Mission Statement

Our Mission Statement:
The Equity in Active Transportation Committee is focused on collaborative approaches to providing culturally competent and relevant transportation related programming in low income communities of color in the Portland Metro area. The Committee is comprised of program level staff from various agencies who are engaged in transportation program design, implementation and delivery.

The Equity in Active Transportation Committee was founded by the Community Cycling Center in 2010, and continues to be moderated and facilitated by them.

Goals

The goals of the Equity in Active Transportation Committee are:
1. To effectively collaborate as transportation focused agencies with our partner organizations that serve low income and communities of color in Portland, Oregon.
2. To share resources and challenges in providing culturally competent outreach, community engagement, leadership empowerment and program delivery in low income and communities of color.
3. To share resources and connections with our partner organizations to better provide ongoing support in a manner that best suits the needs of each specific community.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

OPAL Seeking Transportation Justice Organizers!

Summer Organizing with OPAL!

OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon (Organizing People-Activating Leaders) is seeking two to four Summer Organizers-in-Training to work on our Transit Justice and Health Equity base-building campaign. OPAL works with low-income and communities of color in East Portland around public transportation and health concerns.  Strong candidates will have an understanding of social, economic and environmental justice, an interest in multiracial, intergenerational community building, and a demonstrated commitment to rigorous grassroots organizing, outreach and education.  OPAL is a 501c3 intercultural grassroots nonprofit empowering working class communities and people of color to promote environmental and social justice.
Position is a 40 hour/week internship with a stipend of $1000 per month for work beginning June 27 and ending September 2, 2011.  The position also includes a bus pass.
OPAL’s Organizer-in-Training is an internship program with the goal of:
  • Teaching principles of environmental, economic, racial and social justice
  • Training for grassroots community organizing and leadership development
  • Providing hands on field experience to engage with community members
Organizer-in-Training Activities:
  • Classroom leadership development 6-8 hours/week focused on building knowledge and skills for social justice community organizing and community development
  • Field experience working alongside OPAL community organizers and Bus Rider Unite member leaders doing direct organizing with transit riders, including surveying, phone banking, follow-up meetings, community presentations
  • Administrative duties including databasing, record-keeping
Organizer-in-Training Qualifications:
  • Bicultural experience, understanding, cross-cultural vision
  • Bilingual, ability to speak English and any one of the following languages: Spanish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali
  • Demonstrated interest in grassroots community based organizing
  • Strong verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment managing various timelines
People of Color, women, and low-income residents of East Portland are strongly encouraged to apply!
Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references by email only to jobs@opalpdx.org by April 29th, 2011
Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, Co-Director
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon 2407 SE 49th Avenue, Portland, OR 97206  (503)512-0490