(Left: Julia Weinand, EMO Public Policy Associate & UP alumna with fellow Jesuit Volunteer in front)
~Contributed by Michelle Bush, EMO Associate Director Communications
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Profile
What is the Mission of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO)?
EMO brings together diverse communities of faith to learn, serve and advocate for justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
What are some of EMO’s Current Initiatives?
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon meets the immediate needs of communities in the greater Portland area through our six direct service programs, while seeking long-term solutions through state-wide public policy and advocacy work. Our direct service programs support refugees and immigrants, food insecure people, low-income people living with HIV, unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness, and survivors of domestic violence. In 2022, we served 133,886 people through our programs.
Our Public Policy Advocacy team provides pathways for EMO clients, community members and Oregonians of faith to bring about change in the U.S. Congress, at the Oregon State Capitol and in local government. During the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, our Public Policy team took a lead role in coalitions that successfully advocated for increased state funding to support refugees and youth experiencing homelessness in Oregon and advancing environmental justice efforts to make our communities more climate resilient. Our current Legislative Priorities include: Welcoming the Stranger, Sheltering the Houseless, Advancing Climate Justice, and Securing Criminal Justice Reform.
How can the UP Business Support EMO?
You can support EMO’s work by volunteering, donating or creating a partnership with one of our direct service programs. Financial gifts help further our work to advocate for the marginalized and serve those in need. Volunteers also play a critical role in letting us meet the needs of Oregonians, from distributing food at our Northeast Emergency Food Program to serving as a host for high school students experiencing homelessness through our Second Home program. If you represent a business that would like to form a partnership with us, we would love to hear from you! You can find information about volunteering at emoregon.org/volunteer/ and donating at emoregon.org/donate/
Can you share a brief History of EMO?
EMO was founded in 1974, following the merger of the Oregon Council of Churches and the Portland Council of Churches. EMO remains one of the longest established ecumenical organizations in the United States.
Statistics from the first half of 2023:
- 133 refugees resettled by Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR); countries of origin include Afghanistan, Burma, Central African Republic, Congo, Iran, Somalia, former Soviet Union and Syria
- 907 consultations provided and 159 applications /petitions filed for low-income immigrants and refugees at SOAR Immigration Legal Services
- 55 families received ongoing domestic violence/sexual assault case management support, housing assistance, safety planning and more at Slavic Oregon Social Services
- Approximately 900,000 pounds of food distributed to 21,200 families at Northeast Emergency Food Program
- 10,285 meals provided to 130 HIV Services clients living with HIV/AIDS
- 4 of 5 Second Home unaccompanied youth graduated high school this June; the fifth is working toward graduation
Can you share some of EMO’s Client Stories?
Second Home
Second Home provided more than just safe housing, it connected me with people who loved, supported and believed in me. I am blessed to say my host family has remained a core part of my life since high school, and we remain very good friends to this day. If any student found themselves in a situation like mine, without housing, I would absolutely hope and pray that they could get connected with an excellent host home like Second Home did for me. Having stable housing with a host family who wants to have you around, opens their home to you and are willing to support you in your endeavors makes all the difference at a critical time of life.
SOAR Legal
My Name is Shakib, and I’m from Afghanistan. My wife and I were evacuated after the collapse of the Afghan government. We were confused and were traumatized by the incidents in Afghanistan. I would like to commend and appreciate the work of SOAR Immigration Legal Services. They immediately started processing our cases to get us permanent status in the United States. My family members and I are grateful and acknowledge SOAR Legal’s work. I’m confident that SOAR Legal will take care of our legal process that will have a positive impact on our lives in the long term.
How can someone connect with EMO?
Please visit – https://emoregon.org/