Southwest Neighborhoods

SERVICES TO SOUTHWEST PORTLAND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS -- Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI) provided services to neighborhood associations and community members with base funding from community donations ahd through a Small Business Paycheck Protection Program loan ($66,300 received in May of 2020 and forgiven in 2021). The PPP loan was used as specified for payroll, rent and small utility expenses. SWNI did not receive its usual grant from the City of Portland for FY 20-21 base level programs. SWNI produced and distributed an all-household (34,000 homes) newspaper in July 2020 with COVID updates from Mult. county, neighborhood news, and an alert that SWNI would be switching to an electronic (only) distribution method for our monthly news. SWNI's communication network also includes a website, e-newsletters, social media accounts, and document Monthly meetings for neighborhood associations, coalition board, and all standing committees were conducted virtually to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. SWNI has seven committees to discuss and resolve community issues regarding equity and inclusion, land use, public safety (emergency preparedness), parks and community centers, transportation, schools, and watershed health.

Neighborhood Associations work to develop a sense of community and comment on issues that affect neighborhood livability. Due to COVID-19, many neighborhood associations worked with partner community-based organizations to help promote events that raised funding for essentials such as food, school supplies, and housing. All large community events, such as outdoor movies and picnics, were placed on hold. Two neighborhood associations raised funds for land use appeals. In addition, six neighborhood associations donated their funds to other community-based organizations to help during COVID-19.

SWNI received grant funds from the City of Portland's Office of Community & Civic Life to award small community grants with the following goals: increase the number and diversity of people involved and engage in their communities and neighborhoods; strengthen neighborhood and community capacity to build community leadership; identify neighborhood participants with skills, relationships and partnerships that help SWNI achieve its goals; and increase community and neighborhood impact on public decisions and community life. The Small Grants Program's priority is to engage historically under-represented and under-served individuals and groups within our community. SWNI awarded five grants to Community-based Organizations and, despite COVID-19 delays, all projects were completed by June of 2021.

Small grant program