GoGreenNation news

This has been a year of financial uncertainty for many Oregonians. Consumers have continued to face challenging prices due to inflation and tariffs, and many nonprofit organizations have had to pinch pennies after seeing federal funds cut significantly or eliminated altogether in many cases.That reality makes it particularly gratifying to see Oregonians come together to support our annual Season of Sharing holiday fundraising campaign.This year’s campaign tells the stories of 14 nonprofits working to make Oregonians’ lives better in a variety of ways, ranging from groups helping seniors experiencing food insecurity and isolation to organizations helping people experiencing homelessness find stability and a way forward.Donations to the campaign, administered by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s charitable arm, Oregonian Public Benefits Inc., will be divided among the nonprofits as unrestricted grants. The Season of Sharing campaign is accepting donations, which are tax deductible, through Dec. 31. The more that comes in, the more each nonprofit will receive.Online donations can be made at oregonlive.com/sharing or the 2025 Season of Sharing Give Lively page. You can also Text the code Season2025 to 44-321.Donations can also be made by mail: Make a check out to Oregonian Media Group Season of Sharing and send it to Oregonian Season of Sharing, c/o Oregonians Credit Union, 336 N.E. 20th Ave., Portland, OR 97232.Related: Editorial: In tough times, the community is our safety net.These are the 14 nonprofit organizations featured in the 2025 Season of Sharing campaign.Kira Akito, a former foster youth, formed a long-time connection with Court Appointed Special Advocate Dick Ross, who helped Akito navigate foster placements and find independent living resources.Sami EdgeCASA of Central OregonCASA of Central Oregon advocates for children in the foster care system. They recruit and train volunteers to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) who work directly with kids, ensuring their voices are heard in court and that their needs are met. With many children waiting for advocates, CASA plays a crucial role in providing stability and support during a challenging time in children’s lives. The volunteers build meaningful relationships with these kids, helping them navigate the complexities of the foster care system and ultimately aiming to improve their futures.“Every child deserves someone who is in their court and rooting for them and getting to know them, and (to) have a consistent figure in their life during that process,” said Debbie Ross, 69 and a CASA volunteer for the last five years.Read the story.From Left: Community Supported Shelters board member Ken Beeson, co-executive director Heather Quaas-Annsa, development director Jennifer Yeh, former resident D.J. Williams and service navigation manager Mellinda Poor pose for a photograph in October 2025.Zane Sparling/The OregonianCommunity Supported SheltersCommunity Supported Shelters addresses homelessness in the Eugene area by providing innovative and supportive housing solutions. The nonprofit works to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, offering not just shelter but also resources to help them get back on their feet. Through a model that emphasizes community involvement and support, the organization engages residents in the process, helping those in need find stability and a path to a brighter future.“It’s like a stepping stool, and it makes you feel like a human,” said 45-year-old Zechariah Boesman, who lived in one of the shelters’ innovative “Conestoga Huts” at one time and now is a maintenance technician for the nonprofit. “It’s just refreshing to know that this organization takes the time and cares the way they do.”Read the story.Hezekiah Franklin was once a guest of the Daytime Drop-In Center, but now works there as a staff member.Tatum Todd/The OregonianCorvallis Drop-in CenterThe Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center has been a vital resource for homeless individuals in Benton County and surrounding areas for over 20 years, providing essential services during the day when many shelters are closed. Welcoming 60-100 guests daily, the center also reaches out to those living in tents, cars and RVs, offering support that includes mental health services, housing assistance and addiction recovery resources. The center aims to combat social exclusion and stigma, treating everyone with dignity and respect.Hezekiah Franklin, 48, knows what the center does from experience: He’s experienced homelessness in the past, and first came to the center two decades ago. Now, as part of the center’s staff, he spends his days using his own experience to help others navigate similar situations.“I’ve been on both sides of the fence,” he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “I don’t get burned out on compassion and stuff like that because like I’ve been there before.”Read the story.Kayli Duprest is the Director of Operations for the Domestic Violence Resource Center in Beaverton, Oregon.Allison Barr/The OregonianDomestic Violence Resource CenterThe Domestic Violence Resource Center is dedicated to supporting and empowering survivors of domestic violence and their children through three key programs: Advocacy & Empowerment, Counseling Services, and Housing/Shelter Services. The center offers free individual and group counseling for all ages, including specialized trauma treatment methods like art therapy. DVRC provides a confidential emergency shelter, a transitional home, and an independent housing program with rental support and case management.“To have people out there advocating for you to be safe is really special,” said Alicia, a survivor of abuse who asked that her last name not be used. “You’re not stuck. There’s a brighter light on the other side if you just take that chance.”Read the story.Profile photo of Tia Topley, of Kindred Matters, in Northeast Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Kindred Matters is a Northwest organization that funds and hosts camp opportunities for children who are in foster/state care and separated from siblingsSean Meagher/The OregonianKindred MattersKindred Matters has been reuniting foster siblings for the past 20 years through summer camps designed to strengthen their bonds. Founded by Karyn and Charley Schimmels, the organization has helped around 3,700 children in state care reconnect with their siblings, offering them a chance to share experiences and create lasting memories together. With three camp locations and activities tailored to foster those important sibling relationships, Kindred Matters makes a difference in the lives of children who often face the challenges of separation in the foster care system.Tia Topley and her brother attended one of the camps each summer for eight years, starting when she was 8. Now 29, she says the camps were a refuge from the tumult of the rest of the year and a cherished chance to see her brother, who was living in another state with relatives. “It was the most magical experience anyone could go through,” she said. “I was so happy and loved.”Read the story.Barbara Johnson in her apartment in Union Manor.Lizzy Acker/The OregonianMeals on Wheels PeopleMeals on Wheels People delivers nutritious meals to seniors and individuals in need, ensuring they have access to healthy food right at their doorstep. Beyond just providing meals, the service also offers a friendly visit from volunteers, which helps combat loneliness and fosters a sense of community among older adults. Meals on Wheels People nourishes both the body and the spirit by connecting people and creating lasting relationships. Their work is vital in helping seniors maintain their independence and quality of life.“It’s friends helping friends,” said Barbara Johnson, 75, who is one of the 11,500 people the group helped in the past year. “I don’t know where I’d be if they didn’t have such a system. I really don’t.”Read the story.Each puppet in “¡Alebrijes!” was handmade by Yosmel López Ortiz, who honed his puppetry craft over many years in Cuba before joining Milagro Theatre.Chiara ProfennaMilagro TheatreMilagro Theatre celebrates and promotes Latino arts and culture through a variety of engaging programs and performances. The group focuses on providing a platform for Latino artists, showcasing their work in theater, music and visual arts, while also offering educational opportunities for the community. Milagro aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Latino heritage, creating a space where diverse voices can be heard and celebrated.“We’re looking at how we continue to develop creativity in all aspects,” said Milagro’s founder, José Eduardo González y Salazar. “Exploring the lives and stories of Latinos, and what kind of contributions and traditions that they hold to hopefully expand the picture of what being a Latino is.”Read the story.Lauren Eads, Director of Development and Communication, and Kirsten Willis, Community Based Housing Program Coordinator, revisit a playful memory outside the New Avenues for Youth headquarters in Northwest Portland.Sean SterlingNew Avenues for YouthNew Avenues for Youth empowers homeless and at-risk youth to achieve self-sufficiency. They provide a range of services, including housing support, job training and educational programs, all designed to help young people build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.“New Avenues helps these 9- to 25-year-olds get to a next stage in life,” says Kirsten Willis, the organization’s Community Based Housing Program coordinator. “They can become survivors instead of just victims of houselessness.”Read the story.Julia Stults is swarmed with puppies as part of a visit organized by nonprofit Pile of Puppies. The then-10 year old received a puppy visit in 2019.Courtesy of Dina StultsPile of PuppiesPile of Puppies brings joy and comfort to children facing serious illnesses through the therapeutic power of puppies. By organizing visits where friendly puppies interact with these young patients, the agency creates moments of pure happiness. These furry companions not only provide emotional support but also help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing children to momentarily forget their worries and focus on the joy of play. Each wagging tail and playful bark fosters a sense of connection and love, reminding these kids that they are not alone in their journey.“Having chronic illness as a kid, there are so many downsides,” said Julia Stults, 16, who got a Pile of Puppies visit when she was 10. “It’s those little, tiny special things that are like, ‘Yeah, having (ulcerative colitis) sucks, but then I wouldn’t get all the puppies.’”Read the story.Paid interns stock merchandise inside Project Lemonade at the Lloyd Center mall. The store provides a free shopping experience for youth in foster care.Samantha Swindler/ The OregonianProject LemonadeProject Lemonade provides support and resources to youth in foster care, helping them navigate the challenges they face. One of the nonprofit’s standout initiatives is an unusual store at Lloyd Center where foster kids can shop for new clothes and school supplies, all at no cost to them. Project Lemonade not only ensures that these kids have the essentials they need for school but also helps them feel valued and supported.“So much of their life is doing something that makes them feel different,” said Lindsey McDonnell, Project Lemonade’s executive director. “It’s a very isolating experience to be in foster care, so we want this to feel like the kind of thing that any other kid would do.”Read the story.Chelsey Passon, Safety Compass Manager of Communications, poses for a portrait outside of the organization’s office at the Family Resource Center in Woodburn.Abigail Landwehr/The OregonianSafety CompassSafety Compass promotes safety and well-being for survivors of human trafficking. The organization provides comprehensive training and resources that emphasize personal safety, emergency preparedness and self-advocacy, empowering individuals to navigate their environments with confidence. By addressing the unique vulnerabilities survivors face, Safety Compass offers support and education that helps them build a safer future.“It’s such a beautiful thing to watch this survivor go from like … ‘There’s nothing out there’ to like that spark of ‘Actually maybe there’s another option’ to five to 10 years down the road where their life is completely changed,” said Chelsey Passon, a trafficking survivor who is now the communications manager for the organization. “It’s truly a privilege to be able to hear someone’s story and witness it and to be able to sit there and say, ‘Hey … you don’t have to navigate this alone.’”Read the story.Kassandra Ball, walking in Ashland's Lithia Park on Nov. 9, is an English and Spanish speaker from Laredo, Texas, with a master's degree from Oregon Health & Science University, who sees patients at La Clinica's Central Point Health Center.Bob Palermini, www.palermini.comSouthern Oregon Alliance of PhysiciansThe Southern Oregon Alliance of Physicians is a dedicated group of healthcare professionals committed to improving the health and well-being of communities in southern Oregon. The alliance focuses on fostering collaboration among physicians and healthcare providers to enhance patient care and address local health challenges. By working together, they aim to share resources, knowledge and best practices, ensuring that everyone in the region has access to quality healthcare.Dan Weiner, a family medicine physician and chief medical officer of Rogue Community Health’s five clinics, helped found SOAPP and continues to volunteer. “We believe access to high quality healthcare is a big component of a thriving community,” Weiner said, “and SOAPP allows us to partner with others who share that vision.”Read the story.Students from four different elementary schools in the Canby School District partake in the High Dose Tutoring offered by Todos Juntos.Yesenia Amaro | The Oregonian/OregonLiveTodos JuntosTodos Juntos strengthens families and communities by offering a variety of support programs aimed at empowering youth and families. The nonprofit’s mission focuses on creating connections that inspire and educate, like the new initiative High Dose Tutoring, offered free of charge for students recommended by four schools in the Canby School District.“Our focus is to increase their reading comprehension because a lot of them are struggling,” said Fatima López, community liaison for Todos Juntos at the Canby School District, where programming is focused on children in second and third grade. “Those two grades just make more sense because those are the ones that need a little bit more support.”Read the story.Deborah Marion picks up her CSA share at Zenger Farm in southeast Portland with her three kids, who enjoy the fall bounty from the nonprofit urban farm. Jamie Hale/The OregonianZenger FarmZenger Farm is an urban farm dedicated to making good food accessible to everyone while promoting sustainable practices and community development. The farm’s mission revolves around educating the public about food systems and environmental stewardship. And the farm offers a community-supported agriculture program the allows people to buy produce directly from farms with monthly payments for “shares” of the crop.“It’s not just my kids taking their space,” said Deborah Marion, who has been a member of the farm’s CSA for about a decade. “The farmers are so kind and welcoming to them and make them feel this sense of home and belonging here.”Read the story.

The Oregonian/OregonLive’s annual fundraising campaign is making a different to seniors, at-risk youth and people experiencing homelessness.