Urban Entrepreneurs Network of Clark County

Some 28 small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and local government workers gathered at the monthly meeting of the Urban Entrepreneurs Network (UEN) of Clark County. The October meeting was hosted by Clark County Community Services and United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

UEN is an up-and-coming business organization, led by local entrepreneur Deena Pierott. Through monthly breakfast meetings held in different venues in Clark County, the group connects Clark County's business community with startup organizations and solopreneurs who are eager to make an economic impact on the region. Pierott is founder and owner of Mosaic Blueprint, a diversity staffing firm with national and international clients. She also serves as Vice President of the Vancouver NAACP Chapter, and serves on the African-American Commission of the State of Washington.



Following a presentation on branding and marketing by AlphaGraphics co-owner Julia Manglione, Vanessa Gaston, Director of Clark County Community Services (above, pictured left), talked about the United Way-led Community Relief campaign that continues to help people across the region hit hardest by the economic crisis. Since the campaign launch in February, the Community Relief Fund has helped 1,833 households (or 7,921 individuals) access emergency food, receive mortgage assistance, and help paying utility bills.

Marc Levy, CEO/President of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (above, pictured right), lauded Clark County Community Services for their efficient response to community needs. He stressed that many people being helped by the Community Relief campaign are experiencing extreme financial hardship for the first time in their lives. He also talked about the 211info service in Clark County, a social services helpline that connects people with food resources, health care, public agencies, legal services, employment resources, housing and emergency shelter, among other resources.

Video Clips from Dr. Troutman's Presentation

Dr. Adewale Troutman was the keynote speaker at United Way's Community Health Issues Forum, co-hosted with the Northwest Health Foundation. Dr. Troutman is a national expert on the social determinants model in reducing disparities and achieving health equity. He shared his unique insights on the intersections of race, class, educational attainment, income and environment -- and how they impact a person's health.

EDIT: View the video clips from breakout sessions here



Impact of Race and Racism on Health Outcomes



Focusing on Social Determinants of Health



We'll continue to process video clips from the event and create blog posts to highlight the excerpts. Please visit this blog often to get the latest updates. Or, if you want to be notified when new clips are uploaded, email Maileen Hamto

Community Health Issues Forum

Renowned health equity expert Dr. Adewale Troutman, Director of the Louisville Metro Health Department in Kentucky, shared his perspective on fair and equitable health policy at a community issues forum hosted by United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and the Northwest Health Foundation.



Photos by Laura O'Brien, United Way Graphics Designer & Photographer

The event drew together a broad range of community and business leaders to discuss rethinking and reframing the definition of community health and increase awareness of inequities that exist throughout the region.

Dr. Troutman, best known for his research work on racial disparities in health care and his contribution to the PBS documentary "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?," emphasized the importance of understanding social determinants of health -- the interconnectedness of socioeconomic factors that prevent people in low-income and underserved communities to achieve excellent health outcomes. Social determinants include access to health care, quality education, living wage jobs -- among other indicators that affect quality of life. Effective programs and policies target root causes of health disparities in racial, tribal and ethnic communities.

Three breakout sessions featured panels of local experts that addressed youth mentoring, prisoner re-entry and community-based health strategies. Thanks to local leaders who served as facilitators: Sharon Gary-Smith, Director of Special Projects, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare; Jill Fuglister, Co-Director, Coalition for a Livable Future; and Tricia Tillman, Director, Office of Multicultural Health and Services, State of Oregon.

We'll have more to share about results from the forum in succeeding posts. Stay tuned...

Disability Employment Awareness Month

By Suzanne McDonald, United Way Senior Manager, Impact Measurement

Did you know that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month? United Way funds local programs that work with people with disabilities, including those that allow employers to tap into a diverse pool of talent in the disability community. Various programs highlight employment barriers that need to be addressed and removed.

Sean is hearing impaired and had been working part time for minimum wage and without benefits for several years for the same company. He came looking for another job because he felt he was experiencing employment discrimination because of his disability. He had not been given opportunities for advancement while other employees he was training were being promoted. With the help of an employment specialist funded by United Way, a conversation with the employer was arranged and he was able to negotiate a much better situation. He is now working full time at $12 per hour with benefits. He liked his job all along and now he feels accepted and appreciated for his efforts.

As the nation’s largest minority — comprising almost 50 million individuals — people with disabilities contribute to diversity, and businesses can enhance their competitive edge by taking steps to ensure they are integrated into their workforce and customer base.

The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides information online that can to be used for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, as well as other educational programs throughout the year. Click for more info

Have You Seen This Banner?

Thanks to Wells Fargo for sharing the LIVE UNITED spirit with pedestrians and motorists along SW 4th Avenue in downtown Portland. This is the second year that United Way has had the wonderful privilege of having signage on the Wells Fargo corporate building skywalk.

How We LIVE UNITED

Thank you Intel Oregon for collaborating with United Way staff in creating a powerful new video of local people talking about their support of our work in community.

Intel Oregon’s Laura Bain, NW Region Community Engagement Manager, was instrumental in connecting United Way’s Donald Braden, Senior Account Analyst, and Carolee Lee, VP Marketing Communications with Intel’s creative talents. Charlyn Villegas, Producer, Intel Studios, Aubrey Clark, and Laura O’Brien, United Way Graphics Designer, also helped with the shoot.



Special thanks go out to onscreen video stars: Intel employees Lakecia Gunter; Elisabeth Moore; Brad Ellison; Bala Cadambi; Pam Olson; Stan Axtman; Stephanie Reynolds; Steven Ashby; Pratibha Guttal; Ivan Meadors; Al Martinez; Muki Hansteen-Izora; Damon Smedley; Jill Eiland; and Olga Shurko.

While the video idea was originally intended for the Intel community campaign, Intel Oregon is kind enough to let United Way use the video for local ad placements. Having this powerful testimonial will be a great boost to the community campaign. Watch for LIVE UNITED video stars on Comcast and KGW this fall.

Congrats and Thanks, Intel Oregon!

Intel Oregon took the spotlight in the 2009 Portland Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy Awards, ranked as the top corporate philanthropists in the large companies category. Jill Eiland, Intel Oregon's Corporate Affairs Manager (pictured above), received the award at a luncheon hosted by the Business Journal at the Marriott Downtown Portland.

The award winners are ranked by cash donations. Intel topped the list of large companies -- those with revenues of more than $50 million -- for their 2008 giving total of $6.29 million.

The Portland Business Journal also recognized volunteerism among the companies honored. Intel Oregon, the largest tech firm in the state, has more than 15,000 employees. Together, they contributed 235,809 hours of community service at various volunteer events in the local area.

In 2008, Intel Oregon's contributions to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette totaled $5.9 million. In the midst of a tough economy, the donations represented a 12% increase over the 2007 campaign, a testament to the unwavering generosity and caring of Intel employees.

"Businesses make a difference when their philanthropic works are intentional, deliberate and strategic. They know that we accomplish more together as a community when we work together toward the common good," said Marc Levy, in a statement published in the special "Corporate Philanthropy" publication honoring the most philanthropic companies in the region.

United Way is a proud sponsor of the Corporate Philanthropy Awards. We congratulate all the companies that were recognized for the good works they do in our community.


Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams with United Way Account Executive Donna Harris.


Sean Edwards, United Way Young Leaders Society Chair, with Marc Levy, United Way CEO and President.