This month we follow Head Start's advocacy trips to Washington DC and Salem, celebrate Black History Month, take a field trip to OMSI with the Senior Center, celebrate achieving the Partnership Campaign goal and look forward to SW Hope! Whew!

Senator Ron Wyden met with Neighborhood House staffers Jessica Nguyen, Director of Education  and Kenzie Joly, Mental Health & Inclusion Manager in his DC office.

Last month, Neighborhood House’s Head Start staff and parents took their advocacy efforts to the state and national levels, visiting elected officials in Salem, Oregon, and Washington, DC, to champion funding and support for early childhood education.

These trips, led by Jessica Nguyen, Director of Education, and Kenzie Joly, Mental Health & Inclusion Manager, showcased the critical wrap-around services Head Start provides to families, while giving parents a powerful platform to share their stories.

Neighborhood House’s Head Start parents played a pivotal role in the meetings, sharing deeply personal accounts of how the program has supported their families.

Back row from left: Director of Education Jessica Nguyen, Head Start parent Maleah, Enrollment Specialist Sonya Noil, ERSEA and Family Services Manager Hayley Marques, Mental Health and Inclusion Manager Kenzie Joly, State Representative Shannon Jones Isadore, and Site Supervisor Caitlin Curtis. Front: Head Start parent Nafisa and baby Hannah.

Recent changes and news have created uncertainty for many in our community, adding stress to those already experiencing challenging circumstances. In response, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that every person who turns to Neighborhood House feels supported, cared for, and empowered.

Breaking Down Barriers to Assistance
We’ve noticed a slight decrease in visits to our Free Food Market, which may be due to hesitation or fear about asking for help in this moment. To address this, we’re finding ways to alleviate concerns and create a welcoming, stigma-free environment. No one should feel discouraged from seeking the assistance they need.

Providing Tools and Resources
Across all Neighborhood House programs, our staff have been working to gather and share resources on critical topics affecting our community. These include:

- Guidance for immigrant families navigating federal policy changes.

- Self-care strategies for LGBTQIA+ individuals during times of heightened stress.

- Community resources available for families experiencing housing, food, or financial instability.

We are also equipping our staff with training to handle any difficult situations that may arise due to recent Executive Orders, ensuring they feel prepared to provide compassionate and informed support on the ground.

Thank you for standing with us as we navigate these challenging times together.

If you're interested in advocacy work of your own, consider attending a town hall with your elected officials. It's a great way connect with officials, hear what they're working on, and share your own opinions.

Click HERE to see who represents you on the state level.

To find an upcoming town hall with our national representatives, click the links below:

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect and engage with the rich history and contributions of Black communities. Looking for a way to get involved and experience Black culture, history, and creativity? Here are a few incredible events to check out:

Cascade Festival of African Films

 The longest-running African film festival in the U.S., featuring free screenings of powerful films.

2025 Biamp Portland Jazz Festival

A ten-day, multi-venue celebration featuring incredible jazz performances across the city.

NW Black Comedy Festival

 A four-day festival showcasing hilarious Black comedians from around the world at Curious Comedy Theatre.

Black History Month Pop-up Museum

Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 AM - 4 PM, all month at the Horizon Enterprise Building in Old Town.

Because of you, we met our Partnership Campaign fundraising goal. You and other generous neighbors like you raised more than $605,000 - wow!

These funds stay in the community, helping local families access healthy food, housing support, affordable childcare, senior services, and more.

Thank you for all the ways you care about your neighbors.

Our Senior Center offers a variety of trips every month, ranging from shopping and grocery runs to museum visits.

In January, a group from the Senior Center visited the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to explore the Exotic Creatures exhibit by Christopher Marley.

The exhibit featured a diverse collection of preserved insects, fossils, and wildlife, arranged in stunning artistic displays. Participants talked about the intricate details and unique specimens, sharing their own experiences and insights about nature.

Afterward, the group continued their day with a visit to Wunderland for lunch at the indoor/outdoor food cart area. They relaxed, shared stories, and reflected on the highlights of their museum visit.

The outing to OMSI is just one example of interactive and fun programming in the Senior Center. Every month we offer classes, groups and trips that give members a chance to connect and experience something new together.

"I really enjoyed the OMSI trip today. All of the animals we got to see were just amazing.

This trip also helped me feel closer to my son, who is an environmental scientist. It helped me understand why he likes his work so much and sparked an interesting conversation with him." 

-Carol G

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!