Monday, Mar. 8, 2021
In response to the 2020 Labor Day fires, we invested in disaster recovery and resilience through a racial equity lens and launched the Wildfire Response and Recovery Fund, raising more than $700,000 to support 30 disaster impacted organizations in Oregon. We listened to the experiences of community-based organizations (CBOs) activated by these fires to learn how systemic inequalities impact Oregon’s communities from receiving support they need during a crisis. Across the state, culturally specific and culturally responsive organizations stepped up to serve their communities during climate disasters. We prioritized grants to these organizations, as they became de-facto disaster rapid response teams, often having to put their regular missions to the side during the crisis.
This report captures what we learned from our grantees, as we work to build trust and redirect resources to organizations with deep connections in their communities. We are grateful to leaders on the frontlines, working diligently to uplift their communities. We are also grateful to our partners and funders, who share our commitment to centering racial equity in disaster relief and recovery.
Download the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette Wildfire Response and Recovery Fund Report below
DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT (SPANISH) HERE
Our nonprofit partner, LoveOne, providing meals and other resources to families impacted by the fires.
Unite Oregon members and families helped distribute 80 food bags to families affected by the wildfire.
Pineros y Campesinos del Noroeste (PCUN) supported with emergency response, translations (including of evacuation orders), education, food, and basic emergency needs.
Our nonprofit partner, LoveOne, providing mobile showers, personal hygiene items and other resources to families impacted by the fires.
Our nonprofit partner Micronesian Islander Community providing food boxes to support evacuees due to the wildfires.
Unite Oregon staff and members posting bilingual flyers about voting.