Assertive Engagement Newsletter

June 2025

Hello everyone,

This month we're exploring self-care and ways we can take care of ourselves in order to have the energy to do the things we want in this world, like show up for loved ones, fight for our rights, and care for others.

Researching this newsletter has been my own form of self-care as I come to terms with the fact that this is likely the last newsletter I'll put together for the AE Initiative. Due to funding shortfalls and many tough budget cuts, the Assertive Engagement Team has been reduced to one staff for the upcoming fiscal year, down from four.

It has been an absolute pleasure curating this monthly newsletter for our learning community and I've heard from many of you how you enjoy the resources and refresher lessons. I'm so glad many of you found this project useful and worthwhile.

Please be patient with us at the Assertive Engagement Initiative as we figure out how to keep building a learning community and using AE to make service in Multnomah County more empathetic, strength-based, and hopeful.

I have been taking care of myself through this time of transition by connecting with friends, dancing, spending time in nature, and planning my Cowboy Carter outfit. Take the time to provide the care you need right now, so we can all stay energized to fight against hate, and to envision a more equitable, compassionate community.

With warmest regards,

Helen

"Fall in love with yourself, with life and then with whoever you want."

- Frida Kahlo

Self-Care Practice

Assertive Engagement teaches about self-care not just for the folks we work with but for ourselves as well. The world is an overwhelming place, and when we are working in helping professions we can be so focused on helping others that we can neglect our own wellness needs. When we show up with empathy for others, we can take on their pain, stressing our own mental and physical health. That is why it is important to systematically build self-care into our work. That could look like starting and ending each day with a mindfulness meditation practice, scheduling a walking meeting with a co-worker, or taking 5 minutes each hour to stand up and stretch.

When you're thinking about building your self-care practice, make sure you are thinking about all areas in your life. The National Institute of Health has put together toolkits for improving your health in the following areas:

Your Surroundings - Check out the Environmental Wellness Toolkit to find out how to make sure you're safe in your home, in extreme weather, and that the water you drink and the air you breathe is safe.
Your Feelings - The Emotional Wellness Toolkit has strategies for building resilience, reducing stress, getting better sleep, nuturing mindfulness, coping with loss and strengthening social connections.
Your Body - The Physical Wellness Toolkit gives tips on getting active, building muscle, and improving health throughout your lifetime.
Your Relationships - Social wellness is just as important as physical wellness. Connecting with others, being part of a community, and having healthy relationships with others can improve your overall wellness.
Your Disease Defense - You might not think of washing hands or getting vaccinated as self-care, but these are important steps to keeping yourself and those around you healthy. Find out more in the Disease Prevention Toolkit.

Self-care looks different for everyone. What relieves stress and improves wellness for one person may not work for the next. What's important is taking the time to create a self-care plan that works for you and protecting the time to make sure it happens.

When we are overworked and in demand this can feel like an impossible task. It's ok to start small. You can do it right now! Set a 60 second timer on your phone, close your eyes, and picture a place that brings you calm. Take yourself to that place in your mind for one minute. If you were able to take that minute, well done on starting your self-care practice!

Self-care doesn't happen in isolation. Just as colonialization and oppression have harmed us, healing has to happen outside of those oppressive structures. Listen to Angelique Nixon's speech on the Elements of Decolonial Healing Justice to learn how transformation is necessary for healing.

Woman with head wrap, glasses, and mic speaking on a stage.

Watch a 10 minute video on the Elements of Decolonial Healing Justice

International Self-Compassion Day

One way to take care of yourself is by practicing self-compassion. You can start by observing International Self-Compassion Day on July 19, 2025 where people around the world are invited to do something "quietly radical: give yourself the same care and compassion you normally extend to others."

Dr. Kristin Neff invites folks to join a free online gathering where she will lead a meditation and take questions. You can also do a guided practice online or simply write in a journal, giving yourself the same advice you'd give to a loved one.

Find other ways to celebrate International Self-Compassion Day

June is Pride Month

While June is Pride Month across the country, Portland holds their Pride Festival and Parade on July 19 & 20. Whether you go to the Pride Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park or view the Pride Parade between the park blocks and the waterfront, don't miss the opportunity to participate in one of the largest celebrations of the LGBTQIA2S+ community on the west coast.

Learn more about Portland Pride events

Your Voice Counts

Share your input on how to

make east County roads safer

Multnomah County and local city governments are asking for the community’s feedback on how to make east County roads safer. Your voice matters! That survey is now live and open through July 31. Take the survey and be entered to win a $50 grocery store gift card!

The virtual open house and survey are available in multiple languages:

This survey is part of the second phase of public outreach for the East Multnomah County Transportation Safety Action Plan (TSAP). The County is asking for community feedback on the top 10 safety priority roads and improvements in East Multnomah County.

Take the Survey

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.

Question(s) of the Month

What gets in the way of your self care practice? What steps are you able to take to mitigate those barriers? Who can help you?

Share your ideas with us at aeinfo@multco.us!

June Poll

Which option most resembles your best self care practice?

Choose one:

Quiet time alone for reflection

Quiet time alone to check out (tv, reading, video games)

Time with friends or family

Doing something for myself (bath, grooming, shopping)

Doing something for others (cooking a meal, making a gift)

Time in nature

Exercise

May Poll Results

Last month we asked what is your greatest strength and here is what you told us:

Kindness 19%

Passion 19%

Flexibility 19%

Empathy 19%

Curiosity 13%

Patience 6%

Determination 6%

The strengths you have are not limited to this list! Reflect on all the strengths you have and how you can lean on those strengths when challenges arise.

Thanks to everyone who completed our poll last month!

AE COOP Info

Community of Ongoing Practice

(COOP)

Self-Care can be challenging when there are so many things competing for our attention. To be present for our communities, family and friends it's essential to take the time to nurture ourselves. Join us at the June COOP to explore ways we can show ourselves the care we need and deserve.

June Virtual COOP Session

Self-Care

June 26

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

What is a Community of Ongoing Practice?

A group of people who share a common interest and interact often to learn from each other and advance their work. It is open to all, but is most valuable to folks who have already completed the Assertive Engagement 101 training and are seeking ongoing refreshers of the curriculum, supplemental training to deepen their understanding of AE core concepts, and community building with AE practitioners.

AE Blended

Learning Course

Assertive Engagement certification is now available to contracted community partners via our Blended Learning Video Series

Community partners are able to register for six self-paced video learning modules to watch when and where it works for you.

After successful completion of the e-learning modules, you'll enroll in a four-hour Skills Practice & Demonstration Workshop where you'll actively practice Assertive Engagement skills in community with other AE learners. Upon successful completion of the workshop and e-learning modules, you'll become AE certified!

We hope by offering training in this format we can better meet the needs of our learning community. Thank you all for your patience as we've developed and launched this training series!

For now we are offering the training to community partners who contract with Multnomah County's Department of Human Services (DCHS) and the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS). If you work with one of our contracted partners, please visit our website to register.

Upcoming Skills Practice and Demonstration Session dates:

Tuesday, July 8, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 17, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(CEUs offered for this training)

We will post all new training opportunities in this newsletter.

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