northwest Pilot Project
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HOUSING SENIORS I CREATING HOPE SUMMER 2021
Piloting Change
FALL 2011
Paying NWPP’s Mission Forward
Cristina Palacios joined the NWPP Board of Directors
in January 2020. She is an advocate for housing and
economic justice in the Portland metro area and brings
a wealth of expertise and experience to our agency. But
above all of her professional experience, Cristina brings
personal experience as a daughter looking for help to
find stable affordable housing for her father. Cristina
participated in her first Walk-A-Thon this year, virtu-
ally, and was surprised by all her success. She wrote
the following letter to her supporters so they would
understand why supporting NWPP was so important to
her. She has graciously allowed us to share it with you.
W
hen I was just three years old, my parents
separated and my father became a single
parent, going back and forth between the Cristina Palacios and her father, Ramon Palacios
United States and Mexico. He always worked very
low-paying jobs, from fields to factories. His hourly our two-bedroom apartment. I was given several warn-
rate was usually around $1.25 or less when he worked ings to move him out. As much as I wanted to obey the
in the fields. He tried to go to school to learn English rules I could not afford to rent a three-bedroom unit.
to improve his prospects at one point but he was too My only option was to try and find a place where my
exhausted most days, so he only ever learned a little Dad could live on his own.
bit. My father stopped going to school in Mexico in
3rd grade, so he barely knows how to read and write I was very lucky that one of the volunteers I knew
in Spanish; this was another barrier he had in both through work told me about Northwest Pilot Project.
countries. All those things really affected him when it As soon as I learned about this organization, I gave
was time for retirement, despite working in the United them a call and they quickly set us up with an assess-
States and paying taxes for most of his life, his retire- ment appointment. A case manager learned all about
ment amount was not sufficient to cover the cost of an us and our situation and began to help my father to
apartment on his own. find housing. Though we were relieved to finally have a
plan for permanently affordable housing, we were also
When he could no longer work due to his age, he started very worried, because waitlists were several years long,
living in California permanently moving from one but I encouraged him to apply anyway.
house to another with my brother and sisters. After a
few years, this arrangement was no longer working. I Several months later, the case manager called us to
decided to move him to Oregon where all I could offer say that my father was eligible for a long-term rent
him was a couch in our living room. assistance voucher: he could use this at a building
of his choice, and pay 30% of his retirement income
After staying in my living room for three years, my land- towards rent and utilities on a permanent basis. The
lord started giving me a hard time and threatened to relief I felt was incredible. Suddenly, years of waiting
evict me and my family for having too many people in Continued on page 2
1
Paying NWPP’s Mission
Forward continued
From the and worrying about where he might
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR end up seemed to disappear. I was
literally crying knowing that finally,
Laura Golino de Lovato my father could have a place where
he could be and live without the fear
of being evicted or causing me and
my family to be evicted. His dignity
Greetings NWPP friends, supporters and partners! and peace of mind was restored.
Every July, I take a deep breath and reflect on the completion of NWPP’s He has successfully been in his own
most recent fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) before taking another deep apartment for about four years and
is now 76 years old. He says, “I love
breath as I get ready to dig into the year ahead.
having my own place and having
When I think back on the last year I am at once struck by all that has hap- my only child in Oregon so close
pened and by the fact that all 12 months were contextualized by COVID-19. to me. She helps me with so many
I’m also struck by the one thing that didn’t change: NWPP never stopped things and always makes sure I am
serving our clients. We continued to place older adults into housing, pre- doing okay.”
vented evictions, built partnerships, launched a new program (see page 6 I want all seniors to have the same
about The Senior Collaborative), engaged in strong advocacy, and secured opportunity that my Dad has which
critical resources. I want to call out NWPP’s staff and board for their incred- is why I have joined the NWPP Board
ible commitment to the people we work with, to our community, and to of Directors and work so hard to
doing good while working remotely and online, and to ensuring NWPP can support the wonderful work that
do good for years to come. Thank you, team!! NWPP is doing to make sure people
like my dad can have a roof over
And thank you, too, to our donors, volunteers, event sponsors and partners. their head.
Without all of you we couldn’t make our mission come to life. Special kudos
to all of our Walk-A-Thon supporters! Don’t forget to mark your calendars for
the 43rd Walk-A-Thon on Sunday, May 1. We’ll be back live and in-person
in the beautiful South Park Blocks!
What is ahead for NWPP? As we start this next 12-month cycle we face some
other changes: Housing Advocate Bobby Weinstock has retired. (see page 4);
We’ll be building on the incredible foundation of senior housing advocacy
he created as we launch into a new era of this work; we’ll be expanding our
capacity serve to more low-income seniors, especially those who are home-
less and highly vulnerable; online fundraising for the Walk-A-Thon is here
to stay; and we’ll be venturing forth into the world of the hybrid workplace.
We also start this year full of hope and a “re-upped” commitment to our
mission: to provide a life of dignity and hope to very low income seniors in Ramon Palacios outside his apartment
Multnomah County.
❝ I love having my own place
Onward!
and having my only child in
Oregon so close to me.❞
- Ramon Palacios
2 Piloting Change I Summer 2021
$500+ Raffle winners
Terwilliger Plaza raised an outstand- Sabine and Bob Hines pictured with
ing $23,046!!! their new TV
Linda Goodman Cristina Palacios
Kathy Anderson Robert & Sabine Hines Linn Pedersen
Thanks to you this year’s Walk-A- Brie Baumert Alexis Hultine Eian Petry
Sue Beardwood Candace Jamison Alecia Pollard
Thon raised $166,000 for the pro-
Kate Begonia David Johnson Fraser Rasmussen
grams and services of Northwest Jeanne Randall-Bodman Kai Jones-Childs Stephanie Roberts
Pilot Project. We are delighted with A.C. Caldwell Joan Jozwiak Alice Ronald
this result! Our thanks to all of our Brenda Carpenter Ann Middleton Nancy Scheele
wonderful virtual walkers and all the Donna Childs Barb Gorman Ruth Schuld
people and businesses that gave Heidi Chimuku Dale Latham Jean Shepherd
Karen Day Lindsey Leason Pat Tesch
their support.
Susan Emmons Gwen Luhta Bobby Weinstock
Jeanne Galick Carol Maresh Karly Weinstock
Walk-A-Thon Super Stars: Joe Gillock Kellie Martin Mike Wells
Laura Golino de Lovato Fran Ousley
With the help of our sponsors, we were able to cover all event expenses.
This year’s sponsors include:
Presenting Sponsor: DJ Guild Property Investments
Benefactors: Care Oregon; Health Share of Oregon; Kaiser Permanente NW
Partners: Guardian Real Estate Services; IMS Capital Management, Inc.-
Doug Kintzinger; Northwest Housing Alternatives
Sustainers: Classic Pianos; Income Property Management (IPM); Mattress Lot;
Office of Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran; Office of Portland
Mayor Ted Wheeler; REACH Community Development; Willamette Dental Group
Supporters: Devine Chiropractic; Escape from New York Pizza; Home Forward;
McDonald Jacobs, CPA; Morel Ink; Office of Multnomah County Chair Deborah
Ruth Schuld raised an incredible
Kafoury; Office of Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal; Portland
$21,072.60!!! Ruth recently cele- Housing Bureau; Susan Utterback, CPA
brated her 100h birthday. She is one
Friends: A to Z Moving; J.D. Fulwiler Insurance; Office of Multnomah County
of the most dedicated and enthusias- Commissioner Lori Stegmann; Portland Computer Guys, LLC
tic fundraisers we have ever known.
Northwest Pilot Project 3
Bobby Weinstock
Housing and Advocacy Champion, Retires after 32 Years
R
etirements are bittersweet: great For the first 10 years of his NWPP
for the retiree, not so great career, Bobby was assisted by NWPP
for those of us left behind. As staff members Cindy Mosney, Rebecca
NWPP readies for life without Bobby Jones-Childs, and AC Caldwell, who
Weinstock we celebrate his successes, helped Bobby build not just a new
reminisce about the challenges, good approach to senior housing but a new,
times, the wins and losses. And we pioneering computerized data collec-
congratulate Bobby on a stellar career tion system with a focus on outcome
at NWPP and the positive impact he’s reporting.
made on policies, programs and people
In 2000, Bobby handed off the housing
throughout Multnomah County.
program reins to Rebecca Jones-Childs,
Many of you may know Bobby, or and took on the role of Housing Advo-
have heard or read of his work, but cate. Advocacy for senior housing was
you might not know how he came to not new to NWPP nor to Bobby. Susan
NWPP 32 years ago. Emmons and Bobby had been actively
Bobby Weinstock volunteering at our involved in a variety of advocacy efforts
After seven years working with Port- annual Walk-A-Thon. primarily around preserving apart-
land’s homeless, disabled, elderly and ment units occupied by low-income
low-income neighbors and focusing on the work of housing low-income and older adults.
survival services at Burnside Projects, homeless seniors. When Bobby applied,
Bobby was ready for a new environment she knew he was the right person for In his new role, though, Bobby would
and a bigger way to make a difference. the job. Susan tasked Bobby with an have the opportunity to focus on advo-
An intriguing job announcement by approach no other agencies were using: cating for issues and items no one
NWPP piqued his interest. concentrate on establishing relation- else was working on – the shortage of
ships with building owners and man- affordable housing units - and focus-
At NWPP, Susan Emmons, NWPP’s ing on permanent solutions to benefit
agers; create an inventory of housing
Executive Director, was hoping the NWPP’s clients. Several of Bobby’s
affordable to NWPP clients; ensure
recently posted “Housing Placement projects became “go to” resources for
seniors had housing that would be
Specialist” position would garner good government and social service agencies
permanent and affordable; and create a
applicants. Susan had some new ideas alike: The Downtown Housing Inven-
process to follow those clients’ housing
about how NWPP could approach tory Report which tracked the number
stability for at least a year.
of residential buildings and afford-
Under his leadership, Bobby built able rental units that existed, and the
NWPP’s new housing program and laid number that had been lost over time;
the foundation of NWPP’s core service and The GAP Report identifying the
which became a model of how to effec- number of units needed to house the
tively provide permanent housing lowest income residents in Portland,
to vulnerable seniors in Portland. documenting the worsening shortage
Relationship building was key to the of affordable rental housing. Bobby
program’s success. From affordable knew that tracking the numbers was
building managers to the people NWPP critical. “A problem is how we’re count-
housed, Bobby not only stayed in touch ing the number of housing units that
but became a resource when problems we’re creating,” he told Street Roots.
Susan Emmons and Bobby accepting an arose. This unique approach is still a “Until we address this, we can’t end
award from St Andrew Catholic Church. hallmark of NWPP’s service delivery. homelessness.”
4 Piloting Change I Summer 2021
ment community. Perhaps meeting at imminent risk of losing their homes
and talking about housing opportu- due to rising rents, Bobby’s vision
nities and making personal connec- and advocacy culminated with the
tions would amplify success? Thus successful creation of the Long-Term
the Housing Partnership Workgroup Rent Assistance program in January
was born. For almost 20 years this 2019. This also led to efforts currently
meeting, facilitated by Bobby, has underway to create a statewide rent
focused on building strong relation- voucher program.
ships and channels of communication
Over his three decades plus at NWPP
between housing advocates, social
Bobby has developed strong and
service staff, housing providers and
long-lasting relationships with other
Bobby pictured with former client, friend housing developers. The group has
housing advocates, from those in city
and fierce affordable housing advocate grown to more than 700 individuals
Jessie Jones. and county government to colleagues
and organizations.
in social service agencies. A friend and
Both projects led to NWPP’s advocacy It’s clear, though, that Bobby’s most sig- colleague of Bobby’s who now works
efforts to secure the City of Portland’s nificant legacy is what is now a metro at the state level wrote to him recently
creation of the No Net Loss Policy in area program set to launch in July: the to say “how impactful your work has
2001. While that policy didn’t hold up Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance been over the years in teaching social
over time, it did lead to major building Program (RLRA), a locally funded and workers / housing case managers the
preservation and construction efforts. managed rent subsidy program that ropes of the work.” But his compassion
The preservation of exiting buildings will make thousands of rental units and true commitment to those needing
and the development and construction affordable for those with the lowest housing meant he became a friend to
of new units became NWPP’s next incomes. Funded through the Sup- many who were helped by his work at
advocacy focus, with Bobby leading the portive Housing Services Measure, the NWPP. As Susan Emmons said, “Bobby
way. As he and Susan Emmons saved RLRA Program was built on Bobby’s is one of the most highly respected,
buildings like the Taft Hotel, The Oak, vision that rent subsidies - similar to resourceful, effective, committed,
The Rose Schnitzer Tower, and worked those from the federal Housing and and compassionate people I have ever
closely with the city to develop other Urban Development Department - known. For Bobby, the impossible is
downtown subsidized housing build- could be funded and managed locally, just hard work.”
ings, Bobby also saw changes in the giving more control to program admin-
It’s not “goodbye,” Bobby. It’s thank
city’s economy. The cost of living in istrators, and eliminating multiple bar-
you. It’s good luck and best wishes for
Portland increased and the city was riers for renters. Building on a project
a well-deserved retirement. We’ll miss
starting to grow. Bobby saw that other funded by Meyer Memorial Trust that
you, but we know you’ll be around.
work needed to be done to address awarded HUD rent vouchers to seniors
barriers to housing for low-income
seniors: reform screening criteria used
by property owners and managers; To honor Bobby, help us raise $32,000 which will be
lessen minimum income requirements;
eliminate minimum rents required for matched dollar for dollar by a generous donor. All funds
even the lowest cost apartments. All will be used to support NWPP’s advocacy work.
these had to be addressed through
policy changes. Please use the enclosed return envelope to make your donation or
Through it all, Bobby saw that strong, visit www.nwpilotproject.org/donate
positive relationships within the rental
housing eco-system would benefit Note: In lieu of a retirement party, Bobby has requested donations be made
social service agency workers and to this matching grant (always thinking of NWPP!)
the landlord and property manage-
Northwest Pilot Project 5
The Senior Collaborative:
An In-depth Look at Senior Needs and Challenges
T
he Senior Collaborative is Part of the Senior Collaborative proj- Oregon in the 1990s. I will soon be
a joint effort by Northwest ect’s focus is on hearing from older celebrating 31 years of recovery and I
Pilot Project, Hollywood adults throughout Multnomah County am still heavily involved with the Black
about what service they need and want, Recovery community and a longtime
Senior Center and AGE+ to examine
and the challenges with getting those volunteer at the Miracles Club.
the natural helping networks, exist- needs met. We were able to secure the
ing formal services and unfulfilled input of over 1,000 seniors through- Q: Why did you choose to participate
needs that exist for people 55 years out the county because of some bril- in the Senior Collaborative project?
old and older living on $2,700/month liant community leaders who engaged I have been volunteering with the
people 55 and older who are living with Black Resilience Fund (BRF) to deliver
or less in Multnomah County.
financial hardship in their communi- checks to participants and a lot of the
The goal of the project is to improve the ties. Project Manager Molly Hogan folks I delivered to were older people.
wellbeing of elders in our communities interviewed just a few of the people From this experience I realized what a
through strategic recommendations who did this important work. High- great need there is to reach our elderly
for policy and program improvements. lights of the interviews are below, community. So many elderly people
The project will prioritize input from shortened because of space limitations. were so isolated and it hurt my heart.
older people who may not be receiv- The full interviews will be available on One woman I met had glaucoma and
ing services from traditional senior our website in the fall. needed glasses but didn’t know how to
focused agencies while also centering go about getting some. Another woman
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People BONNIE JOHNSON was using her toilet as a chair because
of Color) older adults, who are dispro- Black/African American Community. she didn’t have a proper chair to sit in.
portionately impacted by poverty and I am Bonnie Luckily, BRF was able help both these
homelessness. The Senior Collaborative John son – a elderly women get what they needed
final report will be issued in Fall 2021. 62-ye a r old but I felt we need to do more for our
Portland native, seniors. When I was asked to work
homeowner and on the Senior Collaborative I said yes
proud mother because I feel it is important we inter-
of f i ve a d u lt view seniors to find out what they need.
ch i ld ren a nd Q: What have been your observations
g r a nd mot her of the most pressing issues for Black/
of 9 grandchildren. I have worked African American seniors living on
DID YOU KNOW? for many Portland area nonprofits in lower incomes?
the social service field for 29 years, Because getting mental health services
One in four older adults has no
including services in: housing, HIV/ has had such a stigma in the Black
retirement savings and no chil-
AIDS, drug and alcohol counseling, community, I noticed a lot of older
dren to help support them as
gambling addiction, reentry programs, Black people do not seek out mental
they age. This means that as the
and family and children safety. My first health services. Even though many
region’s senior population grows,
job in social services was with Legacy seniors I interviewed talked about
the number of seniors in poverty
Emmanuel’s Project Network in the their need for such kind of services for
will continue to increase.
era of the crack epidemic advocating themselves, they haven’t been able to
Sources: NWPP; “Aging and Equity for mothers and babies. I was one of
in the Greater Portland Metropolitan seek them out because mental health
the first African American Commu- services wasn’t something addressed
Region”, Connections: Journal of the
nity Health Outreach Workers and within our culture historically. But this
Coalition for a Livable Future, 2014
Gambling Addiction Counselors in is starting to change with the creation
6 Piloting Change I Summer 2021
of culturally specific mental health I observed that many of us feel a dis- I started a position with SAGE (advo-
services like at the Avel Gordly Center connect between our pressing neces- cacy and services for LGBT Elders
and other organizations. The other sities and the services that fall short through Friendly House) to assist in
most pressing issue is the high cost to fully address them. Our population making aging services spaces more
of housing that renders many African struggles to keep up with the hoops LGBT welcoming just a couple months
Americans in Portland homeless. At that we need to jump through just before the pandemic hit. A few months
least 1/3 of the seniors I interviewed to be able to navigate the system. In into the pandemic lockdown I lost
were homeless! our chase for survival, we lose track this position. Further, like for many,
of what matters to us most. Our basic personal experiences with my own
NAAMA
needs are being discounted or made health issues while also caregiving
Disability Community
cumbersome, both by ourselves and my partner, centered the intersection
Grow i ng up a s
by services providers. Often, we fear of aging and medical care in my life.
a multi-cultural
losing our few and far between rights As an extrovert, the forced isolation
woman, and later,
and so we don’t speak up. In turn, that COVID-19 required was hard to
learning English
we enter into a cycle of self-oppres- deal with. And so, when this oppor-
as a second lan-
sion which leaves us feeling silenced, tunity presented itself for me to talk
guage as well as
uncertain and worried. Feeling alone, with other elders in my community
immersing myself
we’re more prone to encounter insta- and the potential to create positive
in new cultures
bility around income, housing, food change, I was excited to participate!
has taught me to expand my views
to eat, health care to rely on, amongst
of reality. One area of my life that Q: What have been your observa-
other unmet fundamental human
I relate with is being a low income tions of the most pressing issues
rights.
senior with disability. As part of my for LGBTQ+ seniors living on lower
inquiring mind, I like to venture and REID VANDERBURGH incomes?
ask myself, as well as ask my fellow LGBTQ+ Community What most people talked about were
humans- in this case, low-income I am a 65 year challenges with personal care issues,
elderly- what is it like for each of us old transman, such as foot care, physical therapy,
to be living the life we lead, and how retired ther- massage, things that help keep them
do we perceive it? apist, pub- mobile. Some were unable to put on
lished author shoes because they can’t cut their own
Q: Why did you choose to partici- and avid choir toenails and others reported their
pate in the Senior Collaborative member. I have ability to walk was greatly impacted
Project? lived in Port- due to being so immobile. Medicaid
When I first heard about the Senior land since 1976 and Medicare also do not cover many
Collaborative Project, I felt an immedi- and became a therapist in 2001. I personal care services that would be
ate connection to the project’s mission focused on serving transgender indi- very helpful in improving quality of
and was intrigued by the open-mind- viduals and their family and friends life for seniors. I also think that the
edness embedded in the approach. I as well as professional and educa- elder LGBT community specifically
especially resonated with and trusted tional peers when needed. I wrote has a tendency to not seek out services
the foundation of the project which my first book, Transition and Beyond: outside of LGBT focused programs
is based in a non-judgmental, open Observations on Gender in 2006. I due to their life-time experiences of
invitation for low income seniors to now focus on writing and conducting institutional discrimination based on
make their voices heard. trainings. Choirs have also become their LGBT identity. I think that the
center in my life and I joined the LGBT community is very resilient and
Q: What have been your observa-
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus in 2008. takes care of each other. However,
tions of the most pressing issues
there is definitely a level of trauma
for seniors, especially those expe- Q: Why did you choose to partici- and PTSD and room for services and
riencing disabilities in Multnomah pate in the Senior Collaborative resources from outside of the LGBT
County? project? community.
Northwest Pilot Project 7
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1729
Portland, OR
1430 SW Broadway • #200 • Portland, OR 97201
(503) 227-5605 • www.nwpilotproject.org
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
THANK YOU to our event sponsors
of the 2021 Walk-A-Thon!
8 Piloting Change I Spring 2021
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