December 14, 2009

As the cold weather sets in, Nick is working hard to make sure that everyone living on our streets - men, women, and children - has shelter.

The City’s emergency preparedness plan is a collaborative effort of the Portland Housing Bureau, the Portland Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Bureau, Multnomah County, the Red Cross, and local non-profits.

Friday night, Nick stopped in at warming centers run by key partners - Union Gospel Mission, the Salvation Army, Transition Projects, Inc., Human Solutions and the Red Cross. They provide hundreds of people with refuge from the inclement weather.

Street Roots, in a recent editorial, “City deserves kudos for emergency response,” noted that “Portland has created one of the better emergency preparedness systems around.” The newspaper credits Nick for his “drive to make the system better.” 

There are many ways you can help this winter. Warming centers need volunteers. Non-profit and church partners across Portland are in need of winter coats, sleeping bags, socks, gloves, and more.

Visit www.portlandisbettertogether.com for more information.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 211.