August 29th, 2019
PGE Foundation
One World Trade Center, 3rd Floor
121 SW Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97204
Dear PGE Selection Committee,
On behalf of Human Solutions, Inc. (HSI), I am excited to submit this request to PGE
Drive Change Fund for $74,814.00 to acquire a hybrid vehicle to support our LearnLinks after-
school program. Human Solutions is proud of the impact LearnLinks is making in the lives of
low-income students who live with their families in our affordable housing communities and
shelter.
Low-income students have benefitted from this proven after school enrichment program
for 11 years. LearnLinks is making a real difference in the lives of youth from low-income
families by providing academic support, after-school and summer enrichment activities, and
leadership opportunities to help kids reach their full potential. This year, the K-8th grade children
staying with their families in Human Solutions’ emergency family shelter will also have the
opportunity to participate in LearnLinks. We know that housing insecurity disrupts academic
performance and, wherever we can, we work to mitigate the impacts.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions about this proposal or Human Solutions’
work more broadly. We can be reached by phone at 503.548.0282 or
development@[Link]. Also, we love visitors and welcome your team to come for a
site visit anytime.
Sincerely,
Director of Development & Communications
Executive Summary
LearnLinks is a key component of Human Solutions’ strategy to interrupt homelessness
and intergenerational poverty. Human Solutions understands that the time and effort we invest in
disadvantaged youth pays dividends far beyond what we can ever measure. Before people can
take advantage of opportunities, they have to know they exist and that they are both worthy and
capable of making the most of them. LearnLinks is effective because it empowers youth to find
their strengths and build on them.
It is my pleasure to submit this proposal seeking support from the PGE Drive Change
Fund to support the LearnLinks program in purchasing a hybrid vehicle totaling $74,814.001.
LearnLinks provides after school enrichment that includes academic, mentoring and recreational
programming for low-income youth in kindergarten through eighth grade living in affordable
housing communities or staying in our emergency family shelter. A grant to purchase a new eco-
friendly vehicle will help to ensure that the LearnLinks program is successful and continues to
operate at full capacity.
Most of the youth served by this program live in poverty and lack access to financial
means to pay for organized sports, outings to places like OMSI, the Zoo, museums, and are
rarely incorporated into the larger community because of their marginalization. A recent article
published in The Atlantic shows the gap in after-school programming and enrichment between
upper/middle-class children and those experiencing poverty and homelessness2. The research
cited in the article shows the devastating effects of a lack of enrichment activities for low-income
children.
The positive long-term effects of offering enrichment activities to homeless youth are
great. Research cited in the same Atlantic article shows that the skills, habits, connections, and
knowledge that kids develop in these activities help them boost academic performance, gain self-
esteem and resilience3. The skills learned could even lead to higher wages and more
opportunities for career advancement, as well as increase the likelihood of voting and engaging
in politics.
1
Attachment 1
2
Wong, A. (2015, January 30). The Activity Gap Access to after-school programs is growing more unequal, and
that's pushing disadvantaged kids further behind. Retrieved from
[Link]
3
Ibid.
This spring, LearnLink after-school program took a group of students on a field trip to
our state capital in Salem. The kids learned about the state government, toured the Capital
building and met legislators. This is just one way that LearnLink helps to open doors to civic
engagement. There is a great potential for life-changing exposure to new ideas, new future
employment paths, and new community engagement.
The Need
The most recent Point-In-Time Count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals
on a single night revealed that in 2017 there were 4,177 people experiencing homelessness in
Multnomah County; this marked a 9.9 percent increase from 20154. Although 2017 PIT count
reported only 15.7 percent of people experiencing homelessness were families with children,
many have pointed out the obvious undercount. According to the Oregon Department of
Education, almost 9,522 people with school-age children were living in doubled-up households;
3,653 were children who attended public school in Multnomah County5. This is indicative of the
housing crisis that has been fueled by stagnant wages, increasing housing cost, decades of federal
disinvestment, and ongoing racial disparities6.
The racial disparities in homelessness found in Portland are consistent with the national
data7. American Indian/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islanders, and Black/African
Americans were most overrepresented in the 2017 PIT. The African American homeless
population is at 12.1 percent which is more than four times the general population of 3 percent.
Similarly, those who identify as American Indian/Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian/Pacific
Islander are five times more likely to experience homelessness the general population8.
4
POINT-IN-TIME Count of Homelessness in Portland/Gresham/Multnomah County, Oregon (Rep.). (2017,
October). Retrieved July 21, 2019, from Population Research Center and the Survey Research Lab at Portland State
University website:
[Link]
U 2017 Point-In-Time_FINAL_(Interactive) (1) (1).pdf
5
Ibid.
6
A Home for Everyone: A United Community Plan. (2013, March 14). Retrieved July 21, 2019, from
[Link]
_Home_for_Everyone_Plan.pdf
7
HOMELESSNESS IN OREGON A Review of Trends, Causes, and Policy Options (Rep.). (2019, March).
Retrieved July 21, 2019, from ECONorthwest website:
[Link]
8
HOMELESSNESS IN THE PORTLAND REGION A Review of Trends, Causes, and the Outlook Ahead. (2018,
October 10). Retrieved July 21, 2019, from ECONorthwest website:
[Link]
In their report Out of Reach, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition calculated that
in the current Portland metro housing market, a person working 40 hours a week would have to
earn $23.88 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment and not be rent-burdened. At the current
minimum wage that is ninety-two hours a week9. Although many low-wage workers saw an
increase in their wage due to the 2016 Oregon Legislature establishing a series of annual
minimum increases, Oregon Center for Public Policy reports no real growth over the long term.
In 2017 the median wage was $18.64, only four cents more than the median wage in 197910. The
growing gap between rent and income has particularly affected low-income families. By cutting
the budgets of non-defense discretionary programs federal policymakers added further pressure
to low-income families. These actions affected the annual funding for public housing, rental
assistance, and the Housing Choice Voucher programs.
Organization Background
Human Solutions is the largest provider of shelter and housing for low-income families
and families experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County. Human Solutions’ looks to
interrupt the trajectory. For nearly 31 years, the agency has operated innovative, responsive, and
evidence-based programs to help families overcome homelessness and poverty. Human
Solutions serves families throughout Multnomah County, with an emphasis on the high-need
areas of outer East Portland and East Multnomah County. Most participants have incomes that
are at or below 30 percent of median family income. Those who are employed tend to have part-
time jobs or jobs without adequate benefits, in addition to unreliable childcare and transportation.
They may work two or three part-time jobs and still struggle to meet their basic needs.
Providing affordable housing does not guarantee self-sufficiency and an instant
connection to the community, nor does it ensure that children receive the skills they need to
reach their full potential to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. The struggle to
meet basic needs frequently consumes time and energy, resulting in less one-on-one adult
attention and fewer educationally enriching experiences. Decades of research by the National
Center for Educational Statistics show that when parents are involved, students have higher
grades and graduation rates. Children also attend school more consistently, have fewer conflicts
9
Out of Reach (Rep.). (2019). Retrieved July 21, 2019, from National Low Income Coalition website:
[Link]
10
Despite the recent uptick, wages for many workers have barely budged long term. (2018, August 30). Retrieved
from [Link]
and have fewer instances of infractions. Human Solutions works to counter the forces that keep
people and communities in poverty by building relationships and assets that create opportunity -
today and for future generations.
Program Description
LearnLinks operates free-of-charge, year-round, and onsite at the apartment communities
and shelter where the youth live. Children attend Homework Club after school and participate in
quarterly off-site Community Service projects and field trips. LearnLinks combines enrichment
activities with education to help the children reach their full potential both in and out of the
classroom. Through LearnLinks, parents also have a chance to learn to engage with their
children’s and the school fostering further commitment and success. Parents are always welcome
and encouraged to attend activities, especially serving as field trip chaperones.
LearnLinks is an established program that serves youth from low and very low-income
families who live in four affordable housing communities and an emergency shelter
owned/operated by Human Solutions and partner agencies. The affordable housing communities
where LearnLinks operates are home to a very diverse population of low-income families,
including immigrant and refugee families from Afghanistan, Cuba, Eastern Europe, Mexico,
Micronesia, Somalia, South, and Central America and Turkey. Many students in the LearnLinks
program face many barriers to success, including limited exposure to U.S. school system, limited
language, limited study space in their home, parental expectations, low self-esteem and lived
trauma. The children living in the shelter are experiencing trauma related to their family’s
homelessness, which can significantly impact their ability to achieve academically. According to
a 2012 study by Seattle University’s Project on Family Homelessness, students who are staying
with their families in emergency shelters are prone to toxic stress, which can negatively impact
their learning and memory11.
Program Goals and Objectives
Goals:
11
Project on Family Homelessness. Seattle University (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2019, from
[Link]
1. Help children who live within our affordable housing communities and shelter reach
their full potential both in and out of the classroom
2. Help alleviate the impact of homelessness and living in a low-income household on
academic and social achievements
3. Encourage a bridge between home and school
Objectives:
1. Maintain current level of availability of enrichment activities by purchasing a 14
passenger XL fleet hybrid gas/electric shuttle bus
2. Improve academic performance to promote intellectual growth and achievement
through after homework club
3. Encourage intercultural friendships, leading to greater independence and maturity by
creating mentorship connections
4. Enhance social, emotional and personal wellbeing to increase self-esteem through
quarterly off-site community service learning
5. Increase opportunities for parents to learn with their children during quarterly field
trips
Activities Timeline
Activity Timing
Identify Hybrid Vehicle and Vendor June 15th - August 30th 2019
Place the Vehicle Order January 2020
Recruiting for Summer Program 2020 March 23rd - May 8th 2020
Pick up Vehicle April 2020
Training for Summer Program 2020 May 18th - June 26th 2020
Enrollment for Summer and School year 2020-2021 June 29th - July 10th 2020
Summer Program 2020 July 13th - Aug 21st 2020
Training for School Year Program 2020-2021 Aug 24th - Sept 18th 2020
Quarter 1 Sept 21st - Nov 20th 2020
Vehicle 1st Maintenance October 2020
Staff Reflection Retreat and Planning Days Nov 23rd - Nov 25th 2020
Quarter 2 Nov 30th - Jan 29th 2021
Quarter 3 Feb 1st - March 26th 2021
Quarter 4 March 29t h - June 4th 2021
Vehicle 2nd Maintenance April 2021
School Year Program 2020-2021 Ends June 5th 2020
Evaluation Plan
LearnLinks has the unique advantage of working with youth over many years while they
reside with Human Solutions. The data team can collect, report and analyze information from
staff, teachers, youth and peer observations. Human Solutions' data system enables staff to both
assess students' needs over time and track long-term program impacts and outcomes. LearnLinks
will conduct two types of evaluation. One will focus on the program process and the second will
look at the impact.
The evaluation will aim to assess whether the program is operating as intended by
accessing the activities and outputs. The Youth Program Quality (YPQ) assessment tool is an
evidence-based technique that measures the quality of youth programs. This evaluation tool is
used by LearnLinks staff for training and as an ongoing feedback loop. This year, LearnLinks
has added a Data Systems Specialist to conduct peer observations of staff and coach staff on the
methods to improve the evaluations. Information from these observations will serve as an
ongoing professional development tool and source for innovative ideas.
To evaluate the impact of the program on participants and assess the outcomes,
LearnLinks has partnered with staff from the Portland Children’s Levy to set outcomes based on
best practices for after-school programs.
1. 90% of participants will attend 90% of the school days.
2. 95% of participants will receive no behavior referrals for suspension or expulsion
during the school year, or fewer such referrals than the previous year as reported
by family.
3. 75% of participants will demonstrate academic improvement as evidenced by
family reports of grades.
4. 75% of participants will maintain a positive attitude or improve their attitude
toward school as measured by surveys.
Sustainability
LearnLinks has been supported by foundation grants since 2011. Early on, smaller
foundations provided a strong base for this unique and culturally responsive program as it gained
a foothold in the high-poverty, high-need areas of East Portland/Multnomah County. LearnLinks'
early success resulted in the program being selected for highly competitive, multi-year grants
from both the Oregon Community Foundation and the Portland Children's Levy. These grants
made it possible to hire additional staff and expand the program, strengthen the service-learning
component, purchase new curriculum and refine evaluation methods.
While the foundation funding will cover the full cost of the vehicle, Human Solutions
will use various other funding sources, as well as developer fees from future housing projects, to
conduct routine maintenance and fuel. Human Solution is also committed to allocating funds
from fundraising events to the LearnLinks budget if necessary. Human Solutions anticipates
continued strong foundation support for the LearnLinks Program. We are confident that as we
expand the program, improve our evaluation methods for the program, and show the continued
success that foundations will want to fund the work we are doing.
Staff and Qualification
Nothing would be possible if not for our qualified and dedicated staff. We are very
fortunate to have the same program manager leading the program this whole time; her experience
and consistency have helped us to continually improve. LearnLinks direct service staff are
bilingual and bicultural: 30% are African American, 14% are Latinx, 14% Pacific Islander, 14%
mixed race and 28% white.
All direct services staff are trained in evidence-based methods such as Assertive
Engagement and Trauma-Informed Care. Both practices involve collaborating with program
participants to discover their aspirations, needs, and the strengths they can call on to develop and
follow through on action steps to achieve their goals.
Budget Narrative
Following an extensive search for a local vehicle vendor that specialized in hybrid vehicle
conversions, Human Solutions narrowed down the pool to Creative Bus Sales as the vendor of
choice. With help from the vendor, Human Solutions was able to obtain cost estimates for
maintenance and fuel. It has been determined that only regular vehicle maintenance is required.
A local Ford dealer can handle all regular maintenance. Due to the systems charge being entirely
generated from regenerative braking, the maintenance cost will be slightly reduced as the system
helps with extending the life of the brakes. If the electric products ever need service, the
manufacturer will provide a recommended service facility. Similarly, the fuel cost will see a
reduction based on the previous consumption of an all gas vehicle.
In addition, Human Solutions determined that the standard included Ford warranties
apply on the power train (5-year/60,000-miles) and 3-years/36,000-miles on the chassis, and then
the XL electric system is warranted for 3-years/75,000-miles. Creative Bus Sales also includes a
bus retrofit warranty for 5-years/100,000-miles covering conversion components such as
floorings, windows, seats, structure, etc.
Budget
Cost of vehicle $74,814.00 Requesting
Maintenance $2060.00/annually Secured
Gas $1648.00/annually Secured
Full Program Budget is included in Attachment 2
Conclusion
We are very grateful to the PGE Foundation for investing in Human Solutions’ programs
over the past years. Support from the foundation has made it possible for Human Solutions to
make a real difference in the lives of people experiencing poverty and homelessness. As Human
Solutions enters our 31st year of providing anti-poverty services in East Portland/Multnomah
County, we are deeply grateful for all of the opportunities to partner with PGE Foundation, most
recently in 2017-18. We would be honored to partner with The PGE Foundation again, this time
to offer LearnLinks youth the opportunity to have safe and environmentally friendly
transportation. Thank you for your consideration.
