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Open mind opened doors
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Neighborhood activist Don Bartley dies
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Our Savior Lutheran Church evolves into Faithful Savior Ministries
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Open mind opened doors (continued)

Now Yoder thinks about giving back. Still concentrating on energy concerns, a stressful necessity for many, she has petitioned Portland General Electric and City Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s office on the advantages of solar power. Observing that her wood-burning stove and weatherized home caps her own use, she thought if she could somehow afford a few solar panels, she could possibly generate enough energy with her wide roof space to heat her home while donating the remainder to the LIEAP program to help others. “I am sure I’m not the only citizen who would want to do such a thing,” she said.

“I see my concept as having the ability to change despair to dignity, hopelessness to hope, self-centeredness to a community focus,” she wrote to Saltzman’s office.

Amy Trieau, an assistant to Saltzman, responded to Yoder’s inquiry, noting that coincidently they had just received a solar grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

This invigorated Yoder. “At least I’m presenting my ideas out there, and I feel good about that. Let’s say this concept became a reality, and let’s say that the people who receive help from my solar panels wanted to meet me and I got to meet them, wouldn’t that strengthen the bond of community?”

She noted that both Trieau and PGE “were surprised that I would want to donate the excess money back into a program instead of receiving the checks to supplement my low income. That had never entered my thinking. I want to be able to take that emotional strain away from someone else, one or two or three people.” One good deed leads to another and another.

We thank Leslie Yoder for sharing her story. She welcomes readers who benefit from it to respond in kind.


Assistance Agencies/Organizations covered in
this story:

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
10301 N.E. Glisan St, Portland
503-234-1541
www.irco.org

Human Solutions
12350 S.E. Powell Blvd.
503-548-0200
www.humansolutions.org

For Energy Assistance (LIEAP) at Human Solutions
503-548-0217
www.humansolutions.org/index.php?pr=Utility
_Assistance&root=Programs_Services

Multnomah County Weatherization Program
503-988-6295, x22312
www.co.multnomah.or.us/oscp/cpp/energy.html

REACH Community Development,
Home repair services
503-231-0682
www.reachcdc.org

Rebuilding Together
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.
503-943-7515
www.rebuildingtogetherportland.org

Growing Gardens
2003 N.E. 42nd Ave #3
503-284-8420
www.growing-gardens.org

Elders in Action
1411 S.W. Morrison St. Suite #290
503-235-5474
www.eldersinaction.org
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