Seth Prickett
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ELIOT NEWS A Publication of Eliot Neighborhood Association Volume 26 · Number 4 Fall 2017 New 52-unit Apartment Building Seth Prickett: The Waypost to Kick-off Cascadia’s Health Owner and Philanthropist and Wellness Campus By Sue Stringer hirteen years ago, Seth Prick- By Angela Kremer ett’s life was changed by a T decision participate in a study abroad program while attending Lin- field College. He was the fifth- generation to be born and raised in Washington County, and he was ea- ger to go somewhere far away and culturally different. The class offered in Ghana, Africa seemed to fit both of those desires. Ghana was the first sub-Saharan colony to gain its inde- pendence in 1957. Ghana hosts a di- Seth Pricket, The Waypost co- verse population and is an example of owner, real estate agent and democratic success. Prickett was a philanthropist political science major and was also teach a 4th grade class and kept work- arlington Place Apartments cadia has carefully planned the pro- active in student government at Lin- ing on the plans for the new school. will open its doors in February cess. They plan to hire a half-time field. The history course he took that He continued funding these improve- G 2018, offering 52 housing op- resident services coordinator and a January was “Emergence of Modern ments by sending Ghanaian baskets tions including studios, one-bedroom full time on-site manager to support Ghana,” and his project looked at the home to his parents, which they sold and two-bedroom units. The four- integration into the community, as political structure of the country and at their church. how it manifested from 1957 to to- story apartments will anchor the well as an application support staff, The Amonfro Primary School was northern corner of Monroe Street and who will be available at the North/ day. What started as just a curiosity about Ghana’s culture and history completed in 2007 and ended up Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Northeast libraries during the applica- costing about $22,000. Prickett read offering 31 units for anyone qualified, tion acceptance window from October became a humanitarian and philan- th th thropic venture that has helped to Three Cups of Tea around that time-- with preference for former North and 16 to 30 . Check websites of both shape the future of Ghanaian children a memoir about Greg Mortenson’s Northeast Portland residents. In addi- Portland Housing Bureau and Cas- for years to come. work building several schools in the tion, 10 units will be for Veterans who cadia Behavioral Health for details. middle east--and felt inspired to do qualify and who are facing homeless- At the end of the term in Ghana, more. So he set up a 501c3 and start- ness, as well as 10 units for people Garlington Place was designed for Prickett and 14 other students wanted ed planning the next project. with mental health challenges. Cas- bringing people together. “The design to return the favor of generous hospi- cadia will begin accepting Garlington of the building, from the inception of tality for their guide, Charles Abakah. A trip to Big Milly’s Backyard, a Place applications through the Port- integrating health and housing, to the Abakah welcomed the students into beach hang out in Ghana, proved land Housing Bureau’s Preference site design, kitchen and exercise, is fruitful. Prickett met David Ash, who th his home and showed them around Policy on Monday, October 16 in part of encouraging people to connect his community of Amonfro. The stu- said he started a nonprofit to build anticipation of new tenants moving with the community and improve dents wanted to know what Amon- and renovate schools. “That’s what I in as soon as February 2018. This their lives and health,” according to fro’s greatest need was. The guide do!” exclaimed Prickett. Ash’s non- article is the third in a series describ- Jim Hlava, VP of Cascadia Housing. showed them many parts of the com- profit, Building for a Future Genera- ing Cascadia's Garlington Health and Living at the heart of Martin Luther munity including the primary school. tion (BFG), was based out of Ghana Wellness campus, and explains the King Jr. Blvd. and Monroe Street will It was a lean-to with no real protec- and they didn’t have a funding Garlington Place amenities and appli- include Garlington health and well- tion from the elements, so if it was source. Seth had worked in the politi- cation process. ness activities, as well as access to rainy or too hot the kids could not cal world back in the U.S. so he knew Eliot’s eclectic mix of nonprofits, attend class. This meant that they how to have a fundraiser. Prickett When Garlington Place Apartments faith centers, music and art venues, were not getting their educational founded Framework International and opens in a few months, it will offer a and restaurants. needs met for a large percentage of partnered with BFG. BFG watches unique, beautiful, and thoughtful the year. over what happens on the ground place for people to call home. Cas- Cascadia is one of the largest mental while Framework International raises (See GARLINGTON PLACE, page 11) The Ghanaian students’ enthusiasm funds. Each year in September, for learning and the Linfield students’ Framework International holds a gar- desire to help them have a safe and den party to raise funds for the new reliable school building led to a pro- and existing school projects. ject to rebuild the local primary school. The value of the U.S. dollar Framework International is now serv- goes alot further in Ghana than in the ing about 1700 students and has built states, and the Linfield students felt a total of four schools. that they could raise enough money. Last year, the nonprofit focused on They headed back to Oregon with maintenance by repairing and reno- motivation to complete the project. vating the original school. They re- Back in the states, Prickett was elect- placed the roof and added a veranda ed student body president. Each year, which kept the classrooms cooler and Linfield College students select a gave the students a shaded place to sit charity to receive the proceeds from outside. their fundraising efforts. As presi- In 2008 Prickett moved into our NE dent, Prickett decided that this charity Portland neighborhood. Wanting to would be the Amonfro School. own a bar, he was intrigued when a “Usually they chose large charities mutual friend, Nathaniel Applefield, like the Red Cross, which is just a connected him to the owner of the drop in the bucket and we wanted to Waypost. Michael Newman had make a bigger impact,” says Prickett. owned the bar since 2006 and started They raised half of the money needed talking to Prickett in 2010 about be- by the time he graduated. After grad- uation, he went back to Ghana to (See PRICKETT, page 10) Eliot Neighborhood Association Neighborhood Eliot Portland, OR 97212 OR Portland, Eliot Neighborhood Association Letter from the Editor By Sue Stringer The Eliot Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose members are the residents and business owners of the Eliot Neighborhood. Its purpose is to inform all is here and it always helps housing complex on MLK and Cook, Eliot residents about issues affecting the neighborhood through meetings, newsletters me approach life with a differ- and the long awaited and debated and other activities. Members of the neighborhood association must be over 14 years old ent lens. The leaves change development of the block owned by and live, own property, have a business, or represent a nonprofit within the F neighborhood. The Eliot Neighborhood Association was founded in 1969. It is recognized color and float to the ground, giving Legacy Emanuel on Williams and by the City of Portland, is a member of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, Inc., us a wider and clearer view of our Russell. and its members represent Eliot on other committees. city. Sometimes it takes looking at things from a different angle to see All the residents of these buildings Eliot Board the benefits and opportunities of and offices have talents to bring to Co-Chair - Jere Fitterman – [email protected] 503-504-9308 change. the table and the older residents of Co-Chair - Patricia Montgomery - [email protected] 503-758-1263 Eliot also have perspective and tal- There is a lot of change happening in ents to share. It seems to be a com- Recorder- Shireen Hasan - [email protected] Eliot. Since January of 2016, our mon thread in a lot of conversations Treasurer - Jim Hlava – [email protected] 503-998-3406 neighborhood has gained over 400 that I have with residents as I take my News Editor - Sue Stringer – [email protected] 971-255-0697 new residential and business address. daily walk around Eliot. That means that at least 1000 new Ronnie Blocker - 503-287-5840 people are experiencing our neigh- One such conversation was with Jim- Wes Ayers – [email protected] 503-784-1678 borhood, maybe for the first time or my Wilson, the manager of the food perhaps returning after being away carts on Vancouver and Fremont. He Johnny Engleheart Noel –[email protected] for a while. feels that his carts have brought op- Angela Kremer – [email protected] 503-284-9136 portunity to our neighborhood by In addition to all the new residential providing jobs to food cart owners Joan Ivan – [email protected] 503-265-5868 buildings and offices that have al- who want to share their talents.