Moving On: Mashawn's Story

A little reserved at first, Mashawn reveals a sense of humor and quiet confidence as he interacts with people at Project Hope.

Like many of his friends, he dropped out of school when he was 16, getting involved with a bad crowd. He never did well in school and freely admits he was there for the wrong reasons. “When I went to school, it was for the social life. Things weren’t good at home; I always felt out of place at home.”

“I don’t want to be in Portland all my life. I want to go to College and get a degree. I want to open my own business. I want… to do so much."

Home has always been tumultuous. His mother had Mashawn when she was only 16 and his father, when he wasn’t in and out of jail, was frequently absent.

Nonetheless, Mashawn developed a close bond with his father so, as a 6 year old, it was extremely painful when his father was sentenced to more than 10 years in jail. “When I finally realized how long he was going away for, I kinda shut down. I taught myself to turn my sadness into aggression or anger so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. I thought it was better than being sad at all the time.”

He gravitated towards bad influences and other youths who drank and used drugs. For Mashawn, it was all he had known - growing up, marijuana and alcohol was always present. “I’m 18 with a clean record. Do you know how good that sounds in my family?” he asks.

After failed efforts at various job programs and charter schools, he stopped caring about his future and spent most of his day hanging out with friends on the street –anything that would keep him from going home. “I didn’t get the big picture that it was my fault”.

But he soon realized that without his GED, there wasn’t much hope for a real job. He hated filling out job applications because he knew he wasn’t going to be hired. Without any opportunities, he heard about Project Hope. Unsure at first, Mashawn decided to give the program a try and he’s found that it’s working and helping him get focused.

Mashawn is currently taking prep classes and is about to take his final test for his GED. Beyond that, he’s planning on a marketing degree at PCC and is preparing for the college placement test. At 18, Mashawn is finally seeing that that his future is wide open.

Thanks To The Art Institute of Portland

In September, Project Hope was asked to participate in one of the graphic design courses at the Art Institute of Portland. This program partners non-profits with senior design students, collaborating on marketing materials, signs, etc.

Having the opportunity to work with skilled design students couldn’t have been more timely. Most of our artwork was several years old and didn’t include some of our new programs, so we were excited at the prospect of updating our collateral. The students created a total package, including a revised logo, artwork, collateral and signage.

We were extremely pleased and impressed with the final product and implemented many of the changes immediately.

Thank you to The Art Institute of Portland and Cynthia Roberts for inviting us to participate in this program.

And a very special thank you to our talented and dedicated graphic design team: Mus, Yasmin, Andrew, Nicholas, Shannon, Meredith and Danni. We would be pleased with work with any of you in the future!

Enrollments Open!

Do you know of a youth (15-20 years) who has dropped out of school and now is struggling, wanting a second chance to get their life back on track?

Project Hope is now accepting applications. Our mission is to help each student reach their full potential, to give support, encouragement and guidance to make lifelong positive decisions.

Our comprehensive youth program provides educational support (tutors and financial aid) as well as employment in our after-school jobs program. For some of our youths, having a job is necessary to support themselves or their families.

We also provide mentoring and life skills, covering such topics as banking, tax returns, applications (rental, jobs, schools) etc.

If you know of someone who wants to finish their schooling, learn some valuable job skills and improve their lives, please contact Cindy Park at 503-287-4914.

2009 Open House

Thank you to everyone who came to our Holiday Open House! There was lots of laughter, food and great deals! We really enjoyed meeting everyone, repeat customers and some new faces.

Proceeds from the evening's event will go to enrolling a new youth into our program in the new year. This will provide a young man or woman the opportunity to return to school, gain valuable work experience in our after-school jobs program and participate in our life skills and mentoring program. We wouldn't be able to improve the lives of these youths without your support!

One of the students in our program, Mashawn, was our evening photographer. Here's a photo from his vantage point!

Below is a slideshow of the evening. Once again, thank you to everyone who came out!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Project Hope Community Store: December Specials!

Project Hope's Community Store features a wide variety of furniture, clothing, jewelry, home accessories and hardware. All proceeds from our store go to our non-profit youth programs.

Drop by for some great sales and visit our blog often for more Store updates and specials!

Here are some ideas for your shopping list in our December specials:

• We have “over the shoe” rain boots to keep your feet warm and dry – sizes 10-13 for only $10.


• Warm and cozy robes for only $12.


• Come see our beautiful indoor plants starting from just $5.00. An additional 10% off when you buy 2 or more.


• A huge variety of accent pillows for that special chair from $10 - $15


• Is your home is not bright enough? Choose from our large selection of lamps big and small to brighten your day.


• Dress up your holiday table with table runners in different colors and sizes.


• Does your room look like a tornado hit it? We have many different sizes of shelving to fix you right up!


• Want your home to feel a little cozier? Select from our area rugs in different colors and sizes.


• Have a gardener on your Christmas list? We have a large assortment of tools and outdoor decorations to help support their garden needs.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Hours: Tues - Sat from 10 am - 6 pm

223 NE Russell Street
Portland OR 97212
(503) 287-4914

3 Day Plant Sale!

Plant Sale! All plants marked down 50% (ficus, banana plants, jade, palm, bromelia and more!). Prices range between $5 and $45! Remember all proceeds go back to funding Project Hope and our youth programs.

Dec 4 and 5 from 10 - 6 pm
Dec 6 from 10 - 2 pm


@ 223 NE Russell Street
Portland OR 97212
Call 503-287-4914 for more information.

Plant sale!, originally uploaded by Project Hope.

Project Hope and Portland Rescue Mission

Portland Rescue Mission’s New Life Recovery ministry transforms the lives of men, women and children as they progress from homelessness to hope. Over 12 to 18 months, the men and women take on increasing responsibility as they acclimate to life off the streets, identify key problem areas and establish plans for employment and ongoing success.

Recently, Project Hope had the opportunity to help the men’s New Life Recovery ministry. During the first two phases of the program, the men live in the downtown Burnside shelter after which, they move to Next Step, which provides a more rural setting. The men commute daily to the Burnside Shelter to continue their program.

There are 30 men living at Next Step which houses a communal kitchen and living area.
According to Holly Hummel, Aesthetic Coordinator at Portland Rescue Mission, “the kitchen was dysfunctional. None of the cabinets worked”. Project Hope was able to help with a donation of kitchen cabinets* for a makeover.

Less than two months later, the new kitchen is up and running and it has helped changed the very environment at Next Step. “Before, meals were prepared downtown and delivered daily. Food is very important to men. They work very hard and they come home at the end of the day and they’re hungry,” explains Holly, “and now, they have a functioning, commercial kitchen. Because of this upgrade, we are now able to cook on-site to provide fresh, nutritious meals.”

Having a kitchen has launched a few other changes at Next Step. Residents have started a compost pile and are planning their communal garden. They’ve taken an active interest in their home. Recently, they’ve buffed the floors in the building and painted the laundry room and want to continue upgrading. Over all, the atmosphere is more home-like.

"We have needed this upgrade for years and never had funds for it.”, says Eric Bauer, Executive Director of Portland Rescue Mission. “We are truly thankful for the opportunity to partner with Project Hope and all that you do for the community. We see these men taking pride in their home, more than they have before. The kitchen is the heart of any home and this has really put the heart into Next Step. They’re really acting like a family.”

For more information about New Life Recovery Ministry and Portland Rescue Mission, please visit their website. For more information about Hope Houses and Project Hope, call Cindy Park at 503-287-4914.

* Donations made possible by Home Depot.

Holiday Shop Night Dec 11th!

Come meet the kids of Project Hope. There will also be lots of food, door prizes and sales! A great way to round out your Christmas shopping list!

Making a Change: Whitney's Story

With a cheerful greeting and smile, Whitney is the first person you meet at Project Hope and one of the driving forces in our Community Store. Friendly and outgoing, she manages to remain optimistic despite the challenges in her life.

Whitney: “I want to be a role model for my kids and have a better life. I don’t want them to make the same mistakes I made.”

Whitney’s story is all too common: she dropped out of high school at 17, spent her time at clubs and got caught up with a crowd that was involved with theft and drugs. At 19, she found herself pregnant and left alone to raise the baby. When she was pregnant with her second child that Whitney realized she needed to change her life.

With no education or proper work experience, she found it impossible to find a job that could support her and two children. So, while she was 6 months pregnant, Whitney embarked on getting her GED.

Although she received no support or encouragement from friends and family, she persevered and received her GED before the birth of her second child. When asked about her motivation, Whitney responded, “I wanted to be a role model for my kids.”

With her GED, she went to a local jobs program and was introduced to Project Hope. Whitney was nervous and unsure if she could learn the retail requirements and customer service but she was surprised at how quickly she picked things up. “My confidence level went up, way up. I enjoy waking up early in the morning and coming to work”. These changes have given her the confidence to make changes in her personal life as well.

When Whitney first started at Project Hope, she was supporting 7 family members, all of whom shared her small 2 bedroom apartment. Recently, she moved out on her own with her daughters.

It’s been challenging but she’s pleased with her progress. “It’s very scary, but it’s very exciting and I feel independent. It’s a new learning experience. And I feel more of a connection with my daughters; we’re bonding." Now, she’s thinking about continuing her education and remains hopeful about the future and the promise of a better life.

Hope Houses: Emerson House

While other youth programs offer education and vocational training, for many youths it is critical that they have immediate employment to support themselves or their families. Project Hope addresses that need by directly employing youths in our after-school job’s program Hope Houses.

Hope Houses provides materials and labor for low-income housing in Portland and teaches students job skills and responsibility. Youths work side by side with licensed contractors, learning everything from framing a house to installing flooring.

The program also donates materials to the community and other non-profits, impressing upon students the importance of charitable giving and being part of a community.

Hope Houses’ mission is twofold:

1. Real application of job training. Our goal is to provide youth with the skills and experience necessary to compete in today’s work place environment and earn a living wage.

2. Provide a means for families to own their home and improve neighborhoods in Portland.

In October 2009, Hope Houses completed their first home for a young family, the Tarka’s. Jason is a worship pastor and Alison is a stay at home mom to their two young children. They were unable to afford a home; Hope Houses assisted by donating materials* and labor that helped offset the cost and helped make their dream of homeownership a reality. Excited and pleased, the Tarka’s couldn’t be happier with their new home. “This house has been the opportunity of our lives and we still can't believe it will become our home.”

Project Hope places importance on all individuals and our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued. We strive to promote that message in our own community, starting with the most vulnerable among us. Hope Houses represents the core of our mission: building futures and restoring lives.

Donated items include the following: kitchen and bathroom cabinets, bathtubs, hardwood and vinyl flooring, wire shelving, sinks, light fixtures, ceiling fans and more.

*Donations made possible by Home Depot.

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog!

Project Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with at-risk youths between the ages of 15-20 in NE Portland. These youths face bleak prospects: no education, low wage work, unstable employment, reliance on social services, and possible involvement in the criminal justice system. We provide a comprehensive solution, focusing on the skills needed to make positive, lifelong changes: educational support, occupational training in our jobs program, and life skills and mentoring.

We'll be posting updates regularly, with success stories, fund-raising events, and photos from our Hope Houses program!