‘Community Resource Fair’ held in Lents

Here’s why COVID-19 coronavirus vaccinations, free food, and information about services at this outer East Portland event drew so many to the Lents neighborhood …

Outside the front doors of the Wattles Boys & Girls Club, Lilya Yevseyeva, a volunteer from the Slavic Community with IRCO, greets guests and checks them in to the Lents Vaccine Clinic and Community Resource Fair.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Parking in the lot of the Wattles Boys & Girls Club, as well as in the surrounding streets, was scarce on Sunday afternoon, February 13. It was because the Lents neighborhood Vaccine Clinic and Community Resource Fair was underway there.

Although health screenings were taking place in a large classroom, most of exhibitors, and the vaccine clinic, were staged in the spacious club’s gymnasium.

She, and the partner organizations, are pleased with the substantial turnout, says Community Services Network Executive Director Annie Lindekugel.

“It’s true, we provide the ‘resource fairs’ all over the City of Portland, including with similar events we’ve held that you’ve covered, in Parkrose,” Annie Lindekugel Executive Director, Community Services Network, acknowledged to East Portland News.

“We partner with a variety of nonprofits across the Portland area, as well as with some local schools, the Salvation Army, and Care Oregon, bringing a lot of different nonprofit supporters to these events.”

She watched as guests went from table to table, picking up brochures and speaking with representatives of the various nonprofit organizations represented there.

Service organizations’ staffers and volunteers meet guests during this event.

Some of the available resources were provided by:

+ Multnomah County Library
+ Volunteers of America Family Relief Nursery
+ Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
+ El Programa Hispano
+ Care Oregon

Showing the ready-to-eat food they’re providing are Umut Matkap of Lokanta, and Mario Miranda from El Burrito Azteca.

Natalia Lopez, a University of Western States chiropractic student in her last year, provides massage therapy.

“In addition, practical-care medical screening is being offered by the University of Western States’ students and staff, including blood pressure screening and basic health checking,” pointed out Lindekugel.

“We want to make sure that people, here in the southern area of outer East Portland, have access to all the resources they need. So, in addition to services, we’re also providing toiletry kits, food boxes, and three local restaurants who are sharing their gift of cuisine – and it’s all free.”

Providing books are Ekaterina Sotomayor and Rachael Short from the Multnomah County Library.

Giving away raffle tickets is IRCO Community Worker Chenda Im.

Administering a COVID-19 shot to a visitor is a Providence Nurse Practitioner.

“In short, we’re here to help this community, right here, where they are,” Lindekugel summarized.

When there’s another Community Resource Fair in outer East Portland, you’ll find it listed in our Community Calendar.

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