The PGE Foundation — Portland General Electric’s corporate foundation — is committing more than $330,000 to programs that prevent homelessness, address hunger and support mental health and parent engagement in Oregon.
“Together with our community partners, we are working to find solutions to end the homeless crisis in Oregon,” said Kregg Arntson, executive director of the PGE Foundation. “People thrive in nurturing and inclusive communities, which is why creating equitable access to permanent supportive housing is critical.”
To combat family and youth homelessness, the Foundation will award almost $210,000 to nonprofit organizations focused on developing affordable housing, eliminating hunger and creating pathways out of poverty.
“The PGE Foundation’s support will enable Portland Homeless Family Solutions to expand programs to serve three times as many homeless families with children than ever before,” says Brandi Tuck, executive director, Portland Homeless Family Solutions. “We are thankful for the PGE Foundation and its commitment to supporting families in our community. Together, we are building dignity and empowering so many.”
In addition, as more individuals experiencing mental health crises face homelessness, the Foundation will grant more than $125,000 to fund supportive services, including mental wellness and parenting programs.
”We are grateful for the organizations in our region dedicated to providing valuable services that improve the well-being of our community,” said Arntson.
Recipients of the 2018 PGE Foundation Safe & Stable Family grants include:
- Adelante Mujeres, $25,000: To support educational opportunities for Latino families in a safe and stable environment.
- Albertina Kerr Centers Foundation, $10,000: To support hundreds of children and their families during times of mental health crisis.
- Columbia River Health, $10,000: To support the opening of a new food pantry in Boardman, Ore., that will serve around 80 families per month.
- Bienestar, $25,000: To support the development and preservation of 343 affordable housing units.
- Human Solutions, $25,000: To support individuals and communities building pathways out of poverty.
- Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, $10,000: To increase access to healthy meals through school breakfast and summer meals for kids.
- Portland Homeless Family Solutions, $25,000: To support renovations of the new Lents Family Shelter, tripling service capacity.
Every year, the PGE Foundation awards more than $1 million to help improve educational outcomes, inspire critical thinking through arts experiences and strengthen family stability.
Here’s a complete list of the 2018 Safe & Stable Family grants. For more information, visit PGEFoundation.org.
Photo by Garry Knight.