Cascadia Clusters on Righteous Crowd this week!
TIVNU “platform crew” helping to build the first of 110 platforms (100 square feet each!) for use under the tents at the City of Portland's three emergency camps for homeless Portlanders. The original platforms did not fit the tents.
CASCADIA CLUSTERS
social impact - training - dignity - sustainability - mobile hygiene units
Today is Hoshanah Rabbah, the last day of Sukkot. During this holiday, many of us have had the privilege to sit and dwell in a sukkah, a temporary structure, exposed to all the elements. But it also can serve as a reminder of people experiencing homelessness, people without a permanent roof over their heads. This week, inspired by the sukkah, we are excited to support Cascadian Clusters in Portland, Oregon, an organization that is fighting homelessness in the community.
We learned about Cascadia Clusters from the GAP Year program Tivnu: Building Justice. Tivnu participants are amongst those helping to provide for the houseless population in Portland.
Please read our interview below with Founder/Executive Director, Andrew M. Olshin.
What is the mission of Cascadia Clusters?
Train houseless Portlanders to build affordable, sustainable and high quality workforce and transitional housing.
Why did you decide to start Cascadia Clusters?
I had engaged with the founders of Hazelnut Grove--an organized camp of houseless Portlanders--in N. Portland as they occupied public property and struggled to build community. This highlighted the huge need for opportunities for houseless individuals to regain their dignity through honest work. So, I raised funds from friends and family and invested my own time, money and vision to start Cascadia Clusters.
What has your organization's response been to COVID-19?
First, we lost several residential projects and had to lay off 1/2 of our trainees. We pivoted to building picnic tables for restaurants to use for outdoor seating AND focused on working with the City of Portland. We are now building platforms for use at the City of Portland's three emergency camps so folks can stay dry at night while sleeping in their tents.
We are also bringing high quality, affordable hygiene trailers with showers, laundry, and dental hygiene to homeless Portlanders living in the City’s emergency COVID-19 tent communities. Portland’s homeless individuals are amongst the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and they lack access to basic hygiene facilities.
How would you connect Cascadia Clusters to a Jewish value?
Parashat VaYera (Genesis 18:1 - 22:24). We, like our ancestor Abraham, must "sit in the entrance to our tents at the heat of the day." It is our responsibility to endure discomfort - to sit at the doorposts of our homes and gates and look out for those who are less fortunate than we. Working directly with homeless Portlanders and encouraging others, especially young people to do so, opens our eyes to the sadness and suffering of fellow human beings that live all around us.
To learn more about Cascadia Clusters, click here.
To learn more about Tivnu: Building Justice, click here.