December 2022

Happy Holidays to You

from Central Northeast Neighbors

Board and Staff!

The month of December brings many holidays, feasts, and happenings! Learn all about the 12th month on the calendar, a short history, and what the month is known for! From St. Nicholas Day to the Geminid Meteor Shower to Christmas, it’s a busy month of the year. Just remember to grab a cup of cocoa and relax when you can. 

December is the 12th month in our modern-day Gregorian calendar (as it was in the preceding Julian calendar). It was originally the 10th month of the Roman calendar (until 153 BC). Hence, “December” comes from the Latin word decem, meaning “ten.”

December Calendar

• December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, inspires traditions around the world from hunts for presents to stockings or shoes filled with sweets.
• December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
• December 13 is St. Lucia’s Day, which has long been associated with festivals of light. Before the Gregorian calendar reform in 1752, her feast day occurred on the shortest day of the year (hence the saying “Lucy light, Lucy light, shortest day and longest night”).
• December 15 is Bill of Rights Day.
• December 17 is Wright Brothers Day.
• December 18 marks the beginning of Hanukkah.
• December 21 is the Winter Solstice—the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
• December 25 is Christmas Day, a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Learn more about American Christmas traditions.
• December 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa a weeklong celebration held in the United States that honors African heritage in African-American culture. Kwanzaa is observed from December 26th to January 1st
• On the last evening of the year, December 31, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing! Discover New Years traditions from around the world.

Join Meetings in

Central Northeast Neighbors

Many meetings are via Zoom. Check the

Neighborhood Association Websites for updates.

Please join Central Northeast Neighbors for an Important Training on Nonprofit Board Roles and Responsibility facilitated by

Dr. Paul Leistner.

Nonprofit Board Roles and Responsibility,

Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Dr. Paul Leistner, for over 25 years, has been a leader in the development of Portland’s nationally and internationally recognized community engagement policies, programs, and tools.

Paul served for ten years as the City of Portland Neighborhood Program Coordinator and supported Portland’s nationally, and internationally-recognized, citywide community and neighborhood engagement system. Paul currently serves as a senior fellow with the Center for Public Service at PSU.

Paul holds a PhD in Urban Studies from PSU and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.

For Information contact Alison at alisons@cnncoalition.org

Join us via zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81106034478?pwd=a1l2S2pMOXpJVG1LN3NzR0gwRDBJUT09 

You Can Help Oregon’s Foster Care Crisis

On any given day, there are about 6,000 children in Oregon’s foster care system. Many of these children come from situations of abuse and neglect only to find themselves facing uncertainty and instability once they enter foster care.

Boys & Girls Aid, a nonprofit founded in Portland in 1885, wants to change that. We are looking for compassionate people to help improve the lives of children in foster care.

A good foster home is often the first place a child in foster care has felt safe in a long time. Foster parents help children build trust in adults and provide a supportive environment where they can thrive. Boys & Girls Aid supports foster parents with responsive program staff available 24/7, ongoing free professional training, and generous monthly, tax-free stipends ranging from $1,200 to $3,500 per month. There are options to fit every family, from full-time placement to relief care a few days a month.

Fostering children might bring life changes and challenges, but it’s a great opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life — and in your own life, too.

“It’s worth it to get to know these kids,” said experienced foster parents Jen and Chad. “It’s enriched our lives a lot.”

To learn more, visit our website: boysandgirlsaid.org/fostercare, or contact Outreach & Certification Coordinator Hallie Campbell at 503-544-7003 or hcampbell@boysandgirlsaid.org

Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN) Community & Civic Engagement

Small Grants Apply Now!

We are excited to announce Central Northeast Neighbors 2023 Small Grant Application is open through December 29th at 1:00 pm.

Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN) with the Office of Community & Civic Life (OCCL) is providing small grants for Community Engagement and Capacity Building projects. This year's total of $20,395, awarded in amounts from $500 to $3,000, is available for Community Organizations and Neighborhood Associations in our CNN area.

Goals of the Grant

Increase the number and diversity of people who are involved and engaged in the broader communities and neighborhoods.

Strengthen and expand Community and Neighborhood capacity to build Community Leadership, Identity, Skills, Relationships and/or Partnerships to reach Equity Goals.

Increase Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in the Communities in the Central NE Area.

Amplify over looked voices and Increase Community and Neighborhood impact on public decisions and community life.

Support Community preparedness and resiliency building efforts.

Expand local capacity to care for the physical environment.

Projects will engage Community members in the Central Northeast Neighbors area. 

Please visit www.cnncoalition.org for 2023 Grants Handbook and Application

Applications Due by December 29, 2022 at 1:00pm. No late applications accepted.

The Community & Civic Engagement Small Grants Program has been made possible by Central Northeast Neighbors through funding from the City of Portland, Office of Community and Civic Engagement

Ronda Johnson, Equity Outreach Manager and Grants Coordinator rondaj@cnncoalition.org or (503)823-2780

Central Northeast Neighborhood Coalition

DEI Training Series: Topics and Descriptions

Facilitated by Alexis Millet and Sara Curiel Paez

These trainings are Free via Zoom from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Open as space permits you will need to register to attend.

Please contact Ronda rondaj@cnncoalition.org to register.

Next Training on January 23, 2023 Sign up or for information!

Home Forward Waitlists 

Are OPEN for Apartments

Listed on the apartment communities page and are operated by independent property management companies. We often advertise their open waiting lists on the site but you should contact them directly for application instructions. The detailed information here refers to waitlists for properties owned and managed by Home Forward.

Applications will only be accepted for open waitlists, unless you have an approved medical priority (below). Visit the apartment communities page for information about each waitlist, to help you make decisions about which waitlists to apply for.

Applications for the following waitlists will be open from 9AM November 30 – 11:59PM December 14 at https://connect.homeforward.org. If you need help with your application, please call The Waitlist Helpline at 503-415-8050 from 8AM – 4:30PM until December 14th. There is a how-to guide to walk you through the application process.

To sighn up for the open wait list click here

The Community for Positive Aging - Hollywood Senior Center

https://communityfpa.org/

Holiday Closure:

Hollywood Senior Center will be closed December 26th through January 2nd in observance of winter holidays. Please note a few programs that will still meet virtually that week. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.

Winter Coat and Sock Drive: 

Throughout the month of December, we will be collecting gently-used and new coats and new socks and mittens to help spread warmth in our senior and low-income communities this winter.

Please drop off your donations at Hollywood Senior Center (1820 NE 40th Avenue) Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Holiday Card Drive:

We are asking for handmade or extra general holiday cards to the Center to be distributed to our seniors and residents. This is open to people of all ages, and can be an interactive project for classrooms and school groups. 

We are asking for cards to be brought to the Center by Friday, December 9th. For more details, please contact Liz at 503-288-8303 ext 109.

Season of Sharing:

This is a reminder that the Oregonian recently released an article highlighting our Asian Food Pantry as well as other services we provide!

To read more about this service and other contributions, please visit this link to access the Oregonian’s article!

To support CFPA in our mission to be a source of connection and valuable resources that empower older adults, please consider donating directly to The Community for Positive Aging or the Season of Sharing general fund.



Reminder on masking policy:

When attending events this fall, please keep in mind that our masking policy has not changed and we require all participants, staff, and volunteers to wear masks unless actively eating or drinking. If you happen to forget a mask during your visit, we provide them for your convenience at the front desk.

Inclement weather information:

This winter is forecasted to be a cold and snowy one. CFPA follows Portland Public Schools' inclement weather policy (if Portland Public Schools are closed or opening late due to weather, The Center will be closed or opening late). 

During inclement weather your safety is paramount. Even if CFPA remains open, please assess the safety and practicality of your particular situation.

Gift shop opening times:

The CFPA Gift Shop is located at Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 NE 40th Ave, and is open Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 2:00pm. 

Starting November 26th until December 17th, the Gift Shop will be open on Saturdays from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Face Masks are required while in the Gift Shop.

Rose Lane and Neighborhood Greenway Pilot Project at NE Sandy Blvd/Alameda St/57th Ave

PBOT plans to change NE Alameda Street from NE Sandy Boulevard to NE 56th Avenue to one-way westbound-only for auto traffic. The change will remove the NE Alameda St signal phase from the complex 5-leg intersection at NE Sandy Blvd, giving more “green time” to NE Sandy Blvd and NE 57th Ave.

About the project

• PBOT will improve traffic circulation and signal timing at a complex intersection. It will remove the NE Alameda St signal phase from the 5-leg interchange.
• It will give more “green time” to NE Sandy and NE 57th avenues, reducing delay to TriMet bus lines 12 and 71.
• It will improve traffic operations on NE Sandy and NE 57th Ave.
• It will reduce cut-through traffic on the NE Alameda Neighborhood Greenway.
• No changes will be made to the bicycle and pedestrian signal phase at NE Alameda.

On this Page

• What's happening now?
• About the project
• What will the pilot look like?
• Traffic Impact and Analysis
• What else do we know?
• Information sent to area residents
• Sign up for email updates
• Map

For more information click here

Behind on your sewer/stormwater/water bill?

The Bureau of Environmental Services and the Water Bureau offer several financial assistance programs: 

Bill discount: You may be able to get a discount on every sewer, stormwater, and water bill. Crisis voucher: If you've had a personal crisis and are enrolled in the bill discount program, you may be able to receive a voucher (a credit) of up to $500. Water Leak Repair Assistance: Do you have a leaky toilet, faucet, or pipe? If you own your home and are enrolled in our bill discount program, we may be able to fix the leak for free. For information Click Here

Do you Need a Notary Public?

We have you covered.

Central Northeast Neighbors can help you. Our own Ronda Johnson is a Notary! This is a free service from Central Northeast Neighbors. Please contact her for more information about doing curb side notaries.



I am not an attorney licensed to practice law. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities,

Central Northeast Neighbors Ronda (503)823-2780 rondaj@cnncoalition.org

CNN Resource Numbers and Websites

• "You Are Not Alone" We know physical distancing creates increased concerns, but there is help. At this website, https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-not-alone is a list of resources for you, friends and family, and community members. All of these help lines offer translation services and are confidential.Your personally identifying information is not required.
• Please refer to www.211info if you require a resource that cannot be found on our website. Learn about community resources: Dial 2-1-1 They have extensive information if you are looking for resources related to food, housing, energy, emergencies, childhood and parenting, and maternity services. The website provides contact and location information for service providers nearest you.
• Multnomah County and City of Portland Resource List https://multco.us/sites/default/files/health/documents/community_resource_list.pdf
• This is a Great Resource during Covid-19 Check it out! Macs List Portland Oregon https://www.macslist.org/working-in-portland/covid-19-resources-for-the-portland-community
• People with disabilities and older adults: Aging and Disability Hotline at 503-988-3646 or adrc@multco.us
• Mental health support: Multnomah Mental health Call Center at
• 503-988-4888
• Looking for the COVID resources featured in recent issues of the NEWS? These resources can now be found in https://www.multco.us/dchs/covid-19-information-resources-people-disabilities-older-adults