Asian Health Service Center Celebrates 26 Years

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is honored to be part of the 26th anniversary celebration of the Asian Health Service Center (AHSC), held Oct. 22 at Legin Restaurant. In Founded in 1983, AHSC was the first social service center serving immigrants of Chinese and Korean descent in the Portland area. With its initial focus on meeting mental and behavioral health needs of newcomers to the area, the center has evolved to provide a wide variety of services for low-inome Asians. Senior services include a "Meals on Wheels" progam, health and wellness support groups, art classes and much more.

Pictured above, from left: Marc Levy, CEO/President, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette; Dr. Erik Szeto, Founder and Board Chair, AHSC; Judy Shiprack, Multnomah County Commissioner; and Commissioner Nick Fish, City of Portland.

AHSC's "Asian Wellness Connection" is one of 25 Community Impact projects being funded by United Way. The project seeks to improve the quality of health care and health outcomes for Asians by combining the strengths of a culturally specific community-based organization, community health clinics and a research institution. Building on the integrated medical home model, program elements include bilingual/bicultural Community Health Workers, coordinated care system between the nonprofit and the clinics, cultural competence training for providers, interpretation of health information, and health education workshops.

In 2007, United Way funded an AHSC study that sought to understand health attitudes and perceptions among diverse Asian groups. “Our intent with the survey is to offer direction to health care providers and patients about how best to work together to reduce service gaps,” said Holden Leung, executive director of AHSC. “We want to nurture community partnerships to reduce health disparities in the Asian community.”





Pictured above, from left: Marc Levy; Commissioner Nick Fish; and Howard Klink, United Way Vice President of Community Investment.

LIVE UNITED on the MAX

If you ride the Blue Line MAX, you may have seen the train (pictured above), featuring Wells Fargo employees Kimber Young, Michael Thier-Hawke, and Aimee Peterson. Thank you for lending your beautiful smiling faces to the cause. For the second year in a row, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is utilizing Tri-Met advertising, both on the MAX and on buses.





Photos and design by United Way graphic designer Laura O'Brien (pictured below, right), who also is an accomplished artist and photographer. Creative direction by Carolee Lee, United Way Vice President, Marketing and Communications.

Tackling Community Issues

United Way's Community Health Issues Forum gathered a wide range of community leaders and experts in the areas of youth mentoring, prisoner re-entry, and community-based health strategies. The breakout sessions followed Dr. Adewale Troutman's presentation on the importance of focusing on social determinants to advance health equity in all communities.

Sharon Gary-Smith, Director at Cascadia Beahvioral Healthcare, led the session on "Mentoring Strategies To Build Strong Communities," which featured panelists Carolyn Becic, Executive Director, Oregon Mentors; Judy Strand, LCSW, Chief Operating Officer, Metropolitan Family Service; Nancy Ochoa, Program Director, Adelante Mujeres; and Gerald Deloney, Director of Program Advancement Self Enhancement, Inc.



Discussing "Rethinking Re-Entry: Pathways Away from Prisons," Jill Fugilister, co-director of the Coalition for a Livable Future served as facilitator. Panelists include Doug Cooper, Assistant Director, Mercy Corps Northwest; Erica Strachan, Loan and Reentry Program Support Officer, Mercy Corps Northwest; David Rogers, Executive Director of Partnership for Safety and Justice; and Debby Dover, Executive Director Second Step Housing.



Tricia Tillman, MPH, Director, Office of Multicultural Health and Services, State of Oregon facilitated the session on "Community-Based Health Strategies: The Promotores Model." Panelists are: Tera Couchman Wick, Program Development Advisor, Village Gardens - Janus Youth Programs; Helen Nash, Program Assistant, Village Gardens - Janus Youth Programs; Holden Leung, MSW, Executive Director, Asian Health and Service Center; and Ann Blaker, Board Member, Bienestar.

A Piece of the Pie for Nordstrom Rack Managers

How often does one get the chance to throw a pie at the boss? Nordstrom Rack employees had their fun recently at the pie-throwing during Nordstrom's annual United Way community campaign. Managers "suited up" in trendy large plastic sheets to take the pie.

Thanks to Staci Currer for sending us the pics!

Pictured above: Sadie Haddad is in the foreground. Amy Guffey is sitting prepping for the pie and Angela Haddad is helping Amy.


Henry Ruiz had just thrown the pie. Also pictured is Angela Haddad.


Carla Slater has the pie and Bobby Caldwell was the manager to get the pie in the face.

Comcast Employees Tell Why They Give to United Way

Guest Post By Rebecca Brown, Community Relations Manager
Comcast, OR & SW Washington

For a few weeks in October, Comcast has our United Way employee giving campaign. I have to say, each year that we do this campaign, I am increasingly impressed and overwhelmed by the generosity of our employees. We are on pace to reach our participation goal, and are already close to beating last year’s total pledges.

What I find most interesting is what motivates our employees to give. For some it’s that United Way has helped a friend or family member. For others it’s the fact that United Way helps out such a variety of organizations in our communities, or that the dollars given stay local. Still others say it’s just a chance to give back because it’s the right thing to do.

Why do you give to United Way? That’s a question we asked our employees recently. Here’s what a few of them had to say...

Intel "Race United"

RACE UNITED is back at Intel Oregon! Formula 1 racing simulators were a big hit during the lunch hour all week, as employees satisfy their need for speed testing out the racecar sim.

Triwizard Tournament

A magical challenge among the top "wizards" at Pacificorp was the highlight of a lunchtime campaign event. The company's 2009 campaign theme centered on theHarry Potter series. Top leadership donned robes, wizard wands and lightning bolt tattoos on their foreheads. They teamed up in pairs to form three teams and played Jeopardy as a campaign event. Employees were invited to watch the showdown of the wizards.

Pictured above, from left: Erich Wilson, Director of Human Resources; Natalie Hocken, Vice President and General Counsel; John Cupparo, Vice President, Transmission; Pat Egan, Vice President, Customer and Community Affairs; Pat Reiten, President of Pacific Power; and Randy Landolt, Managing Director, Hydro Operations "Team Hufflepuff" -- which includes Pat Reiten and Randy Landolt -- took the top prize.





Thanks to Lisa Zukin, Pacificorp Internal Communications, for sharing these wonderful pics of a truly enchanted event!