Panel on Practical Steps to Address our City's Homeless Crisis

Homelessness is arguably the greatest humanitarian and societal emergency facing Portland. As the number of unhoused grows

Panel on Practical Steps to Address our City's Homeless Crisis

Homelessness is arguably the greatest humanitarian and societal emergency facing Portland. As the number of unhoused grows each year, it can feel overwhelming. But there are civic groups who are effectively tackling this problem–and who can help us carve a path forward. On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, SothWest Hills Residential League (SWHRL) held a conversation with leaders of four volunteer organizations who are taking practical steps to address our city’s homeless crisis.

*Alan Evans, formerly homeless founder and CEO of Helping Hands and Bybee Lakes Hope Center, serving homeless people who are ready to make sustainable changes to improve their lives

*Kiley Yuthas, outreach manager for Transition Projects, a leader in transitioning people from living on the streets into housing

*Laura Golino de Lovato, executive director of Northwest Pilot Project, providing housing assistance, transportation, and advocacy to low-income seniors in Multnomah County

*Toni Wallick, of Home Share Oregon, an innovative program that matches homeowners with spare room with those who are in need of housing

Hey friends and Earth Guardians, it’s really hard to explain what we’re going through here in Western North Carolina.

I’ve lived here my whole life, and the

Hey friends and Earth Guardians, it’s really hard to explain what we’re going through here in Western North Carolina.

I’ve lived here my whole life, and the devastation from Hurricane Helene is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions—shock, grief, resilience, and maybe a little hope. But things are tough. So many people still don’t have water, power, internet, or even cell service, and every little thing takes way longer than usual. Some of our friends and family are leaving because their basic needs aren’t being met. And hearing that the body count keeps rising—likely into the thousands—makes it all feel so overwhelming.

What’s keeping us afloat right now is the love and support we’re receiving from our community and from people like you.

Please don’t forget about us.

Keep talking about what we’re going through because this disaster is about more than just a storm. It’s connected to climate change, capitalism, and colonization. If humans created these systems, we also have the power to change them. We owe it to the next seven generations to figure out a better way to live—in harmony with the planet and each other.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s donated to our GoFundMe so far!

We’re giving all of it to mutual aid organizations supporting underserved communities here in Western North Carolina. Please keep donating, sharing, and spreading the word—it means everything to us right now.

With love and solidarity. Thank you. 💙

Larry Littlebird is the founder of Hamaatsa, 320 acres of ancestral land, where he is modeling a spiritual relationship with that land. He embodies the traditional wisdom of living in the moment

Larry Littlebird is the founder of Hamaatsa, 320 acres of ancestral land, where he is modeling a spiritual relationship with that land. He embodies the traditional wisdom of living in the moment in kinship with all other beings including plants and animals.

LARRY LITTLEBIRD is a Pueblo Indian from Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblos in New Mexico.  Larry Littlebird celebrates an indigenous holistic way of life.  Over the past 40 years, Larry has worked extensively as a life coach, corporate trainer, education specialist, national speaker and performing artist. Larry’s coaching and mentoring style draws upon his multi-faceted background as a Native filmmaker, artist, master storyteller, wilderness facilitator, and his personal experience as a hunter-gatherer-farmer, informed by his rich oral tradition and Pueblo Indian culture. 

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