HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REED COLLEGE!

Happy Birthday, Reed! Yellow Brick Road has enjoyed a wonderful community partnership with Reed College over the years. It is our pleasure to celebrate their first 100 years of excellence in education and community service. Here's to the next 100 years!

Free YBR Training Event!

September 25, 2011

Sunday

2pm-5pm

Janus Youth Programs and Yellow Brick Road invite YOU to our upcoming community training on Sunday, September 25. This training is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please R.S.V.P. for location. YBR trainings are a great way to meet our entire team of volunteers, outreach specialists and program supervisor to learn more about issues of youth homelessness and the many ways you can get involved and make a difference with Janus Youth Programs. There is absolutely no obligation to volunteer to attend. Our September 25th training will focus on critical funding updates, team safety on the streets and best practices methodology. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you there!

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

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

The Standard's 2011 Volunteer Expo Fair

It was a pleasure meeting so many prospective volunteers at The Standard's 2011 Volunteer Expo at Pioneer Square in Portland, Oregon today! Special thanks to Megan at The Standard for her coordination of this fun and important community organizing event and all the folks who provided media coverage and support: KGW, OPB, KINK Radio Stations, Willamette Week, Portland Family and the Portland Business Journal. Thanks to Neal Sand and Heather Penzel, our very own Outreach Specialists, for representing Yellow Brick Road!

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)

For an application and more information please visit DePaul Treatment Centers and click 'Metamorphosis Application'.

Applications and resume are due by 5pm Tuesday September 13, 2011.

Janus Youth Access Center

The Access Center is the entry point to Janus Youth's homeless services and Portland’s nationally recognized inter-agency partnership known as the Homeless Youth Continuum. The program name is a bit of a misnomer as it implies a centralized location or “center”. In fact, the Access Center is a mobile team that serves as the primary gateway to downtown resources. We are also a crisis hotline, a data hub and a county-wide referral resource that aims to meet vulnerable young people “where they are at” just as readily as our Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach teams. The program motto is “no wrong door” to care and our staff makes it their daily business to respond as quickly and compassionately to the needs of young people experiencing crisis. They specialize in listening to young people’s stories- reading between the lines, asking the difficult questions, and verifying accuracy- in an effort to determine the most appropriate interventions. Every day they hear painful stories of frayed families and young lives that have unraveled and every day they provide hope to young people struggling to survive outdoors. When I recently asked our team what the most difficult part of the job is, they unanimously agreed that it was the daunting emotional burden of bearing witness day after day to unthinkable human tragedy. It’s tough work. And they are a remarkably resilient, intimate and devoted bunch. They also unanimously agreed that one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is working together as a tight-knit team that values each other’s individual skills and styles. In many ways, the Access Center beautifully illustrates that unspoken bond that characterizes what some of us have come to refer to as the “Janus Family” values. One of the most inspiring aspects of the Access Center is that, despite being comprised of only three staff and one program supervisor, this modest program boasts more than 30 years of combined experience at Janus Youth Programs! That’s a whole lot of dedication and wisdom for a program that consists of two small downtown offices and one cellular phone. Let’s meet the folks that make it happen every day:

Pete Lewis

This month marks Pete’s 10th year with Janus Youth Programs! Pete began working with homeless youth as an overnight Porchlight Shelter staff in 2001, shortly after immigrating to the US from his homeland of Wales where he taught basic literacy skills to at-risk youth. He is a gifted writer and a passionate advocate for social justice who can also hold his own on both a skateboard and a surfboard. I recently asked Pete what he loves most about his job and he had this to say, “Knowing that we are helping to provide solutions to desperate social problems. Helping a wide variety of young people begin the process of picking their lives up after they think they've reached the end of the road…Sometimes, being the first adult who has treated a young person with the respect and attention they deserve.” What keeps Pete on the frontline day after day? “I like working for an organization that is respected in the community and I like working in a program that has a clear mission statement. My co-workers have decades of experience and it is invaluable knowing you can count on your co-workers when working with such challenging situations. I think that as an agency we have found the balance between offering genuine compassion and concern while maintaining professional boundaries.” Well said! I also asked Pete what song best describes his personality and he replied, “'Disorder' by Joy Division. Check out my approach to paperwork…” All jokes aside, thank you for 10 years of outstanding youth advocacy work, Pete!

Sylvia Spears-Spencer

Sylvia will celebrate her 10th year with Janus in just a few months! Anyone who has the pleasure of meeting Sylvia even once will never forget her direct no-nonsense approach, her unshakable faith, her impeccable appearance and her disarming sense of humor even in the face of despair. Did I mention her nails? “The best part of my job,” she explains, “is meeting people from all walks of life and hearing their stories… Most people look away from the homeless. I do not. I want to make a difference.” Those stories Sylvia mentions are at the crux of the screening function at the Access Center. Our staff is responsible for determining eligibility for services and this frequently puts us in the challenging role of determining levels of vulnerability and making decisions with dwindling community resources that are often outweighed by need. “The most difficult part of my job is hearing why people are on the streets and the people who have caused the situation.” So what keeps her coming back year after year? “I enjoy working with the youth and my co-workers. My supervisor also!” Aw, shucks. No, I did not approve additional PTO for that last remark. What song best describes her personality? ‘Superfly’ by Curtis Mayfield. Don’t forget it. Thank you for nearly 10 years of selfless service to Portland’s most vulnerable youth, Sylvia!

Andy Hallgren

Andy is the most recent addition to the Access Center team but his story is no less inspiring. Andy initially entered the field as an RTA with Project Metamorphosis after completing an internship with Outside In. As an RTA he served as a peer advocate and mentor, gaining practical frontline skills with Yellow Brick Road and quickly demonstrating a natural gift for working with the most street-affected youth. “I've chosen to help homeless youth because I've seen my own struggles in life,” Andy openly reasons, “I see hope in this population and want to do what I can to be a positive part of their lives…The best part of my job is spending time with the youth I've seen grow into competent, happy adults.” That’s no coincidence. The relationships that Andy forges with young people are precisely the kind of caring connections to adults that federal grants increasingly reference and require of grantees. It is certainly no coincidence that many of our “success story” youth who have transitioned off the streets continue to visit Andy at the Access Center for ongoing encouragement, camaraderie and after-care support. “The most difficult part of my job is balancing the bad with the good.” Not every youth will make it and we experience our share of heartache downtown. So what keeps Andy coming back every week with a smile on his face? “I continue to work with Janus because I really enjoy my co-workers and my supervisor. I also feel like I can be myself and that fosters a very comfortable environment for the difficult work we do.” If you think it’s odd that Andy enjoys the company of his supervisor, consider the song that he selected to describe his personality: ‘Born With a Tail’ by the Supersuckers. Thanks for all you do, Andy!

To learn more about the Access Center or if you are a youth under 25 in need of assistance in Portland, Oregon please call us between 8am-6pm every day of the year: (503) 432-3986

YBR meets Pickle Baby

Left to right: Aubrey Bauer, Sarah Louise Allen (with Pickle Baby), Neal Sand, Adonica Beavers, Lori Rodriguez.

People often ask what an evening of Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach actually looks like. The truth is, the streets can vary greatly from night to night but we do our best to be prepared for just about anything we might find out there (just take a look at Pickle Baby in the photo above, whom our team met at a First Thursday Art Walk event). In an effort to share with people what we mean by "anything"- and to further demysitify the practice of street outreach- we occasionally post random Yellow Brick Road log entries on this blog. The names and identifiers have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the folks we serve but otherwise the following account is edited directly from this month's Yellow Brick Road Outreach Log Book. This log is particularly interesting in that it underscores the kind of misinformation we occasionally encounter and the importance of educated harm reduction dialogue on the streets:

Tonight was a night filled with new contacts! Around 40% of the young people we met said they had not heard about street outreach before and they were very happy to see us...We decided to spice up our route and headed down to the Burnside/Powell stretch, dipping into the south side through O'Bryant Square (aka "Paranoid Park")...We strolled through Pioneer Square where we had some prime harm reduction philosophizing with some rather transcendental travelers after they claimed that it's "cool" not to wear condoms! Sarah astutely pointed out the risks of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, to which he responded with a very sincere, "What you don't know can't hurt you." It was noted that clearly not all proverbs are true and this seemed to leave quite an impression on the young man for further thought...

Next we headed down to Safeway where we had a nice conversation with "Primal" and "Sandy" and their lovely puppy. Then up to the Park Blocks where we encountered "Chance" who is hopefully getting into treatment this week and then planning to move on to Montana where he apparently has a home and a full-time job waiting for him! He was ecstatic to get our of Portland and had strong hopes that he would stay clean for good. We offered him congratulations and good wishes for his future.

After a heartfelt "thank you" from a longtime homeless man for everything Yellow Brick Road has done for him, we hopped on the MAX back to YBR headquarters. It was wonderful night overall.

~Yellow Brick Road Team (July 2011)

Yellow Brick Road Volunteer Awarded!

Left to right: Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, YBR volunteer Joan Jenkins, Housing Commissioner Nick Fish.

We are honored to announce that Yellow Brick Road volunteer Joan Jenkins was a recipient of the 2011 Coordinating Committee to End Homelessness Achievement Award for her outstanding efforts in reaching out to homeless youth and others experiencing homelessness in the Portland community. Joan has been a Yellow Brick Road volunteer for more than 16 years. She joins the team every Monday night, making critical contacts and building trust with street-dependent youth and connecting them to information and services. Joan’s passion, energy, and laughter are an inspiration to the young people that she meets on the streets, and to all the staff and volunteers who have had the pleasure of working alongside her. She demonstrates humility in serving others and avoids personal recognition, keeping her focus on supporting young people as they transition out of homelessness. Joan truly believes in the potential and futures of young people and is a passionate outreach worker on their behalf. When folks in the community talk about what a great program Yellow Brick Road is, they are talking about Joan Jenkins. Congratulations, Joan! And thank you for all that you do.

Somehwere Under The Rainbow...

While it is true that as outreach workers we must intentionally expose ourselves to the more painful sides of life in an effort to improve the lives of vulnerable young people, street outreach is certainly not without its profound beauty and unique rewards. On that note we present these inspiring photos taken just last week of Yellow Brick Road on the streets of Portland, Oregon.

Photos courtesy of Yellow Brick Road volunteer Stella Butler, who has been with the program since 2003. Thanks for all you do, Stella!

Meet YBR of Washington!

YELLOW BRICK ROAD of WASHINGTON

& THE PERCH DROP-IN CENTER

YBR of Washington was established in 2006 with the mission of identifying and meeting the unique needs of street dependent youth in the Southwest Washington region. Modeled closely after Janus Youth’s nationally acclaimed street outreach program based in downtown Portland, the Washington State division has expanded to include a drop-in center known as The Perch which is operated by knowledgeable outreach workers and serves young people 16-24 years old that are experiencing homelessness in Clark County. The program operates Monday through Friday from 9am-3:30pm. Recently Dennis Lundberg joined Director of Washington Services Dr. Tillie Make Peace to provide leadership for YBR of Washington and The Perch. Helen Boylan (pictured) and Scott Conger also assist youth to achieve sustainable independence through the housing assistance programs The NEST and The PATH. Now let’s meet our amazing team of YBR-W Outreach Specialists:

Heather Wilkins: Heather has been with YBR-W and The Perch for more than a year and recently accepted the challenge of assisting Dennis Lundberg with the daily maintenance of the pr0gram in her new role as the Program Coordinator. What does she like most about working with vulnerable street affected youth? “I just really love getting to know all the youth we have the opportunity to meet…they have some amazing strengths, tenacity and life knowledge.” If Heather had to pick a song that would describe her personality to a stranger, she would pick Tangerine by Led Zeppelin. Tangerine is also a favorite color. Why? “It’s a mellow, yet warm color.” Just like Heather’s personality. Thanks for all you do, Heather!

Sean Farrell: Sean moved to Portland a few years ago from California and very quickly applied his passion for volunteering and community organizing to the downtown Homeless Youth Continuum. He began his career as a Recovery Transition Advocate (RTA), working with Project Metamorphosis for a year and launching the successful Youth in the Community service learning project for homeless youth before recently joining the YBR-W/Perch team as a full-time Outreach Specialist. In his personal time Sean is a theatrical musician with roots in punk rock activism. If he had to pick one song that describes his personality to a stranger, he would pick Walk Together, Rock Together by 7 Seconds. Welcome to the team, Sean!

Joseph Bonnell: Joseph was raised in Norman, Oklahoma and joined the YBR-W/Perch team almost exactly one year ago to the day. He brings to the team a deep respect for young people and a gentle and grounded presence. Joseph is also our resident resource expert and he single handedly maintains a meticulously updated resource guide that will soon be shared amongst the entire Washington State Janus Division. His favorite color is green and his favorite thing about working with YBR-W is, “All I get to learn from tough, amazing young people.” Thanks for all you do, Joseph.

Robin Alley: Robin was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington. She loves her city and devotes her time away from her own family to improving the lives of vulnerable young people right in her own hometown. Robin was a generous volunteer with The Perch for the past year and rose to the challenge to help the team hold down the proverbial fort during recent transitions. This month she joined YBR-W as a fulltime Outreach Specialist and brings to the team her motherly compassion and enviable energy (not to mention her delicious cooking). If Robin had to choose an animal that would describe her personality to a stranger, she would choose a dog because she is, “Loyal & friendly & loves to run around.” Welcome to the team, Robin!

To learn more about YBR-W street outreach and The Perch drop-in center, contact us at:

(360) 213-5947

YBR Outreach Specialist Awarded!

Janus Youth Programs is delighted to announce that our very own Outreach Specialist, Neal Sand, was presented with the 2011 Individual Award of Merit at the Oregon Coalition on Housing and Homelessness' 23rd Annual Conference in Hood River, Oregon last week!

As a professional Outreach Specialist with Janus Youth Programs' Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach Program, Neal packs his bag every week- rain or shine (frequently rain)- and heads out to the streets, bridges, wooded camps, squats, and pretty much anywhere off the beaten path where he might find Portland, Oregon’s most vulnerable young people. He excels at reaching the "hardest to reach" youth wherever they are to be found and he builds meaningful relationships that make a lasting difference.

Neal’s history with Janus Youth Programs goes back to 1998 when he himself began as a volunteer with Yellow Brick Road. Neal far exceeded his minimum 6 month volunteer commitment, remaining on the YBR team for no less than 4 years before he applied and was hired on full-time with Janus Youth’s homeless youth services in 2002. Over the years Neal has honed his skills with young people and left a wake of hilarious epic-length monologues in our staff log books.

Neal is Journalism major (another family tradition) with a gift for wry wit. That’s a nice way of saying he can laugh even in the shadow of life’s darkest ironies. It is a skill that serves him well in our work in downtown Portland where we frequently need both hands to count the folks lost on the streets every year. Neal’s passion for laughter and language is a gift he has shared with youth in the form of creative writing and self-expression workshops.

Neal believes in young people so unrelentingly that, eventually, they tend to believe in themselves. He is a soft-spoken hero on the streets of Portland and he is one of the dedicated youth advocates who have made Janus Youth Programs the acclaimed service providers we are today. We are honored to work with him. So are the youth.

What IS Street Outreach?

People often ask what an evening of Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach actually looks like. The truth is, the streets can vary greatly from night to night but we do our best to be prepared for just about anything we might find out there. In an effort to share with people what we mean by "anything"- and to further demysitify the practice of street outreach- we occasionally post random Yellow Brick Road log entries on this blog. The names and identifiers have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the folks we serve but otherwise the following account is excerpted directly from last night's Yellow Brick Road Outreach Log Book:

Super solid night! Started out wet and rainy heading to Street Church which was packed. There are two teens who have been frequenting Street Church recently who appear fairly vulnerable. They are engageable yet very resistant to the idea of services...We checked in with [Street Church Supervisor] Jeff Welch and discussed a plan to try to motivate them to go to Harry's Mother [Janus Youth Programs' 24 hour runaway youth safety center].

We then went to Safeway through the South Park Blocks, where we had some good conversations and "card & raps" [i.e. new contacts]. From there we did the Rite Aid/Pioneer Square loop and engaged with a fair amount of young people...After that we headed down toward Waterfront and crossed over to the East Side. Once there we encountered several groups of people. They like us over there and would like to see more of us under the Hawthorne Bridge area. There was a request for wide-eye sewing needles.

At the public meal under the Burnside Bridge we met "Kathy" and "Robin", who were new to Portland from Des Moines and after a "card & rap" about Yellow Brick Road they were interested in having an emergency night at Porchlight Shelter. From the meal we escorted them directly to shelter where we provided a warm handoff to the shelter staff waiting when we arrived. Solid night, solid contact.

~S, S, H & A (Thursday Night Yellow Brick Road Team)

Yellow Brick Road volunteer Axcelle Bell in the YBR office preparing a nightly outreach report with his team. Photos courtesy of YBR volunteer Stella Butler.

YBR Training Opportunity: De-Escalation & Non-Violent Communication

FREE TRAINING

April 10, 2011

Sunday

2pm-5pm

Janus Youth Programs and Yellow Brick Road invite YOU to our upcoming community training on Sunday, April 10th. This training is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please R.S.V.P. for location. YBR trainings are a great way to meet our team of outreach workers and volunteers to learn more about issues of youth homelessness and the many ways you can get involved and make a difference with Janus Youth Programs. There is absolutely no obligation to volunteer to attend. Our April 10th training will focus on practical De-Escalation skills, from non-verbal preventative interventions to the basic principles of Non-Violent Communication. What is conflict? What is resolution? What is de-escalation? How can we apply these concepts to street outreach to reduce violence and safety issues? Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you there!

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

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Our Hearts and Best Wishes Go Out To Our Neighbors In Japan

As we work to empower the lives of vulnerable young people here in the North West of the United States, Yellow Brick Road and Janus Youth Programs send our best wishes to our neighbors in Japan. We wish you all the strength, fortitude and resiliency to heal from the recent tragedies that fell upon Japanese shores. We are with you during these difficult times.

Janus Youth Programs and the Sexual Aassault Resource Center partner to end Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

KPTV NEWS
Chanel 12
Portland, Oregon

Portland has been in the spotlight as a hub for child sex trafficking, but now efforts are stepping up this week to fight the problem and help the victims. A fund of $285,000 approved by the city in November has been put to use. This week, three new case managers from the Sexual Assault Resource Center will begin work helping victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

“We receive calls on our cell phones all night long,” says Ester Nelson, of SARC, who supervises the advocates. She says they currently manage more than 170 cases and the number of victims doesn’t appear to be getting smaller. “It’s just overwhelming -- the system’s ability to respond,” Nelson says. Nelson says treatment starts by building a respectful relationship with the victims and assuring them that they deserve the services available to them. “It doesn’t take much. You just need a person to believe in you and say, ‘We believe in you,'” she says.

The other portion of the funding will help Janus Youth Programs with shelter staffing. Twelve beds are currently available for at-risk youth. “Over the past two to three months, we have hit capacity,” says program director Kevin Donegan. He says he would rather children sleep in the shelter’s office than go back to the streets. “Most people are not aware of the extent of the problem,” Donegan says. “It’s big.”

Increased awareness is a key component in combating sex trafficking, he says. Advocates agree progress has been made in treating the immediate crisis, but more must be done to find long-term solutions. It’s estimated at least 100,000 children are forced into prostitution in the United States each year, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Homeless Youth Featured on 60 Minutes

This was a very moving segment on 60 Minutes last night. It might generate some media interest today, locally --

go Minutes

Stand and Be Counted

Yellow Brick Road, Janus Youth’s downtown Portland street outreach program, recently completed the 2011 Street Count. The Street Count is Multnomah County's federally mandated biennial survey of people sleeping outdoors as well as those folks in temporary or emergency shelters (the Shelter Count is conducted at the same time as the Street Count to create an unduplicated number). This is a huge collective effort by many organizations and volunteers and the information we gather helps us create a "snapshot" of the folks sleeping outdoors in our community on one particular night of the year, typically a cold and wet night that intentionally eliminates those who can scrape together even temporary resources when the going gets real rough. This year that night was Wednesday, January 26th and our dedicated YBR teams put all regular outreach on hold to prioritize the count and make every effort to see that nobody was left uncounted. In 2009, nearly 1,600 people slept outside on the night of our January Street Count while another 820 were in temporary shelter. That number might seem low for a city often cited nationally for our highly visible homeless population but keep in mind that it is only an estimate of our total unsheltered population and we are well aware that a count of this nature fails to reach many highly vulnerable youth, single adults, couples and families that lack stable and safe housing but remain off our collective radar for a variety of reasons. THANKS TO ALL OF OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS and our STREET OUTREACH STAFF who put in extra hours to assure that as many people were counted as possible!

While working on the Street Count this past month I was reminded of our last count back in 2009. Our outreach teams met a spirited young couple while conducting surveys on the streets that year. Let’s call them “Sara” and “Craig”. They were immediately noticeable because they fit the notorious “road warrior” description perfectly: spiked leather jackets, dyed Mohawks, homemade tattoos and scowls that had been perfected over many years of abject failure and disappointment. They were asking passersby for spare change in front of Voodoo Doughnuts downtown with a paper cup suspended from a stick and string so, in effect, they were “fishing” for change. If I remember correctly, their sign even read “gone fishing”. Sara and Craig would soon establish a very close connection with Yellow Brick Road as our teams continued to engage them on the sidewalk outside of Voodoo Doughnuts night after night. Eventually- cautiously- they began joining us at our weekly stationary outreach site, volunteering to clean the space at the end of the day as a small gesture of appreciation for the meals and good company they were provided with by our outstanding staff. As they “came in from the cold” as it were, the full extent of their collective problems began to emerge. There was chronic alcoholism to contend with as well as occasionally alarming anger management and depression issues that were very clearly linked to deeply embedded feelings of low self-worth. Neither of them had much in the way of education or employment experience. And then they found out that Sara was pregnant.

Suffice to say, over the course of many months we worked diligently to connect them with a team of midwives and our colleagues at Janus Youth’s Insights Teen Pregnancy Program. They were soon attending parenting workshops and a sliding-scale martial arts dojo where Craig began to learn healthy risk-taking and healthier outlets for his aggression. We were able to secure a housing grant and a terrific downtown apartment, oddly located not far from where we first met them sitting in the rain with their crooked grins and stick, string and paper cup. Sara and Craig have been indoors for almost one year now and this past August they gave birth to a beautiful and perfectly healthy baby girl. Let’s call her “Hope”. Earlier this week I received a phone message from Craig, now a proud young dad, who sounded excited to realize that he is approaching his one year anniversary indoors. His message was simple and very telling: “Hey Dennis, just calling to let you know that I’ve been off the streets for almost one year and that means I’m almost ready to start volunteering with Yellow Brick Road! Call me back…”

2011 Street Count results coming soon!

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24 & 25)

In addition to the resources listed in our earlier post (see below), transportation is available for anyone who needs assistance getting to a warming center during the cold this week:

TRANSPORTATION:

Individuals needing transportation to the Red Cross Severe Weather Warming Center can come to the Union Gospel Mission (3 NW 3rd Ave) between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM for fareless access to TriMet busses on normal routes. Buses will drop riders at E Burnside and SE Sandy (two blocks from warming center site). Fareless access to TriMet buses is available only for those gathering at Union Gospel Mission. Red Cross staff will assist individuals requiring similar transportation assistance from the warming center to downtown Portland the following morning.

For additional 9information please call 211 by dialing 2-1-1 within the Portland metro area.

SEVERE WEATHER THIS WEEK!

Severe Weather Alert: The National Weather Service predicts temperatures between 34-33° along with winds gusting to 14 miles per hour beginning Tuesday night 2/22 and a snow accumulation of 1 inch by morning 2/23. These conditions are expected to persist with low temperatures around 30° overnight Wednesday 2/23.

Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1.

211info will be available to identify available shelter and warming center resources between 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Multnomah County callers may also contact 211info between 6:00pm and 10:00pm Monday to Friday, and between 8:00am and 10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to existing year-round and winter shelter facilities, the following warming center facilities are available:

WARMING CENTERS:
Family Winter Warming Center:
12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon
(on Halsey near 126th Avenue)
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Any combination of adults with children under 18 or women who are IN THEIR 3RD TRIMESTER OF THEIR PREGNANCY.

Women’s Winter Warming Center:
Call to make reservation 24 hours per day or stop by the Transition Projects office at NW 5th & Glisan Monday - Friday, 8:30am-7:30pm. Call 503-823-4930 to check availability. Only for single women, up to 70 people.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:45 PM - 6:45 AM; 7:30 PM check-in for guests with disabilities
Serves: Only single women

Men’s Expanded Shelter:
Located at Salvation Army Harbor Light, SW 2nd and Ankeny, between 7:30pm and 7:30am. Call 503-239-1259. Provides seating and hot beverages. Only for single men, up 70 people.
Dates: seven nights a week throughout winter season
Hours: 7:30 PM - 7:30 AM
Serves: Only single men

Portland Rescue Mission:
111 W Burnside St., Portland Oregon
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: seven nights a week
Hours: 8:30 PM - 5:30 AM, check-in on site
Serves: only single men, up to 136 people

Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center
Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center at the Imago Dei Church
1302 Ankeny Street, (near 13th Avenue in Inner SE), Portland
Dates: evenings 2/22/2011 - 02/23/2011
Hours: 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM, check-in on site
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location (main floor)

Union Gospel Mission
3 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-274-4483
Dates: evenings 2/22/2010 – 02/26/2011
Hours: 9:30 PM – 6:00 AM
Serves: Up to 50 people

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

St. Francis Dining Hall
330 SE 11th Avenue, 503-234-2028
Adding additional hours to accommodate Red Cross Severe Weather Emergency Warming Center clients
Dates: 2/22/2010 – evening of 02/23/2011
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:45 PM
Serves: Men & Women

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

FREE YBR TRAINING THIS SUNDAY!

FREE TRAINING

February 20, 2010

Sunday

2pm-5pm

Janus Youth Programs and Yellow Brick Road invite YOU to our upcoming community training this Sunday, February 20th. The training is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please R.S.V.P. for location. 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. There is no obligation to volunteer to attend. This week's training will include updates on the 2011 Street Count, Roadmap Home, and our community's response to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). We will be viewing the short video 'Making A Girl' and the Dan Rathers special 'Pornland'. Vegetarian lunch and coffee will be provided. Hope to see you there!

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

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

STREET COUNT 2011

Tonight is STREET COUNT NIGHT here in Portland, Oregon! The Street Count is Portland's biennial count of both unsheltered people along with those in temporary or emergency shelter. This is a huge collective effort by many organiziations and volunteers and the information we gather will help us create a "snapshot" of those folks sleeping outdoors tonight. In 2009, nearly 1,600 people slept outside on the night of our January Street Count while another 820 were in temporary shelter. That number might seem low but keep in mind that it is only an estimate of how many people- both youth, adults and families- lack stable and safe housing right here in our community. Yellow Brick Road has been diligently interviewing people outdoors all week in an effort too gather the most accurate information possible and the results will be releases in a few weeks. THANKS TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS and OUTREACH STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE STREETS ALL WEEK for this important survey! More info coming soon...

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!