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The 33rd Annual ORA Home and Remodeling Show at the Oregon Convention Center is coming up again from the 25th-28th of September. We are looking for people to cover 3hr shifts and be willing to make friendly conversation with show goers. We will be trying to spread the word that we are near by, have many affordable new and used options 5 days a week and are also a place to take things removed from remodels for a tax deduction. We are looking for 2 people to a shift so invite a friend or loved one and of course you are welcome to enjoy the show for yourself the day that you volunteer.
Our wonderful Thursday cashier is out for 3 months and our Tuesday cashier went back to school so we could use some extra help up front. Cashier experience is a plus, but is also easy to catch on to. It is a fun spot for some one who likes customer service and multi-tasking situations. This commitment is not pinned down to every week if that is unreasonable for you.
For any of these opportunities feel free to email Molly directly at molly@pdxrestore.org, call 503-283-6247, or stop by the store. Please be as specific as you can with how and when you would be able to help, that would help a lot, thank you.
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| Youth Builders Offers Training |
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Portland Youth Builders (PYB) is a 13-year-old non-profit that serves young people, 17-24, who have not graduated from high school and face serious barriers to employment, such as family substance abuse issues and lack of job readiness skills. The program is one of a network of 226 nationwide that provides a classroom-based education, vocational training, and leadership development through community service.
About 100 students go through the program each year. Participating young women and men spend about 30 hours a week for nine months. They earn their high school diploma, and work at a PYB-supervised job site in either the construction or computer field.
"We help them develop a more strategic vision for their lives," explains program manager, Bill Kowalczyk. He estimates that the success rate is 70-75%, in terms of graduates finding and holding a good job or being enrolled in a post-secondary school 3 years later.
 photo courtesy of PYB
PYB is a licensed and bonded contractor with trained crews working under construction professionals. Students in the construction track learn all facets, from pouring foundations to finished carpentry, and have built affordable housing for many local organizations and agencies. "We've worked on many Habitat project over the years," recalls Bill K. "We helped frame a number of buildings in HFH's New Columbia project, and poured the foundation for a duplex."
In 2004 PYB began an initiative to recruit more young women into the program.
Those in the computer track learn hardware and software fundamentals, including assembly, upgrading, and troubleshooting. They also learn to create web sites, which they practice by helping local non-profits do theirs.
Shortly before graduation, each person is connected with a mentor--a professional in the student's area of interest. The mentor offers much needed encouragement and advice as the new graduate transitions into employment.
PYB is supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Corporation for National and Community Service, and other public and private funding partners.
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David Mehta, Long-time Volunteer, Tells Us About Himself.
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I have been volunteering at the ReStore for about 6.5 years, starting when the store was on Columbia Boulevard in a rather run-down old warehouse. For the first two years I worked on the Wednesday donation truck pick up. I enjoy working with the folks at the ReStore, and being a part of the HFH mission. Above all it's fun.
The move from the old warehouse to the current location was the beginning of a change that has led to significant improvements. Donation criteria has been significantly upgraded, resulting in a much better product quality level in the store. The management has instilled a business-like approach, and better organization, creating a platform for future growth with more store openings.
I also work with the Family Selection Committee to select those families in most need of a Habitat home. This has been a twice a year process which, I find, puts into perpective the contribution everyone at the ReStore makes toward helping fund building projects.
My first involvement with Habitat was when I was employed at Nike. For their annual community involvement day, I chose to work at a HFH building project along NE Killingsworth St.
One memorable experience was driving the truck from Columbia Boulevard all the way past Hillsboro for the first pick up of the day, to find it had not been unloaded the previous evening, and was jammed to the doors with stuff. A long day, and a lesson learned.
Also, seeing new Habitat families move into their homes at dedications, is very special.
I grew up in Leicester, England, and after working in London for 4 years, came to the States in 1966. My wife and I moved to the Portland area from Asheville, North Carolina, 13 years ago. I wasn't involved with HFH until moving here. I am now "retired". My working career was with the knitted textile industry, in various factories in the Southeastern U.S. My "expertise" was the manufacturing process, and R&D.
I enjoy hiking, music (including playing the piano), photography, reading, cooking and wine making. When schools are in session I have a weekly lunch with a "disadvantaged" pupil at Beaverton's William Walker Elementary School.
My wife's family lives in Italy, and mine live in New Zealand and Australia. We have two married daughters, one living in Buffalo NY, the other in Sydney NSW.
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| 2008 Build It Green! Home Tour
and Information Fair |
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Saturday, September 20th
Self-guided Home Tour, 11am - 5pm
 
Information Fair
@ Ecohaus Environmental Materials, 3:30-7:30pm
819 SE Taylor, Portland
Tickets are $15
(reduced admission for those touring by bike)
This is the Tour's 7th year, and it will feature 20 green remodels and new homes. Participants will see the ways that homeowners are:
conserving energy
preserving natural resources
purchasing locally
minimizing construction debris
while creating beautiful, special and healthy homes. The tour is child-friendly, and seven of the home sites are wheelchair accessible.
For more info, and to buy tickets, go HERE.
The Information Fair will be held after the Home Tour, and will include live music, food vendors, and workshops. The ReStore will have a table, ready to provide green and inexpensive ways to apply all those new and inspiring ideas generated by the tour.
We need volunteer help: 3:30-5:30 and/or 5:30-7:30pm. |
| ORA Home Improvement
& Remodeling Show
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Thursday-Sunday, September 25th-28th
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Portland
Sponsored by the Oregon Remodelers Association, this event, in its 33rd year, will showcase home and remodeling options from hundreds of businesses and organizations all over the Portland area. There will be lectures too.
This is a great opportunty for the ReStore to show itself as a donation option (after remodeling), a source for building materials, and to just extend people's awareness of Habitat for Humanity to include the ReStore. We need volunteers to help out on 3-hour shifts during all four days.
For more info on the Show, take a look at the Website. of the ORA. |
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Oktoberfest
Friday, October 24th
To benefit local Habitat for Humanity
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Celebrate
Oktoberfest at the internationally acclaimed Heathman Restaurant. Your
$50.00 ticket includes traditional cuisine prepared by award-winning
Chef Philippe Boulot and an array of Full Sail microbrews. Proceeds
from the Oktoberfest will benefit Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro
East. Guests will have many fun opportunities to help "Raise the Roof"
of a Habitat for Humanity home.
To
help add to the event's festive flair, all guests will be automatically
entered into the door prize drawings, with winners announced
periodically throughout the evening. Everyone who makes an additional
donation at the event will also be entered into a drawing for a prize
package, with different packages available according to gift levels. For more info, or to order tickets, visit the event's website.
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| Earth Advantage Fall Classes |
What's Green Lighting? September 23, 8 AM - 10 AM
This class will begin with the fundamentals of lighting and proceed through technologies, design basics, and residential applications. Included will be a discussion of control options, lamp choices, and practical lighting tips and techniques. Optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining lighting quality will be emphasized throughout the presentation. You will also have a unique opportunity to view up close demonstrations of color, light distribution patterns, and see lighting equipment.
What's Green Building? - September 25, 8 AM - 10 AM
Earth Advantage, Inc. invites you to attend this free, 2-hour session to understand the residential green building phenomenon and learn about three different certification rating systems for homes. Examine the environmental benefits of sustainable building practices, realize the value of green homes in today's market, and discover the future of residential building from local experts. Positioned in a region that is leading the country in the green building movement,
Sustainable Homes Professional, six-month certification course
September 26, 2008 - February 28, 2009, 8 AM - 4 PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION The Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP) program is designed to give participants a deep level of knowledge and understanding regarding sustainable building practices and their implementation on the construction site. This rigorous six-month program includes classroom instruction, field studies, an on-site practicum and a final exam. The course curriculum provides in-depth training of sustainable residential building practices, home certification rating systems, building science fundamentals, integrated design process, HVAC and mechanical systems, health impacts, building materials, energy and water efficiency, and carbon footprints. Each monthly session includes visits to projects under construction and at completion as well as tours to product manufacturers.
COURSE SCHEDULE
September 26 & 27 November 28 & 29 January 30 & 31
October 31 & November 1 December 26 & 27 February 27 & 28
Actual class dates will be determined in our first September session. Please come prepared to the first class with your calendar.
LOCATION: All classes will be held at Earth Advantage: 16280 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd., Portland, OR 97224.
REGISTRATION: Free, please RSVP. Please contact Education Coordinator, Katie, at kschnepp@earthadvantage.org
Earth Advantage, Inc. is one of thirty-five certification programs nationwide. Since 2000, we have certified over 9,000 homes with one of three leading green certification programs - ENERGY STARŽ, Earth AdvantageŽ, and LEEDŽ for Homes. |
More Noteworthy Events
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September 15-28: Albertson's Food Drive
Drop off canned goods or purchase "virtual bags" at all
Albertson's throughout the Pacific Northwest.
September 25: Cans Film Festival
Donate 3 cans or boxes on non-perishable food at any Regal Cinemas located in Oregon or in Clark County, WA, and receive admission to the movie of your choice, plus a small popcorn. All shows except "no pass" attractions are eligible.
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RESTORE HOURS
Tuesday through Saturday
9am-5pm |
Please Give Us Feedback!
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Please let us know what you think of the ReStore Newsletter. Are you finding useful information and/or resources? Do you have ideas for articles you would like us to do? Are there aspects of the newsletter that you think need improvement. Please help us make this newsletter better. Contact robin@pdxrestore.org with your thoughts. Thank you!
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September 2008
