During the first quarter of 2010 we are offering several opportunities for people to receive community development training. Below are the classes and workshop schedule details. Go to School of Neighborhood Transformation for more information about course content. These trainings are open for anyone. We have formatted two training opportunities into two ways; workshop or class. A workshop provides the training concentrated into one or two days. A class provides the identical content spread out through two hour weekly meetings. Each class and workshop costs $45 per person.

Neighborhood Change Course, Phase 1 Class, February Wednesdays (2/3, 10, 17, 24), 7:30PM-9:30PM at Lents Baptist Church - 5921 SE 88th (at Woodstock) Portland, OR 97266).

Neighborhood Change Course, Phase 1, Workshop, February 6th, Saturday, 9AM-4:30PM at Lents Baptist Church - 5921 SE 88th (at Woodstock) Portland, OR 97266).

ABCD Training Workshop, February 20 & 21, Saturday, 9AM-4PM and Sunday, 2PM-5PM, at Southeast Uplift Building - 3534 SE Main, Portland, OR 97214).

ABCD Training Class, March Wednesdays (3/3, 10, 17, 24), 7:00PM-9:30PM, Location TBD.

To download flyers of the training events click on these links:  ABCD Workshop,  Neighborhood Change Course Phase 1

To register, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and indicate which training you're interested in. You'll receive a confirmation email by the following work day.

 

A group from Imago Dei Community Church in Portland spent the weekend passing out hot chocolate to passersby on 82nd and Powell, eating and talking with community members at Tremont Evangelical, painting a Noah's Ark mural in the kids wing at Lents Baptist, sorting donated clothing at Charlie's Clothes Closet, and working on graffiti abatement in the Woodstock neighborhood. In between and during all this "service" activity was a lot of thinking and discussion about poverty; what is it really? what and how do we receive from the poor? how do we respond to poverty while maintaining everyone's dignity? what is the biblical understanding of poverty? how do relief efforts help or harm others? etc. Discussions were quite profound and perspective shifting.

Perhaps some of the best moments were meeting new friends; some without homes, some from the neighborhood, some from church communities, others running local nonprofits. 

Learn more about Prologue and the learning experience it offers to you and your church group by clicking here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Saturday is coming up?

2nd Saturday at Tremont, 3rd at Lents!!

We are working with a couple local churches in SE Portland who are offering to their neighbors, a free monthly breakfast. This meal is really about being together, building relationships and sharing resources. After the open conversations around the table, and the pancakes, and eggs, all guests are encouraged to visit the clothes table and/or the food box line. If anyone needs food or clothing items to take home they are welcome to them.

We are developing a rotation sequence, where four different churches within a mile or so of each other host this event; each takes a Saturday of the month. Currently, Tremont Evangelical (SE 72nd and Woodstock) hosts it on the 2nd Saturday of each month, while Lents Baptist (88th and Woodstock) hosts on the 3rd Saturday. 

Look for more details and ways to participate by clicking here. 

Well here it is! The long awaited reply from the IRS; we are now an official Public Charity under section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Code! This means we are now able to apply for grants and issue tax deductible receipts for charitable contributions. Previously this has been done through our church as an extension of their ministry. Now are are independent in terms of books, but remain partner organizations in good standing.

While we're on the topic, we have recently been given an opportunity to double new donations given in November, up to $5,000! A generous donor believes in what Second Stories is doing and wants to inspire others to consider helping. This donor will match any new giving up to $5,000. This means if you were to give, even a small amount to Second Stories this month, your contribution would essentially be doubled. Will you help us maximize this offer? You can use the donate button to the right.

Please Donate to Second Stories!!