Family fun, How to Solve a Problem + Resource Round-up 4/15

Counselor Corner  /  News & Events A cherry tree stands in full bloom (pink) in the sunlight. Patches of bright blue sky show through and one branch of the cherry tree has white apple blossoms.

I don’t know about you, but I am LOVING our sunny spring weather. The cherry blossoms are blooming in the courtyard – it is my favorite week of the year! Can you spot the apple blossoms from a long-ago grafting experiment? Students have been spending lots of time learning outside and enjoying the fresh air this week.

Our story this week is from rock climber Ashima Shiraishi, who started climbing at age 6(!) in New York City’s Central Park. I love this book that she has written, How to Solve a Problem! It is both a memory of a climb and an inspiration for how a reader might break down a problem they face, and Yao Xiao’s illustrations are the frosting on the cake. I’m super jealous of her collection of climbing pants! When you have a problem, how do you solve it?

Resource Round-up

There is A LOT this week!

  • Sunday, April 18th  is National HIV Transgender Testing Day.  In Portland, a number of organizations and community members have come together to create events that occur throughout the week celebrating the transgender and gender diverse community including HIV/STI testing, wellness events and Zoom Bingo with the Sisters.  For details about all events see flyer,   Facebook or Instagram.
  • Webinar on Mobility Justice in Spanish. PBOT (Portland Bureau of Transportation), invites you to join the second iteration of  “GobierNOS: Govern-meant para ti” on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 12 noon PDT. This Zoom webinar, will primarily be in Spanish, with live bilingual interpreters and closed-captions. Latinx panelists from regional non-profit and private sectors will share their perspectives on mobility justice. We will explore perspectives on freedom of movement and relationships to transportation and land. This event is free and open to all, however Registration is required in advance.  Regístrate Aquí  
  • Happening tonight (4/15) Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration, Hate Crimes, and the Real American Dream. Click here for more information and to register. 
  • Crime Victims’ Rights: Support Victims, Build Trust, Engage Communities. Click here for more information and to register.
  • Engineering Promise is a family-centered program designed to engage preschool children and their parents and caregivers in fun and culturally relevant engineering activities. Click here for more information and to sign up. (PDF)
  • National Origin Discrimination: Workplace Issues & Civil Rights Protections for Immigrant and Refugee Workers. Click here for more information and registration.
  • Wild Diversity is hosting a birding adventure for the BIPOC /LBGTQ2S communities. This Saturday. Click here for more information and to register.
  • Catholic Charities’ Refugee Services offers Financial Wellness workshops for individuals who have been in the U.S. 5 years or less. (PDF)
  • Professional Aspirations for Community Health Workers. Click here for registration. 
  • David Douglas School District is hiring for a District Liaison who is bilingual in Somali. Click here for more information.
  • If you or your organization needs screen printing services, check out New Avenues INK. They are providing jobs while job training for youth. Click here for more information.
  • Olympia Provisions is hiring. They are really trying to reach communities they may have not before. Click here for job opportunities.
  • More Than One Story is an online “game” for virtual groups meeting ice-breakers or activities. Click here.
  • Public Charge Rule is Blocked. As of March 9, 2021, the expanded Public Charge rule is permanently BLOCKED, and is no longer in effect anywhere in the United States. Now, immigrants can safely receive public benefits that support their health, nutrition, and housing without fear of impact on their immigration status. Seek public benefits/public charge legal advice from Legal Aid/Oregon Law Center’s Public Benefits Hotline at 1-800-520-5292. Stay informed about changes to Public Charge by checking Oregon Immigration Resource and Protecting Immigrant Families .  Flyer: English.  Spanish.
  • Vaccine timeline:  All Oregonians >16 will now be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines on April 19th.
  • Get Vaccinated Oregon Does Not Accept Landline Phone #s.  The GVO tool no longer accepts landline phone numbers as a method of contact. There are approximately 200 people in the GVO who registered with a landline as their primary contact with no other way to contact them. Anyone who registered for the GVO with a landline will be contacted for support with vaccine access. Anyone whose preferred method of contact is a landline can continue to call 211 for support in accessing vaccine (or toll free, 1-866-698-6155 or TTY dial 711 and 1-866-698-6155).