Assertive Engagement Newsletter

February 2023

As we welcome and say goodbye to the month of February we're carrying gratitude and full hearts for the incredible work done by everyone in our community. The month of February holds several things for us, like Pisces season- a time to reflect and feel all the feelings you might be tempted to avoid. Ever year around this time, the Zodiac asks us to take a break from working, thinking, and planning and just become reacquainted with our feelings and emotions. Following January's advice to practice mindfulness and gratitude... we are ready to sit with the feelings that emerged this month.

Firstly, we are halfway through the recruitment process for a new AE Training Specialist position! The position will live in the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) and will support AE training access for community providers supporting our houseless neighbors. We are enthusiastic about further nurturing the cross departmental partnership between the Department of County Human Services and JOHS as well as planting more AE seeds in the learning garden.

Our AE Facilitation Team just wrapped up 2 AE trainings with over 130 folks doing incredible work with community members. We were honored to host the first in-person AE training in nearly 3 years with Portland Community College's Workforce and Economic Opportunity team. We hosted a 4 day virtual AE training for a diverse group of community providers working with survivors of domestic violence, folks experiencing houselessness, and those impacted by legal or criminal justice system involvement. These folks represent a wealth of experience and possess a profound sense of humility while engaging in their prospective roles. In our training communities we held challenging conversations ranging from "use of pronouns and racial identities" to "colorblindness and the harm of microaggressions." These groups of AE practitioners leaned into discomfort with conflict and showed respect and curiosity while engaging in practical application of AE tools.

Thank you all for bringing your wisdom and sharing it with one another each and every day.

We appreciate you!

The Assertive Engagement Team,

- Helen & Rhea

Community Care

"Community care is a system of care designed to uplift entire communities."

Collective care and/or community care consists of small and large scale actions that we can take to show support for our community. It might look like leaving sticky notes with encouraging words for a co-worker or volunteering at a warming shelter to support the communities we belong to AND serve.

Award winning writer and community organizer, Nakita Valerio, writes that community care is

"People committed to leveraging their privilege to be there for one another in various ways."

Often times we forget that self care, while critical and necessary, does not in itself make for healthier communities. The health of our communities is largely determined by the strength of our community care and mutual aid networks. Black History Month is a great time to reflect on the power of collective care movements.

The Black Panthers implemented multiple free community resource programs to support those struggling in their community. The Free Breakfast Program, transportation networks, and academic supports offered through the Black Panthers are a great blueprint for others seeking to build a community of resilience and self determination with one another. Due to the community upheaval and isolation we've all experienced during the pandemic, it's not a surprise that (since 2020) there's been a resurgence of documented mutual aid organizations, indicating that there's even more of this work taking place outside of formal institutions.

These collective care movements center the enduring relationship between us as humans and embody a well known philosophy among the African diaspora, "Ubuntu" or “I am, because we are.”

"Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed

in isolation; healing is an act of communion"

-bell hooks

Celebrating Community Care

Pictured above: Marissa Richerson, Stewardship Specialist with Portland Parks & Recreation, speaking about important environmentalists from Portland's Black community

Black History Month Celebration of Portland's Black Environmentalism

Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry and the Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presented the Albina Black History Month Tree Talk on February 11, 2023.

This event was a celebration of Black environmentalism in Portland, the history of the neighborhood, and its precious trees.

At the June Key Delta Center community members gathered to hear a presentation on environmental projects and people of the Albina neighborhood and to meet environmental organizations connecting BIPOC communities with nature.

There was food provided by Erica’s Soul Food and a short tree walk around Peninsula park.

Learn more about Urban Forestry and get involved.

Find More Joy

Spotlight: Black Futures Farm

Black Futures Farm is a program of the Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, located in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood, which is located on unceded Clackamas and Multnomah First Nations Territory.

"Black Futures Farm is both a community-building and production farm, where we grow meaningful relationships alongside vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Our main goal is to heal the connection between Black people and the land, and we achieve this by cultivating a healthy place for the Black community to gather in joy. Starting in May and ending in October, every Sunday is Black Sunday, a day for Black-identified folks to gather, celebrate, learn, and grow together.

We also offer a variety of ways to access our freshly grown produce, depending on the season. In the past, we have offered a small CSA, sales at farmers markets, pop-ups, you-pick, and donation/delivery options. We have ongoing volunteer

opportunities, partnerships, and projects at the farm, where all people can come to share food, knowledge, culture, and experiences."

Find out more about Black Futures Farm and volunteer!

Rest is Resistance

Learn more about the Nap Ministry from NPR's Life Kit

Listen to the 8-minute podcast.

The legacy of individual production being tied to feelings of value and self worth is being examined more closely these days. Grind culture, for better or worse has had its impact on communities across our country. Many are finding space for resistance and are working to set healthy boundaries and prioritize time for rest and recovery to prevent the impacts of overwork.

"JOY is the reward of seeking to give joy to others."

-ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU

Film Recommendation Mission: JOY

I have not stopped thinking about this film since I watched it and wanted to spread the word!

This film features the stories of two men with very different backgrounds, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both faced violence and oppression in their communities, both resilient leaders in resistance movements, grounded with compassion, love, and joy.

They share their wisdom and celebrate a truly special friendship.

Watch the trailer to learn more!

(content warning: violence)

Now streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, or Apple TV.

An illustration with three people. The person on the left has brown skin, short dark hair in a bob cut, yellow overalls and orange shirt and is looking off in the distance holding a magnifying lens. The person in the center has tan skin, a dark green dress, white bun and is looking straight ahead through binoculars. The erson on the right has light skin, yellow shirt and orange pants and short brown hair and is looking off into the distance with a hand to their brow.

Have a story or thoughts to share? Email us: aeinfo@multco.us !

Question of the Month

What are some of the ways that you give or receive care in your community?

February Poll

What's one way you give and show care in your community?

Choose one:

Collective Cooking

Sharing gifts or food

Spending quality time with loved ones

Participating in service based activities together

Storytelling

Offering affirmations and support

January Poll Results!

Thank you to everyone who responded with the tools you use to learn and grow!

The most popular response (36%) was to turn to the internet and start learning via YouTube or Google (I'd like to thank TikTok for teaching me how to clean out a clogged washing machine filter).

The same number of folks take the analog route and either talk to friends (22%) who have knowledge and skill in that area or read books (14%) about the topic.

Some of you (17%) just jump right in and start practicing.

Mistakes and failures are part of learning, don't get discouraged! Look for strategies and supports in your community and put in the effort and you can improve.