Zoom Webinar
April 4, 2023 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us on April 4th when a panel of community leaders will discuss chronic homelessness as a public health issue. They will explain how they are trying to provide health care and shelter to people with mental illness and/or addiction, and the need for more shelters, and supportive affordable low-income housing.  

Members of the public are invited to join us for this Zoom Webinar, by registering on or before April 3 at 8 pm.  To register, complete the short registration form here, or enter the following link in your browser: https://forms.gle/ooRW5NfePQkixxCZA. LWVPDX members do not need to register and will receive a Zoom link before the meeting.

The panel includes: 

Jill Kahnert, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, retired from Central City Concern, will talk about persons who are homeless and adrift, and the high prevalence of both mental illness and addiction for adults and youth.

 

Jason Renaud, LWVPDX League member, and Voluntary Managing Director of the Mental Health Association of Portland, will explain the perils of not providing health care to people with mental illness or addiction, and who have experienced trauma resulting from homelessness. He will also moderate the program.

 

Scott Kerman, Executive Director, Blanchet House, will speak about how trauma, the mental health crisis, and self-medicating with dangerous substances impact people in our community, and the lack of resources and access.

 

Rachael Duke, Executive Director of Community Partners for Affordable Housing, will discuss how a person moves from shelter to long-term housing, to transitional or to permanent supportive housing and what success looks like.

 

This program may be viewed on public access television channels at the   times listed below.