The Report — July 2024
As summer winds down, I wanted to take a moment to reconnect and share the impact you’ve helped make in our community. We’re so grateful for your dedication to uplifting those who need a little extra support. Let’s dive into what we achieved together in July!
ECCH Welcome Home Kits
East County Housing (ECH) is making a real difference, helping over 120 families move from The Tower to permanent housing each year—thanks to your incredible support! Every family receives a $250 Welcome Home Package filled with essentials like pots and pans, towels, cleaning, and laundry supplies, making their transition smoother and more sustainable. These packages help vulnerable families start fresh and get a good footing in their new space. If you’d like to help, you can sponsor a Welcome Home Package, in part or in full, by visiting the Rockwood CDC website.
PACS Pantry
Our partnership with PACS has been going strong for three years now, and we're constantly amazed by the continued support it receives. In July, the East County Community Health team served 47 households in need of nutritious food. The gratitude from the people we help is a powerful reminder of the difference we’re making together. Thank you for your ongoing financial support in the fight against food insecurity in our community.
ECCH Youth Program
This year, East County Community Health (ECCH) recently kicked off their first-ever Youth Tobacco Cessation program in Rockwood—a groundbreaking initiative for the area. This BIPOC, youth-led program offers Gresham-Barlow students the chance to hone their communication and leadership skills while advocating against tobacco and nicotine influences in their community.
With an average of 40 middle and high school students attending each session, the program has seen strong engagement. Students earn volunteer hours and receive a letter of recommendation for higher education upon completing the program. The sessions run bi-weekly until mid-September, and the enthusiasm is contagious. One participant shared how excited they were to connect with peers from similar backgrounds, especially after coming from a less diverse community. Parents are also actively supporting the program, even encouraging others to get involved!
ALL-HUB Meeting
Our July ALL-HUB networking meeting may have been small, but it packed a punch. A huge thank you to Diana Moreno from the Small Business Development Center at MHCC for her insightful presentation on Business Credit 101, highlighting how good credit can be a game-changer for securing financing and fueling business growth.
Diana dove into topics like understanding credit reports, improving credit scores, the difference between credit and debt, and exploring various credit options. If you know someone who could use some guidance in their business journey, don't hesitate to reach out to Diana through the SBDC website. Plus, stay tuned for Spanish programs coming soon!
Please know how much we appreciate your unwavering support and trust in our mission to uplift impacted communities. Your generosity is what makes it possible for us to create a brighter future for everyone in Oregon. We couldn’t do it without you!
If you have any questions or just want to chat about our programs, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here and happy to connect.
Until next time,
Lynn and Brad Ketch
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