PSU Architecture Students Build RBC Trade Show Booth

Videographer, director & editor: Ryan Fruge

The ReBuilding center has teamed up the Portland State University's architecture program to create a new booth for ReBuilding Center to use in trade shows and community events. Much like the interactive kiosks that are being built for ReBuilding Center's Commons launch, the trade show booths too should be visually appealing and functional.  The new design hopes to encourage and build relationships within the community and inspired poeple with reuse ideas. The booth aims to further understanding of ReBuilding Center's mission and all of its component parts. It will showcase our commitment to the reuse of building materials through DeConstruction as well as our Community Outreach Program, volunteer services and information about our warehouse donations and available materials. Margarette Leite is the instructor at PSU to the architecture students involved in the trade show booth project and shared some information on the project.

When the trade show booth was its developing stages, there were many ideas thrown out on what to incorporate; a mini museum, showcasing objects found at DeConstruction sites; a photo gallery displaying photos of homes through the DeConstruction process. The students had to respond to technical challenges such as how to include video aspects like the kiosks or how supply lighting without being reliant on an electrical source. They played with the idea of magnets and incorporated a metal sheet into their design. Students found ways to use both rough and finished pieces to show the range of materials available at the ReBuilding Center. 

To keep the concept fluid throughout, certain guidelines had to be meet. Size constraints were established to be sure the booth was booth mobile and easily transported. Structural integrity had to considered due to the wear and tear, and possible damage over time.

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Day of Service: RBC & AAAH help stem displacement of long-term homeowners in N/NE Portland

The ReBuilding Center in collaboration with the African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) began an inaugural “Day of Service” this last Saturday, June 11th, an event that helps stem displacement of long-term residents of N/NE Portland. Staff from the ReBuilding Center and AAAH as well as dozens of volunteers showed up bright and early on Saturday morning, coffee in hand, to get going on some home repairs for members of their community. We focused on five different projects ranging from cement pouring to yard work to house painting. It was a powerful experience to be able to talk to homeowners and hear their stories, perspective on the development of the area, and about the complexity of issues surrounding gentrification.

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Ruth

Since 1958, Ruth has seen her neighborhood transition through three distinct phases. When she first moved into her home 58 years ago, she remembers the area as a vibrant community where you could find everything you needed from food markets to a 10 cent store. She then witnessed the street experience heightened crime rates due to a stronger gang presence. Now she refers to the streets as “clean” and has seen the area turn into a once again bustling neighborhood. And no, she doesn’t want to sell. Every week she receives offers, people trying to buy her home. How could she leave her beautiful lavender home where she’s raised her kids and grandkids? With age, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with the house and the garden. Years ago, during an earthquake, the cement stairs leading to Ruth’s home broke and it’s been hard for her to get down the stairs ever since. ReBuilding Center staff and volunteers were happy to lend their skills to fill her new cement stairway.

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Pat

Pat is a real firecracker. Her creative and whimsical design sensibilities show throughout her home and yard. We helped Pat with her backyard, repairing a fence that she hasn’t been able to fix because of her arthritis. Pat loves to walk and reminds us that “it’s just as important to keep your mind as active as your body when you’re older.” Pat’s lived in her house for over 42 years and can count on one hand how many long-term residents still live in her surrounding neighborhood. “Everybody’s been pushed out,” she says, “it’s strange to see how much change has happened in our neighborhood.” A perk of the new development? Pat enjoys frequenting the new restaurants popping up in her area, serving hip and affordable fare during happy hour.

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Elaine & Milhouse 

Elaine & Milhouse bought their home back in 1991 and they have been wanting to touch-up their house paint for a while now. They feel like their home stands amidst the freshly re-done houses popping up next door. Within the last ten years, they say the worst part of the rapidly changing environment is the traffic on their busy street. Several parked cars have been hit. And although they’ve developed relationships with their new neighbors, Elaine says, “it doesn’t make you feel good when you don’t know your [old] neighbors anymore.” With Elaine’s full-time schedule as a care-giver, and both of them getting older, it’s hard for them to keep up with repairs. We were happy to meet some of their needs and get to know our neighbors!

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Carly

Carly was the youngest of the bunch but still stood witness to the dramatic changes to the neighborhood. She says, “it’s weird, every time I even drive to the ReBuilding Center, I see new stuff. Things are popping up so fast.” She believes it’s important to keep neighborhoods diverse. She tries to see all the change as positively as she can but wishes that it didn’t mean destroying what was already there. Carly doesn’t want Portland to look like every other city. She grew up in Portland and feels like it breeds a certain kind of nutty person. With affordable housing becoming more and more scarce, she worries about our houseless populations, especially families because of how hard it would be for them to adjust. Working at Kruger Farms and doing all of her own home repairs (using almost solely materials from the ReBuilding Center), Carly’s thought about renting out her house but doesn’t have very many options to choose from. It was a pleasure to help out with a few projects that required specific skill sets, such as cementing and rerouting a drain pipe.

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ShaRee

We also served another long term resident named ShaRee with her backyard. Twelve crew members weed-wacked and trimmed their way through a backyard jungle, yielding impressive results.

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A big thank you to City of Roses Disposal & Recycling for the drop box, Metro for providing paint, brushes, and a voucher for the drop box at Metro Transfer Station, Oregon Deli Co. and Mississippi Pizza Pub for their generous donations to feed all the volunteers and staff, as well as Stormbreaker Brewing, who provided a nice discount for the wrap-up celebration!

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The Day of Service was so successful that we would like to make it a regular event!

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Dave Lowe at dave@rebuildingcenter.org.

ReBuilding Center x AAAH: Lending a hand to Portland homeowners June 11

AAAH DAY OF SERVICE

SATURDAY, JUNE 11TH

The ReBuilding Center has partnered with the African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) to help current or former AAAH clients who need assistance with minor home repairs. In early May, AAAH mailed out applications for the project to over 800 homeowners living within the North/Northeast corridor area of Portland and in return received multiple repair requests. The requests include projects such as tree trimming, painting a kitchen, clearing a yard, attic insulation repair, fixing a porch railing and an electrical/plumbing project.

All projects are currently being assessed by a ReBuilding Center team to ensure the right materials and skills are available to complete each task. The collaboration will be held during the Village Building Convergence on June 11th from 9am – 5pm. Fun fact: our red cob trees at the front of our building were built during one of the first Village Building Convergence events! 

Staff and volunteers will meet in the morning at the ReBuilding Center and then set out to the separate project sites. With hopes of completing all projects within the day, whatever has not been completed on the designated day of service will be completed by staff and volunteers at a later date.  

More information will be released soon for those of you who would like to participate in the AAAH Day of Service.

To lend a hand to help with these minor repairs or to learn about our varied volunteer services that range from window display design, building in our fully equipped wood shop, working with our newsletter team to working in our warehouse, please sign up to volunteer or contact ReBuilding Center Volunteer Services Manager, Dave Lowe at volunteer@rebuildingcenter.org.

Grand Opening Event: Sons of Haiti Lodge Food Carts

We were once at risk of loosing one of the last African American owned businesses on Mississippi Avenue. Fortunately,  the community banded together and saved The Sons of Haiti Lodge Food Carts! To read more about all the hard work and dedication that went into this effort click the following link:

Please join us and celebrate the grand opening of the

Sons of Haiti Lodge Food Carts
Saturday June 4th,
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will commence at 5:15 pm. Local Ecliptic Brewing is donating beer, the carts will be showcasing some of their cuisine, and of course no party is complete without cake!

PDC Chairman, Tom Kelly, will attend and make a few comments as well as John Bryant, president of the Sons of Haiti Masonic lodge.

Mississippi Avenue Gives Back to SEI

Mississippi Ave. Giving Day

Tuesday, May 24th

Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) is a non profit organization supporting the needs of at-risk youth in the greater Portland area. Located just two blocks off the commercial street of Mississippi Ave. at N. Kerby, SEI partners with teachers and school administrators to identify the most at risk students to enroll in the program and to then provide those students with everything they need to achieve both personal and academic success.

On Tuesday, May 24th, 55+ businesses on Mississippi Avenue will show their support for the agency by donating 10%  of all sales to SEI. The funds donated will go towards a fundraising campaign that SEI has created called 25 for 25 Giving Campaign which aims to engage 2500 individuals in making a monthly $25 donation for the next three years to directly support SEI's youth and community development programs.

Please join us at the below locations to eat, drink and shop on Mississippi Ave and support SEI on May 24th:

• North Portland Bike Works
• Gumbo Gift Shop
• Another Read Through
• Flutter
• Black Wagon
• Gypsy Chic
• Jennyfer’s Boutique
• Sloan Boutique
• Paxton Gate
• Reading Frenzy
• Mr. Green Beans
• New Vintage Beauty Lounge
• Sunlan Lighting
• Salty’s Dog and Cat Shop
• Control Voltage
• Manifesto shoes
• PDXchange
• Worn Path
• She Bop
• Rebuilding Center
• Optik PDX - Eyeware Boutique
• The Herb Shoppe Pharmacy
• Animal Traffic
• Beacon Sound Record Store
• Ruby Jewel Ice Cream Shop
• Grand Central Baking

• Oregon Deli Company
• Radar Restaurant
• MAC! Mac and Cheesery
• Townshend’s Teahouse
• Spicy Spoon
• Por Qué No Taqueria
• Bar Bar
• Uchu Sushi & Fried Chicken
• Mo-beri Smoothies
• Mississippi Studios
• Stormbreaker Brewery
• Laughing Planet
• North Light
• Little Big Burger
• Tiffin Asha
• Samurai Blue
• Spin Laundry Lounge
• Equinox Restaurant & Lounge
• Mississippi Pizza
• Prost
• Interurban
• Stash Tea
• Blue Sky Wellness
• Trailhead Credit Union
• Kurisu International
• Mississippi Chiropractic

PPS Kids Design Their Own Guitars

May 1st - May 8th was ‪#‎STEMWeekOregon‬, a movement to raise awareness and celebrate activities that involve technology, engineering and math (STEM)!

What better way to celebrate than to open our wood shop doors to over 170+ Portland Public Schools students to build their own three-string guitars?

Over the last two weeks we have hosted two groups of middle school students from West Sylvan and Cesar Chavez, who have engaged in a hands-on learning process. With two more block classes to come, we look forward to the opportunity to show the relevance of their lesson plans in a practical way. Using sustainable materials, the students will learn about design processes that apply to everything from architecture to software development!

Portland Public Schools is teaming up with ReBuilding Center to bring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) skills to over one-hundred-and-seventy seventh graders over the course of the month. Four groups of Middle School students will design and create their own three string guitar at ReBuilding Center and put new relevance to their lesson plans and put practical meaning to subjects learned in the classroom! If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please email ashley@rebuildingcenter.org.

We'd like to give big thanks to all of our volunteers, teachers, parents, staff, Black Book Guitars, WoodCrafters and Home Depot for all of your support to make this happen!

With Our Own Two Hands

We have a lot to celebrate this year. Although it did not go far enough, the Paris Agreement, within the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, was a giant step forward. For the first time ever, a clear international commitment was made to keep a significant portion of remaining hydrocarbons in the ground. Drafted in December 2015, the agreement “opens for signature” on Earth Day—April 22, 2016. 

Community members and organizations in Oregon have echoed the sentiment of the Paris Agreement by organizing to apply pressure on decision makers to move away from carbon-based fuels and toward a sustainable future. Thanks to these grassroots efforts, last month landmark victories were achieved to keep new LNG and coal projects out of Oregon.

And there’s been good news even closer to home. In February, Portland’s City Council passed a groundbreaking resolution to make deconstruction mandatory for all homes built more than 100 years ago that are scheduled for demolition (about 33% of single-family demolitions). The process of deconstruction will save millions of pounds of valuable building materials for reuse that would otherwise be put into the landfill. This new ordinance will reduce atmospheric carbon by roughly 800 tons per year while generating 20-25 new living-wage, permanent jobs. The ReBuilding Center is thankful for all who came together to vocalize your support for this resolution. Our DeConstruction Services department is excited to grow, and our store looks forward to offering more materials to the community!

These important policy developments, from the international to the local level, did not take place because politicians decided they were good things to do. They occurred because community members worked for them from the bottom up: we organized; we applied pressure; and, at long last, politicians acted. 

In the work we do and the incredible people we encounter every day at the ReBuilding Center, I am constantly reminded of the words of Desmond Tutu, painted on the front of our building: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

We invite you to join us as volunteers at the ReBuilding Center to be part of that change you want to see in the world—only together can we can create a sustainable community, environment, and economy. And so I will close with the lyrics fit for Earth Day from Ben Harper:

I can change the world
with my own two hands…
with our own
with our own two hands

or watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEnfy9qfdaU. If you haven’t heard it, it’s a great tune. Enjoy! 

Stephen Reichard
Executive Director

It’s National Volunteer Week and Earth Day is right around the corner! We’ve got a lot of volunteer opportunities for you in these next two weeks. Here is a list of volunteer opportunities to give back to the community and support environmental protection!

Table at the Fox Tower Sustainability Fair

Fox Tower is coordinating an event for eco-friendly, sustainable and local vendors. This would be a chance for you to spread awareness of the mission and goals of the ReBuilding Center to the business community in Portland and reach a wide range of people. This event will be held in the Fox Tower lobby April 21-22, Thursday and Friday; 11am-1pm.

Get exclusive tickets to events through volunteering with Wave PDX

We are excited to host some volunteers from wave this Thursday. Haven’t heard of them? They incentivize volunteerism through events where the only way to get tickets is by volunteering time in the community. Next month, Revolution Hall hosts Kurt Vile for an exclusive concert!

Glean materials from Metro Central

Work with us to visit the Metro Central Transfer station twice a week in order to keep usable building materials out of the waste stream! Twice weekly, we are organizing volunteer opportunities at the transfer station for those interested in sustainable waste management and getting a "behind the scenes" look at how we can help!

Available on Monday's and Thursdays from noon to 3pm, this project is looking for volunteers that can dedicate multiple trips in a row. Safety training and orientation on-site will be provided for your first shift. 

Spring and Summer Internships now open!

Every year, interns with ReBuilding Center take on amazing projects with our efforts to build communities with greater social and environmental vitality. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from a 3-6 month internship or a prolonged volunteer opportunity, consider working with us! Internship opportunities include: 

• Creative ReUse Library Curator
• Administrative Assistant Intern
• Volunteer Coordinator Intern
• Salvage Specialist Intern
• Volunteer Leader

Don't see anything that interests you? Let us know! We love to create opportunities for those committed to better world. Areas of interest where we have created internships in the past: 

• Community Health
• Social Justice
• DeConstruction
• Film/Photography content management

Monthly Volunteer Event

Thursday, April 14th, 6pm - 8pm

The second Thursday of every month is our after-hours volunteer event! It’s coming up quick, so grab your spot and get together with other volunteers from around the Portland area to enjoy a night of light-hearted material salvage. There’s a happy hour at StormBreaker Brewing to follow. Volunteers receive 25% off!

Help us reign in our Tile Area!

We are looking for a dedicated volunteer to take on our ever-growing tile area. Our wonderful volunteer, Bobby, has moved on to bigger and better things and we're looking for someone to fill her shoes. Check out the video we put together highlighting Bobby and her work with us!

The work done at the ReBuilding Center is all about creating opportunities for our community to become more equitable, vibrant, and sustainable. Volunteers like you are the backbone of our mission. If you have an interest in reducing waste, engaging in your community, and making a better world, come on out and hang with us - we'd love to see you!

Vanport Mosaic is hosting a film festival in May

The desire to come together to preserve & discuss the memories & stories surrounding the story of Vanport, as well as, learn how they’ve impacted us today is truly inspiring. Read on to see how tragedy can be a learning experience and a chance at community growth and understanding.

Talk about the building of community! “The Vanport Mosaic initiative is a response to a growing desire to honor the legacy of the Vanport community and the 1948 flood, which started an overwhelmingly homogeneous Portland and Oregon down the path toward interracial progress.” The initiative aims to document and tell the stories of those connected to Vanport.

This last month, the ReBuilding Center hosted Laura Lo Forti of the Vanport Mosaic. She led the workshop in discussion as they shared skillsets around oral history, storytelling and spoke about ethical issues that occur when telling other people's stories. They also worked on interviewing skills and video shooting. With these developed skillsets they are now ready to go out and capture the stories of Vanport.

In May, The Vanport Mosaic project will bring together many of these stories, as well as, others at Vanport Mosaic Festival 2016. This event will be held at the site in commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the flood that took place in 1948. The festival will include music, dance, theater, film, poetry, lectures, tours, an historical exhibit, and dance.

One participant in the recent workshop, Todd Fadel, summed up the experience with this statement,

“This project symbolizes and encapsulates something I’ve been trying to articulate for a decade - how can a portlander model consideration for the discarded voices of our community in a way that inspires a new thought process far from blame and guilt?”

Want to join in the discussion regarding Vanport and the Vanport Mosaic initiative? Check out their website vanportmosaic.org

Salvage Works Reuses Vintage Lumber from Deconstructed Buildings to Make Beautiful Furniture

- by Whitney Laucks

Salvage Works is owned and operated by brother and sister team Preston and Rachel Browning.  They opened their doors in 2010, and in 2015 were able to upgrade to a 25,000 square foot facility in the historic Kenton neighborhood.  Inspired by their mother, who was an architect that practiced green building techniques even before such customs had been given a name, these siblings decided to follow in her footsteps and reuse local, vintage lumber and turnit into something new and beautiful.  

All lumber that Salvage Works uses is reclaimed from deconstructed barns and houses.  Even though these historic monuments may be falling apart as is, by recycling their invaluable material the Prestons are able to keep Oregon history alive. This is wood that is simply unavailable otherwise, and this crew knows the story behind every incredible piece of furniture that they create.  For instance the beautiful bar from Swift and Union seen in the picture below was made out of the lumber from this barn in Canby originally constructed in the 1920’s. 

Everything is made by hand with skilled craftsmanship and a great of team people who committed, not only to reuse, but to the preservation of Oregon History.  Every Third Thursday of the month Salvage Works hosts a celebration of this kind of carpentry and sculptural work, usually accompanied by live local music and libations.

2024 N ARGYLE ST
PORTLAND, OR 97217
INFO@SALVAGEWORKSPDX.COM
503-899-0052
MON-SAT 9-6, SUN 11-4
MONTHLY THIRD THURSDAY ART CELEBRATION COMMENCES AT 6PM

Camp SCRAP informs children about Creative Reuse

At Camp SCRAP kids from first through sixth grade are given the opportunity to explore the vast opportunities of creative reuse. Each day participants are educated about the fun and inventive ways recycled materials can be used in new and interesting ways.  For instance, one child took an old CD case and turned it into a bird feeder.  There are portions of the day dedicated to scheduled activities lead by staff members. There is also always allotted time for free building to allow the campers to let their individual creativity run loose with access to a craft supply wall that has loads of materials to reuse. Areas that are predominately showcased are Collage/Assemblage, Sculpture, Drawing/Painting, and Sewing.

SCRAP also offers many other educational creative reuse opportunities. Preschoolers to College students can schedule field trips to SCRAP for a unique and hands on experience with reducing excess by reusing materials.  Students will take away an informed vocabulary of this concept as well a true understanding of how important these practices are and how fun and creative this process can be.  These trips are easily customizable based on age group, number of kids, special needs or any other additional requirements. If a field trip is not possible to organize SCRAP will happily visit classrooms to give a one hour tutorial on the amazing benefits of reusability.

Every year SCRAP partners up with one local school that is lacking in art funding to donate reused material and crafts.  They also offer education and insight on projects and activities.  In turn each year’s highlighted school documents their artistic endeavors to further inspire education in the arts and in creative reuse.  Previous schools that have been involved in this program include Rigler Elementary, Whitman Elementary and The Ivy School.

In 1998 a group of teachers were desperate to find a way to avoid throwing away leftover classroom materials each year and decided to incept SCRAP. They originally brought these items to a Portland Public School’s resource space, A Teacher’s Space, for other teachers and administrators to use.  This didn’t prove to be impactful enough, so in 1999 Joan Grimm and group of her peers applied for and received a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality to open a resuse center for the whole community.  We, the ReBuilding Center, were the first to donate a space for them to operate in.  In 2013 SCRAP PDX redirected over 140 tons of usable material from the waste stream.  In other words, SCRAP not only rules, but they are the arts and crafts equivalent to ReBuilding Center!

For more information or to sign up for Camp SCRAP or to learn more about SCRAP’s vision and educational opportunities please visit srcappdx.org

Take a Stand for Deconstruction!

TAKE A STAND FOR DECONSTRUCTION!

Wednesday, February 17th
City Hall
1221 SW 4th Ave.

sign up to testify by 1:30
hearing starts at 2:30

In 2015, 337 homes in Portland came down. Of those, only about 30 were deconstructed. The cost to our community, and to our planet, in terms of waste to the landfill, increased atmospheric carbon, not to mention the loss of valuable materials (that could have helped build a sustainable Portland) are calculable.

·      4,800 tons of materials sent to the dump

·      7,200 tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere

·      720,000 gallons of water wasted

·      4,800 tons of materials with a market value of more than $5,000,000 that could have been re-used or re-purposed to build a more sustainable Portland

In addition, the opportunity to create dozens of meaningful jobs with good pay and good benefits is lost.  

via ReBuildingCenter.org/Deconstruction-Services

On February 17the Portland City Council will consider a resolution that will mandate that all homes built more than 100 years ago must be deconstructed. The hearing begins at 2:30PM.

“The resolution would direct BPS to develop code language that:

Requires projects seeking a demolition permit for a one or two-family structure (house or duplex) to fully deconstruct that structure if:

1. The structure was built in 1916 or earlier; or
2. The structure is a designated historic resource.”

Demo permits per year built.

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Individuals who would like to testify should arrive no later than 1:30PM to sign up. Testimony will be limited to no more than three minutes, possibly two minutes depending upon the number of people who would like to testify. In an effort to testify within time limits, it is recommended that those who would like to testify should limit their remarks to just one topic.

I hope to see many of you there! Join us for happy hour drinks around the corner and deconstruct the Deconstruction hearing afterwards.

Stephen Reichard
Executive Director
The ReBuilding Center

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Check the links below for more info:

Habitat for Humanity article, "Decon Incentives to be Evaluated"

The City of Portland's Bureau of Planning & Sustainability "Proposed Deconstruction Requirement Recommendation"

Vote for ReBuilding Center!

New Seasons Market has nominated the Rebuilding Center to be on the ballot for their #BagItForward event, which offers customers the option to donate their reusable bag credits (5¢ each) to a non-profit. Vote for us in the "promoting environmental conservation" category! This is a huge opportunity for us, and could make a huge difference for our independent organization and our mission to strengthen the social and environmental vitality of local communities. If you are a New Seasons Market shopper, please vote January 13th – 26th at any New Seasons Solution Center.

Filmed by Bike, Portland, Oregon Film Festival Inspiring Movie Submission Opportunity!

“WE ARE INSPIRING A CULTURE WHERE CYCLING IS WOVEN SEAMLESSLY INTO EVERYDAY LIFE.”– Ayleen Crotty, Festival Director

Filmed by Bike, Portland, Oregon hosts an annual, gigantic festival in May that you don’t want to miss! Throughout the weekend, Filmed by Bike hosts a Street Party, filmmaker Q&A sessions, dance parties, Brewery Tour Bike Rides with the Filmmakers, and award ceremonies.

“Filmed by Bike movie collections are an exciting mix of movies that showcase a true love for cycling. Everyone leaves the theater inspired to ride bikes.” - Filmed by Bikes Take advantage of the opportunity to submit your own movie (25 minutes or less) before January 20, 2016. Approximately 35 movies are featured at the Festival, and are then shown throughout the world to inspire others to get on a bike. Entry information can be found here.

New to PDX Event @ The Rebuilding Center

Friday, December 11th
6pm - 8pm
The Rebuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi avenue

Want to meet new people? Do you like to be hands-on? Want to promote reuse? Come to The Rebuilding Center's New To PDX event and join up with like-minded individuals and build a friend base here in your new city!  Local volunteers are a vibrant and wonderful part of the Rose City.  Meet some new folks and help keep usable materials out of the waste stream.  We meet up every second Friday of every month.

Home Repair Help for Cully Seniors

Article by Annelise Kelly

For over 20 years, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI) has reinvested in Portland’s neighborhoods, preserved their diversity and provided tools to help low-income Portland families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Other programs operated by the PCRI include:

• Homeownership Education and Counseling
• Homeownership Retention
• Financial Wellness
• Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
• Youth Programs
• Community Centers
• Community Information and Referral Services

More info on PCRI's website →

Friday Sale, Giving Tuesday + Holiday Tree Lighting

We’ve got some holiday fun lined up for you!

WE ARE CLOSED ON THANKSGIVING

but reopen the next day for a...

FRIDAY SALE

November 27th
15% OFF all light fixtures & glass shades
50% OFF all tile
Regular hours: 10AM - 6PM

then on Saturday...

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

November 28th
Mississippi Commons (between N. Failing and N. Beech St.)

• Starts at 5PM / live entertainment at 6PM
• Free treats, cocoa and teas provided by Oregon Deli Co., Townshend’s Tea Company and New Seasons Market
• Pick up your Holiday Passports - shop and dine on Miss. Ave. participating businesses for prizes and a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE.

After you've enjoyed a big sale, joined us in a community even, it's time to give back.

GIVING TUESDAY

December 1st

10% of proceeds from purchases made at the Rebuilding Center as well as many other business on Mississippi Ave will go towards Boise-Eliot/Humboldt School. We are proud to be a part of this opportunity to support our kids. Shop at The Rebuilding Center to raise funds for Boise-Eliot School on #givingtuesday! #Oregoniansgive

Trade Show Training: Wednesday, November 11th

Trade Show Training
November 11th
6:30pm to 7:30pm

Time Commitment: After training, 3 - 8 hour shifts available throughout the year. Each event is different and flexible, so let us know what works for you!

Once a year, we offer this training to those of you who enjoy getting out in the community and connecting with people at events. We go to Trade Shows, Fix-It-Fairs, Sunday Parkways, Environmental Expos and many other community events. Tabling at these events is all about building connections and sharing your experience with, and knowledge of, The Rebuilding Center. We have a great line-up of community events on the schedule and look forward to involving all of you in the community outreach and information sharing. 

You will receive an email reminder 24 hrs prior the the event. Sign up below:

Mississippi Avenue Ice Cream Social

Last Tuesday, the Mississippi Avenue community hosted an ice cream social for the public.  Participating organizations included the ReBuilding Center, Laughing Planet, Radar Restaurant, Mississippi Pizza Pub, Salty's Pet Supply, and countless others. Here are a few photos that highlight the success of the event:

Thanks to all who participated in making this event a success!

Photos: Sean O'Connor/Our United Villages

May 31: National Macaroon Day DeNailing

May 31st is National Macaroon Day! Help us celebrate the magic of this European delicacy while de-nailing lumber.

Team up with other volunteers to salvage reusable lumber on Saturday, May 31st. The event will kick off with a small information session and then we’ll get down to business.

Coffee and macaroons will be available!

Click here to register for the event!

See this event on Facebook.

We will meet at our storage lot at 751 N. Cook St (behind Grand Central Bakery on Fremont).

The lot is just a couple streets over from The ReBuilding Center warehouse.

Saturday, May 31
11am to 3pm

TRC Storage Lot
751 N. Cook St
Portland, OR 97227

The lumber you’ll be working with comes from DeConstruction Services, which offers an affordable and sustainable alternative to conventional demolition. Working by hand, our crews salvage up to 85% of a building’s major components for reuse.

DeConstruction of an average 2000 sq ft house:
• Preserves 2,400 gallons of clean water
• Saves 33 mature trees
• Provides 907 additional hours of work at a living wage
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 2.9 cars off the road for a year

Learn more about DeConstruction, or watch a DeConstruction time lapse.

In addition, the sale of donated items supports the Community Legacy Program - a free resource for sharing community-building stories, strategies and ideas.

Learn more about Community Legacy.

Creative Commons photo by mkream.

May 17: Living Legacy Story - Chinelos Dancers

Join us for this dynamic and vibrant event featuring, Orgullo Morelense Cemiac, a Chinelos dance group on Saturday, May 17th from 1-3pm.

Chinelos are the best-known Carnival dancers in Mexico and are easily recognizable with their elaborate costumes and distinctive jump-like dance. The Chinelos group, Orgullo Morelense Cemiac, was started in Portland, OR in 2009 by Alex Arenales as a way to teach his children about the customs and traditions of his hometown of Morelos, Mexico. Alex and his Chinelos Dancers enliven and build community in Portland through their vibrant cultural sharing.

This event will include a viewing of the colorful, intricate costumes at 1pm, as well as a live performance at 2pm.

The performance will take place at the Community Trees area at The ReBuilding Center, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave. Everyone is invited to this free community event.

This event is hosted by the Community Legacy Program of Our United Villages, a free resource for sharing community-building stories, strategies and ideas.

Saturday, May 17
1pm to 3pm

The ReBuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227