This content was published: August 10, 2012. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC’s Portland Metropolitan Workforce Training Center (PMWTC) hosts a Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative Press Conference
Photos and story by Jim Beriault
The Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative (NPI), a public-private partnership designed to develop the economic potential of East Portland, received its first corporate sponsorship on Tuesday, August 7. PCC hosted the event at PMWTC as JPMorgan Chase awarded The Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO) a Foundation Award of $50,000 in support of the Initiative.
Brian Stewart, vice president and community relations officer for JPMorgan Chase, presented a symbolic check to City Commissioner Amanda Fritz at a press conference and celebration held inside the PMWTC auditorium. The event included representatives from each of the six NPI districts, local JP Morgan Chase officials and Portland Development Commission (PDC) staff. PDC Executive Director Patrick Quinton said, “We’re very proud of the NPI districts’ early success in securing this funding. This kind of community partnership is at the heart of our hopes for achieving prosperity in East Portland.” He went on to stress the importance of PMWTC in the NE 42nd Avenue area, and PCC’s commitment to helping families and those seeking jobs.
While each of the six NPI districts – Our 42nd Avenue, Cully Boulevard, Parkrose, Rosewood, Division-Midway and the Jade District – have unique needs and plans, they have banded together under the NPI umbrella to encourage the support of regional investment partners. The JPMorgan Chase award is the first corporate sponsorship of the program. The PDC chose to hold the press conference at PCC’s PMWTC site due to the fact that the center is in the heart of the 42nd Avenue neighborhood. PMWTC serves the area by offering job fairs every Friday and employment training to help individuals become more competitive in the workplace and gain family wage jobs.
In closing, Stewart with JPMorgan Chase said, “We are very excited about the initiative, and are looking forward to having our fellow corporate leaders join us in supporting this important effort to build prosperity and jobs in Portland’s neighborhoods.”
About Jim Beriault
A public relations and marketing professional with 23 years of experience in the Portland area. Beriault has spent most of his career working with clients and businesses in the healthcare, hospitality, education and entertainment industrie... more »