AWB-Oregon's August meeting features a discussion of past, present, and future approaches to solving the problem of homelessness in Portland. Our guest presenters are:

• Sally Erickson, Manager, Ending Homelessness Initiative, Portland Housing Bureau. Erickson leads a team that is implementing the City and County's plan to end homelessness, A Home for Everyone, including developing strategies with public and private community partners.

• Tony Bernal, Director of Funding & Public Policy, Transition Projects. Transition Projects is one of Portland's leading organizations helping people escape homelessness. Bernal has worked extensively on veteran homelessness, women and homelessness, and developing supportive services to help people maintain their housing.

• Marc Jolin, Executive Director, JOIN. JOIN has helped more than 6,000 homeless people find and retain permanent housing. Before becoming JOIN's executive director, Jolin was staff attorney for the Homeless Law Project at the Oregon Law Center.

As well, we will briefly review two relevant local AWB-Oregon projects: A remodel at St. Andre Bessette Catholic Church which provides services to the homeless, and a market-style distribution plaza for the Northeast Emergency Food Program.

At our September meeting-Focus on Homelessness, Part 2-we will discuss various housing solutions for the homeless.

Join us at the AIA Center for Architecture, 403 NW 11th Avenue (enter on NW Flanders) at 6PM, Wednesday August 27th.  Refreshments will be served.