Dear Friends,
This past Monday, I had the profound pleasure of taking my Black, 9-year-old grandson, King–named after the man we were there to celebrate–to the “Reclaim Martin Luther King Jr. Day” march that weaved its way through the streets of NE Portland. Despite the feeling of warm sun against our chilled faces, the powerful voices of so many singing in united harmony, and the elated solidarity we found in widely shared beliefs and values–we knew our optimism would be quickly tempered by one look at our alerting phones.
I know that many of us are still unsure of what the new administration will mean for ourselves, our friends and families, and our community. Critical questions about trans-inclusive health care, resources for underserved communities, protections for American citizens from birth, and so many more uncertainties are on the hearts and minds of our staff, supporters, and the people we serve. I wish I could make predictions or promises to easily erase all the concerns weighing on the Friendly House community, but I can’t.
I do want to reassure this community of the few things that I do know. Currently, Friendly House receives very little federal funding. The bit we do get is tied up in a complex web of state and county funds, protected by local and regional laws that we anticipate will complicate any attempts to be rescinded. It is reasonable to expect lengthy legal battles to delay any imminent impact, and, even if those legal battles are lost, I have great confidence in the Friendly House community to step in and help augment any loss of funds for our most underserved community members.
Friendly House is and will remain committed to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion. We will continue to prioritize support for people who face extraordinary barriers to accessing services, giving special attention to LGBTQ+ elders, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants and refugees, the unhoused, the aged, the differently abled, single parents and low-income families. Our services will not change based on any administration, unless they are to expand to better meet the needs of more people, and as we’ve done for almost 95 years, Friendly House will continue adapting to meet new and emerging needs in our community.
Friendly House’s commitment to our community:
Our trans and nonbinary community will not be made invisible in our House. Friendly House SEES you, and we are here for you.
No human being is illegal in our House. We are committed to working within the law to help protect Friendly House members and families from illegal and unethical separation or deportation.
Black and Brown lives matter in our House. Friendly House invites and welcomes all Black, Indigenous, and other people of color to participate, reciprocate, and thrive in this community.
These are not radical slogans, but rather time-tested, proven measures for building and maintaining a healthy, thriving, diverse, and mutually beneficial community, which is the very core of Friendly House’s mission. We look forward to working with this community for the next four years, and well beyond, to be certain that we have the necessary training, skills, empathy and energy to protect ourselves and each other.
For anyone looking to become involved with your local community, Friendly House needs you more than ever. We’re calling on potential volunteers to lend their time and talents to assist with children, participants, and clients; help with fundraising; set up and clean up at events; help with outreach; and to provide leadership by serving on boards and committees. There are important roles for everyone, and everyone is welcome at our House.
“We may all have come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
–Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In solidarity,
Mya Chamberlin, Executive Director