This month we learn about butterflies, play poker for a purpose, recognize young volunteers and welcome new Director of Development Hannah Lee!

There still a lot to learn about the domestic spending package passed last week. Here's what we know so far about how the people who rely on Neighborhood House programs will be affected:

The Free Food Market provides 650,000 pounds of food to 16,000 people annually. Cutting SNAP benefits will most likely create even more need for food assistance, just as we saw when benefits were cut in 2022 and 2023.

“When you take it all together it’s kind of like an assault on children and families policy-wise,” said Megan Curran, the director of policy at the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.

“We’re going to see that the effects reverberate well beyond what we’re even understanding” right now, she said, “and schools are going to be on the front lines.”

Making Medicaid harder to get would disrupt the process of getting people out of homelessness, as well as remove a major funding source for supportive housing like our 19th Avenue housing complex.

We’re excited to welcome Hannah Lee as the new Director of Development at Neighborhood House! 

Hannah brings a unique blend of experience in fundraising, social work, and people-centered outreach. With a career rooted in community engagement, she’s passionate about building strong relationships and connecting people to the causes they care about. 

“Hannah’s heart for community and her strategic mindset make her a perfect fit for Neighborhood House,” said Executive Director Chris Chiacchierini. “We’re thrilled to have her on the team.” 

In her role, Hannah will lead fundraising strategy, strengthen donor relationships, and help steward Neighborhood House’s future growth. She’s eager to get to know our dedicated supporters and learn more about what inspires your connection to this work. 

“I’m honored to be part of an organization with such deep roots and strong community support.” Hannah says. “I’m excited to join the Neighborhood House team doing such impactful work across generations.” 

In her personal life, Hannah enjoys hiking, kayaking, oil painting, and fixing up a 100-year-old farmhouse with her husband Gabe, their two dogs, and two very orange cats. 

If you’d like to reach out or say hello, you can contact Hannah at HannahLee@nhpdx.org

Please join us in giving her a warm Neighborhood House welcome! 

While many teens will spend their summer volunteering, 18-year-old Casey Nadler has gone above and beyond. For more than a year, Casey has showed up week after week to support Neighborhood House’s Free Food Market. 

His efforts make a real difference. This spring, they also helped him graduate with honors from Summit Learning Charter High School.

Each week, Casey helps check expiration dates and fills boxes of food destined for families across Southwest Portland. He also picks up donations from 25 neighborhood households through the Portland Food Project.  

Casey carries a clear-eyed perspective on food insecurity. 

“The biggest problem is that this place (the Market) is necessary to exist,” he said. “I don’t understand why things that are so necessary to exist, like food, have to be behind a paywall.”

Casey volunteers every week in the Free Food Market, along with Pam Smith, his caregiver.

Volunteers like Casey are the heart behind community care—people showing up, staying curious, and doing what they can to support their neighbors. 

We’re giving a winning hand of thanks to the Bridge City Guild for their incredible support of Neighborhood House’s School Age program!

This spring, the Guild hosted not one, but two high-energy poker tournaments in April and May. They turn friendly competition into real impact. Their efforts raised an impressive $1,590, which will send kids from our Summer Camp on exciting field trips to OMSI and the Oregon Zoo. That’s a jackpot of joy!

The Bridge City Guild is a non-profit organization that brings people together to build community and give back—with plenty of fun along the way. 

The infant class in Early Head Start learned about butterflies up close and personal this Spring.

Teacher Katya Sky carried out the butterfly theme in multiple ways that her infant class would understand.  They made caterpillar and butterfly art, they watched  cocoons form and develop in the classroom, they sang songs and talked about the cycle of butterfly life.

Watch the video below to share the magic of watching a butterfly released into the world. 

The Early Head Start infant class at The Ramona learned about butterflies for weeks before watching Teacher Katya Sky carefully scoop out a butterfly and set it free.

Children watched caterpillars form cocoons, develop and, finally, turn into butterflies in their classroom at The Ramona.

The Early Head Start butterfly curriculum included art projects about both caterpillars and butterflies, as well as songs and stories.

This spring, we had the pleasure of welcoming upper-level students from Oregon Episcopal School’s Food and Ethics class. As the culminating experience for their coursework, these visits were designed to connect classroom learning with hands-on service, offering students a deeper understanding of food insecurity both locally and globally. What an incredible way to learn and apply it practically!

Throughout their time with us, students supported key parts of our mission: from preparing soil and planting in the Scattered Garden to helping distribute groceries through the Free Food Market. Their energy, thoughtfulness, and willingness to engage with real-world issues made a meaningful impact on our daily operations and left us inspired by the next generation of changemakers. Thank you to OES and the Food and Ethics students for choosing to spend your time in community with us. We hope to welcome you again soon!

The Grauer Back to School Project is a community partnership within the Ida B. Wells school district that helps low-income students prepare for a successful school year. On Saturday, August 9, students in grades K–12 will receive backpacks filled with school supplies, a new coat, new shoes, socks, underwear, and a t-shirt.

We’re looking for volunteers who speak Spanish, Somali, or Arabic to help interpret and support non-native English-speaking families on event day. Your presence will help make the process smoother and more welcoming for families navigating the event. If you're interested in helping, contact Julia, our Volunteer Specialist

Big things are happening on Barbur Boulevard. Construction is underway on the future home of our Free Food Market and Senior Center, and we’re excited to share the progress with you.

Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the new space and get a first look at what’s ahead. It’s a meaningful glimpse into the future of our work—and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Tours take place on Fridays, with alternate times available upon request.

If you know someone who should know about the work Neighborhood House is doing in your community, please forward this newsletter to them. We love sharing stories about the work we do!