MLK Day project with Rosewood Initiative

Confluence AmeriCorps and Playworks, in partnership with the Rosewood Initiative, joined together to serve the East Portland's Rosewood neighborhood in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Working closely with Mariel Mota, an AmeriCorps VISTA Member with Rosewood Initiative, Confluence AmeriCorps Members Vini Nguyen and Kate Hamel planned a day or service, education, reflection and celebration for nearly 50 AmeriCorps Members, staff and community members.  After enjoying donated pastries, coffees and snacks, we split into small teams and participated in icebreakers facilitated by the Playworks members and then headed out into the neighborhood. Per the request of neighborhood residents, our teams removed graffiti, trimmed hedges to create safe lines of site, and picked up over 60 bags of trash and recyclables. Being out in the community was a great chance to meet new people, share stories with each other, and learn more about the neighborhood. We cleaned over 4 square blocks (about 40 acres) that included local business, apartment complexes, storm drains and green spaces. In the afternoon we were joined by Chief Justice Paul De Muniz who spoke of his passion for creating strong and healthy communities. We closed the day with small group reflections before heading out to enjoy the last bit of sunshine.