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FEATURE ARTICLES | |
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Services for seniors
The YWCA Mid County District Center runs the Cherry Blossom Senior Services program office, which hosts many free informational clinics and health checks. The Senior Services program offers a free law clinic every Friday with half-hour consultations. Appointments required.
Medicare advice is available as well, through Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance. Volunteers help both seniors and people with disabilities to understand their rights, make informed choices on how to receive their benefits, and file claims and appeals. Contact Abby Kennedy at 503-988-6073 for a required appointment.
Diabetes support program
“Healthy Changes for Living with Diabetes” is a free, educational-support program for people 55 years or older with Type-2 diabetes. The program, using materials developed by the Providence Center on Aging, meets on Mondays from 1:15 to 3 p.m. at the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave. The group is sponsored by the Mid-County YWCA District Center. Please pre-register by calling Abby Kennedy at 503-988-6073.
Elders in Action needs volunteers
Seniors in the Portland metro area need help and assistance, and local citizens are urged to take up the charge.
Elders in Action, a nonprofit organization and a powerful voice for seniors, is actively recruiting volunteers to assist with a wide variety of programs that benefit local seniors. From working one on one with seniors to helping solve problems related to housing, fraud and health care, to evaluating how friendly local businesses are to seniors, the volunteer opportunities are many and varied.
Elders in Action needs help more than ever right now, as cuts to social services and programs have left many seniors without much needed support. The organization anticipates the problem growing during this legislative session, as the state faces more budget cuts and Portland’s population continues aging.
“Increasingly, it’s up to communities, groups and caring individuals to help provide services seniors need and make sure that in Portland, good quality of life never depends on age,” said Becky Wehrli, executive director of Elders in Action. “Elders in Action offer great opportunities to make strong connections and directly help support seniors in our community.”
Unless otherwise indicated, volunteer trainings are held at Elders in Action offices located at 501 S.W. Washington St., and interested participants can call 503-823-5269 for more information.
Ombudsman Services: Ombudsman volunteers provide individual problem-solving assistance and emotional support to seniors and persons with disabilities in the areas of housing, health care, elder crime and abuse. Community educators who help seniors learn how to avoid being victims of scams and fraud also are needed. Volunteers receive 12 hours of training and commit to 8 to10 hours of service each month including continuing education. Ombudsman training sessions will be held March 28 through March 30. Times vary, so contact Elders in Action at 503-823-5269 for more information.
Healthy Changes for Living with Diabetes Group Leader Training: Become a group leader to assist with weekly diabetes self-management groups for people age 55 and older. Training will be held Wednesday and Thursday, March 2 and 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Loaves & Fishes, 7710 S.W. 31st Ave. Call 503-823-5844 to register.
Web Evaluators: People ages 60 or older have an opportunity to volunteer from their home and help improve Web access for older adults by evaluating elder-friendly Web sites. Contact Elders in Action for more information about training.
Elders in Action Commission: Support the work of the Elders in Action Commission, a citizen group that advises Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services and the city of Portland on the concerns and needs of older adults in the community. The commission meets the third Wednesday of the month from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Contact Elders in Action for more information about Commission opportunities.
Office volunteers: Elders in Action needs part-time support to help answer phones, greet visitors and to tackle clerical projects. Contact Elders in Action for more information about training.
MEETINGS
A skatepark coming soon?
Portland Parks & Recreation is in the process of finding suitable locations for two skateparks funded by the November 2002 levy. The original list of nearly 300 sites has been pared to about 20.
Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming meetings to voice concerns or offer support.
There is a meeting on Monday, March 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Parkrose High School Community Center, 12003 N.E. Shaver St. to discuss a site adjacent to the high school and an Oregon Department of Transportation property at the Northeast 122nd Avenue exit from Interstate 84.
On Tuesday, March 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. sites at Lents Park, Ventura Park, Berrydale Park and Ed Benedict Park will be on the agenda at a meeting at the East Precinct Community Room, 737 S.E. 106th Ave.
“Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Skatepark Leadership Advisory Team, are looking forward to presenting to the public a list of potential sites for the establishment of safe, legal public skateparks,’ said Rod Wojtanik, Portland Parks & Recreation project manager. “Successful public skateparks have been built across the country and the state of Oregon, and it is time for Portland to begin to meet the need of its growing action sports population. We urge all members of the community to come and share their thoughts, both in support and those with concern.”
Herb Tarlick Tie Day
Herb Tarlick was a character on the television series, “WKRP in Cincinnati” who wore leisure suits and ugly ties.
The Columbia View Kiwanis will hold their annual ‘Herb Tarlick Tie Day’ on Wednesday, March 9 at the Courtyard at Russellville on Southeast 103rd Avenue and Burnside Street at noon. You are invited to bring your most ugly tie to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This is a fund raising project for the club.
Columbia View Kiwanis is involved in numerous community projects, including the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, SnowCap Community Charities, and the DayBreak Family Shelter.
You are invited and encouraged to join Kiwanis members for Herb Tarlick Tie Day, and any other Wednesday at noon at the Courtyard at Russellville. If you have questions, contact Charlie Ross at 503-252-1570.
Land use training
The monthly BrownBag seminar sponsored by the Bureau of Development Services on Friday, March 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. will focus on “Land Use Training for Citizens: Understanding the Process.”
This session will explore basic questions about Land Use Review such as:
• What is a Land Use Review? What is a nexus and where can I find one?
• What activities are allowed with and without a Land Use Review?
• How can I effectively participate in the Land Use Review process?
• Types of Land Use Review and what they mean.
The meeting will conclude with a question and answer session with city land use experts.
Bring your lunch to the second floor conference room 2500-A at 1900 S.W. 4th Ave., and settle in to learn about this complex issue. This is a free event. No reservations required. Call 503-823-7822 for more information.
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