Saturday, November 19, 2011
FREE YBR TRAINING EVENT NOVEMBER 27!
RHYTTAC 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth
Saturday, October 29, 2011
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY IN VANCOUVER
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
GIRLS ARE NOT FOR SALE!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CITY BIBLE CHURCH
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 07, 2011
GIRLS ARE NOT FOR SALE!
"In light of Backpage.com's response to the 51 attorneys general, I'd like to update you on our efforts to rescue children from being sexually exploited on Backpage.com," said Mayor Mike McGinn. "On Thursday September 22, while Backpage.com was drafting its lengthy rationalization of their practices, our High Risk Victims Unit participated in a task force operation in SeaTac. We recovered three female children who were being advertised for sex on Backpage.com." McGinn says protecting exploited children is a top priority for the Seattle Police Department, but continues, "we can never get ahead of this crime while a company like Backpage.com profits from the sexual exploitation of children and uses their newsrooms to minimize the extent of the issue."
The company has said it would work with police to crack down on predators, but claims shutting down the site would be a violation of the First Amendment.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REED COLLEGE!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Free YBR Training Event!
Thursday, September 08, 2011
The Standard's 2011 Volunteer Expo Fair
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
NOW HIRING YOUTH!
1 year clean and sober time (required)
High school diploma or GED
Experience and/or knowledge of the issues of homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction.
A pre-employment drug screening (required)
For an application and more information please visit DePaul Treatment Centers and click 'Metamorphosis Application'.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Janus Youth Access Center
Friday, July 22, 2011
YBR meets Pickle Baby
Tonight was a night filled with new contacts! Around 40% of the young people we met said they had not heard about street outreach before and they were very happy to see us...We decided to spice up our route and headed down to the Burnside/Powell stretch, dipping into the south side through O'Bryant Square (aka "Paranoid Park")...We strolled through Pioneer Square where we had some prime harm reduction philosophizing with some rather transcendental travelers after they claimed that it's "cool" not to wear condoms! Sarah astutely pointed out the risks of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, to which he responded with a very sincere, "What you don't know can't hurt you." It was noted that clearly not all proverbs are true and this seemed to leave quite an impression on the young man for further thought...
Next we headed down to Safeway where we had a nice conversation with "Primal" and "Sandy" and their lovely puppy. Then up to the Park Blocks where we encountered "Chance" who is hopefully getting into treatment this week and then planning to move on to Montana where he apparently has a home and a full-time job waiting for him! He was ecstatic to get our of Portland and had strong hopes that he would stay clean for good. We offered him congratulations and good wishes for his future.
After a heartfelt "thank you" from a longtime homeless man for everything Yellow Brick Road has done for him, we hopped on the MAX back to YBR headquarters. It was wonderful night overall.
~Yellow Brick Road Team (July 2011)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Yellow Brick Road Volunteer Awarded!
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Somehwere Under The Rainbow...
Photos courtesy of Yellow Brick Road volunteer Stella Butler, who has been with the program since 2003. Thanks for all you do, Stella!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Meet YBR of Washington!
YELLOW BRICK ROAD of WASHINGTON
& THE PERCH DROP-IN CENTER
YBR of Washington was established in 2006 with the mission of identifying and meeting the unique needs of street dependent youth in the Southwest Washington region. Modeled closely after Janus Youth’s nationally acclaimed street outreach program based in downtown Portland, the Washington State division has expanded to include a drop-in center known as The Perch which is operated by knowledgeable outreach workers and serves young people 16-24 years old that are experiencing homelessness in Clark County. The program operates Monday through Friday from 9am-3:30pm. Recently Dennis Lundberg joined Director of Washington Services Dr. Tillie Make Peace to provide leadership for YBR of Washington and The Perch. Helen Boylan (pictured) and Scott Conger also assist youth to achieve sustainable independence through the housing assistance programs The NEST and The PATH. Now let’s meet our amazing team of YBR-W Outreach Specialists:
Heather Wilkins: Heather has been with YBR-W and The Perch for more than a year and recently accepted the challenge of assisting Dennis Lundberg with the daily maintenance of the pr0gram in her new role as the Program Coordinator. What does she like most about working with vulnerable street affected youth? “I just really love getting to know all the youth we have the opportunity to meet…they have some amazing strengths, tenacity and life knowledge.” If Heather had to pick a song that would describe her personality to a stranger, she would pick Tangerine by Led Zeppelin. Tangerine is also a favorite color. Why? “It’s a mellow, yet warm color.” Just like Heather’s personality. Thanks for all you do, Heather!
Sean Farrell: Sean moved to Portland a few years ago from California and very quickly applied his passion for volunteering and community organizing to the downtown Homeless Youth Continuum. He began his career as a Recovery Transition Advocate (RTA), working with Project Metamorphosis for a year and launching the successful Youth in the Community service learning project for homeless youth before recently joining the YBR-W/Perch team as a full-time Outreach Specialist. In his personal time Sean is a theatrical musician with roots in punk rock activism. If he had to pick one song that describes his personality to a stranger, he would pick Walk Together, Rock Together by 7 Seconds. Welcome to the team, Sean!
Joseph Bonnell: Joseph was raised in Norman, Oklahoma and joined the YBR-W/Perch team almost exactly one year ago to the day. He brings to the team a deep respect for young people and a gentle and grounded presence. Joseph is also our resident resource expert and he single handedly maintains a meticulously updated resource guide that will soon be shared amongst the entire Washington State Janus Division. His favorite color is green and his favorite thing about working with YBR-W is, “All I get to learn from tough, amazing young people.” Thanks for all you do, Joseph.
Robin Alley: Robin was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington. She loves her city and devotes her time away from her own family to improving the lives of vulnerable young people right in her own hometown. Robin was a generous volunteer with The Perch for the past year and rose to the challenge to help the team hold down the proverbial fort during recent transitions. This month she joined YBR-W as a fulltime Outreach Specialist and brings to the team her motherly compassion and enviable energy (not to mention her delicious cooking). If Robin had to choose an animal that would describe her personality to a stranger, she would choose a dog because she is, “Loyal & friendly & loves to run around.” Welcome to the team, Robin!
To learn more about YBR-W street outreach and The Perch drop-in center, contact us at:
(360) 213-5947
Friday, April 29, 2011
YBR Outreach Specialist Awarded!
As a professional Outreach Specialist with Janus Youth Programs' Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach Program, Neal packs his bag every week- rain or shine (frequently rain)- and heads out to the streets, bridges, wooded camps, squats, and pretty much anywhere off the beaten path where he might find Portland, Oregon’s most vulnerable young people. He excels at reaching the "hardest to reach" youth wherever they are to be found and he builds meaningful relationships that make a lasting difference.
Neal’s history with Janus Youth Programs goes back to 1998 when he himself began as a volunteer with Yellow Brick Road. Neal far exceeded his minimum 6 month volunteer commitment, remaining on the YBR team for no less than 4 years before he applied and was hired on full-time with Janus Youth’s homeless youth services in 2002. Over the years Neal has honed his skills with young people and left a wake of hilarious epic-length monologues in our staff log books.
Neal is Journalism major (another family tradition) with a gift for wry wit. That’s a nice way of saying he can laugh even in the shadow of life’s darkest ironies. It is a skill that serves him well in our work in downtown Portland where we frequently need both hands to count the folks lost on the streets every year. Neal’s passion for laughter and language is a gift he has shared with youth in the form of creative writing and self-expression workshops.
Neal believes in young people so unrelentingly that, eventually, they tend to believe in themselves. He is a soft-spoken hero on the streets of Portland and he is one of the dedicated youth advocates who have made Janus Youth Programs the acclaimed service providers we are today. We are honored to work with him. So are the youth.
Friday, March 18, 2011
What IS Street Outreach?
Super solid night! Started out wet and rainy heading to Street Church which was packed. There are two teens who have been frequenting Street Church recently who appear fairly vulnerable. They are engageable yet very resistant to the idea of services...We checked in with [Street Church Supervisor] Jeff Welch and discussed a plan to try to motivate them to go to Harry's Mother [Janus Youth Programs' 24 hour runaway youth safety center].
We then went to Safeway through the South Park Blocks, where we had some good conversations and "card & raps" [i.e. new contacts]. From there we did the Rite Aid/Pioneer Square loop and engaged with a fair amount of young people...After that we headed down toward Waterfront and crossed over to the East Side. Once there we encountered several groups of people. They like us over there and would like to see more of us under the Hawthorne Bridge area. There was a request for wide-eye sewing needles.
At the public meal under the Burnside Bridge we met "Kathy" and "Robin", who were new to Portland from Des Moines and after a "card & rap" about Yellow Brick Road they were interested in having an emergency night at Porchlight Shelter. From the meal we escorted them directly to shelter where we provided a warm handoff to the shelter staff waiting when we arrived. Solid night, solid contact.
~S, S, H & A (Thursday Night Yellow Brick Road Team)
Yellow Brick Road volunteer Axcelle Bell in the YBR office preparing a nightly outreach report with his team. Photos courtesy of YBR volunteer Stella Butler.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
YBR Training Opportunity: De-Escalation & Non-Violent Communication
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Our Hearts and Best Wishes Go Out To Our Neighbors In Japan
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Janus Youth Programs and the Sexual Aassault Resource Center partner to end Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
Chanel 12
Portland, Oregon
Portland has been in the spotlight as a hub for child sex trafficking, but now efforts are stepping up this week to fight the problem and help the victims. A fund of $285,000 approved by the city in November has been put to use. This week, three new case managers from the Sexual Assault Resource Center will begin work helping victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
Homeless Youth Featured on 60 Minutes
go Minutes
Friday, March 04, 2011
Stand and Be Counted
Thursday, February 24, 2011
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24 & 25)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
SEVERE WEATHER THIS WEEK!
Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1.
211info will be available to identify available shelter and warming center resources between 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Multnomah County callers may also contact 211info between 6:00pm and 10:00pm Monday to Friday, and between 8:00am and 10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to existing year-round and winter shelter facilities, the following warming center facilities are available:
WARMING CENTERS:
Family Winter Warming Center:
12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon
(on Halsey near 126th Avenue)
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Any combination of adults with children under 18 or women who are IN THEIR 3RD TRIMESTER OF THEIR PREGNANCY.
Women’s Winter Warming Center:
Call to make reservation 24 hours per day or stop by the Transition Projects office at NW 5th & Glisan Monday - Friday, 8:30am-7:30pm. Call 503-823-4930 to check availability. Only for single women, up to 70 people.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:45 PM - 6:45 AM; 7:30 PM check-in for guests with disabilities
Serves: Only single women
Men’s Expanded Shelter:
Located at Salvation Army Harbor Light, SW 2nd and Ankeny, between 7:30pm and 7:30am. Call 503-239-1259. Provides seating and hot beverages. Only for single men, up 70 people.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:30 PM - 7:30 AM
Serves: Only single men
Portland Rescue Mission:
111 W Burnside St., Portland Oregon
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: seven nights a week
Hours: 8:30 PM - 5:30 AM, check-in on site
Serves: only single men, up to 136 people
Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center at the Imago Dei Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Dates: evenings 2/22/2011 - 02/23/2011
Hours: 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor)
Union Gospel Mission
3 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-274-4483
Dates: evenings 2/22/2010 – 02/26/2011
Hours: 9:30 PM – 6:00 AM
Serves: Up to 50 people
The following expanded day center service is available during the Severe Weather Alert.
St. Francis Dining Hall
330 SE 11th Avenue, 503-234-2028
Adding additional hours to accommodate Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center clients
Dates: 2/22/2010 – evening of 02/23/2011
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:45 PM
Serves: Men & Women
Please call 211info with questions regarding other shelter and transportation resources.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
FREE YBR TRAINING THIS SUNDAY!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
STREET COUNT 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
City of Portland Street Musician Forum!
Portland Building, Room C
1120 SW 5th Ave
Portland, OR 97204
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
It's COOOOLD!
Family Winter Warming Center:
12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon
(on Halsey near 126th Avenue)
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Any combination of adults with children under 18 or women who are IN THEIR 3RD TRIMESTER OF THEIR PREGNANCY.
Women’s Winter Warming Center:
Call to make reservation 24 hours per day or stop by the Transition Projects office at NW 5th & Glisan Monday - Friday, 8:30am-7:30pm. Call 503-823-4930 to check availability. Only for single women, up to 70 people.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Serves: Only single women
Men’s Expanded Shelter:
Located at Salvation Army Harbor Light, SW 2nd and Ankeny, between 7:30pm and 7:30am. Call 503-239-1259. Provides seating and hot beverages. Only for single men, up 70 people.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:30 PM - 7:30 AM
Serves: Only single men