Thanks Produce Row!

We'd like to send a warm New Year's THANK YOU to our friends at Produce Row Cafe! For the past three years Produce Row has generously prepared two HUGE 24" sandwiches for Janus Youth's Outreach & Engagement stationary outreach program. Every week these delicious sandwiches are served to as many as 50 young people experiencing homelessness here in Portland. Most weeks the food is devoured by our hungry and very appreciative drop-in guests within thirty minutes! On behalf of our outreach workers and the young people who visit our program, we wish to say THANK YOU to everyone at Produce Row Cafe! Your consistent food contributions make a huge difference in the lives of young people. Please drop by Produce Row Cafe and enjoy a meal (and a pint!) at their cozy inner-southeast location near the train tracks. Tell them Yellow Brick Road sent you!

Produce Row Cafe
204 SE Oak St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-8355

YBR SOCK DRIVE AT WHITE EAGLE TONIGHT!

Please join us TONIGHT December 22 at McMenamin's White Eagle for a very special musical event and SOCK DRIVE for Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach! Beyond contributing to a great cause, you'll enjoy an evening of great earth fusion hip-hop hosted by Marv Ellis and his band the Platform, Unkle Nancy, NRG and other local artists. This will be a very special event full of art, music, raffles, friendly people, good food and the White Eagle's special atmosphere (and incredible heating system and outdoor fire pit!). Please bring new socks to donate. We hear Goodwill is selling NEW winter socks for only $1.30 per pair!

Tuesday December 22
8:30pm
McMenamin's White Eagle
836 N. Russell St.
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 282-6810

BRING SOCKS!

Annual Homeless Memorial in Portland TONIGHT!

Please join us this evening as we remember those lost to the streets this year. We will gather for a candlelight vigil at Outside In's courtyard from 4pm-6p. The shortest day of the year is a wonderful time to gather together and herald the light of HOPE.

Empowering Our Homeless Citizens To Stay Safe and Warm This Winter

Winter brings unique challenges to those who sleep outdoors. In addition to the emotional and psychological trauma of homelessness, the change in climate and precipitation creates immediate medical hazards for our most vulnerable citizens. Janus Youth Programs has responded to these challenges by working closely with the City of Portland and Multnomah County to develop and implement a strategic multi-agency response to inclement weather. In the past 4 years, Yellow Brick Road and PDX: Outreach & Engagement have become instrumental components of the City’s Winter Season & Severe Weather safety planning for the homeless.

Every night our amazing YBR volunteers, Project Metamorphosis staff and O&E Outreach Specialists are on the streets disseminating critical information and resources to the people who need them most. Our outreach teams are often the first point of contact for homeless folks who, for various reasons, may be hesitant to access services and other outlets for important weather information. The Yellow Brick Road blog is also a great community resource that volunteers, concerned citizens and people experiencing homelessness can access for free online. The blog maintains accurate and up-to-date information regarding resources during Severe Weather. Additionally, Janus operates transportation for people experiencing difficulty getting to a warm safe space during severe weather. This service can often be dispatched from the streets by Yellow Brick Road and O&E outreach teams who encounter people in need.

An excellent example of the fluidity of this safety planning occurred just this past week when the City of Portland declared 7 consecutive nights of Severe Weather due to temperatures below 22 degrees and expected freezing rain conditions. The Friday night Yellow Brick Road team encountered two young boys under the Burnside Bridge at 9:15pm. By that time the temperature was hovering just above 24 degrees. The boys, 16 and 17 years old, were buried under layers of blankets and huddled closely together to stay warm. They were dirty, cold and tired. Through a coordinated effort we were able to dialogue with Harry’s Mother, Janus Youth Programs' 24 hour Runaway Youth Services, about their options. Within twenty minutes the team had consulted with an outreach supervisor who was able to arrive at the scene with the Yellow Brick Road van and transport the boys to a Warming Center. They were able to leave behind the dozens of rain-soaked blankets that had been providing some tiny modicum of warmth as the temperature began to drop that night. The following morning Janus coordinated with the boys via information shared through the outreach teams and it was determined that they were indeed eligible for full Homeless Youth Continuum services! Both boys are warm and safe tonight as a direct result of Janus' Street Outreach Program’s dedication and preparedness. The boys will be provided with a broad array of services tailored to their developmental needs and it is our hope that they will soon bid farewell to the cold, wet streets forever.

In October 2008 Yellow Brick Road and PDX: O&E helped conduct Portland’s first Vulnerability Index Survey to assess the medical vulnerability of our street-affected population. For a city with relatively mild seasons and a generally friendly atmosphere, the findings were disturbing in several critical areas:

• Portland has a 12% higher rate of tri-morbidity than other larger cities that conducted the same survey, most notably New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles. Tri-morbidity is defined as a chronic medical condition in combination with mental health disorder and substance abuse.

• Portland’s overall “medically vulnerable” population is 5% higher than other cities that conducted the same survey. Remember, the other cities include New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles’ notorious “Skid Row”.

• 30 people under the age of 25 fit the definition of “medically vulnerable” (much higher per capita than other cities).

• Portland has a 10% higher rate of violent attacks on homeless individuals than other cities that conducted the same survey.

• 29% of the homeless people surveyed said they had foster care involvement at some point during their lives, a much higher rate than the other cities that conducted the same survey (most other cities were around 9%).

• 45% of the Native American population fell under the vulnerable definition (a markedly disproportionate rate when compared to other races & ethnicities).

As we bundle up this holiday season and gather with friends and family, I urge you to consider the lives of young people experiencing homelessness in our own neighborhoods and communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING WINTER SHELTER AND SEVERE WEATHER RESOURCES PLEASE CONTACT 211info WINTER SHELTER HOTLINE:
(503) 721-1500

The hotline available Monday through Friday 8am-10pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm

WARMING CENTERS NOW CLOSED!

The City of Portland has ended the Severe Weather Alert as of 7am Sunday morning December 13th. That means ALL EMERGENCY WARMING CENTERS ARE NOW CLOSED. This does not impact the regular Winter Shelters. For more information about available shelters please contact 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 Monday-Friday between 8:00AM and 10:00PM and Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm.

Severe Weather in affect for Saturday 12/12!

Just to reiterate: The City of Portland has extended the Severe Weather Alert through Saturday night, 12/12. The National Weather Service still predicts possible snow and/or freezing rain for Saturday evening. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
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) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather extended through Saturday night 12/12

The City of Portland has extended the Severe Weather Alert through Saturday night, 12/12. The National Weather Service predicts a possible 2-4 inches of snow and/or freezing rain Friday night into Saturday evening. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
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) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather extended through Wednesday 12/9!

The City of Portland has extended the Severe Weather Alert through Wednesday night, 12/9/09. The National Weather Service predicts some slight warming after Wednesday night so the warming centers will likely close on Thursday morning. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
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) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather Alert extended for Monday December 7th!

The City of Portland has extended the weekend's Severe Weather Alert through Monday night, 12/7/09. The National Weather Service predicts temperatures on Monday evening to drop to 20°F to 24°F with winds of 14-17 mph. Little precipitation is expected, but wind chills will be hazardous. Anyone seeking shelter should contact the 211 Winter Shelter Line (503) 721-1500 for information about available shelter and warming center resources. The hotline will be available between 8:00AM and 10:00PM. The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center will be open again tonight at the Foursquare Church and please note the opening of an additional Warming Center in Gresham.

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center @ Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
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) TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes.

City of Gresham Emergency Warming Center
1st Baptist Church
224 W. Powell
Gresham OR 97030
Grshaam Warming Center has opened for the nights of Monday December 7th, Tuesday December 8th and Wednesday December 9th.
Hours: 8pm to 8am, check in on site
Serves: Adult individuals.

Severe Weather called for December 5th & 6th!

The City of Portland is declaring a Severe Weather Alert for the following nights: Saturday and Sunday December 5th-6thth. This means no one seeking shelter will be turned away this weekend. TB cards will be waived due to expected freezing conditions. Please note location of Red Cross Severe Weather Warming Center below. The location of the Red Cross Warming Center will be different on Saturday night versus Sunday night. If you are homeless, we hope this info will help you navigate these services a bit easier. If you are not homeless, we hope you will consider contacting one of these agencies to offer volunteer support. Many of these severe weather shelters are made possible by Red Cross volunteers and other support from the community. The Winter Shelter Hotline is also available to help you during severe weather. The hotline is available Monday-Friday 8am to 10pm & weekends 10am to 10pm.

211 Winter Shelter Hotline: (503) 721-1500

FOR YOUTH UNDER 24

Janus Youth Programs operates both crisis and short-term shelter year-round. There is often room in the crisis shelter so please refer male, female and transgender youth who are under 24 to the Access Center to determine eligibility. The Access Center is available everyday of the year from 8:30am until 6:30pm: (503)432-3986. After 8:30pm, youth can contact the Janus shelters directly at (503) 222-5933. Janus Youth Shelters are located at located at 1635 SW Alder, Portland. Youth and Young Adults, age 18 and older, are also welcome at the Adult Shelters, including the Severe Weather Shelter Sites for Adults (see below).

FOR FAMILIES

FAMILY WINTER WARMING CENTER:
1435 NE 81st Street (behind the former Elmers restaurant at NE 82nd and Halsey, just off of the NE 82nd Max Line stop). Available seven nights a week throughout winter season 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site. For families with children under 18.).

ADULT WARMING CENTER:

Check in at Transition Projects, 475 NW Glisan, between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to reserve a space for the night.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 8:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Single men, single women, couples without children, separate sleeping areas for men and women

For the night of SATURDAY, December 5th only:
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Lents Seventh Day Adventist Church
8835 SE Woodstock, (near SE 88th and Foster)
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)

TriMet Routes: Four blocks west of the Lents/SE Foster stop on the Max Green Line; 1 block west of the SE Foster & 89th stop for the #14 bus

For the night of SUNDAY, December 6th only:
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Portland Foursquare Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
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)

TriMet Routes: One block south of 13th and Sandy, served by the #12, 19, and 20 bus routes

WOMEN ONLY:

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
Ankeny Entry at Harbor Light Site (2nd and Burnside) (503) 731-3942. Space for 12 additional single women via mats on the floor in the day space during severe weather. Day space open 7am to 11pm daily. Shelter open 7:45pm to 7:00 am daily. No pets or carts. Not disability accessible due to steep stairs.

MEN ONLY:

City Team Ministries
526 SE Grand Avenue (503) 231-9334. Space for 10 additional single men via mats on the floor in the main room during severe weather. May also be open during the days during severe weather. Typically there is a $ 4 per night charge, which includes sleeping space and a meal. No pets, and limited space for belongings. Accessible location

Portland Rescue Mission
111 W. Burnside (503) 227-0859. Space for 70 additional single men via mats on the floor in the lobby, may also be open during the days during severe weather. No pets, and limited space for belongings. Accessible location.

In addition to the above overnight shelter resources, the below providers will open day center space on Sunday, December 6th for individuals.

DayWatch
522 SW 13th, Portland, 503-916-4009
Provides coffee, snacks
Hours: 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Serves: Adults

Salvation Army Harbor Light
SW 2nd and Ankeny, 503-239-1259
Provides seating and hot beverages
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Serves: Men, up 70 people

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES)
11 NW 5th, 503-227-0810
Basic services.
Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Serves: Women

SUPPORT STREET ROOTS!

Street Roots newspaper has long supported Janus Youth Programs' work to improve the lives of homeless and high-risk young people. They provide a media voice for the voiceless and boldly advocate for our city's most marginalized citizens. Unfortunately the economic slump has impacted their services and it's time to show your support! Now is a great time to consider making a donation to Street Roots through Willamette Week's annual Give! Guide site. Just click here and look for Street Roots under the 'community' listing. While you're there, check out all the other great agencies that could benefit from your support. It only takes $10 to make a difference. And you might even be elligible for some really great incentives!

YBR TRAINING EVENT NEXT SUNDAY!

FREE TRAINING!
Sunday November 22
2pm-6pm

PORTLAND YOUTH GANGS & GANG INTERVENTION!

Join us for our upcoming Yellow Brick Road Training! The training is free and open to the public but seating is limited. We’ll be learning about Winter Shelter Services that recently opened in Portland and discussing the culture of youth gangs! Discussion will include a brief history of local gangs, how they recruit, why they are so attractive to young people, and how we might better understand the gang “lifestyle” so as to become more effective youth advocates. We’ll have a guest Gang Outreach Specialist with us and the training will be followed by a screening of CRIPS & BLOODS: MADE IN AMERICA, a powerful new documentary that explores the history of two of the largest and most notorious African-American gangs in the U.S.. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you all there!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Yellow Brick Road on National Public Radio!

Oregon Public Broadcast's Think Out Loud has been covering issues of homelessness recently and tomorrow morning's show will focus on youth homelessness in the Northwest. They will be interviewing young people who are experiencing homelessness and Yellow Brick Road Supervisor Dennis Lundberg will be on air to address youth homelessness from an outreach perspective. Think Out Loud is the "radio show that listens" so call in and voice your own opinion! Your voice can make a difference!

Think Out Loud
91.5fm
Tuesday November 10
9am-10am
Call In: 888-665-5TOL (or 665-5865)

YBR BENEFIT!

The leaves are falling and the smell of woodsmoke is in the air. Autumn is well upon us and winter is soon on the way. For people living outdoors this means it's time to hunker down and try to stay warm with sparse possessions. And YOU can help! Our friends at New Seasons have organized a night of special entertainment to raise awareness of homelessness & poverty in the community. The event takes place Saturday November 7th at Liberty Hall (near Emmanual Hospital in North Portland) and they're asking everyone to bring warm gear to be distributed to the homeless by Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach Teams. We are in need of warm hats, gloves, scarves, and wool socks to help clothe the homeless this cold season. Adult sizes and dark colors are preferred. We invite you to join us for this great event and enjoy the mind-expanding sounds of El and special guests! You can make a difference in the lives of people living outdoors this winter.

Saturday November 7
6pm
Liberty Hall
311 N. Ivy St.

Bring warm hats & gloves for the homeless!

Animal Health Clinic!

Mark your calendars! On Sunday October 18th from 1pm-4pm, the great folks at Portland Animal Welfare will be providing their next Animal Health Clinic for animals living with people experiencing or transitioning from homelessness. Services provided include basic exams, vaccinations, de-worming and flea treatment. This event is first-come-first-served and will take place at Outside In's Tattoo Removal Clinic located at 311 NW Broadway.

P.A.W. Animal Health Clinic
Sunday October 18th
1pm-4pm
311 NW Broadway

ANOTHER AWESOME YBR EVENT THIS FRIDAY!

The Portland Artist Network is proud to present a sock and hygiene supply drive in celebration of Yellow Brick Road’s 25th anniversary! Please join us THIS FRIDAY August 21 at the Ella Street Social Club for what promises to be a very fun evening featuring MC Jeffrey Darling of Sissy Boy, music by The Juan Prophet Organization and DJ Manic, visual art by Petr and Rose Sorfa, spoken word performances by Tommy Gaffney and Davey Mac, film by Alchemystical Workshop and "Random Wonderfulness" with deaf interpretation provided by DHOR through Equal Access ASL. This event also celebrates the 4th anniversary of Portland's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a 501(C)3 public charitable organization dedicated to the support, education, and development of the GLBT community.

Friday August 21
8pm
Ella Street Social Club (714 SW 20th Place)

$8 at the door or
$5 for those who bring donations for Yellow Brick Road!

YBR event at Holocene THIS WEDNESDAY!

We cordially invite you to attend what promises to be a very exciting evening at Holocene this Wednesday, August 12! Local musician (and all around nice guy) Brian Mumford is guest curating a wonderful muti-media gathering with all proceeds going directly to Yellow Brick Road in honor of our 25 years of service to homeless youth here in Portland! There will be visual art, music, local crafts, independent record labels, and Yellow Brick Road will even be on hand with outreach bags at the ready! Please come by and say, "Hello" this Wednesday at Holocene.

Wednesday August 12
Holocene
1001 SE Morrison
7pm
$6
(all proceeds go to Yellow Brick Road!)

YBR TRAINING OPPORTUNITY!

FREE TRAINING!
Sunday August 23
2pm-5pm

ASSERTIVE ENGAGEMENT! It is my pleasure to welcome Yellow Brick Road founder and Homeless Youth Continuum training consultant Jerry Fest back to YBR for a special Summer Training. Jerry has been instrumental in launching a recent redesign of Portland's Homeless Youth Continuum and he will join us on August 23rd to explain the new conceptual framework for the Assertive Engagement model. Janus Youth Programs and our partners in the Homeless Youth Continuum are the first interagency youth system in the nation to provide this progressive approach to working with street-dependent youth so this is a very exciting time for all of us. Vegetarian food & coffee will be provided!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at dlundberg@janusyouth.org

YBR CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF STREET OUTREACH!

That's right! August 2009 heralds the Silver Anniversary for Yellow Brick Road, one of the first volunteer-based street outreach programs in the nation! This is a very exciting time for all of us at Janus Youth Programs and we invite YOU to join us in celebrating 25 years of service to Portland’s street-dependent youth & young adults. Since our inception in 1984 Yellow Brick Road has provided eye-to-eye advocacy to young people experiencing homelessness every night of the year. Our trained volunteer teams are on the streets of downtown Portland every night from 5pm until 10pm bringing critical information, service referrals, and crisis intervention directly to homeless youth. Our teams distribute basic medical and hygiene supplies in an effort to reduce harm and engage young people in their own recovery and transition. As the “frontline” for the Homeless Youth Continuum, Yellow Brick Road often serves as the first point-of-contact for runaways and street entrenched youth. Our outreach teams also work to end sexual exploitation of young people by developing consistent supportive relationships on the streets, building trust between service providers and youth. And we need your help!

Every year Yellow Brick Road distributes an average of 2,500 pairs of socks, 8,000 band aids, 10,000 Q-tips, 1,000 toothbrushes, 1,000 travel-size tubes of toothpaste, 200 rolls of dental floss, 3,000 safety pins, 1,000 travel-size deodorants, 2,500 packs of triple antibiotic ointment, 4,000 wound wipes, 300 stretch gauze bandages, and hundreds of other essential items such as warm hats & gloves and sunscreen. Students, churches, small business owners, musicians and artists all across Portland have devoted their time and energy to raising awareness as well as supplies that will be distributed directly to the young people in our community who need them most. Anyone can organize a sock drive or hygiene supply drive. It’s easy and fun! And we'd be glad to help you get started. We are also available to come out and speak to your agency or organziation about youth homelessness and how Janus Youth Programs is working every day of the year to improve the lives of young people. Keep watching this blog in the coming weeks for upcoming trainings, benefit events and YBR birthday celebrations! And thank you for your continued support!
All the best,
~Dennis

Dennis Lundberg
Associate Director/Willamette BRIDGE Programs
Janus Youth Programs
dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Notable Survivors

Here is a fascinating (and by no means complete) list of famous survivors of child abuse, sexual abuse, spousal/dating abuse, and rape taken from the abuse resource site As Waters Passing By.

Alexander Pushkin (poet) abuse, info courtesy of AEST
Alice Walker (author/activist) abuse
Andrea Dworkin (author/activist) rape
Angela Rose (activist) sexual assault (visit Angela's site here )
Angela Shelton (actress/model/director/actvist) incest
Angie Dickenson (actress, etc) emotional abuse
Anne Heche (actress) incest
Anne Sexton (poet) child sexual abuse, info courteousy of AEST
Antwone Fisher (author) emotional abuse/child sexual abuse
Axl Rose (musician) child sexual abuse (according to IMDB.com)
Baby Lyssa Chapman (famous bounty hunter/daughter of Dog) statutory rape
Beethoven (composer) unspecified child abuse
Beth Chapman (famous bail bondswoman/wife of Dog) domestic violence
Bill Clinton (former U.S. President) secondary domestic violence
Billie Holliday (singer) childhood rape
Billy Connoly (comedian) incest
Brett Butler (actress) domestic violence
Carlos Santana (musician) child sexual abuse
Carrie Otis (model) rape
Chester Bennington (musician) child sexual abuse
Christina Aguilera (singer) unspecified child abuse/secondary domestic violence
Christina Applegate (actress) dating violence
Christina Crawford (author) emotional abuse
Cindy Williams (actress) emotional abuse
Clara Bow (actress) incest
Connie Francis (singer) rape
Dave Mustaine (musician) child physical abuse/secondary domestic violence
Dave Pelzer (author) multiple forms of abuse
Derek Luke (actor) child sexual abuse
Desi Arnaz, Jr. (actor) emotional abuse
Dog the Bounty Hunter (famous bounty hunter/reality TV stars) child physical abuse
Dorie VanStone (author) multiple forms of abuse
Drew Barrymore (actress) unspecified child abuse
Eleanor Roosevelt (former First Lady) unspecified child abuse
Elizabeth I (Queen of England) teenage sexual assault, info courteousy of AEST
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (poet) abuse, info courteousy of AEST
Elizabeth Loftus (psychologist) child sexual abuse
Ella Fitzgerald (singer) abuse
Emme (model) emotional abuse
Erin Gray (actress) unspecified child abuse
Eve Ensler (playwright/actress) incest
Fantasia (singer) teenage rape
Farrah Faucett (actress) domestic violence
Fiona Apple (musician) childhood rape
Florence Holway (artist/activist) rape
Fran Drescher (actress) rape
Gabrielle Union (actress) rape
Gavin DeBecker (violent crime expert) psychological abuse
George Orwell (author) unspecified child abuse
Greg Luganis (athlete) abuse
Halle Berry (actress, model) domestic violence
Henry Miller (writer) abuse, info courtesy of AEST
Henry Rollins (musician) child sexual abuse
Janice Dickenson (model) child physical & emotional abuse
Janice Mirikitani (poet) incest, Janice's story is featured on a DVD sold at RAINN's site
Johannes Brahms (composer) child sexual abuse, info courteousy of AEST
Jonathan Davis (musician) child sexual abuse
Joyce Meyer (evangelist, author) child physical abuse & incest
Kirk Hammett (musician) child physical & sexual abuse
Laveraneus Coles (athlete) child sexual abuse
Leslie Triber (author/poet) abuse
Lorena Bobbit - marital rape
Lynn C. Tolson (author) incest/domestic violence/sexual assault
Marie Waldrep (poet/activist) incest/domestic violence
Marilyn Manson (musician) child sexual abuse
Marilyn Monroe (actress) child physical & sexual abuse/childhood attempted rape (according to IMDB.com)/domestic violence
Marilyn VanDerber Atler (former Miss America) incest
Mary J. Blige (singer) emotional abuse/childhood rape/secondary domestic violence
Mary Wollestonecraft (author) child physical abuse
Mata Hari (famous spy) domestic violence
Maya Angelou (author, poet) childhood rape
Maynard James Keenan (musician) child sexual abuse
Meat Loaf (musician) peer abuse/parental physical abuse (?)
Mike Patton (musician) neglect/child sexual abuse
Missy Elliot (rapper, producer) child sexual abuse/secondary domestic violence
Nicole Brown Simpson - domestic violence (very likely murdered by OJ)
Oprah Winfrey (talk show host) child sexual abuse
Ozzy Osbourne (musician) emotional abuse
Pamela Anderson (actress) rape/domestic violence
Patricia Weaver Francisco (author) rape
Patsy Cline (singer) domestic violence
Patty Duke (actress, etc.) multiple forms of abuse, info courtesy of AEST
Paula White (evangelist, author) child sexual abuse
Queen Latifah (rapper/actress/model) child sexual abuse
Rain Pryor (actress) child physical abuse/teenage sexual abuse
Richard Nixon (former U.S. President) unspecified child abuse
Rita Hayworth (actress) incest
Robert Blake (actor) multiple forms of abuse, info courtesy of AEST
Rosanne Arnold (actress) child sexual abuse
Rose McGowan (actress) religious related (SRA?) abuse
Rosie Perez (actress) child sexual abuse
Rudyard Kipling (author) unspecified child abuse
Sandra Dee (actress) incest
Sinead O'Connor (musician) multiple forms of abuse, info courteousy of AEST
Stasi Eldredge (author) rape
Suzanne Somers (actress) emotional abuse
Teri Hatcher (actress) incest
Tina Turner (singer) domestic violence
Tom Arnold (actor, etc) abuse, info courtesy of AEST
Toni Childs (musician) abuse, info courteousy of AEST
Tori Amos (musician) rape
Virginia Woolf (author) incest
Viva (actress) child sexual abuse

* Note about sources - these sources generally come from print/internet interviews, documentaries, biographies and the like. Details available upon request at www.aswaterspassingby.org

* The term "secondary domestic violence" denotes that the well known person grew up in a home where one or both parents were the victim of domestic violence. The term "domestic violence" when applied to the persons denotes that they are the survivor of domestic violence where they were the primary victim.

ROSE CITY RESOURCES!

The Rose City Resource Guide is now available online!
ROSE CITY RESOURCE GUIDE ONLINE

Thanks!

THANK YOU to everyone who applied for the Outreach Specialist and RTA positions. The response was overwhelming and both positions are now closed. We are ALWAYS recruiting dependable volunteers for Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach so please drop a line if you are interested in joining the team:

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

NOW HIRING!

Street Outreach Specialist needed for Janus Youth Programs' Outreach & Engagement to engage and develop trusting relationships with street-entrenched youth, 25 and younger who traditionally do not access services, in order to introduce them to employment or educational opportunities and assist in transitioning them from the streets into safe, stable housing. This position involves making regular, outdoor contact with homeless and street-dependent youth in a wide geographic area within abandoned buildings, schools, service agencies, and other areas where youth camp. Bachelor's degree in counseling or related field is preferred. Requires experience with street youth and/or youth involved in sex work, substance abuse, and multi-diagnosis and experience in counseling/case managing youth who are reluctant to engage in services. Driving is required. Beginning salary is $12.00/hour; excellent benefits.

Submit resume and cover letter to Dennis Lundberg, c/o Janus Youth Programs, Inc., 707 NE Couch Street, Portland, OR 97232
or e-mail to him at dlundberg@janusyouth.org

This position closes Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach Program is currently seeking dedicated, energetic, and dependable volunteers! Our mission is to engage street-dependent youth through non-judgemental outreach on the streets of downtown Portland, meeting basic needs while offering referral information and community resources. Outreach shifts are once a week from 5-10pm. Volunteers are asked to make a six month commitment. No experience is necessary and professional Outreach Specialists will provide safety and engagement training.

Please contact Dennis Lundberg at (503)789-4011 or dlundberg@janusyouth.org

NOW HIRING YOUTH!

Project Metamorphosis is currently accepting applications for the Recovery Transition Advocate (RTA) position. This is a part-time entry-level position. No experience is necessary! Our mission is to engage and encourage youth to exit street life with innovative outreach and customized youth-friendly services integrating alcohol/drug and mental health treatment. As an RTA you will be expected to act as a clean & sober peer role-model for 16-24 year old homeless and street dependent youth, providing support, referrals, and crisis intervention through the Homeless Youth Continuum. We encourage diversity!

Qualifications:

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)

Applications are due May 13, 2009.

For an application and more information please contact Brandon Schwanz: brandons@depaultreatmentcenters.org
(503) 535-1181.

Food Front

Yellow Brick Road has once again been selected for participation in Food Front's generous Bean Bag program! Food Front is one of Portland's longest-running cooperatively owned grocery stores and their Bean Bag program allows customers to donate 5 cents to various local non-profit organizations every time they shop with their own bags. Next time you shop at Food Front, we hope you'll bring your own recycled shopping bag and consider donating 5 cents to Yellow Brick Road. Those nickels really add up and make a difference!

Food Front Cooperative Grocery
2375 NW Thurman Street
Portland, Oregon
(503) 222-5658

Yellow Brick Road & Reed College: Reaching Out

One of the great characteristics of Yellow Brick Road is our ability to go into the community and educate potential allies, stakeholders, and concerned citizens on issues related to youth homelessness. This form of outreach is every bit as critical as the kind we provide on the streets directly to the most vulnerable youth. Just in the past 6 months Yellow Brick Road has provided free trainings and presentations to Milwaukee Lutheran Church, Riverdale High School, In Other Words Books, Palisades Elementary School, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, and Reed College. Through our rigorous engagement with the community Yellow Brick Road has fostered a particularly rewarding relationship with Reed College that has culminated in our recent partnership as a Federal Work Study (FWS) site.

The Reed FWS is an off-campus internship opportunity that allows students on financial aid to earn their required work study by volunteering with non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies. In August 2007 Yellow Brick Road became a partner organization, actively recruiting Reed students to join our nightly YBR teams in downtown Portland. Since that time YBR has trained nearly 20 Reed students, approximately 5 students per semester, to conduct outreach among homeless young people who are quite often their own age. Currently, Reed students account for nearly half of our nightly volunteer outreach volunteers! At least two of these students have been so impassioned by their work with YBR that they’ve redirected their course of study toward community services. Two other Reed volunteers have since been hired on as substitute workers in the Janus Youth shelter programs, Streetlight and Porchlight. Reed’s Students for Education, Empowerment and Direct Service (S.E.E.D.S.) program has been instrumental in this linkage and coordinate closely with YBR to recruit and support their students in our often difficult but always rewarding work on the streets of downtown Portland.

Beyond financial aid, many of the Reed students who spend time with YBR have stated that their service has empowered them to become meaningfully engaged with the local community and become more broadly educated about "real world" issues. They have also stated that their service with YBR has proven to be a strong community-building influence on campus that also allows them the opportunity to get out of the Reed “bubble” to enjoy positive, educational, and healthy recreation. YBR wishes to thank all of the Reed students who have joined the fold since 2007 and we look forward to a lasting relationship with Reed College in the future. For more information about Reed College’s S.E.E.D.S program visit them online here!

Dennis Lundberg
Associate Director/Willamette Bridge Programs

2009 Street Count results have been released

The results of this year's Street Count survey have been released today by the Portland Bureau of Housing & Community Development. To read the extensive report visit Portland Online. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important survey!

meet the press

Meet Yellow Brick Road supervisor Dennis Lundberg and some of our allies in the struggle against homelessness and poverty at Ultimate Northwest magazine's recent feature on people making a difference in our community!

To Ride, Shoot Straight, & Meet 'Em Where They're At!

2009 marks the 25th Anniversary of Yellow Brick Road! As we gear up to celebrate this milestone it seems like a great opportunity to highlight one of the many folks who make Janus Youth’s Street Outreach Programs so remarkable. Neal Sand is a professional Outreach Specialist with Janus Youth's Outreach & Engagement. "O&E", as it is popularly known on the streets, was conceived nearly 5 years ago as a critical offshoot of our volunteer-based outreach program with the mission of delivering intensive mobile services directly to the young people who need them most but are often the least likely to seek them out on their own. Since he joined the O&E team in 2006 Neal has packed his bag every week and headed out to the streets, bridges, wooded camps, squats, and pretty much anywhere off the beaten path where he might find Portland’s most vulnerable young people. He excels at meeting the “hardest to reach” youth where they’re at and he builds meaningful relationships that make a lasting difference.

Neal’s history with Janus Youth Programs goes back to 1998 when he began as a volunteer with Yellow Brick Road. The amazing part of his story is that Neal stepped into YBR to fill his sister’s shift on the team. His sister had in fact stepped into YBR to fill her then-boyfriend now-husband’s shift. You can safely say that serving the community is a family tradition. 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 as a substitute line staff for the Willamette Bridge Programs. He was soon hired on full-time, serving the front lines at Bridgehouse, Streetlight, and Porchlight Crisis Shelter before assuming his role as an Intake Worker for both the Access Center and the Road Warrior late night drop-in program. 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 a Journalism major 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’s a skill that serves him well in our work downtown where we’ve needed both hands to count the folks we've lost on the streets in the past 8 months. 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. I’ve watched him make words come alive for young people with dub reggae and colorful beatnik poetry. I vividly recall the proud smile of a particularly hardened ex-convict after he finished reading his journal aloud to a group of equally hardened peers and beamed, “I never knew poetry doesn’t have to rhyme!” Neal believes in young people so unrelentingly that, eventually, they tend to believe in themselves.

Anyone who spends time with Neal soon comes to appreciate his love for cinema, which is a wonderful coincidence considering he got his start at a program that takes its name from a 1939 musical. Neal doesn’t just casually enjoy movies. He is a walking encyclopedia of obscure film trivia and his enthusiasm is downright contagious. One of his favorites is Django, an old “spaghetti western” that tells the tale of a brooding anti-hero who drags a coffin filled with ammunition through muddy frontier camps meting out justice and classic one-liners. I like to imagine Neal riding into the sunset on outreach like a badlands bandito. Of course, instead of a coffin full of guns he totes an outreach bag full of socks, cough drops, triple antibiotic, and resource guides. Like Django, he chooses his words carefully and delivers one-liners with a twinkle in his eye. Neal is a soft-spoken hero on the streets of Portland and he is one of the dedicated youth advocates who have made the Janus Youth Outreach Programs the acclaimed models they are today. I’m glad to know him. So are the youth.
~Dennis Lundberg


“Neal is an excellent outreach worker. He is very observant out in the field and has the ability to explain what steps people can take to improve their situation without being judgmental." ~Devin Dinihanian (RTA)

“Neal is kind, compassionate, and reliable…but those words always sound so cliché. I guess what I’m saying is I appreciate somebody who can handle any crisis but can also talk about Motorhead and bad zombie movies.” ~Jasmine Pettet (Outside In)

“Neal is so cool, he doesn’t even realize how cool he is!” ~ “Leyla” (Youth)

YBR Training Opportunity!

FREE TRAINING!
Sunday February 22nd
2pm-5pm

UPPERS, DOWNERS, ALL-AROUNDERS! At our last Yellow Brick Road training in November, several of our volunteers suggested that it would be helpful to receive information about street drugs and their effects on behavior and the brain. That seemed like a great idea so I’ve invited Patti Davis of DePaul Youth Treatment Centers and Andrew Gadbois of Outside In to share their expertise in the Alcohol & Drug field. This interactive training will cover the basics of the most prevalent street drugs with a special emphasis on identification, effects, and local treatment options that should prove helpful on outreach. Please feel free to come prepared with questions as Patti & Andrew have a wealth of knowledge to share. As always, lunch & coffee will be provided. Hope to see YOU February 22nd!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Great New Resource For Teens!

We just learned of a great new internet resource for young teens to discuss the dynamics of relationships, dating, and networking online. Sponsored and co-created by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the Office of Violence Against Women and the Ad Council; this new website is designed to provide a safe place for teens to talk about relationships and decide what's "not cool" for them. This site is geared towards younger teens aged 13-15 that may face unique problems such as cyber bullying, breaking into emails, abusive text messages and other "Digital Infractions." Take a look and share with teens who may benefit from this information:

That's Not Cool

Off The Beaten Path

The following photos were taken last week while Janus Youth Outreach Specialists were in the field conducting the 2009 Multnomah Street Count. The results from this year's Street Count will be published here as soon as the data is collected and made available.

These photos were taken with kind permission from people who live there, with the understanding that Janus Youth outreach workers would not disclose exact locations or identities. It is generally disrespectful and unsafe to photograph camps without prior relationships and permission.

2009 STREET COUNT

STAND & BE COUNTED! Janus Youth Programs is partnering with other local agencies again this year to conduct Multnomah County's bi-annual HOMELESS STREET COUNT! The Street Count collects critical and confidential data about people living on the streets, in abandoned buildings, in vehicles, urban camps, and doorways. The information we collect provides the most accurate impression of the people living outdoors in our community and enables service providers and funders to meet the needs of these people more effectively. Outreach Specialists and trained volunteers with Yellow Brick Road and Portland Outreach & Engagement will be out in the field night and day from January 25th through January 31st, surveying people experiencing homelessness where they live. Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Street Count. We also invite you to take a photo-tour of some of the sites and locations we visited while conducting the 2007 Street Count:

homes under bridges
homes in the woods
homes near rivers

Who coordinates the Homeless Street Count?

The Homeless Street Count is coordinated by the City of Portland’s Bureau of Housing and Community Development (BHCD). Planning for the count is led by the Outreach and Engagement Workgroup, which includes outreach workers from Janus Youth Programs, staff from other local agencies that provide homeless services, members of the Police Department, and staff from BHCD and Multnomah County.

Why does Portland conduct a Homeless Street Count?

Communities that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homeless services are required to conduct a biannual homeless street count. The data collected from the count enables Portland to qualify for federal funding for local programs, and it also helps the City and its nonprofit partners to plan for the funding and services needed to meet the needs of homeless persons in our community.

What geographic areas does the Homeless Street Count cover?

The count covers Multnomah County, including the cities of Portland and Gresham.

What is the difference between the Homeless Street Count and the One Night Shelter Count?

The Homeless Street Count, which is coordinated by the City of Portland, focuses on people who are sleeping outside (on the street, in cars, or in abandoned buildings). The One Night Shelter Count (ONSC), which is coordinated by Multnomah County, focuses on people who are sleeping in emergency shelters and in transitional housing or who are turned away from those facilities. Both counts will occur on Wednesday, January 28, and efforts are being made to maximize coordination.

What is the definition of homelessness used for the Homeless Street Count?

The Homeless Street Count focuses on people who are unsheltered and sleeping in a place that is not intended for human habitation. This includes streets, sidewalks, parks, alleys, transportation depots or other parts of transportation systems, all-night commercial establishments (e.g. movie theaters, laundromats, restaurants), abandoned buildings, farm outbuildings, caves, campgrounds, vehicles, and other similar places. (Note: The Homeless Street Count by definition only focuses on the sub-set of the homeless population that is unsheltered. It does not include people who are in shelter or transitional housing or who are “couch surfing” or doubled up with family or friends.)

Why is the count held in late January?

Both the Homeless Street Count and the One Night Shelter Count occur at the end of January as mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD requires homeless counts to happen during the last ten days of January in order to capture data when shelter use peaks due to weather. It requires the counts to happen at the end of the month because that is when those who cycle on and off the streets are most likely to be homeless, having depleted their monthly income or benefits.

How does the count avoid duplication of data?

The Homeless Street Count survey form collects basic identifying information for each individual who is counted (first 3 letters of last name, first letter of first name, age, and gender.) This information is used to eliminate any duplication across the surveys. If identifying information is not available, or if outreach workers do not wish to disturb a campsite or someone who is sleeping, an alternative form can be used to collect information on the location and approximate number of people sleeping at that location. Because this data can not be unduplicated, it is included in an appendix to the Street Count report, but not in the official Street Count number.

What about people who are couch surfing or doubled up?

The Homeless Street Count only captures a portion of the individuals and families experiencing homelessness in a given night in our community. Those in shelter or transitional housing are captured by the One Night Shelter Count. Neither count captures people who are doubled up with friends or “couch surfing.” Unfortunately, there are no good methodologies available to collect accurate data on the number of people in that situation. But we know that they represent an important segment of the overall population of people experiencing homelessness in Portland.

For more information visit the Street Count Online
here.

NO WARMING CENTERS TONIGHT!

There is snow on the ground in Portland again! The City of Portland has assessed the wind-chill factor and precipitation and will NOT declare a Severe Weather Alert for Sunday January 25th. That means the Warming Centers will NOT be available this evening. However, a few additional beds will be available at the Rescue Mission, City Team Ministries, and Transition Projects (TPI) on a first-come-first-served basis. If you need shelter tonight it is suggested you check in at one of these locations as early as possible. Youth and young adults under 21 are encouraged to check-in at Porchlight Shelter.

For more information please call 211 Info by dialing 2-1-1 from landlines or (503) 721-1500 from cell phones. Bundle up out there!