City of Portland Street Musician Forum!

The Street Musician Partnership was created in 1994 in collaboration with local Street Musicians, the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the Portland Business Alliance. The City of Portland would like to hear from YOU on how you think the partnership is working, 15 years later, and what can be done to improve it. The public forum will be held on:

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

4:00 P.M.
Portland Building, Room C
1120 SW 5th Ave
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Sara Hussein in Commissioner Fritz’s office at 503-823-3994 for more information. To help ensure equal access to City services and activities, the City of Portland will reasonably modify services to persons with disabilities. Call 503-823-2036, TTY 503-823-6868 with such requests.

It's COOOOLD!

The City of Portland has not declared a Severe Weather Alert this evening but please be advised that conditions are expected to be wet and cold through Thursday afternoon (1/13). 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. The following winter warming shelters will be available:

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

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT! 12/30-1/2/2011

Severe Weather Alert: The National Weather Service predicts temperatures in Portland, Oregon between 24-26° with mostly clear skies and light wind will begin overnight Thursday 12/30 and are expected to persist with low temperatures around 22° overnight Friday 12/31 and Saturday 1/1, through Sunday morning 1/2/2011.

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. People should call 211info to be directed to shelter locations. In addition to existing year-round and winter shelter facilities, the following warming center facilities are available:

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

Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center:

(only open when a Severe Weather Alert is issued):

Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center at the Imago Dei Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Dates: evenings 12/30/2010 - 01/01/2011
Hours: 9:00 PM – 6:00 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 12/30/2010 – 01/02/2011
Hours: 9:30 PM – 6:00 AM
Serves: Up to 60 people

The following expanded day center service is available during the Severe Weather Alert.

Salvation Army Harbor Light
SW 2nd and Ankeny, 503-239-1259
Provides seating and hot beverages
Dates: 12/30/2010 – 01/01/2011
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Serves: Men, up 70 people

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: 12/30/2010 – evening of 01/01/2011
Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Serves: Men, up 70 people

Please call 211info with questions regarding other shelter and transportation resources.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES HIT PORTLAND!

Please see our revised updated post below for warm places to go during the current cold front that has hit Portland this week. Bundle up out there! We are expecting more freezing temperatures tonight and Portland has declared another severe weather night.

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service predicts very cold temperatures with accumulating snow will begin the afternoon of Monday November 22, 2010, with predicted snow accumulations of up to an inch or more in the Portland area. Though snow is expected to taper off before midnight, overnight lows may drop to the low-20s. At this time, it appears that severe weather conditions may persist through Tuesday night. YBR will closely monitor forecasts today and tomorrow and provide updates as the week progresses

Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info by dialing 2-1-1. 211info will be available to identify available shelters and emergency warming center resources between 8:00am and 10:00pm Monday through 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 become available during severe weather:

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: Families with children under 18

Women’s Winter 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. 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
Serves: 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: Single men

Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
(only open when a Severe Weather Alert is issued):
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center at the Imago Dei Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Dates: November 22 & 23, 2010, open 9pm each day
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
15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319
Dates: November 22, 2010
Hours: 9:30 PM – 10:00 AM
Serves: Adult Males, up to 60 people

The following expanded day center services are available during the Severe Weather Alert.

Downtown Chapel Roman Catholic Parish
601 W. Burnside Street, 503-228-0746
Provides hot beverages, some snacks and movies
Dates: November 22, 2010
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Serves: Adults, up to 100 people

Union Gospel Mission
15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319
Dates: November 22, 2010
Hours: 9:30 PM – 10:00 AM
Serves: Adult Males, up to 60 people

Please call 211 with questions regarding other shelter and transportation resources.

Winter service coordination provided by 211info is made possible by a grant from the Portland Housing Bureau. In partnership with other City departments, Multnomah County and community partners, the Portland Housing Bureau coordinates winter and severe weather shelter and day services for homeless individuals in our community.

For the most up-to-date information on shelter or assistance, contact 211info by dialing 2-1-1 or accessing http://211info.org/. In Multnomah County, the call line is open from 8am and 10pm, Monday through Friday; and between 8am to 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
For additional resources, please click on the link below:
For addresses and hours for Winter Shelter and Day Center locations for Adults, Victims of Domestic Violence, Families and Youth, click here.

FREE YBR TRAINING EVENT!

FREE TRAINING

November 28, 2010

Sunday

2pm-5pm

Janus Youth Programs and Yellow Brick Road invite YOU to our upcoming community training on November 28th. This training is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please R.S.V.P. for location. Our free YBR trainings are a great way to learn more about issues of youth homelessness in our community and the many ways you can get involved and make a difference with Janus Youth Programs. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you there!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

NOW HIRING YOUTH!

Project Metamorphosis is now accepting applications for the Recovery Transition Advocate (RTA) position. We are looking to hire dedicated people who have the demonstrated ability to act as clean & sober peers among 15-24 year old street-dependent youth, providing advocacy, referral, and support. 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 treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse as well as mental health support. 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 and resume are due Friday September 10, 2010.

For an application and more information please contact DePaul Treatment Centers or Brandon Schwanz: brandons@depaultreatmentcenters.org

Youth In The Community

PROJECT METAMORPHOSIS:
Youth in the Community

Project Metamorphosis is a collaborative mobile partnership of DePaul Youth Treatment Centers that works within the structure of Portland's Homeless Youth Continuum to bring innovative peer support and healthy treatment options to young people surviving on the streets. Project Metamorphosis was initially conceived in 2001 as a partnership project including Janus Youth Programs, Depaul Treatment Centers, New Avenues for Youth, Outside In, and the Native American Youth & Family Association with the mission of addressing the alcohol, drug and mental health needs of young people experiencing homelessness in a supportive and culturally appropriate manner. With funding through grants provided by the Children’s Investment Fund (CHIF) through the City of Portland and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Project Metamorphosis engages and encourages homeless youth to exit street life with peer outreach and highly individualized youth-friendly services integrating treatment with a comprehensive and holistic approach. One of Project Metamorphosis' nationally recognized services is our Recovery Transition Advocates program. Recovery Transition Advocates (or RTA’s as they are known downtown) are young adults serving as peer mentors, providing critical connections to youth at risk and bridging services where they are needed most through the principles of Positive Youth Development. RTA's are entry-level social workers with limited professional experience and limited educational backgrounds who gain critical skills and career-development through a closely supervised work environment. RTA’s have often experienced homelessness, substance abuse and/or mental health issues themselves and bring to the project their own personal experiences of struggle and recovery. RTA's are currently employed within the Janus Youth Shelters (Porchlight and Streetlight), Bridge House and the Janus Youth Street Outreach Programs Yellow Brick Road and O&E.

One of Project Metamorphosis's RTA’s, Sean Farrell, has recently taken a leadership role within the project by launching a clean and sober recreation program called Youth In The Community. Sean has melded his work as an entry level RTA social worker and his personal passion for volunteering to develop a program with Hands On Portland that enlists homeless and formerly homeless young people to engage in volunteer projects throughout Portland that give back and contribute to a healthier and more vibrant community. Sean has envisioned a series of monthly projects that form a curriculum around the general theme of sustainability and self-empowerment. The first project took place on August 20th at Zenger Farm, a certified organic farm located in outer South East Portland. Several youth accompanied Sean and Janus’ Street Outreach Specialist Jani Morton to the farm for an afternoon of weeding and gleaning of healthy produce. Together they learned about the importance of sustainable organic farming and were impressed to learn that even in an urban environment we can grow our own foods and take control of our nutrition and well-being. The project was well-received by the youth who attended and Sean was impressed to see them all sweating alongside each other with the single purpose of giving back to the community. More projects are already lined up for the next several months with youth participants actively steering the direction and scope of the projects. Youth In The Community is just one of the many creative ways Project Metamorphosis is supporting young people through Positive Youth Development to become reintegrated into the broader community and find their own paths to healing.

If you wish to learn more about Project Metamorphosis please feel free to contact us:
Patti Davis: pattid@depaultreatmentcenters.org
Dennis Lundberg: dlundberg@janusyouth.org

2010 Volunteer Expo in Pioneer Square!

You’re invited to join Yellow Brick Road and The Standard at the 2010 Volunteer Expo in Pioneer Square on Friday September 10, 2010, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Connect with 118 nonprofits to find the perfect match for your skills and interests! Visit The Standard to learn more.

LIFE OF YOUTH

LIFE OF YOUTH
New videos promoting health & sexual safety screening

at the Portland Art Museum

1219 SW Park Ave.
Tuesday, August 31
6:30pm reception
7:00 pm screening
Free

FREE YBR TRAINING OPPORTUNITY!

FREE TRAINING

Sunday September 19th
2pm-5pm

Commercial Sexual Exloitation of Children (CSEC)

Janus Youth Programs and Yellow Brick Road invite YOU to our upcoming community training on September 19th. This training is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please R.S.V.P. for location. Elaine Close of Harry’s Mother will be sharing her wealth of knowledge and expertise related to runaway youth and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. She will be explaining the basic concepts and language of CSEC so that we can be better informed as youth advocates and aware citizens. In addition, our new Outreach Coordinator Neal Sand will be updating us on the recent sidewalk ordinances and what all the new regulations mean to folks on the streets. Our free YBR trainings are a great way to learn more about issues of youth homelessness in our community and the many ways you can get involved and make a difference with Janus Youth Programs. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you there!

Please R.S.V.P. for location at

nsand@janusyouth.org

RESPECT IS A TWO-WAY STREET

Yellow Brick Road is proud to support the City of Portland's new campaign to promote respectful use of the sidewalks for all our citizens. Our partners at STREET ROOTS have launched the campaign and are distributing posters to downtown service agencies and businesses to be displayed in windows to help encourage kindness and respect among people outside asking for change. Street Roots recognizes that the issue of panhandling is a reality in our community, and one that needs to be met with a more original approach. Street Roots has covered sidewalk issues concerning people experiencing homelessness for more than a decade, and believes that the only way to address the issue is to be proactive and experiment with out of the box projects that will encourage tolerance and respect among both the general public and individuals begging for change. Our hope is that through the poster campaign, we can help educate panhandlers in a way that targets behavior and asks people to have both respect and courtesy on Portland’s sidewalks. Janus Youth Programs proudly displays these posters on our shelter building and encourage all our community partners and stakeholders to consider joining the movement for respectful sidewalks. Contact Street Roots to obtain your FREE posters in either 16" x 20" or 8.5" x 11" sizes.

"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME..."

Yellow Brick Road recently had the pleasure of attending a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conference for Recovery-Oriented Healthy Communities in Arlington, Virgina. The conference was very informative and it was inspiring to learn about all the great treatment & recovery programs developing around the country. Check out the SAMHSA website to learn more about the work being done to help our most vulnerable citizens at local and federal levels. While we were in Arlington we also seized the opportunity to visit some of the amazing monuments and museums in Washington D.C.. Among these was the National Museum of American History and guess what just happened to be on display? That's right. The original ruby slippers worn by a 16 year old Judy Garland for her performance in the 1939 classic Wizard of Oz!

While we marveled at the ruby slippers, now a national treasure, we were reminded that our street outreach program chose its rather unusual name way back in 1984 as a direct reference to this film and the fundamental theme of self-discovery that it explores so memorably in metaphor. As you will recall, the film follows a band of unlikely misfits on their quest along the yellow brick road to find the "wizard" who they hope will grant them the internal attributes they feel they need to reach their full potential and life-goals. The Cowardly Lion needs courage. The Tin Man needs a heart. The Scarecrow needs a brain. And Dorothy and Toto just want to go home. Not entirely coincidentally, their adventures take them through a dangerous field of poppies, where they are momentarily distracted from their path and nearly lulled into an eternal sleep of oblivion. Could there possibly be a more fitting analogy for addiction? Ultimately they arrive at the wizard's castle in Emerald City and soon realize that he is a complete farce. A sham. He's no wizard at all, just a regular guy behind a curtain. But far from being disappointed, the characters soon realize their quest's purpose and learn that they've actually possessed what they needed to succeed all along. It was already inside them, just waiting to blossom. Isn't that a perfect metaphor for youth and for the journey we all must take toward self-realization and wholeness? In fact it is a perfect metaphor for Positive Youth Development, one of the key principles upon which Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach was founded. We gave our program this name to always remind our outreach teams and the young people we meet that the streets are not the end of the road. This weekend we encourage you to revisit The Wizard of Oz and watch it through the lens of youth homelessness. You may see the film in a way you never quite expected. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain..."

"There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home..."

YBR BENEFIT AT EMBERS MAY 20th!

Our wonderful allies at the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have organized another amazing event on behalf of Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach! We hope to see you all there on Thursday May 20th at 8pm!

Positive Youth Development Training May 9th!

FREE TRAINING!

Sunday May 9th
2pm-5pm

POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Please join us for our upcoming Yellow Brick Road Training just in time for Mother's Day! This training is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please R.S.V.P. soon. We’ll be learning about Positive Youth Development from YBR founder and nationally renowned youth advocacy expert Jerry Fest. What is PYD? What are "risk factors"? What are "protective factors"? What are "developmental assets"? What does "resiliency" look like for youth and how can we foster resiliency in our daily interactions with young people? Jerry Fest will answer all these questions and more in this introduction to the basics of Positive Youth Development, a federally recognized best practice for youth service providers. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you all there!

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

UP THE PUNKS!

Thanks to SarahJane of Lunar NightLife Promotions & Distro for organizing the PUNK ROCK CLOTHING SWAP at Plan B last night! We collected an entire van full of clothing that has already been distributed to the Janus Youth Shelters and the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC). Thanks for supporting Janus Youth Programs, SarahJane! UP THE PUNX!

Yellow Brick Road BENEFIT at Plan B April 12th!!!!

Friends of Janus Youth Programs have organized this amazing CLOTHING SWAP and SUPPLY DRIVE to benefit Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach to homeless young people living outdoors in Portland. Come to Plan B on April 12th and support this awesome event!

Views From The Streets

PDX O&E Outreach Team hits the streets daily!

These are some images from today's outreach with your friendly O&E Team Dennis, Neal and Jani!

Amazing art!

Rose City Resource Guides and Outreach cards!

METAL!!!

Valentine's and cave camps!

Outreach Specialists Neal and Jani

Dennis

Views From The Streets!

Here are some photos of the streets courtesy of our Friday night Yellow Brick Road team!

Photos by Stella Butler.

JUST OUT

This week's issue of Portland's Just Out features an article about the Homeless Youth Continuum's Youth HIV Survey. Check it out!

Close to Home:
For the first time in a decade, homeless youth are surveyed about HIV prevalence and risk

By Amanda Waldroupe

A young woman in her early twenties going by the name “Sabrina” for this story was hopeful and surprised at the support she received from her mother and stepfather when she came out to them as a lesbian last summer. But as Sabrina shared with her mother more about her sexuality, her mother began to think “it was all right for me to have friends in the GLBT community, but not be a part of it,” Sabrina says.

Sitting in a conference room in New Avenues for Youth, a homeless-youth agency, Sabrina’s clasped hands begin to clench. Her eyes almost water as she continues thinking back to her parents’ reactions to her sexual orientation and the fact that she was dating another girl.

Unbeknownst to her stepfather, Sabrina’s partner was living with them that summer. Sabrina has never liked her stepfather and never confided personal information to him. She was in her room one night when, through a shared vent, she heard her mother and stepfather talking in their room.

“‘I just want you to know that [Sabrina’s partner] is staying here,’” Sabrina remembers her saying.

Then Sabrina heard the sounds of her stepfather “stomping” down the hall, where he yelled from the top of the stairs:

“You need to find a different place to live. Pack your stuff up in 15 minutes.”

Sabrina and her partner found themselves in a situation faced by an alarming number of youth who come out to their families as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender: homeless.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force refers to gay youth homelessness as an “epidemic,” and estimates that 20 to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as GLBT. Portland has a disproportionately high number of gay youth, with 40 percent of the 2,000 homeless youth in Portland identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. “That’s quite large,” says Kathy Oliver, executive director of Outside In, an agency serving homeless youth.

Favor Ellis, program director of the Sexual Minorities Youth Resource Center, says that 30 to 50 percent of the youth SMYRC serves are homeless.

Sabrina and her partner found themselves sleeping in the fields and underneath the bridges of the Willamette Valley town they lived in before coming to Portland. She recalls being rained on twice, and having her possessions stolen.

After one month, Sabrina and her partner came to Portland, where there were more services, and more accepting of the gay community. They spent one night on Portland’s streets. The next day they were admitted into a shelter operated by Janus Youth, another homeless youth agency.

While she was on the street, Sabrina says that she sometimes had “mean things” said to her by others who knew she was a lesbian.

“If you’re different, you tend to be targeted” on the streets, says Dennis Lundberg, an associate director at Janus Youth. “GLBTQ youth are in that really tricky dynamic.”

“I was broken anyway for being criticized for being gay and coming out,” says Sabrina, who felt like a “smashed piece of glass” during that time. “But I’m not going to change the way I am. I chose to be gay, because I’m happy.”

To be homeless and gay and young in Portland, say the sources and youth interviewed for this story, is to live through a triple whammy of emotionally trying experiences that test a youth’s indefinite sense of self. It is also to live a life more likely involving being targeted, exploited, discriminated against, and exposed to experiences and behaviors threatening one’s health and safety.

Serving a population difficult to reach out to and engage, homeless and sexual-minority agencies in Portland are currently working to survey homeless youth and gather an unprecedented amount of information to better understand and assist that community.

The project is called the Homeless Youth HIV Prevalence and Risk Behavior Study. Cascade Aids Project (CAP) and Outside In are partnering with consultation from Dr. Todd Korthuis, the research director of Oregon Health & Science University’s HIV Clinic, to administer a survey to homeless youth about their sexual activity and knowledge of HIV/AIDS, as well as administer rapid HIV tests.

It is the first time in 10 years that such information has been gathered about Portland’s homeless youth. Data collection began on January 11 and will continue for six weeks, with results tentatively scheduled to be released in March.

“The question we have not been able to answer is how many people in the homeless youth population are HIV positive or at risk of becoming HIV positive,” says Kristin Kane, CAP’s director of support services. “No agency knows about the HIV component of homeless youth in our metropolitan area.”

Homeless youth, according to Kane and others, are perhaps the population in Portland at the highest risk of becoming infected with HIV.

The reason, says New Avenues for Youth Associate Director Sean Suib, is that “they’re engaging in a lot of survival behaviors that put them at risk of lots of different health-related issues.”

Those high-risk behaviors include alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, teen pregnancy, unsafe sex, and sex with multiple partners, as well as problems associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

High-risk behavior is something fairly common among homeless youth, “[but] sexual and gender minority youth are at higher risk for all at-risk behaviors,” says SMYRC’s Ellis.

“Adolescence is a really difficult time for any youth,” Lundberg says. “If your emerging sense of gender orientation is such that it is alienating you from your peer group and society, and you’re being fed a message of non-acceptance, [and] of self-loathing, you start to see really high-risk behavior.

“There’s a lot of internalized self hatred that manifests itself in self-harming, self-cutting, [and] suicide idealization,” he continues.

Ellis and others stop short of saying the main reason homeless gay youth more readily engage in high-risk behaviors is simply because they are gay.

“I think when you’re homeless, you do a lot of things to forget about why you’re homeless,” Kane says.

But being a gay homeless youth is different from simply being young and homeless. Gay youth not only face the challenges of being on the street, but also feel the added emotional weight of exploring and determining their sexual and gender identities. Homelessness compounds the difficulty of those experiences.

“When you’re homeless, you have to be constantly thinking about your survival needs,” Ellis says. “You can’t spend it figuring out your identity or what’s happening with your body.”

But they find a way.

“Am I a lesbian?” Sabrina asks. She wonders this often. “Am I bi? Do I feel comfortable being bio-female? It sounds like a soap opera.”

Sitting on a couch watching cartoons at Janus Youth’s day center on a Wednesday afternoon, 24-year-old Christopher Bolland, who has been homeless on-and-off for seven years, says he considers himself “bi-curious”—not bisexual, but simply curious about same-sex relationships. “I try not to put a label on it, to tell you the truth,” he says.

Bolland is lounging in a bright, airy room much like a living room. Windows along one wall reveal painted murals done in the past by homeless youth. Washing machines and dryers hum in one corner. Boxes of tampons, razors, toothbrushes, hotel-issued looking soap and shampoo sit at the check-in desk. By the end of the day, it will all be taken. Some youth sit at round tables at the far end of the room eating lunch, while others chill out on a couch and watch The Princess Bride.

Every Wednesday afternoon, Janus Youth opens as a day space for youth to drop in. Twenty people signed up that day to take the HIV survey. “We thought five would have been successful,” Lundberg shares. Many of those 20 were motivated to take the survey not necessarily because they thought it was important, but because of the $10 gift card to Safeway or Fred Meyer they would receive for doing so.

The five youth Just Out spoke to at Janus Youth all said they were not worried about being HIV-positive. “I pretty much practice abstinence,” says Jessie, 24.

Jessie says he knows many gay homeless youth, and has not observed discrimination. As he folds his dried laundry into his backpack, he explains that homeless people are more tolerant than many think. “If you’re homeless, you’re pretty damn well used to other lifestyles,” he says.

CAP’s Kane expects to find a large number of youth engaging in high-risk behaviors surrounding drug use, needle exchanging and unprotected sex. Korthuis says he will be “surprised” if no youth unexpectedly find out they are HIV-positive.

CAP and the other agencies involved in the survey will use the information to tailor education and prevention services and create programs to serve particular needs of homeless youth not already being met. “A second goal that is no less important is identifying youth who are HIV-positive and engaging them in treatment,” Korthuis says. “That’s critical.”

NOW HIRING YOUTH!

Project Metamorphosis is now accepting applications for the Recovery Transition Advocate (RTA) and Recovery Mentor positions. We are looking to hire dedicated people who have the demonstrated ability to act as clean & sober peers among 16-24 year old street-dependent youth, providing advocacy, referral, and support. 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. 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 February 12, 2010.

For an application and more information please contact Brandon Schwanz: brandons@depaultreatmentcenters.org

SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT!

The City of Portland is declaring a Severe Weather Alert for Wednesday January 6th. Temperatures are expected to drop to 32°F with winds of 15 mph in the early morning (4am). No precipitation is expected, but wind chills will be hazardous. This means no one seeking shelter will be turned away tonight. TB cards will be waived due to expected freezing conditions. Please note location of Red Cross Severe Weather Warming Center below. 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

RED CROSS EMERGENCY WARMING CENTER

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

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.

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

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