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Opportunity Details
TeamWorks: Exploring Healthy, Connected Neighborhoods (age 16+) *Hands On*
Join a TeamWorks team of volunteers for a series of done-in-a-day projects led by a Hands On Greater Portland TeamWorks Leader. TeamWorks offers volunteers the opportunity to make a slightly longer-term commitment to volunteering, delve into a topic or issue-area, and get to know other volunteers in the process.
Right now cities all over the world are working hard to become sustainable and livable. And thanks to hard work, planning and a little geographical luck Portland is way ahead of the curve. Our city has become known as one of the most sustainable and livable cities in the country. But that reputation isn’t evenly reflected in all of Portland’s communities and there is much work to be done before Portland’s culture of urban livability is equitable. That’s why, this year, as the City Council adopted a new long-range plan they committed to not only continuing on the course of sustainable livability, but to extending it to all of Portland's neighborhoods and population centers.
In this TeamWorks we will be exploring a handful of the countless organizations and institutions that have helped transform specific neighborhood centers into vibrant, livable communities. As we examine these success stories we will explore the concept of the 20-minute neighborhood and learn more about the Portland Plan’s mission to make that concept a reality for all of Portland’s residents.
What is TeamWorks? TeamWorks teams consist of approximately 10-15 individuals, led by a Hands On trained volunteer leader, who commit to volunteering for every project in the series, so please carefully check the schedule below before signing up! Signing up for the FIRST session will sign you up for the entire TeamWorks. If you know in advance you'd have to miss one of the projects, let us know and you might still be eligible to join the team. Questions can be directed to Dannon Raith, dannon@handsonportland.org or 206.902.6097.
TeamWorks Schedule:
Saturday, June 30th: Portsmouth - A Neighborhood in Transition
12:00pm - 3:30pm
Portsmouth, N Portland
Complete neighborhood centers are a essential component of healthy, connected cities. We will kick off the TeamWorks by exploring Portsmouth, a neighborhood in the midst of transformation.
We will do a walking assessment of the area to see how it measures up with the Portland Plan’s concept of a 20 minute neighborhood. We also take time get to know each other while we explore the history of New Columbia, a Hope VI mixed income housing community, make a visit to Portland's first Non-profit grocery store, and talk about the Community Cycling Center’s recent reception of a $10,000 grant to build a Bike Skills Park and Community Bike Hub in the neighborhood.
Saturday, July 7th: Arts & Crafts for kids -Tabor Farmers Market at Cafe Au Play
9:30am - 2:30pm
Cafe Au Play, SE Portland
A decade ago the small building across the street from Atkinson Elementary school was a cigarette selling convenience store illegally supplying pharmaceuticals to local meth dealers. Through the transformative work of committed individuals it is now a nonprofit coffeehouse that offers an environment where activities, community and coffee create connections.
As a family-oriented space, Cafe au Play encourages kid-friendly entertainment at the Saturday Tabor Farmers market. At this market will be leading kids in a project that will teach them about the benefits of all things local made and local grown.
Thursday, July 12th: Sundown at Ecotrust Concert Series & Innovation Showcase - Reimagining Energy
5:45pm - 10:00pm
Natural Capital Center, NW Portland
Ecologist Peter Warshall summarized the Ecotrust's activities with the statement, "Ecotrust is about designing a future." Ecotrust's mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic opportunity, social equity, and environmental well-being. For this project we will join them at The Nature Capital Center, Portland’s first Leed-certified-gold building, to volunteer during their Sundown Concert Series.
Each Thursday in July Ecotrust plays host to a lineup of awesome local musicians and around 40 different sponsors and information booths highlighting a particular issue. On this Thursday the theme is Reimagining Energy and we will be exploring the future of energy in our community while we help out with logistics and tear-down at the event.
Monday, July 16th: Work Party at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, SE Portland
When the city acquired this wetland area in 1969 a large portion of it was a smoldering garbage heap. After very nearly becoming filled in and built over with motocross course it was designated in 1988 as the first official wildlife refuge in the city of Portland. It’s location off the Springwater Trail makes it easily accessible to a large portion of Portland's population.
We will spend the evening doing some invasive removal, mulching, litter pick up and discussing how important access to natural areas is to the well being of a community.
Thursday, July 19th: Exploring the Portland Plan at City Hall
5:30pm-7:30pm
City Hall, Downtown Portland
The newly adopted Portland Plan blazes a path for the next 25 years for a prosperous, educated, healthy and equitable city. We will meet at city hall where we will sit down with a representative from the mayor's office to discuss the concept of healthy, complete neighborhoods and how important they are to The Portland Plan. Afterwards, we'll head to a local cafe for further discussion and exploration of The Portland Plan and how it relates to the issues we have visited during the course of the TeamWorks.
Thursday, July 26th: Storm Drain Marking with The Bureau of Environmental Services
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location TBD, NE Portland
Before the combined sewer system was overhauled between 1991-2011 raw sewage would flow out into the Willamette river about 50 times a year. Through a variety of programs the City of Portland was able to reduce the number of sewage overflow events to around four a year. This has done wonders for the health of the Willamette but everything that flows into our street level storm drains still winds up in the river.
We will spend the evening marking storm drains in an urban neighborhood to remind residents that any pollutants that wash down them are headed straight for the Willamette. After this project you will never look at a curb or a stormwater drain the same way again!
Thursday, August 2nd: Get Your Hands Dirty at Zenger Farm/ Final TeamWorks Wrap-Up
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Zenger Farm, SE Portland
Zenger Farm is a non-profit education urban farm promoting sustainable food practices, youth education, environmental stewardship and community and economic development. This food goes to restaurants and farm shares.
We will work out in the fields a bit, take a tour of the farm and then wrap up the TeamWorks with a discussion in the farmhouse while enjoying a potluck meal. Bring your gloves...and a dish to share.
Project Requirements:
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Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to attend this project.
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All volunteers under 18 are required to bring a Youth Volunteer Release Form signed by their parent or legal guardian. Please download, complete, and bring this waiver with you on the day of each project.
Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3370.
Civic & Community, Environment
Other
Age Minimum (with Adult): 16+, Minimum Age:16+
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