By Rita Jiménez, IMIRJ

Our world, our country, our city and our neighborhood need sanctuaries. So creating sanctuary for immigrants is the focus of local nonprofit Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIRJ).

Founded in 2006, IMIRJ advocates for just immigration policies, as well as direct action like coordinating physical sanctuary for an immigrant seeking protection from deportation – the rarest form of sanctuary.

When social and political tensions began to climb across the U.S. last year, IMIRJ formed a Portland Sanctuary Cohort, and more are forming across Oregon.

During the past six months, Concordia’s Leaven Community Center has been IMIRJ’s meeting point for the local sanctuary movement to develop local leadership to resist unjust immigration policy.

Each month between February and July, Portland Sanctuary Cohort convened about 100 volunteer leaders from 24 faith communities to build our capacity to take coordinated action for immigrant justice.

At these dynamic gatherings, we shared our experiences and questions, received training, and we built our congregational and personal capacity. They were a combination of action, coaching and spiritual underpinnings.

Located on Killingsworth Street, Leaven is a four-year-old nonprofit at the former Redeemer Lutheran Church. It is now an intentional community of neighbors and friends rooted in building relationships through sharing stories and acting collectively.

Leaven, which includes Salt & Light Lutheran Church, is on a similar journey to many other congregations across Oregon, and is actively exploring what resistance to unjust immigration laws could look like.

In July we gathered to share our migration stories, followed by meetings on physical sanctuary in August and September.

Leaven will formally make our sanctuary declaration Oct. 15.

“As we listened to our neighbors’ stories and developed relationships, we could not ignore the fear and real threat our immigrant neighbors and members face,” explained Pastor Melissa Reed.

“That’s what happens when we listen to one another intentionally, truly see and know one another, find our own stories in the others’, fall in love with one another,” she added.

“Suddenly, your life is not separate from my own. Stranger becomes neighbor. Neighbor becomes family. Risk becomes natural. We belong to one another. We are more powerful together.”

Sanctuary is a powerful vision that is unfolding in our neighborhood. Find your way to create a community that is welcoming for immigrants and refugees. Whether it is through a congregation, IMIRJ or another path, there are many ways to get involved.

Rita is a Concordia resident who worships at Salt and Light Lutheran Church, a part of the Leaven community. She also serves on the board of IMIRJ. She’s passionate about social justice, yoga and organic gardening.

By Gordon Riggs, CNA Media Team Lead

When I was asked to write this month’s CNA Voices column, I asked myself, “What is my voice?” With my steady hand as Media Team lead, I encourage and guide members of the Media Team to share their perspectives and engage with one another as we address the tasks before us.

I believe we do our best work when it is something we truly want to do, for which we have a passion. Sometimes we don’t know if there’s passion until we try it out.

Almost two years ago, my neighbor – he knew of my interest in and knowledge of computers – invited me to join him at a Media Team meeting, because members were to discuss the CNA website. Soon thereafter, I found myself working with others to update the look and feel of the website.

Several months later, I jumped into the layout and graphic design for CNews. What propelled me forward was the joy and challenge of learning something new and discovering that I was developing a local community of my own. That sense of community – being part of something larger than myself and seeing tangible results – ultimately drew me into the role of Media Team lead.

Each month when the Media Team meets, with anywhere from five to 12 in attendance, our agenda covers topics pertinent to the publication of CNews, keeping the CNA website up to date, and finding ways to make CNA’s new Facebook page more relevant to the Concordia neighborhood.

We spend time brainstorming story ideas for upcoming issues of CNews. We are constantly asking ourselves how each story connects readers with their local neighborhood. Some story ideas take months to fully develop, others take less time.

Lately, we have tackled some behind-the-scenes topics such as: determining why some households don’t receive CNews in the mail, developing contingency plans when the content and ads exceed the space available, and defining criteria for events to include in the Concordia community events calendar.

Today, when I see a mural I recognize or a business that was featured in the paper, I find myself leaning in for a closer look. I experience a direct connection with my community.

Are you curious about your neighborhood? Come join us with your perspectives, questions and your voice. See where it might lead you.

Editor’s note: The Media Team meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in McMenamins Kennedy School Community Room. You can contact Gordon directly at MediaTeamLead@ConcordiaPDX.org or 503.515.8209. Explore more at Facebook.com/groups/ConcordiaPDX and ConcordiaPDX.org.

By Dan Werle, CNA Media Team

Many readers may recognize the kind, soft-spoken woman who frequents the entrances to the New Seasons and Walgreens stores in Concordia. Few are likely to know her name, or much else about her.

She’s often seen sitting on the sidewalk, hand-written sign requesting help in hand, and one or two tail-wagging dogs flanking her side. Her name is Ashley, and she’s one of more than 4,100 people in Portland who are homeless.

Ashley has been homeless on and of for the past 10 years. She first became homeless after being kicked out of her home her senior year of high school. She’s been in Portland for the past 1½ years, having moved from Eugene.

Along with her partner, Matt, and their two dogs, Medusa and Monoose (like “mongoose” without the “g”), she spends most nights at a nearby, makeshift campsite. One friend occasionally lets the four of them stay with her.

Ashley has tried staying in one of the shelters downtown; however, her dogs aren’t allowed, and thefts and threats from other women in the shelter forced her to leave. She said one of the most challenging problems with being homeless is the sense of “being aimless.”

Concordia has provided Ashley a level of safety and familiarity that she hasn’t found in other areas of Portland. Aside from downtown, she said, “This is the only other area I’m familiar with. It’s not so bad in this neighborhood.”

Ashley’s eyes light up and a faint smile spreads across her face when she talks about her dogs. Both share Ashley’s friendliness, and both have endured – and survived – significant health challenges, thanks to Ashley’s care and dedication.

Not coincidentally, Ashley’s long-term goal? “I want to be normal. I want to go back to school to get my vet tech degree.”

One suggestion she has for aiding people who are homeless is, “Help us help ourselves. Once you’ve been in this situation for a long time, you forget how to do normal things. I don’t know how to apply for an apartment or write a résumé.”

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

By Madeline Turnock, Concordia University

Back to school takes on a whole new meaning this month for students at the new Faubion School + Concordia University, a 3 to PhD® community.

The grand opening is Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. at 2930 N.E. Dekum St. A brief program begins at 3:30 p.m., and neighbors are welcome. Learn more at 3toPhD.org.

For the past two years, Faubion School served students at an alternative location on North Flint Avenue.

“We’ve felt homesick off-site the past two years, and now Faubion School is looking forward to being ‘back home’ in the neighborhood with a brand new footprint,” said Faubion school principal Jennifer McCalley. “This is a unique opportunity to realize our shared vision for a safer, healthier, more educated community.”

Concordia University College of Education Dean Sheryl Reinisch agreed. “The collaboration with Portland Public Schools’ Faubion School and the university has inspired how we prepare leaders and teachers for the 21st century.”

3 to PhD aims to become a new national model in which committed partners work together with schools to ensure every student has both educational and wrap-around services needed to “pursue highest dreams,” better known as PhD.

Founding partners in 3 to PhD include: Concordia University, Faubion School, Trillium Family Services and Kaiser Permanente.

Faubion School and Concordia University have been neighbors in education for 63 years. With only 102 steps between them, collaboration and partnership increased in 2008 when LaShawn Lee became principal and envisioned Faubion as the “heartbeat of the community.” Concordia University stepped up to help by providing mentors, tutors, coaches, recess help, student teachers and more.

Then, in November 2012, voters approved the first school district capital improvement bond which partially funded the Faubion School rebuild. Concordia Universit y and its supporters are contributing an additional $15.5 million to the total cost of the $48.8 million project.

The new 138,000 square-foot-facility, and those it serves, is capturing the hearts and minds of an entire generation.

The new environmentally-friendly building includes the Concordia University College of Education; the Kaiser Permanente 3 to PhD Wellness Center; an early childhood education center; science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) and maker spaces; a food club with organic products from Pacific Foods of Oregon; access to mental and behavioral health from Trillium Family Services; and more.

By Karen Wells, CNA Media Team

Playing outside is a must for summer. The sun feels good while having fun. Prevention measures safeguard against hot weather health problems and keep the fun going.

A child’s skin surface area is a greater percentage of their body weight compared to an adult’s, making them more at risk for hot weather problems. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are sun exposure problems that can be avoided by knowing the symptoms and taking quick action.

Heat cramps are usually felt in the arms, hands, legs, feet or shoulders. No one knows the exact reason why heat cramps happen. The universally accepted explanation is: muscles have been over worked and/or the body has lost significant fluid and is in need of rest, more fluids and salt.

Heat exhaustion is a whole-body experience, when our natural cooling system begins to shut down. Look for nausea, vomiting, skin feels clammy or cool to the touch. They may complain of headache or be cranky, irritable, or they may get really thirsty. Any combination of these symptoms are warnings your child is suffering from heat exhaustion.

Take these simple actions to avoid more serious problems:

• Cool: get out of the sun and find shade
• Fluids: drink cool water, lots
• Rest: take a break in the shade to drink cool water
• When in doubt: call your doctor for advice or further action

Alberta Park on Killingsworth Street at 22nd Avenue offers wonderful shade on hot days. Also, during the week Portland Parks and Recreation hosts Free Lunch + Play programs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 25.

Remember, our children are always watching. In the morning, suggest they wear loose fitting cotton clothing with short sleeves while you get dressed in the same. Have them take water rest breaks with you in shade.

Karen, OCCD master trainer, early childhood education, conducts health and safety trainings for parents and childcare staff via Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County. She may be reached at 5CornersFamily@ gmail.com or text 619.244.7892.

By Garlynn Woodsong Chair, CNA LUTC

Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) recently expressed its concerns to Gov. Kate Brown regarding toxic air emissions from oil recycling operations near the Expo Center.

Emissions from two facilities – American Petroleum Environmental Services (APES) and Oil Re-Refining Co. (ORRCO) – are hazardous to human health, according to a June 27 feature in the Portland Tribune.

CNA requested the governor halt the operations of both facilities immediately.

Although recycling used motor oil is a worthy cause, operation of an industrial facility for this purpose cannot come at the expense of public health – regardless of its positive economic impact. Businesses and jobs are replaceable. Human lives are not.

According to the Tribune, a draft permit is currently under review for APES that may allow the emission into the local air shed of as many as 11 pollutants that could cause cancer: arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, nickel, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, naphthalene and possibly hexavalent chromium.

The draft permit apparently would allow burning of waste oil containing small amounts of chromium, arsenic, lead, cadmium, PCBs, and a category of chlorinated chemicals known as halogens. Burned together, PCBs and halogens produce a catalytic reaction that potentially results in the release of dioxin (and/or dioxin-like compounds), PCBs and benzene. According to a source quoted by the Tribune, “A peanut butter jar full of dioxin would be enough to kill the entire planet.”

Further, the draft permit would apparently allow the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) at more than 10 times the typical concentration emitted by oil refineries across the country. It would also allow the release of up to 255 grams of chromium per year, of which roughly half is estimated to be in the form of hexavalent chromium.

The California Air Resources Board calculates that annual release of 2 grams of that can cause an extra 10 cancers per million people over 70 years. The 125-plus grams of hexavalent chromium the permit would allow – multiplied by the permit’s five years – would result in the emission of up to 625 grams, which could result in more than 3,125 additional cases of cancer here over 70 years. This is from the operations at just one of these two facilities.

CNA has urged the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to deny this permit until such time as the applicants develop operations plans and air quality controls to ensure there is absolutely no potential for ill-health-related side effects.

To guarantee this outcome, CNA demands that no permit be issued until an independent investigation into emissions from APES is completed, the results are analyzed, and an analysis is shared with the community.

CNA requested the governor to:

• Issue an immediate cease and desist order for both APES and ORRCO
• Require DEQ not to issue a permit until an independent investigation of emissions has occurred • Initiate an independent investigation of Oregon’s DEQ to determine
  • Why DEQ is allowing dioxin and hexavalent chromium to be emitted into a residential area
  • Who was responsible for allowing the removal of the thermal oxidizers in 2006
• Require DEQ to issue a citation for the past 11 years of violations related to operations without valid permits The CNA Board of Directors takes this matter very seriously.

It will continue to work with other neighborhoods and community organizations to protect the health of this community.