Volunteer Spotlight: Joni Portmann
Joni Portmann is no stranger to paying it forward. After a fire raged through her family’s coastal dairy farm as a child, neighbors gathered every day to help them rebuild—even after working full days on their own farms. A year ago and on the brink of retirement from her 36-year-long career as a dental hygienist, […]
Read MorePortland Habitat Builds Homes in El Salvador
As a part of Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program, Habitat staff, board members, and friends joined together for an unforgettable trip to El Salvador to build homes with local homeowners. Led by Construction Supervisor Rob Cunningham, the group spent two weeks in Guaymango, El Salvador building the foundation of a home with future homeowners […]
Read MoreHabitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East Named One of Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofits
In January, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East was named by the Portland Business Journal as one of Oregon’s most admired nonprofit organizations. In an award ceremony at the Portland Hilton Ballroom, more than 750 business leaders gathered together to honor companies and nonprofits alike, and Habitat took home one of the day’s most prestigious honors. […]
Read MoreSenator Jeff Merkley Makes a Visit to Habitat
Just prior to the Christmas holiday weekend, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East received word that US Senator Jeff Merkley would be stopping by. This year, Senator Merkley and his daughter Brynne challenged each other to complete an Ironman triathlon, and to raise money for local nonprofits in the process. They chose three organizations, including Habitat […]
Read MoreThe Merello family is home for the holidays
The Merello family is home for the holidays Story by Kathy Oxborrow Lluvia Merello was only three when her family moved to the United States from Peru. Escaping from domestic violence, Lluvia’s mother relocated her four children to California where Lluvia’s grandmother lived. “We camped in my grandmother’s backyard when we first arrived,” said Lluvia. […]
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Sarah McDonagh
Sarah McDonagh has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro East since June of 2016. She first got involved with Habitat her Freshman year of college where she went on a service trip to work the with the Spokane affiliate. As a student at Portland State, she wanted to stay involved with Habitat and […]
Read MoreA new beginning for a Portland mom
Story by Kathy Oxborrow Being a single mother is one of the hardest jobs one can have, but Mel in an exceptional case. In her life, Mel has adopted and raised three children with various degrees of developmental disabilities. Mel lived next door to the children and their grandparents for eight years. She spent time […]
Read MoreFuture Habitat Volunteers Get a Lesson In Giving Back
The International School in Southwest Portland is teaching their kids about community service. Last month, Habitat AmeriCorps member Kelli Linton went to speak to the 72 3rd graders about the work that Habitat does in the Portland Metro area. The kids were very excited to learn about building homes and more importantly, helping families. They had […]
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Heather Krizanac
Most people picture Habitat volunteers with a hammer in their hands and a hard hat on their head, but not every volunteer pounds nails and paints walls. Heather Krizanac has been volunteering with Habitat on a regular basis for over two years, assisting the resource department during large events such as our annual Hopebuilder Breakfast. She […]
Read MoreAiming Higher, Giving Back
Starting life out in the Woodlawn neighborhood of inner northeast Portland, where money was tight and tempers often flared, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East Legacy Society member Jeanne Arbow knew from an early age that this is not where she wanted her life to take her. Home life was not easy as her parents struggled […]
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