There is something so rejuvenating about a crisp sunny day in the middle of winter! It is that first taste of spring that signals a fresh start, inspires us to pull out bikes and balls and head to the park, and makes even the most frenzied of us pause for just a moment to close our eyes, feel the sun on our faces, and breathe deeply. Yesterday was one of those days and it reminded me how important new beginnings can be.

IHI is in the business of fresh starts. We are dedicated to creating safe, affordable homes that families and individuals can use as the foundation for success in all realms of their lives. IHI's resident services staff ensure that people's basic needs are met and provide support for residents to grow and thrive. We help people secure and increase their incomes, improve their academic performance, connect with their communities, develop healthier lifestyles, and access resources to solve problems and seize opportunities.

This means families can start down a new path toward household and financial stability. When Irene needed assistance breaking a cycle of payday loan debt that was threatening her family's housing, IHI staff helped her access emergency food and utility assistance, provided rent assistance, and worked with her for months to manage her money and stabilize her finances. Now this hardworking, single, mother of three has the hope and tools she needs to plan for her family's future.

Individuals who struggle with addiction can make a clean start. Kayla came to IHI housing with a history of crack cocaine and alcohol abuse, including a DUII. She has since entered a treatment program and is now in recovery and the primary caregiver for her ill mother. Don has a long history of substance abuse that lead to trouble with the law. Stable housing gave him the opportunity to start over, stay clean, and he now focuses his energy on creating beautiful artwork.

Families with histories of violence and pain can start anew and create a positive future for themselves. Yadira moved to America with her five children after spending seven years in a Burundi refugee camp. Shortly after coming to America, she found herself homeless due to domestic violence. Fortunately, the family was able to access subsidized housing with IHI through a Multnomah County program. IHI staff worked closely with Yadira and her children to help them access community resources, fully engage and succeed at school, and manage their household budget. IHI has even provided translation services to enable Yadira to participate in parent/teacher conferences and school orientations while she learns English. The family is now thriving at home and at school!

IHI also gives old buildings new beginnings. While we sometimes build from scratch, one of IHI's strengths is renovating existing buildings that have deteriorated and need repair. Re-purposing or restoring a structure to create homes is challenging, but also can be more economical than new construction and typically is more sustainable because we are recycling a building that already exists. Old buildings have history to share and it seems right to preserve them for new residents to create their own stories. This is what we are doing at The Rich Building in Portland's Old Town Neighborhood - construction starts this month and should be complete in September! Keep an eye on our website for updates and photos of this work in progress, and please join us for tours when the work is complete.

As Spring unfolds and we get more of those beautiful sunny days, I hope you take a moment to celebrate new beginnings. Let that crazy spring feeling energize you to start something you've been putting off or try something totally new and exciting. IHI will continue doing everything we can to help families and individuals use their housing as a springboard for success and a safe place to make a fresh start.

Three students on a tour at the University of Oregon

Unfortunately, children from low-income families are much less likely than their peers to obtain a college degree. Over the last 30 years, disparities in educational achievement based on socioeconomic status, including the gap in college graduation rates, have increased dramatically. IHI recognizes the importance of a college degree and is familiar with the obstacles facing many low-income youth in their pursuit of higher education. To help, we offer a Mentor Program for high school students that focuses on exploring options, accessing opportunities, and making decisions that position young people for future success.

IHI's Mentor Program is fully integrated with our broader youth and family services. As young people move into high school, IHI helps them think about their next steps, which include developing job readiness skills and talking about college.  

IHI staff members meet with resident youth individually and in group settings, so they benefit from one-on-one coaching as well as peer support as they prepare to face new challenges. Every month the Mentor group focuses on a new topic such as creating resumes, preparing for job interviews, applying for college scholarships, and completing admission applications. For many high school students, this is the first time they have talked about going to college.  

To help make the idea of going away to school more manageable, IHI staff members take students on college tours throughout the state, including Portland State, Western Oregon State, Oregon State, and the University of Oregon. Seeing a school in person, in the company of peers and adults they know and trust, helps create a comfort zone for youth who may be the first in their families to consider college. For those who decide to apply, IHI staff is available to help at every step along the way, from securing applications to researching scholarships and applying for financial aid.

We are happy to report that students we have worked with since middle school are now matriculated at Portland State University, Oregon State University, and Western Oregon State. Many of these first generation college students are also the recipients of competitive scholarships. IHI is proud to support our young residents as they take a very exciting, and scary, step toward adulthood and build a strong foundation for their future success.