Community Matters: Jan 2023
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Hello NECC Community. Happy New Year! Between the wind, snow, ice and freezing rain, we had quite an eventful countdown to the new year this December. Now that our loyal Portland weather is back in full swing, it’s time to get out those umbrellas and rain boots and maybe even jump in some puddles! For those who are dreaming of brighter and longer days, we too can’t wait for our cherry blossom trees to adorn our facility entrance. In the meantime, we'll be enjoying our time indoors and looking for ways to learn about and connect with our community. Interested in joining? Check out more below!
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Community Connections: Events, Opportunities, Resources
- MLK Day, Jan. 16 - NECC Open, Regular Hours
- Chinese New Year, Jan. 22
- Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27
- NAYA Vaccination Clinic at NECC, Jan. 30 at 5pm, Free
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Mental Wellness in the New Year |
If you have been struggling with your mental health this winter, you are not alone. Between shorter days, cloudy skies, and post-holiday fatigue, many of us can find it challenging to keep up with or feel motivated to complete daily routines. If this sounds familiar, you could be experiencing a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Triggered by the change of seasons starting in the fall and early winter months, some of the symptoms of SAD include oversleeping, social withdrawal, and overeating.
The past three years have taken quite a toll on many of us and our mental health, particularly for those continuing to minimize social activity for health reasons, and may have increased feelings of loneliness and sadness. Those managing mental illness often put their own needs on the back burner, so this can be a great time to check in with friends and family who may be having a hard time during the winter months. Social isolation in the winter can be particularly hard for seniors, adults who live alone, and folks who may be more susceptible to depression and anxiety.
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Honoring MLK Day Through Community Volunteering |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day to celebrate the incredible legacy, achievements, and teachings of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recognized by many as a "day on, not a day off", the third Monday of January is observed each year as a day of service when people throughout the country choose to volunteer in their communities.
Looking to take action this weekend? Here in Portland here are a number of opportunities for those looking to support racial justice. On Jan. 21, Love is King in partnership with Forest Park Conservancy, will host “A Walk the Walk” to honor the 1965 Selma March led by Rev. Dr. MLK Jr.
Click here to learn how to honor Dr. King Jr.’s legacy of service this Monday by getting involved with local volunteer opportunities.
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Breaking Barriers in Aquatics
In Portland and across the nation, many BIPOC communities lack access to public pools. In North and NE Portland, this gap has widened with the recently-announced permanent closure of the Columbia Pool.
One organization removing these barriers for Black children and youth is the Black Swimming Initiative. The Black Swimming Initiative is a group of triathletes and swimmers who host no-cost safe and accessible water safety events across the Portland metro area. In this program, children and families are able to learn fundamental swimming and water safety skills. Access to swim lessons like BSI's program provides students with not only lifesaving skills but also the opportunity to participate in aquatic sports, future employment opportunities, and recreational fun.
Through a community partnership, the BSI provided trauma-informed swimming training that has guided NECC’s newly launched Jump Start Swim program, a free swim lesson program for BIPOC and low-income families with little or no swimming experience.
You can learn more about racial inequities in aquatics here.
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Oregon Holocaust Memorial. Located in Washington Park. |
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Holocaust Remembrance Day
With the rise of extreme antisemitism in recent years, learning about the history of the Holocaust is critical in both recognizing and interrupting acts of antisemitism. There are several ways to learn about the impact of the Holocaust, including local resources: the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial at Washington Park.
To learn more about visiting hours for Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, visit, https://www.ojmche.org/
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Stay Connected & Informed-
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Northeast Community Center
Website | frontdesk@necommunitycenter.org | 503.284.3377
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