Category Archives: Resources

VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project

Posted on by

At our April meeting, we were joined by Marvin Peña, Grassroots Engagement Coordinator at VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project.  Read below to learn a little more about VOZ, then visit portlandvoz.org to hire a worker!

What is Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project?

Our Mission

Voz is a worker-led organization that empowers diverse day laborers and immigrants to improve their working conditions and protect civil rights through leadership development, organizing, education and economic opportunity.

Our Work

We fight for justice for day laborers through three major programs: the MLK Jr. Worker Center, Internal Organizing, and External Organizing.

MLK Jr. Worker Center

The MLK Jr. Worker Center connects approximately 600 day-laborers per year to over 4,000 local employers. In 2016, day laborers earned almost $400,000 in wages through jobs found at the Worker Center. The Worker Center is a safe, dignified space for the day laborer community to gather in search of work. We offer workforce development skills, health, and safety training. We also guarantee labor protections such as a $15 minimum wage, and resources for victims of wage theft.

ASAN Releases Easy Read Toolkit on Getting Through to your Elected Officials

Posted on by

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) announces that a newly-created Easy Read version of its plain language toolkit, “They Work For Us: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Getting Through to your Elected Officials” is now available online. The original was released in February.

The Easy Read Edition uses pictures along with text, and has more white space. It’s written in easy-to-understand language and is screenreader-friendly. This version of the toolkit is divided into nine parts, including “Who has the power to make laws?”, “How can I talk to my elected officials?”, and “All about voting”. This Easy Read toolkit covers:

  • Who our elected officials are
  • How to contact your elected officials
  • Strategies, scripts, and templates to help you effectively communicate with your elected officials
  • How to use social media for political advocacy
  • The basics of voting: why, how, and when

They Work For Us: Easy Read Edition is the latest entry in ASAN’s ongoing series of toolkits covering the basics of civic engagement. These toolkits aim to help people with disabilities become active participants in our democracy. ASAN encourage everyone to share this toolkit widely so that as many self-advocates as possible have the tools they need to tell lawmakers: Nothing about us without us!

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us.

Contact Your Elected City Officials

Posted on by

At our December 7th, 2017 meeting, Sgt. Randy Teig encouraged neighbors to contact their elected officials and advocate for what they want to see change.  Below is a list of contact information for our Mayor and City Council.  Make your voice heard and be the change you want to see!

Mayor Ted Wheeler
MAIN PHONE: 503-823-4120
OPINION LINE: 503-823-4127
EMAIL: mayorwheeler@portlandoregon.gov

Commissioner Dan Saltzman
PHONE: 503-823-4151
EMAIL: dan@portlandoregon.gov

Commissioner Nick Fish
PHONE: 503-823-3589
EMAIL: nick@portlandoregon.gov

Commissioner Amanda Fritz
PHONE: (503) 823-3008
EMAIL: amanda@portlandoregon.gov

Commissioner Chloe Eudaly
PHONE: 503-823-4682
EMAIL: chloe@portlandoregon.gov

Crime Prevention Resources from ONI

Posted on by

We were joined at our June meeting by Marianna Lomanto of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement.  Marianna discussed a variety of topics, including crime prevention, emergency preparedness, and block parties in conjunction with National Night Out.  Here are links to some great resources available from the Office of Neighborhood Involvement.

Interested in throwing a block party for National Night Out?  It’s easy!  Just visit ONI’s National Night Out page for details on how to get started.  Got a question that wasn’t answered on their site?  Email them directly!

Crime Prevention Resources:
· Crime prevention techniques (also available in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese)
· How to Start a Neighborhood Watch
· How to Start a Community Foot Patrol
· Accessing Crime Prevention Services in Spanish

Additionally, Portland Police Bureau has a tool that allows residents to review reported crimes by neighborhood and citywide. You can access the site here.   Did you know, you can file a police report with PPB for a crime that has already occurred and there’s no suspect information?  Just call the Non-Emergency number at 503-823-3333. You can also report certain crimes that meet the criteria for online reporting here.