This is a “crisis” that had the 10-year plan been properly crafted with realistic short-term as well as ng-term goals in mind never would have occurred. Come to think of it, was’t Sten instrumental in the last 10-year plan in the 90’s that failed?

Short-sightedness costs dollars and bad experiences our city can not afford!

Please help keep issues like this from reoccurring by electing me, Emilie Boyles to Portland City Commission Seat 2.

Providing both long-term and short-term housing for displaced individuals and families is a priority of mine. Years ago, I was a consultant for Salvation Army’s Harbor Light programs. I believe that new people are constantly joining the homeless population and while we do need to provide long-term solutions to enable them to get on their feet again we also need to provide immediate shelter especially for vulnerable populations and women.

As far as the issue of funding faith-based charities goes, it is acceptable for faith-based programs to accept government funding as long as the services received by consumers are not contingent on acceptance of that group’s faith. Having worked for many faith-based organizations, I have learned that living one’s faith is a much louder testimony than proclaiming one’s fait.

If you have questions about my perspectives on affordable housing, homeless transition, or nomadic rights, you can visit my website at http://www.emilieboyles.com , email me at: emilieboyles.com or call the campaign office at 503-760-1783.

For the Good of Portland!

Emilie Boyles

FYI, just on Katrina victims through the 22 of last month:

The Salvation Army responded immediately following Hurricane Katrina and is serving the immediate needs of survivors by providing shelter, food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. Over 500,000 people have been served in at least 30 states. The following information represents the Southern Territory’s fifteen states and the District of Columbia.

The Salvation Army has served 1,503,071 hot meals.
2,753,976 sandwiches, snacks & drinks.
The Salvation Army has 89 Mobile Feeding Units (Canteens) in the many areas affected. 10 Field Kitchens, capable of producing 20,000 hot meals per day (each). ( Incl. 7 Southern Baptist Kitchens.)
The Salvation Army has distributed 31,030 Cleaning Kits. (Broom, bucket, mop & detergent.) 51,812 Food Boxes (groceries.)
The Salvation Army has ministered through Pastoral Care to 140,114 individuals. Has registered and begun helping with 146,937 Social Services Cases.
The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) has received over 60,000 inquiries and has found 8,400 survivors.
There are currently *2,346 Salvation Army Officers serving in the affected area.
There are currently *5,000 Salvation Army Employees serving in the affected area.
There are currently *24,091 volunteers serving in the affected area.
Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers have served a total of 286,076 hours.
The Salvation Army has assisted a total of 461,172 individuals.

Blessings

Amp has a post up about Portland city council pulling funding from the Salvation Army’s Harbor Lights Program. While Amp is quite right that there is an urgent need to increase, not decrease, such resources, I’m not going to call for the head of Tom …

I also found a story about the Canadian Salvation Army taking a much more progressive stance on gay rights, so a sunshine policy might be a good idea there too.

In other words, just ignore me. :-(