AND YET AGAIN...SEVERE WEATHER DECLARED FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 22, 2013!

Please call 2-1-1 or see our posts below for resources and details!

SEVERE WEATHER CALLED FOR MONDAY 1/21/2013!

Once again, temperatures are expected to dip down below 25 degrees with freezing rain in the late-early morning.  Imago Dei Church will be open to all at 7pm.  See below for details or call 2-1-1 for more info.

SEVERE WEATHER DECLARED FOR SUNDAY 1/20/2013!

See post below for resources and bundle up out there!

SEVERE WEATHER IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY DECLARED FOR SATURDAY 1/19!

The National Weather Service forecast for the evening of Saturday, January 19, 2013, shows below freezing temperatures and wind chill of 25 degrees between 4:00am and 7:00am in the early hours of Sunday, January 20, 2013. Anyone seeking shelter should contact 211info, reached by dialing 2-1-1. During this Severe Weather event, 211info will be available to identify shelter and warming center resources to Multnomah County callers between 2:00pm and midnight, Saturday. Service providers who would like to update information on services they offer during Severe Weather Notices, please call Troy Hammond at 503-504-9867. In addition to existing year-round and winter shelter facilities, the following warming center facilities are available:

Family Winter Shelter: 
12505 NE Halsey Street, Portland Oregon (on Halsey near 126th Avenue)
This is a walk-in facility. It is not necessary to call beforehand. No one will be turned away. Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season.
Hours: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Serves: Families with children under 18 and women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

Women’s Winter Shelter: 
Check availability at Transition Projects/Bud Clark Commons, 650 NW Irving,
Walk in Mon-Fri 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sat/Sun 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
or call 503-280-4700 Dates: Seven nights a week throughout winter season Hours: 7:30 PM - 7:00 AM Serves: Single women

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) This is a walk-in facility. Pets allowed, some space for carts, accessible location
Dates: Evening of Saturday, January 19th Hours: 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Serves: Families, single adults, and youths; Pets allowed; some space for carts; accessible location on main floor

Union Gospel Mission: 
15 NW 3rd Avenue, 503-228-0319
This is a walk-in facility.
Dates: Evenings Saturday, January 19th & Sunday, January 20th
Hours: 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM Serves: Families, single adults, and youths

Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES): 
11 NW 5th Avenue, 503-227-0810
Offers additional emergency mats, first-come, first-served, must arrive by 10pm.
Dates: Evening of Saturday, January 19th
Hours: 6:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Serves: Single self-identified women

Janus Porch Light Emergency Shelter:
1635 SW Alder Street
Hours: 8:45pm-9:00am
Serves: Homeless youth ages 15-23
35 bed spaces: first come, first served


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

Meet the Friday Night YBR Team!

NO SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT (1/3/2012)

But it will still be very cold tonight so BUNDLE UP out there!

Waiting for the Sun

I’ll be honest: this time of year is not my favorite for being outside.  I didn’t get to do outreach during the sunny months this year as a result of a bike accident.   I’m certainly glad to be back.  I missed the faces and the places and the people I’ve been building relationships with over the last two years.  I started out as a Yellow Brick Road volunteer in December 2010, so my first experiences on outreach were largely in the dark, wet Portland winter.  Maybe it’s a good thing that I missed the summer this year – I won’t remember as clearly the nights when it was still bright and warm at 8:30pm.  Thankfully, with winter solstice behind us, the days will only get longer for the next six months.

There are certain faces that I won’t get to see until the days are longer again.  The cycle of travelers coming through is at a low point for the season, but the hearty Portland-based youth are still fixtures throughout my week.  The holiday season is always a challenge for many of them.  A month ago, a few of them expressed hopes that folks downtown would be more generous since Christmas was coming.  It seems that the economy held many back from giving as much as they might have in years past.  The cold weather accentuates already difficult circumstances.  Getting up at 6am at the request of the Police is that much harder after a restless night under wet blankets.

I appreciate that as an outreach worker I can offer respite to youth who don’t have services in the Homeless Youth Continuum at least twice a week.  Once is on Sunday nights at a program called Road Warrior, hosted by our partners at Outside In.  The second opportunity is at Janus’ Stationary Outreach on Thursdays.  Some folks come in right at noon to make sure they can get their laundry washed and dried.  Others warm up with a hot shower and some hot food and coffee.  Still others pass out with weariness on one of our couches and rest for an hour or two.  I am excited that we will be able to throw a post-holiday party on Jan. 10th.  The donated gifts, youth-suggested movies, and specially-ordered food will surely brighten these darker days for a number of folks.

It’s always a learning experience walking the streets of Portland through the yearly cycle.  Seasons transform much more than weather.  Last year at this time, we were just recovering from several months serving the youth of Occupy Portland.  This year presented its own hopes and challenges.  As we continue to walk along side so many young people in our community, my goal is to keep my eye on the horizon and watch for the rising sun.

- Heather Penzel, Street Outreach Specialist

SEVERE WEATHER TONIGHT (12/30/12)!

The City has declared a Severe Weather Alert for tonight! As odd as this seems if you are looking out the window while reading this, temperatures are expected to drop below 25 with wind chill tonight and may possibly remain below 25 through Tuesday. 

Anyone seeking shelter can go to the Red Cross Warming Shelter located inside the Imago Dei Church located at 1302 SE Ankeny Street (just behind Old Wives Tale). 

For more information please check the 211 website for up-to-the-minute information. Bundle up tonight!

FREE YBR TRAINING EVENT...11/11!

YOU are invited to our upcoming Yellow Brick Road training! YBR training events are always FREE and available to anyone over 18 in the community who may wish to learn more about street outreach, volunteer opportunities and issues related to youth homelessness in the Northwest. This is a great opportunity to meet the current YBR volunteer teams, outreach staff and program supervisor, learn about important updates regarding our program and homeless youth services, and ask questions. Applications will be on hand for anyone who wishes to join the team. Our next training will take place in downtown Portland on Sunday NOVEMBER 11th from 2pm until 5pm. We will be discussing winter shelter resources, severe weather response plans and safety on the streets. Our teams from Portland and Vancouver will also be providing updates on their respective communities.  Please R.S.V.P. for the location at the email address listed below as space is limited.  We hope to see you there!

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Doin' What We Do!

Yellow Brick Road Outreach Specialists (Heather & Neal) doin' what they do!  

It's HOT...Stay Cool!

It's HOT out there folks!  For the next few days Portland is expecting temperatures hovering around 100 degrees.  For people living outdoors this is not only uncomfortable...it can be dangerous.Please drink lots of water and wear lots of sunscreen if you can't get to shade.  Follow the link below to learn about free cooling centers in Multnomah County:    

Every place in Multnomah County that people can cool down in the heat...for free!

Project Metamorphosis Reunion!

Calling all current and past RTAs, A&D Specialists, Supervisors and Supporters of Project Metamorphosis! The very first Meta Reunion is scheduled to take place June 30, 2012---Noon to Dusk. 

 If you have been involved in meta and wish to attend, please contact Patti Davis to R.S.V.P. and for location. 

 Patti Davis: pattid@depaultreatmentcenters.org 503-980-5531

THANKS!

Thanks to EVERYONE who joined us this afternoon for another terrific Yellow Brick Road All-Team training event! Special thanks to Brenton Chose, Lionel Eyres, Alex Lewis, Mike Davis and Karras Kalivas of the Portland Park Rangers for taking time out of their day to join YBR and share their mission to serve as positive ambassadors in the downtown core.  It was interesting to hear how often their work in Portland's parks so closely resembles street outreach.  We look forward to more partnerships in the future!  Also, special thanks to Rachel Cole-Jansen.  Rachel began volunteering with Yellow Brick Road in February 2009 and spent much of her academic career at Reed College serving YBR and Portland's homeless youth community.  She recently completed a 200+ page senior research thesis on CSEC youth in the Portland metro area and this afternoon she shared a brief summary of her findings with the YBR team.  Rachel is now a Reed College graduate!  CONGRATULATIONS, RACHEL!  THANK YOU FOR THREE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH YBR!

YBR Training Event Re-Scheduled for May 27th

Yellow Brick Road offers quarterly trainings to all outreach volunteers and program participants. These trainings are FREE and available to anyone over 18 in the community who may wish to learn more about street outreach, volunteer opportunities and issues related to youth homelessness in the Northwest. Our training events are also a great opportunity to meet the current volunteer teams, outreach staff and program supervisor, learn about important updates regarding our program and homeless youth services, and ask questions. Applications will be on hand for anyone who wishes to join the team! Our next training will take place in downtown Portland on Sunday May 20 May 27 from 2pm until 5pm. Please R.S.V.P. for the location at the email address listed below.  We hope to see you there!

dlundberg@janusyouth.org

Girl Scout Troop 49876 Supports Janus Youth!

Here is Mallory Hobson of Girl Scout Troop 49876 with Dennis Lundberg, Associate Director of Janus Youth's Homeless Youth Programs.  Over the past 10 months Mallory single-handedly organized her own community service project to benefit pets belonging to young people experiencing homelessness.  She put together 25 "Pet-On-The-Go" bags containing essential items to keep pets safe and comfortable outdoors.  This project involved formally presenting her idea to the Girl Scout Council for approval, finding suppliers for all the pet essentials, fundraising the necessary capital and crocheting squeaky chew-toys for dogs! The completed bags were delivered this week and will now be distributed to youth with pets by Janus Youth's Yellow Brick Road Street Outreach Program.  On behalf of Janus Youth Programs we THANK YOU, Mallory!  You are an exceptional young woman and we wish you the very best for your Girl Scout Gold Award!    

THANK A YOUTH WORKER DAY!

Today is National Thank A Youth Worker Day!  Who knew?  Today we celebrate and send a heartfelt THANK YOU to ALL the incredible individuals around the country- and world- who make it their mission to improve the lives of young people.

WASHINGTON LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST ONLINE SEX TRAFFICKING!

Yellow Brick Road applauds Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire's signing into law last week a bill that requires online escort solicitors in the state to document that all escorts are over 18. This new law certainly won't end demand or offer a long term solution but it is a bold step in the right direction and sends a clear message to pimps and exploiters of children that our KIDS ARE NOT FOR SALE! Read all about the new legislation here.

YOUTH PANEL PODCAST

Check out this great podcast that the National Clearinghouse On Families & Youth posted this morning! The podcast features interviews with formerly homeless youth panelists from the 2011 National Runaway and Homeless Youth Conference held in Portland, Oregon. These are candid stories of struggle and success that bolster our confidence and skills as service providers and encourage youth who are still in the very early stages of recovery and transition. YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Learn more about Hallinan Elementary School's Blanket Project!

Helping the Homeless

Hallinan students make 100 blankets for homeless youth

By Barb Randall

The Lake Oswego Review, Feb 23, 2012

Hallinan fifth- and sixth-graders got a lesson in street smarts recently, thanks to Dennis Lundberg, associate director for Willamette Bridge of Janus Youth Programs. Lundberg was at the school to pick up 100 fleece blankets the students had made for the organization. He was grateful for the donation, as he would have about 70 homeless teens looking to his organization for shelter that evening.

“We let them pick their blanket,” Lundberg told the students during an assembly. “That makes it more theirs than if we just handed them a blanket.” He went on to tell the students the hard truth that not everyone has a cozy blanket to snuggle up in, or even a warm, dry place to sleep at night.

Lundberg was invited to Hallinan Elementary School by teacher Lizz Pilkington, who has worked to support Janus Youth Programs for the past six years. She said she liked to involve students with the program because they can actually see how what they do makes a difference to others.

As part of the service project learning experience Pilkington and the rest of the fifth- and sixth-grade teaching team asked students to do chores for family members and neighbors to earn money to buy fleece for the blankets.

“On that day we were out of school (because of inclement weather) I was at the fabric store buying 50 bolts of material,” Pilkington said. About 500 yards of fabric went into making the blankets.

Pilkington said Lundberg relates well to young people and can share information about homelessness with them in a manner that is candid but not uncomfortable for them to hear.

“He does such an incredible job,” she said.

During the school assembly, Lundberg asked the audience if they had ever seen a homeless person, to which most students’ hands were raised. Most raised their hands again in response to his question of whether they knew any homeless people.

“They can look scary or weird, and they are certainly not happy,” said Lundberg. “But homelessness affects all of us. It’s a rising issue, and there are lots of reasons why people would be homeless.”

He explained that Janus’ Porch Light program helps keep runaways safe with the intent of eventually returning them to safe homes.

Janus Youth Program’s Street Light shelter helps homeless youths.

“It can be scary and unsafe to be out on the streets,” he said.

Lundberg said both the Porch Light and Street Light programs work to get teens indoors where they are safe and help them either return home or find another safe place.

“All the kids get a bunk bed and blanket,” he said. “You’ve done a wonderful thing. Lots of people need these blankets.

“We work hard to figure out how to get them off the street and out of shelters. They can take the blanket with them when they leave the shelter. … We can’t keep up (with the need for blankets and toiletries).”

To learn more about Janus Youth Programs, visit www.janusyouth.org or call 503-789-4011. Contact Lundberg at dlundberg@janusyouth.org.

Copyright 2012 Pamplin Media Group, 6605 S.E. Lake Road, Portland, OR 97222 • 503-226-6397

A.M.E. Zion Churches of Oregon & Washington support Janus Youth!

The youth and young adults of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Churches in Oregon and Washington support Janus Youth Programs' mission to changes lives and build futures! Recently the Northwest conference rallied together to raise several boxes of clothing to stock our homeless shelters and recently opened shelter for CSEC survivors. These young men and women have boldly stated their support for at-risk young people in the community and we look forward to working with the A.M.E. Zion Churches of Oregon & Washington in the future! We wish to give a special THANK YOU to Breanna Probasco-Canda, District Youth Director, for her efforts galvanizing this service project.