News and notices

Michelle spent 3 years living in her car. Now, she helps people experiencing homelessness find showers, meals, support and hope through her work at Oasis Day Center.

Portland employers team up with Worksystems to provide mentorship for interns -- at no cost to them. Interns do meaningful work, gain valuable experience -- and get paid. The City supports the program to grow the workforce of tomorrow. As Michael Scott would say, it's win - win - WIN.

Kathy was homeless and addicted to fentanyl when she first came to stay at the city’s Clinton Triangle shelter. Staff there helped her quit drugs and turn her life around. Now she has her own apartment and works a job she is uniquely qualified for -- helping people get back on their feet.

Special events coordinator Allison Madsen helps big events like the Rose Festival, Pride Parade, Bridge Pedal, and Hollywood film shoots run smoothly. With the poise of a diplomat, she negotiates with organizers, producers, and TriMet to prevent chaos on the streets. Even when there are elephants.

Chief Procurement Officer Sylvester Donelson, Jr. is in charge of buying the goods, services and construction contracting that the City needs to fulfill its mission. Not only is that vital to public safety, drinking water, and safe streets — it also has massive implications for the local economy.

Rosa Parks Way got a new look recently. Meet the legendary Portland artist who designed the street toppers. With vivid colors and striking images, Arvie Smith challenges us to look beyond the surface and see the strength, resistance, and resilience of the oppressed.

As part of Portland Fire & Rescue's CHAT after-care team, Kyle LaClair circles back to 911 callers to provide ongoing support that goes beyond what first responders can offer.

Anne Hill runs the Problem Solvers, a small but mighty team working to make Portland’s public spaces safer and friendlier by solving problems, one block at a time. As director of the Public Environmental Management Office (PEMO), she focuses on keeping business districts vibrant and fun.

Electronics technician Josue Castaneda maintains the communications towers that play a vital role in public safety, allowing Portland's first responders to communicate during an emergency. Underpinning all that high-flying technology is an elemental skill: climbing hundreds of feet in the air.

Terrestrial wildlife biologist Jade Ujcic-Ashcroft of the Bureau of Environmental Services monitors the health of the birds and beasts who call Portland home. Sometimes that means finding creative ways for us to share the ecosystem we inhabit together.