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Support for the Oregonians Facing Food Insecurity Photo courtesy of the Oregon Food Bank.   As many Oregonians face uncertainty following the expiration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1, the PGE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric, is donating $50,000 to Oregon Food Bank to help ensure families have access to food. According to an analysis of USDA data by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the program helped over 757,000 Oregon residents buy food in 2024, which is about one in six Oregonians. The PGE Foundation’s contribution will help Oregon Food Bank meet growing needs across communities statewide. The PGE Foundation is proud to support Oregon Food Bank’s mission to end hunger. Since 1996, Portland General Electric and the PGE Foundation together have contributed more than $1 million to Oregon Food Bank to help fight hunger and support food security across Oregon. According to Oregon Food Bank, every $10 donated provides 30 meals for the community. "Our Foundation is grounded in the belief that we are stronger when we take care of one another," said PGE Foundation Board Chair, Angelica Espinosa. “This donation reflects our mission and shared commitment to Oregonians, by supporting families, strengthening communities, and helping ensure access to basic needs like food remains affordable and within reach for everyone.” “As hundreds of thousands of our neighbors face disruption to SNAP benefits, we’ve seen communities across Oregon come together to ensure families can still access the food we all need to thrive,” said Alison Wandschneider, Oregon Food Bank spokesperson. “PGE’s longstanding partnership with Oregon Food Bank and timely investment strengthen both immediate hunger relief and the long-term solutions that end hunger and its root causes for good. We’re grateful to work together toward a future where no one in our community is worried about where their next meal will come from.” For more information about how you can support Oregon Food Bank at https://www.oregonfoodbank.org

Patience and Precision Behind the Scenes Whether directing MAX trains behind the scenes or rebuilding Mustangs on YouTube, James Brown brings patience and precision to his passions (Photo Courtesy of TriMet) Behind a nondescript door flanked by a backlit, engraved glass mural, lies one of TriMet’s most important rooms. It’s a room so secure only a handful of people have access to it. One of them is TriMet’s Supervisor of the Year, James Brown. And he knows exactly what you’re thinking: Yes, his parents were fans, and no, he doesn’t dance. While the other James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, proclaimed himself the “hardest working man in show business,” TriMet’s James Brown exhibits a bit more humility. In fact, he says when he was named TriMet’s Supervisor of the Year for 2025, he was overcome by emotion. He works inside TriMet’s Operations Command Center as a Rail Controller. His job is to manage the movement of trains to ensure their safe and efficient operation. This is where buses and trains are overseen by teams of highly trained experts like James, a 29-year veteran of TriMet. Dispatchers work with bus teams while Controllers like James work with MAX teams. This role makes him a familiar voice to TriMet’s operators. Much of his time is spent communicating with MAX operators, Rail Supervisors and others over a radio headset. Explaining things clearly and concisely is a skill he has honed while helping operators troubleshoot issues, move trains through work zones or help organize impromptu shuttle buses. James even has a simple way of explaining what he and the 28 other Rail Controllers do. “We’re like air traffic controllers,” James says. “They work with planes, we work with trains.” James’ voice is an important tool. As he puts it, it can set the pace for everyone’s day. His voice is appropriately calm and steady. That also describes his approach to situations – calm and steady – especially those that are out of the ordinary and may present a challenge to an operator. “The biggest thing for any controller to learn is empathy,” James says. “Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Being able to use empathy in such a way to help the operator, or to help the general public.” This is important because a Rail Controller has to assist hundreds of different people, troubleshoot sensitive problems and handle every situation objectively. That makes the relationship between operators and controllers one that’s built on trust. This trust comes from shared experiences and knowledge. Rail Controllers know exactly what it’s like to be a MAX operator because they’ve all been one. James operated MAX trains for two years before applying to be a Rail Controller, a respected and highly sought after position. He wasn’t sure if he’d make the cut, but after sitting on a waiting list for roughly 15 weeks, followed by 11 weeks of intensive training, he took his place inside the Operations Command Center. After nearly three decades with TriMet, he is exactly where he wants to be. James doesn’t want to take sole credit as TriMet’s Supervisor of the Year, even as it comes with a special distinction. Every year, TriMet recognizes the hard work and accomplishments of our employees. In previous years, this has included naming bus, MAX and streetcar operators of the year. There are also separate awards for bus and rail mechanics. But this is the first year where an honor has gone to a Supervisor of the Year, making James the inaugural recipient. He says it’s a win for everyone who works in TriMet’s Operations Command Center because it reflects their tireless dedication. For all of his colleagues, safety is first and foremost. They work hard for the public, James says, because their jobs require looking after people. “It’s fulfilling to me to help people through situations, and to make sure they’re OK and that they’re safe,” James says. “That to me is the most fulfilling part of the job.” Outside of work, you can find James on YouTube, where he runs the channel “OG Superfly Garage” with his 22-year-old daughter. She’s the editor, and he’s the on-screen talent. The channel is dedicated to the restoration of third-generation Mustangs – those built between 1979 and 1993. “We tear engines down, and we build them back up,” James says. “We try to explain difficult situations and help someone else with that situation.” Before starting the channel, James had to purchase an old Mustang. His choice was a late-1980s model, with a black paint job and red interior. James dubs it the Black Widow. It makes an appearance in many of his videos – and he has hundreds. For nearly three years, James has consistently uploaded an average of three and a half videos per week to his channel, totaling over 500. This intensive hobby, driven by his passion for cars, engines and helping people solve problems, is something he plans to continue. The collaboration also allows him to spend quality time with his daughter, who, through their work together, is developing her video-editing skills. As for TriMet, and the skills he’s honed over the past 29 years, he points to his fellow controllers and TriMet’s riders as inspiration to keep working hard. “I love my job. I love the people I work with,” James says. “And for me to be recognized for that, it’s almost overwhelming because I’m no different than anybody else. I just come here and do my job to the best of my ability.”

Police Officer and Author Releases Powerful Memoir on Healing, Strength & Softness Portland native, author, and community advocate Rashida Saunders Portland native, author, and community advocate Rashida Saunders is set to release her debut memoir, Permission to Break: A Memoir of Strength, Suppression, and Softness, a raw and deeply personal reflection on what it means to survive, heal, and reclaim one’s voice. Saunders, a current Portland Police Bureau officer and founder of Black Ember Press & Photography, draws from her experiences growing up in Northeast Portland, navigating generational silence, and serving in law enforcement while confronting her own emotional trauma. Permission to Break weaves memoir and reflection into a story of transformation — from emotional suppression to softness and self-acceptance. “For years, I was praised for being strong — but that strength became armor,” Saunders says. “This book is about laying it down, choosing vulnerability, and giving myself permission to be human again.” The memoir explores themes of mental health, identity, motherhood, and resilience within the Black community — offering a rare look into the emotional realities behind the badge and beyond survival. It’s both a personal reckoning and an invitation for others to confront the silence in their own lives.

Discover how mail shaped America and still evolves today Photo courtesy of the USPS A book chronicling the 250-year history of the U.S. postal system  is now available for purchase. “Delivering for America: How the United States Postal Service Built a Nation” was written by James H. Bruns, a former director of the National Postal Museum. The book explores the integral role of USPS in American history, from its role in early colonial days to becoming a critical communication lifeline for our service members serving abroad, to future-facing innovations such as automated sorting machines and electric vehicles.  “Readers will gain a deeper understanding of not just the history of the mail but of America itself — where we’ve been, who we are, and where we’re headed,” said Amity Kirby, USPS licensing and creative manager. “Additionally, the book serves as a reminder of how the Postal Service is a vital part of the nation's infrastructure, connecting and empowering every American household and business through the mail.” The Postal Service was founded on July 26, 1775. As the nation grew bigger, the mail made it smaller, offering a way for people from Colonial-era cities in the Northeast to reach the limits of a frontier that was racing westward from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River, to the Golden Gate of California, up to the gold fields of Alaska, and across to the tropical shores of Hawaii. As the nation moved — from colony to country, from horses to rail, from air to space — the Postal Service has found ways to use every cutting-edge advance to deliver to Americans the words that help them understand themselves, each other, and their place in the world.  The book includes rare photographs, documents and artifacts. It showcases postal uniforms, hand stamps, pneumatic mail systems and Post Office-themed music. The book delves into how the U.S. mail system has grown with the needs of the nation: delivering by horses, trains, trucks and planes — and even into space.  The 496-page coffee table-style book is available through the online Postal Store , select Post Office locations and retailers such as Amazon  and Barnes & Noble . The suggested retail price is $50.

Defending Health Care and Public Services Amid Federal Shutdown Threats On Saturday, November 1 at Noon, Oregon AFSCME Council 75 members – the public service workers who keep Oregon running –met with Rep. Janelle Bynum for a press conference to discuss the federal government shutdown as well as ongoing attacks on health care and public services. AFSCME members underscored how the cuts to critical programs like the ACA, SNAP and Medicaid – all in the name of the largest tax break for billionaires in history – will impact Oregon. AFSCME members and Rep. Bynum spoke about how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as well as the ongoing anti-worker shutdown are a full-frontal assault on health care and public services for Oregonian families.   AFSCME members thanked Congresswoman Janelle Bynum for voting against cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, and for working to lower the cost of health care for Oregonians.   U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum said: “Today marks the start of open enrollment and Oregonians are going to be faced with plans that are hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more. Providing families with healthcare shouldn’t be a partisan issue — it’s time to get to work.”    Oregon AFSCME Executive Director Joe Baessler said: "One in six Oregonians depend on SNAP benefits and are terrified about where their next meal will come from once their benefits run out. But the extremists in Congress would rather give their billionaire buddies tax breaks, instead of prioritizing their own constituents.”   Oregon AFSCME President and Clackamas County Emergency Services Dispatcher Fred Yungbluth said: “In April, anti-union extremists passed the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, gutting Medicaid and SNAP benefits. They did it to hand out tax breaks to billionaires. Now, with millions of Americans facing huge increases in their ACA premiums, they’ve manufactured another crisis. But no matter the attacks we face, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum stands with working people across Oregon.”   Oregon AFSCME member and Network Analyst for Oregon City Steven Kang said: “When it came time to choose between working Oregonians and billionaires, Representative Janelle Bynum voted against the Big Ugly Bill because she stands with working families. Now she is fighting to protect the Affordable Care Act. Janelle Bynum is trying to stop the shocking increasing in premiums that are going to hit Oregonians and 22 million Americans across the country.”

New Openings and Ongoing Care Slots Available Families can now apply for mid-year seats through the application portal. Multnomah County’s Preschool for All (PFA) program today announced the beginning of its 2025 mid-year application period, adding hundreds of new, tuition-free preschool seats for the 2025-26 school year.  The seats are a combination of brand new openings and 'continuity of care' seats for children already attending a PFA site but not yet enrolled in the program. Starting Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, families can apply for these newly-available spots through the PFA family application. This expansion includes both brand-new providers joining the program and current partners adding more PFA seats. This mid-year expansion adds over 240 new PFA seats to the system, meaning over 3,800 tuition-free PFA seats exist this year. Providers for the new Preschool for All locations include Holly Farm Play School LLC in Portland, Columbia Gorge Montessori in Gresham, the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) in Portland, Multitude of Mercies Foundation in Portland, Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in Portland, Richmond Learning Academy in Portland, and Royal Owl Academy II in Portland. At the same time, current, high-demand providers including Grandma's Place Early Learning Center, Growing Great Learners, St. James Child Development Center (CDC), and Joyful Noise CDC-Downtown are growing their PFA seats. “This mid-year expansion is an important part of making high-quality preschool accessible for every family in Multnomah County,” said Rachel Pearl, the interim Preschool and Early Learning Division Director. “We are thrilled to add hundreds of additional seats with both new and trusted partners, bringing us closer to our goal of universal preschool by 2030.” Families with eligible 3- and 4-year-olds in Multnomah County are encouraged to apply. There are no income eligibility requirements to apply for Preschool for All. To apply and learn more, visit pfa.multco.us .    Families applying for the first time on or after November 3 will see these new options immediately. Families that have already applied this year and want to update their site choices need to contact the enrollment team at pfa.support@multco.us or call 503-988-7818.

Honoring Local Tree Champions and Celebrating Environmental Justice Jeanne Norwood (L) and Pastor Kenneth Ransfer (R) accepted the Naito Community Trees Group Award, on behalf of Morning Star Baptist Church, for their PCEF funded work, in partnership with DePave, at the 2025 Arbor Day Celebration. Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)’s Urban Forestry  division marked a successful 2025 Portland Arbor Day celebration with a vibrant, family-friendly event centered on community, learning, and environmental stewardship.   Held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Sacajawea Head Start in the heart of the Cully neighborhood, this year’s Arbor Day event brought together neighbors, environmental organizations, and community leaders to celebrate Portland’s trees and the people who care for them.   Each year, Portland Arbor Day moves to a different neighborhood to highlight the city's diverse tree canopy and recognize local efforts to grow and care for it. In partnership with leadership from Sacajawea Head Start, the 2025 celebration welcomed autumn with a day full of activities, learning, and hands-on stewardship for learners, their families, and Cully neighbors.    This year’s Arbor Day featured a ceremony for the recipients of the 2025 Bill Naito Community Trees Awards, a highlight of the day.    2025 Bill Naito Community Trees Award  Winners named in honor of Bill Naito (1925–1996) — civic leader, philanthropist, and founder of Portland’s Urban Forestry Commission — the awards recognize individuals and groups making outstanding contributions to Portland’s urban forest.    The Individual Award goes to Dr. Vivek Shandas. For nearly a decade of service on the Urban Forestry Commission (2015–2023) and for his groundbreaking research on the link between tree canopy, urban heat, and public health.   Dr. Shandas is a Professor of Geography and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research (SUPR) Lab at Portland State University. His work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, OPB, and other national outlets.    “Professor Shandas has documented and publicized the importance of trees to the urban environment,” wrote nominator Marita Ingalsbe. “His research has contributed to a new understanding of the connection between urban tree canopy and the effects of climate change.”    The Group Award goes to the Morning Star Baptist Church for transforming a 15,000 square foot asphalt parking lot into a lush, accessible green space in the Cully neighborhood.     “Morning Star’s work exemplifies environmental justice and community-driven change,” said Nik Desai, a PP&R Urban Forestry staff member. “They’ve turned concrete into community, expanding the urban canopy where it's needed most.”    Other Portland Arbor Day Event Highlights Included tree planting. Volunteers planted 15 young trees at Sacajawea Head Start, bringing more shade, cleaner air, and beauty to the neighborhood.  Yard Tree Giveaway: Over 300 trees were distributed to residents for planting in their yards.  Community booths: Guests connected with local organizations including Multnomah County REACH, Greater Northwest Community Health Collective, Verde NW, Oregon WIC, Portland Public Schools Early Learners, Cully Association of Neighbors, and the Multnomah County Library. Families enjoyed tree-themed games, crafts and book exchange, storytelling, and tasty local food.    Education: Visitors explored Portland’s Tree Inventory Dashboard and Tree Inventory Map, learning more about public trees in city parks, streets, and the newly updated Portland Urban Forest Plan .    The celebration featured the Portland Arbor Day Proclamation and recognized the city’s continued status as a Tree City USA for the 48th consecutive year.    Continue celebrating Arbor Day this season with free trees. Register here for up to three free yard trees. You are encouraged to register soon as spots are filling up quickly!

Supporting Families Impacted by Federal Shutdown City of Gresham Assistant City Manager Larry Morgan (left) hands a check to SnowCap Operations Manager Jeremy Wilbeski (right), a donation to support SnowCap's mission to deliver food and resources to families in need in Gresham and East County. With the need for accessible food for struggling families greater than ever, the City of Gresham is partnering with Snowcap Community Services to ensure families in need have access to food and resources during this uncertain time with a donation of up to $10,000. This donation is made possible thanks to grant funding for youth violence prevention provided by the Oregon State Legislature.   SnowCap is a philanthropic organization created to provide clothing, advocacy, and other services to families in need who live east of 82nd Ave. and within Multnomah County.   “SnowCap is incredibly grateful to be part of a community where our City leaders see a critical need and step up with a robust response to support our neighbors without delay," said Kirsten Wageman, executive director for SnowCap. "We are seeing a historic, never seen before level of need for food. This funding will help ensure that youth and their families are not hungry until SNAP benefits are restored."   The food assistance provided by SnowCap will be a part of a state-wide focus on supporting 757,000 Oregonians— including 210,000 children and 130,000 seniors— who are at risk of food insecurity during a pause in SNAP benefit processing. SnowCap's work will support families in need in Gresham and other parts of East County.   "The City of Gresham has always had a great relationship with our community-based organizations, and the work that SnowCap is doing to support families and youth in Gresham deserves our full support," said Larry Morgan, assistant city manager for the City of Gresham.   Research shows food insecurity is associated with higher cases of youth violence, an issue the City of Gresham is dedicated to addressing through initiatives like East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention (EMOPI).   "In a world that seems so divided, it is encouraging to see government working for the people right here in Gresham," said Wageman.

Farmers Market Fund Expands SNAP Access Farmers Market 2024 (Photo Courtesy of Keri Friedman) Farmers Market Fund (FMF) announced that it will be offering a temporary, adapted program to connect Oregonians with SNAP to fresh, locally grown produce at over 40 farmers markets and farm stands across the state. This adaptation comes as over 750,000 Oregonians are experiencing a delay in their SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. This program, called Emergency Double Up Food Bucks, will offer shoppers with an Oregon Trail Card $20 to spend on fresh produce, regardless of if they have a SNAP balance available or not. Emergency Double Up Food Bucks can be used to purchase fresh, locally grown produce including beans, mushrooms, herbs and veggie starts. Shoppers can visit www.doubleuporegon.org for more details and a list of participating locations. “Even with the recent court ruling, thousands of Oregonians are going to experience a delay in receiving their November SNAP benefits” says Farmers Market Fund’s Executive Director, Rachael Ward. “We are rooting down to rise up and asking Oregonians to step up and support their neighbors, while supporting the small farmers and local economies that depend on SNAP.” Funding for Double Up Food Bucks where a SNAP transaction is made is provided through a state allocation from the Oregon Department of Human Services. Emergency Double Up Food Bucks, which only requires that customers show their Oregon Trail card to receive $20, is privately funded through individuals and FMF general funds. To support this program please donate directly to Farmers Market Fund at https://farmersmarketfund.org/donate/ For shoppers who have at least $1 in SNAP on their Oregon Trail card they can visit any of Farmers Market Fund’s participating farmers markets and receive $20 in Double Up Food Bucks to spend on fresh produce including beans, plant starts, and fresh herbs. For shoppers who have SNAP but do not have any benefits on their card, they can bring their Oregon Trail card to any of our participating markets, show it at the market information booth and automatically receive $20 in Emergency Double Up Food Bucks to spend on fresh produce including beans, plant starts, and fresh herbs. At farm stands, shoppers with SNAP can receive $20 to spend on fresh produce, even if they have a $0 balance on their Oregon Trail card. For those who do have remaining SNAP funds they can also receive a 50% discount on fresh produce per day. Visit www.doubleuporegon.org for more details and a list of participating locations.

Joining Forces to Support Children Boys & Girls Aid, Oregon’s first and longest-running child welfare agency, is proud to announce that it has finalized a merger with Open Adoption & Family Services, one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading providers of all-options pregnancy counseling and child-centered open adoption services.  Boys & Girls Aid has partnered with Open Adoption & Family Services since the organization’s founding in 1985, collaborating on adoption placements for children up to the age of three and serving together on professional committees to advance best practices in adoption. Through this merger, the two agencies will combine their expertise and streamline services to better meet the evolving needs of adoptees, expectant parents, birth parents, and families across our community.  The timing of the merger aligns with the departure of Open Adoption & Family Services’ Executive Director, Suzie Williams, who announced her plans to retire in August of this year.  “Serving Open Adoption & Family Services — and the people at its center — for more than three decades has been the honor of a lifetime. It is abundantly clear that the services we offer are both unique and deeply needed, and I’m incredibly proud of our work and the impact we’ve had on the communities we serve,” said Williams. “I’m grateful we have found a trusted partner to carry our mission forward. Open Adoption & Family Services is in good hands and will be well supported by the excellent leadership team at Boys & Girls Aid.”    Open Adoption & Family Services was established four decades ago with a mission to promote openness in adoption. The organization joins Boys & Girls Aid’s infant adoption program, which has been a leading provider of infant adoptions and pregnancy support services for more than 80 years. The program will continue under the name “Open Adoption & Family Services, a program of Boys & Girls Aid,” where it will carry forward the aligned approach and values of the two organizations. Key members of the Open Adoption & Family Services team will remain in place, working alongside Boys & Girls Aid’s leadership to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted support for clients and waiting families.  "For more than 140 years, Boys & Girls Aid has been committed to ensuring children find permanent, loving families and lifelong stability. The merger with Open Adoption & Family Services reflects this mission and represents a dedicated path forward for our infant adoption and all-options counseling services,” says Andrea Logan Sanders, President & CEO at Boys & Girls Aid. “Our agencies have worked collaboratively since OAFS opened in 1985 and are philosophically aligned in our beliefs around centering the adoptee and promoting openness, inclusivity, and reproductive choice. We are honored to have the opportunity to carry forward the exceptional work that has been done by Open Adoption & Family Services and to weave it into the fabric of Boys & Girls Aid.”  With this merger, Boys & Girls Aid is poised to strengthen its role as a highly respected provider and leading voice in shaping the ongoing evolution of adoption services, ensuring adoptees, expectant parents, birth parents, and families receive compassionate, high-quality support for decades to come.

A Showcase of Talent & Tradition, Celebrating Five Decades of Artistic Excellence Jefferson Dancers On Friday, November 14, Portland’s legendary Jefferson Dancers—now celebrating their milestone 50th year—will take the stage at BodyVox for SOAR, a stunning annual performance showcasing the breadth and brilliance of the company’s young artists. The evening will feature six dynamic works across hip-hop, ballet, modern, jazz, aerial, and African dance, offering audiences a powerful preview of this landmark season. This year’s SOAR marks the official kickoff of the Jefferson Dancers’ 50th anniversary performance year. The company, comprised of students from Jefferson High School/Middle College for Advanced Studies, is led by Artistic Director Steve Gonzales, now in his 26th year. Jefferson Dancers train at a pre-professional level—dancing three hours each school day in addition to a 90-minute technique class. "Throughout the year, we bring in professional guest artists and choreographers, and the dancers also perform student-led pieces crafted by our talented company members," says Gonzales. As a cornerstone arts program once federally funded and now sustained largely through community support, SOAR serves as a vital annual fundraiser, ensuring Jefferson Dancers can continue nurturing the next generation of creative leaders. “The Jefferson Dancers offer an extraordinary opportunity for students at one of Oregon’s most racially diverse high schools,” says Gonzales. “We provide an immersive, professional environment that fosters creativity, commitment, and achievement—laying a foundation for success in the arts and beyond.” For 50 years, the Jefferson Dancers have inspired generations of young artists through the power of dance. Based at Jefferson High School/Middle College for Advanced Studies in Portland, Oregon, the program develops the whole student through artistic excellence, discipline, cultural awareness, and community engagement. Learn more at www.jeffersondancers.com. The event will be held on November 14th at BodyVox, 1201 NW 17th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 starting at 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.