Your March Innovative Connections

March 2016

Greetings!,

It can be hard to make changes, especially when you are leaving something dear behind. For a while now I have kept one foot in Portland and one foot in Africa, and I have decided to go back overseas this upcoming fall to continue my work in international development. As a result, I will finish up my time at Innovative Changes this summer. Innovative Changes is very near and dear to me, and the work is incredibly important. I feel that the organization is at the right place in time to handle this transition with grace and wisdom.

Our board and staff are very engaged in this process, and I am sure we will find a wonderful new leader.

The job announcement is here, so please share it widely and let us know if you have specific people in mind. I've so appreciated working with you, as you inspire all of us each day with your resilience, creativity and hard work.

Thank you for all you do!

Fondly,

Nancy Yuill

Credit Tip of the Month

Frustrated because you can't afford to pay off old collections? While we encourage you to make good on your obligations, 35% of your credit score depends on making on time payments on your open accounts like credit cards and loans. That means you can build your credit now, even if you can't pay off all your old debt, just by making on time monthly payments!

Interested in learning more about how to build credit? Attend a credit builder loan orientation!

Women's History Month

March is offically Women's History month in the city of Portland. Are you looking to get involved or want to hear the experiences/stories of women in Portland? The city has multiple events throughout the month that you can attend.

See a schedule of events here

Women's Foundation of Oregon "Listen to Her" Tour

Your voice matters. Join the Women's Foundation of Oregon for interactive town hall meetings to share what it's like to be a woman in Portland.

The foundation will be talking all around the state, with two events in Portland, on March 31st and April 23rd.

Childcare, refreshments and Spanish translation services will be provided. All women and girls aged 12 and up are invited to attend, so please invite your family, friends and coworkers to come too!

For more information on these events visit the Facebook page here. For more information about the Women's Foundation of Oregon, visit the website.

Free Arts NW 7th Annual
Spring Break Young Filmmakers Camp!!

Camp will be March 21-25 from 9 am to 4 pm at Gethsemane in East Portland. 13-18 years old. There is no cost for the youth to attend and meals are included. Registration is required. Click here to view the flier: Spring Break Film Camp. To download the registration form click here Registration Form. For more information you can visit Free Arts NW's facebook page.

Urban League Career Connection Fair

On Tuesday, April 5th from 10-3, Urban League of Portland will be hosting a career connections fair at the DoubleTree Hotel by Lloyd Center.

Check out the website for more information

You could earn $130 for doing three short surveys

Innovative Changes and CASH Oregon are doing a Family Economic Opportunity Research project at tax time. We are enrolling 160 families in a research assignment on the role that the earned income tax credit has on our families' economic opportunities. Each family will fill in three short surveys over the course of 90 days. You will be paid $40 for turning in survey #1, $40 for survey #2 and $50 for survey #3. The surveys and all related communications will be done in English and Spanish.

To qualify for the research project you need to qualify for and file for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

We only have 45 slots left. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Get Your Taxes Done!

CASH Oregon Tax sites open now!

The Lloyd Center tax site located in room 2027 will be open Saturday through Wednesday 9AM-4PM, Thursday 1PM-8PM, Friday CLOSED. Our last day will be Monday April 18th. We will be closed Easter Sunday March 27.

Check out a tax time flyer for more information