INCLUDES FULL MEETING VIDEO | Hear, and see, how people who work with ‘campers’ in our neighborhoods interact, to help resolve the situation …
Neighbors and guests chat as they enjoy supper during this Lents Neighborhood Livability Association meeting.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In the Community Connection Center on the grounds of New Hope Church in the Lents neighborhood, the Lents Neighborhood Livability Association (LNLA) held their last regular meeting of 2024 on Thursday, September 12.
After dining on pizza, salad, and dessert during “hospitality time”, LNLA members and guests heard from people who work with the “unhoused”, and provide them with services, during the program – which was entitled, “Law & Order & Caring”.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division Sergeant John Van Houte begins the formal program.
First up, explaining how they interact with the homeless, and what responsibility they have for enforcement and incarceration, was Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Corrections Division Sergeant John Van Houte.
Specifically, John Van Houte told about what he does while managing the MCSO’s “Close Street Supervision Unit”.
Multnomah County Health Department Director of Health Promotion Charlene McGee and the department’s Health Officer, Richard Bruno, relax for a moment before their presentation.
The next presenters were Dr. Richard Bruno, Multnomah County Health Department Chief of Substance Use Disorder Services, and the Addictions Services Manager in their Behavioral Health Division – and the county’s Public Health Division, Prevention & Health Promotion, Manager Charlene McGee.
Together, they explained how their departments and divisions work with Corrections and other services to care for homeless people.
Seated together, from the Mental Health and Addiction Center of Oregon, are Janie Gullickson, Executive Director; Melissa Bishop, Senior Housing and Facilities Director; John Karp-Evans, Deputy Director; and Tarra McCarthy, Director of the Development and the Community Engagement.
Finally, Mental Health and Addiction Center of Oregon Executive Director Janie Gullickson – making her fourth appearance at the LNLA – told about the organization, and participated in the question and answer session afterward.
The 28 people who attended this neighborhood association meeting generally agreed that they came away with answers to their questions.
Watch the entire meeting, including the interaction of attendees with speakers, posing questions, and getting answers, in this video produced by the LNLA:
Meet with the Lents Neighborhood Livability Association
on December 5
Coming up in December is your next opportunity to meet with the LNLA members and guests.
Having presented meetings with informative speakers almost every month for years – even during the pandemic – the LNLA is now on hiatus until December.
All are invited to attend their December Christmas Potluck, which will be on the first Thursday, December 5, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. – again in the Community Connection Center, on the grounds of New Hope Church at 10603 SE Henderson Street.
Come in the front doors, turn right, go down the first hallway. Signs will point the way.
RSVPs are requested; and for more information, email lnla2018@gmail.com.
© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™