DESCRIPTION:
Oregon and the Portland metro area have invested historic resources in housing first as the solution to homelessness, including permanent supportive housing services. However, misleading and harmful messaging about homelessness are being used to influence government agencies and community groups toward ineffective responses and, in fact, cause deep harm to both folks experiencing homelessness and the service providers who work with them.
After extensive research, JOIN and Coalition of Communities of Color are leading a new project to shift the narrative away from assumptions and stereotypes to educate the metropolitan area about homelessness. They will provide an overview of the current landscape in public understanding of homelessness, the efforts to influence this conversation, and an overview of the project and how philanthropy can support narrative—and ultimately systems—change to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive the support they need to find and stay in stable homes.
Presenters
Katrina Holland, Executive Director, JOIN, Inc.
Prior to coming to JOIN, Katrina served at Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT). At CAT, Katrina supported significant organizational budget growth, program, and staff development. She worked steadfastly with coalition partners to pass historic, consequential housing policy that has increased our state’s commitment to stable housing for Oregonians and monumental investments in affordable housing development.
Katrina is a strategic housing advocate, an expert in tenant rights and homelessness prevention, and a proven leader in non-profit organizational management. Katrina brings compassion and a strong commitment to addressing the needs of our neighbors living in poverty and experiencing homelessness.
Jenny Lee, Deputy Director, Coalition of Communities of Color
Jenny is the Deputy Director at the Coalition of Communities of Color, an alliance of culturally specific organizations dedicated to action for racial justice. There, she supports organizational development and strategy. Previously, she served as the Advocacy Director at the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and the Advocacy Director at CCC. Jenny has dedicated her career to racial, social, and economic justice and used a range of advocacy strategies to achieve these goals, including policy, lobbying, ballot measures, litigation, communications, and coalition-building. Her career-long commitment to housing justice advocacy also includes serving as the Housing Policy Director at Neighborhood Partnerships and Public Policy Director for the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice in Honolulu.
REGISTRATION:
Cost: Members $25 / Nonmmembers $45
This program is open to members and nonmembers. If you are not a member you may register by contacting Mark McCrary at MMcCrary@gosw.org.
Register Now