Yearly Archives: 2018

By Dan Werle | CNA Media Team

Tucked away in a cozy, smartly organized, annexed building off 30th Avenue on t he south side of Killingsworth Street sits Gnome’s Home, one of Concordia’s best kept secret surpluses of enrichment, energy and promise.

The building has historically been used as a learning center for young children, who are able to discover – or fine tune – their learning (and playing) skills. However, over the past year, Gnome’s Home’s reach has expanded beyond the hands of kids alone, and is now providing a space for non-kids to learn different skills, too.

Over the past year, Yvonne de Maat has been working to expand Gnome’s Home’s use. “I’d like more community engagement,” she said. Plant-dyeing, feltmaking, and discussions on essential oils are all some of the classes that have been taught for adults in the space.

Yvonne hopes it can be used for even more small classes, covering an even broader scope of topics, in the coming year.

She started Heart in Hand Preschool in 2002, across the street from McMenamins Kennedy School. In 2005, after moving to a home on 30th Avenue, the annex that currently houses Gnome’s Home was built, and used as the preschool.

In 2015, Heart in Hand moved into the main building, and, soon after, Gnome’s Home was opened in the former Heart in Hand building. Yvonne is formally trained, and she practices as a Waldorf early education instructor, focusing on creative play, and practical, hands-on activities. She’s also a children’s yoga teacher, Simplicity Parenting group leader, and top-rung handmade doll creator.

Simplicity Parenting works synergistically with Waldorf teaching to help reduce unnecessary distractions in kids’ lives, and help children and their parents develop calmness, independence and improved critical thinking skills.

Waldorf education principles and Simplicity Parenting ideas radiate throughout Gnome’s Home. The building’s ceiling is fitted with skylights, allowing natural sunlight to bathe much of the area. Tucked in one corner of the room are a few dolls that Yvonne has made.

The space has a quiet, peaceful presence. Also, a window on the south side of the building provides a tantalizing view of the yard, which doubles as a capitalA awesome play area, where chickens, squirrels and birds frolic about and forage for food, while children’s play equipment waits anxiously to be put into action.

If you would like to teach a class on homemaking or parenting at Gnome’s Home, contact Yvonne at MsYvonne@heartinhandpreschool.com.

Dan lives in Concordia with his wife, Anna, and their dogs.

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Three days per week Helen Hor ton, a delightful senior citizen, leaves the easy comfort of retirement to volunteer at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center’s two gift shops.

For the past 28 years, Helen has worked behind the scenes pricing and stocking the two shops that together gross about $1 million annually.

Helen is a longtime resident of the Concordia neighborhood. That’s a long way from the small coal mining town in Wyoming where she met her husband. Three kids and seven grandchildren later, she finds joy in service.

You’ll find one gift shop in the hospital lobby. Greeted by Geoffrey, a 5-foot-tall stuffed giraffe, visitors will discover a delightful variety of gifts, cards, magazines, floral arrangements, toys and many items for newborns.

The East Pavilion lobby shop has gifts for every occasion, including seasonal home decor, clothing, jewelry, health and beauty items, creative options for babies and pets, and unique items for kids and adults.

After working 35 years in her church office Helen decided to volunteer. A four- to five-month stay at St. Vincent motivated her to “pay back” all the care and kindness she received at that time.

She started volunteering in the nutrition department and eventually transferred to the gift shops. With the exception of the manager, all staff members are volunteers.

Helen claims she was a shy person and volunteering at the gift shop has helped her a great deal. Shy no more, she was eager to discuss the gift shops and how they benefit the hospital.

All profits benefit the Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the hospital. The foundation helps fund leading-edge research, acquire the latest technology and help those less fortunate.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha’s home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

By Rachel Richards | CNA Media Team

Mary Tompkins has lived in Concordia for 27 years. She has worked within the criminal justice system for 30 years, and has been in her current role of crime prevention coordinator for inner northeast Portland with the city’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement for the past 12.

Her position involves collaborating with many agencies to respond to citizen concerns about crime and their fears about crime.

Providing public safety community trainings, coordinating Neighborhood Watch and organizing National Night Out events are all a part of what Portland’s nine crime prevention coordinators do.

Responding to concerns from residents is a large part of the job, and Mary said the three biggest issues she hears about are the same citywide: car prowls, property crimes and homelessness. The concerns increase as Portland’s population grows.

Mary and her husband raised their now 21-year-old son here and she loves the neighborhood’s diversity, great parks and proximity to the airport.

She likes seeing young families move into the neighborhood to attend the new state-of-the-art K-8 program developed by Concordia and Portland Public Schools at Faubion.

“Concordia is unique, and I like seeing residents brought together frequently through the neighborhood association, and having the Kennedy School host events for the community, including Race Talks,” she pointed out.

Mary discussed the idea of crime prevention through environmental design – something she is able to work on with local homes, businesses, churches, schools, and for parks and public spaces. In 2016 she was part of a team that received an award for helping transform Holladay Park in the Lloyd District into a safe place via instituting activities to engage youth and families.

What can residents do to help in crime prevention? The Neighborhood Watch program is a great way to get involved in the community, she explained.

Call Mary at 503-823-4764 to get help with organizing, and to receive training for Neighborhood Watch. That includes information on how to report both criminal and noncriminal issues and how to look out for your neighbors.

Mary enjoys making positive changes in local neighborhoods, using creative ideas and knowledge of systems along with an understanding of what it means to be live in northeast Portland.

She helps define what it means to be not just a resident, but a community member.

Rachel is a 16-year Concordia resident who loves her community. She has a background in counseling/education and uses her passion for helping others in her work as a real estate broker. Contact Rachel or learn more about her at RachelRichardsRealtor.com.