THRIVE In East Portland
OUR MISSION
Thrive East PDX is a community coalition whose mission is to facilitate and support the Thrive East PDX community resilience programs that benefit all residents of the neighborhood District 1. Thrive East PDX is working to foster diverse communities that provide opportunities for residents to THRIVE and not just survive by centering the voices of all residents, especially those underserved and underrepresented by identifying and prioritizing programs that build neighborhood resilience, create connection and create thriving communities. Thrive East PDX defines community resilience as “the ability to withstand and recover from disruptions. A resilient community has social and environmental systems that are less vulnerable to disruption and more able to recover and adapt when disruption does occur.”
Our Purpose
Thrive East PDX aims to foster connections between community organizations and members of the neighborhoods of District 1 by facilitating opportunities for better collaboration. All residents, community organizations and agencies are welcome to participate in the initiatives and programs of this coalition.
Our Values
As a Coalition of Partners, we value actions that recognize and respect equity and inclusion for all residents.
- We acknowledge the racial, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and cultural diversity of residents in our communities (including LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) as a strength of our neighborhoods.
- We promote equitable, innovative, resilient and forward-thinking planning for thriving neighborhoods.
- The undeserved and underrepresented are entitled to access resources and services that promote community resilience in response to disruptive events like health, climate or environmental emergencies.
- Education, food security and cultural stability are rights that all communities in East Portland should have.
THRIVE EAST PDX PRIORITY PROGRAMS FOR 2025-2026:
Thrive East PDX works to transform the neighborhoods of Portland encompassing voting District 1 into a vital, dynamic and thriving area for residents and families who live there.
Our coalition of organizations and community members aspire to transform public policy and process to better represent the viewpoint and perspective of East Portland residents. Residents of our community have vital knowledge and lived experience to contribute solutions to our greatest economical and ecological challenges.
Our Workgroups
Community Resilience Initiative
The project promotes community resilience hubs as place-based resources for community connections advocating “blue sky” events that are positive and affirming for the community. When extreme climate events, disasters or public health alerts and mitigations are needed those “blue-sky” resilience hub facilities become the trusted, disaster mitigation locations that neighbors already know and are familiar with in each neighborhood.
Green Infrastructure & Shade EQUITY Initiative
The workgroup brings together community and business groups to increase the number of drought-resistant native trees and shrubs to be planted along major commercial streets. We will plant trees and create shaded seating areas to reduce impact of climate extremes relating to heat in our neighborhoods.
Thrive East PDX Economic Equity Initiative wORKGROUP
Economic Equity Workgroup represent community volunteers and coalition Partners. We have contributed to development of the three new TIF districts in this area and served on many City advisory groups to examine past and present ideas for economic equity for neighborhood residents.
DEVOTED TO SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Thrive East PDX acknowledges and recognizes that access to civic engagement is highly unequal and an antiquated model of effecting change. People have enormous untapped collective knowledge and expertise that can and should inform and direct the public investments made on our behalf. This is particularly true for marginalized groups—people of color, poor and working-class people, youth and immigrants/refugees that face the greatest barriers to accessing government decision-making.
Why Join Thrive?
Benefits of the Thrive East PDX Initiative
Our Partners
The presence and power of the voices of residents in East Portland neighborhoods is increased and expanded by these organizations:
Community Stories
Thrive East PDX Presents:
ALEX CHIU AND THE LEADERS OF EAST PORTLAND
Check out more community stories below:
Community stories made possible with funding help from Seeding Justice.