This content was published: June 6, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Westside homeless can now get HELP
Photos and story by James Hill
For those who need assistance in finding employment and housing in Washington County, HELP is on the way.
Portland Community College’s Housing Employment Link Partnership Program, based at the Washington County Workforce Training Center (18624 N.W. Walker Road), is accepting referrals of people who are homeless or have an unstable housing situation, and are unemployed or don’t have a stable source of income. The HELP program is entering its fourth year of operation and is funded through a grant from United Way.
Working collaboratively, representatives from PCC, Community Action, Department of Human Services and LifeWorks Northwest provide case management services to participants to help overcome barriers preventing stability in the areas of employment and housing. The HELP program is not an emergency program.
The program is designed to deliver coordinated services in job search activities such as on-site recruitment, assistance with résumé writing, cover letters, interviews, career planning, job development and tailored job leads as well as retention services like weekly support groups, career planning and access to HELP staff and other services. In addition, participants get housing support such as Ready to Rent classes, housing case planning, listings of available affordable housing, problem solving with landlords, life skills, mental health services and coaching.
Participants must be eligible to work in the United States; be a resident of Washington County or intend to become a resident of Washington County; and be willing to participate in required activities related to the program. This program will not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, or disabilities.
To refer somebody to the program or get more information, call the HELP program line at (503) 533-2541.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »