The Urban League VIEW Vol. 3, No. 2 "48 Years of Quality Service" Summer/Fall 1993 Published by the Urban League of Portland 10 North Russell St. Portland, OR 97227 (503) 280-2600 Computer Training and new job services open at League Free computer trainingfor low-income job seekers is now available at the Urban League, thanks to a $300,000 grant awarded by the Meyer Memorial Trust and in-kind donations from IBM Corporation.The three-year grant also allows the League to expand its Interim Director Cletus Moore, Jr. services for adult job seekers. Cletus B. Moore, Jr. The new Urban League/IBM Computer training students Anthony Lavine and- named Urban League Computer Training Center opened in Billy Rucker (left to right) at new Center. interim director September at the League's 10 N. Russell building.IBM Corporationplacement assistance from the League's Cletus B. Moore, Jr. has been named interim provided 27 personal computers, softwareEmployment Department."Now we can director of the Urban League of Portland byand other materials."Dr. Tukufu andtake a client through career counseling, job the Executive Committee of the UrbanEducation Director Herman Lessard weretraining, placement assistance, and League board of directors. two very persuasive negotiators," notedfollow-up after the hire is made," said the IBM Portland area manager Bruce LeaderLeague's Dr. Tukufu. The Meyer grant will Moore, who is 46, is currently the League'sat the opening. also allow the Employment Department to vicepresidentoffinanceand offer more flexible service hours, schedule administration.He will become interimThe training center offers 15-week courses indesk-toppublishing,network more workshops for job seekers, and expand director after current Urban League job retention and outreach recruitment management, database management, Word President Darryl Tukufu, Ph.D. leaves on services. October 31 to assume a new position asPerfect and Lotus. Studies have indicated a director of the Public Services Institute atshortage of skilled workers in these areas inComputer courses are offered on a sliding Lorain County Community College outsidethe Portland metro area. "We believe thatfee scale, with no charge for low income Cleveland, Ohio (see article on page 3). advanced computer training offers jobclients.Enrollment is open to both seekers the fastest path to a family wageunemployed and employed job seekers. Moore will serve as interim director until ajob," said Herman Lessard, who directs theThe next term of classes begins in January. permanent president and chief executive center. For more information, contact Sue Sargent officer is appointed. Urban League board at (503) 280-2600. chair Gina Wood expects that appointmentTraining graduates will receive job will take place "within six months". Those on hand for opening As interim director Moore's primary duty day at the new Computer will be to maintain the League's current Training Center included Urban League President Dr. programs. He will report to an operational Darryl Tukufu, Meyer committee composed of three Board Memorial Trust Program Of- members: Joan Brown-Kline, president of ficer Gloria Gostnell, IBM Brown-Kline and Company; Elizabeth Portland Area Manager Kutza, Ph.D., director of Portland State Bruce Leader and Urban University's Institute of Aging; and League Education Director William Spivey, Ph.D., vice president, Herman Lessard Jr. business alliances for Tektronix, Inc. (continued on page three) New Urban League Street Academy helps drop-outs get back into school A new Street Academy at the Urban Leaguea school setting." will function as an alternative school for up Dr. Bierwirth emphasized that funding is to 50 youth who have left public schools in Portland. Portland Public Schools awardedcontingent on youth remaining in the program. The Urban League will send a bill the Urban League up to $202,800 to operate the program, contingent on the Leagueonce a month to the school district detailing recruiting and retaining students for thehow many students are involved in the program. program. The Street Academy will be based at the "We are extremely happy to offer a program Urban League's Whitney M. Young, Jr. for students who have dropped out or been Education and Cultural Center, which has pushed out of a traditional school setting," said Urban League President Dr. Darrylprovided after-school tutorial assistance to students for the past decade. Students will Tukufu."The Street Academy will help New Guild President Peggy Ross dropouts and pushouts find a way tohave an opportunity to remain at the Street continue an education that will help themAcademy or transition into one of Portland's public schools. Peggy Ross elected achieve their dreams." President of Guild The Center's facilities include study space The Urban League program is one of three for 70 students, computers and aThe Urban League of Portland Guild has in Portland that received grants totaling half elected Peggy C. Ross president for a million dollars.Dr. Jack Bierwirth,multicultural reference library. The Center is housed in the Urban League's main 1993/95. The Guild is a volunteer auxiliary Superintendent of Portland Public Schools, building, providing students with easyof the Urban League that supports the said the programs were made possible by a access to other League programs, such as League with special events, fund raisers and change in state law that allocates revenue to service programs. school districts based on the number ofcounseling, a Computer Training Center, and the Male and Female Responsibility students. "We estimate that there are 2500 Peggy is development services manager programs. to 3500 school age youth in Portland who with the Oregon Association of Minority are not attending school," Dr. BierwirthStaff request the community's help inEntrepreneurs. An Arkansas native, Peggy said."We can now channel revenue toidentifying youth who are eligible for thehas lived in Portland since 1977. She was programs like the Street Academy that willStreet Academy.For information,formerly the Guild's vice president. identify drop-outs and bring them back into contact Mia Sims at (503) 280-2600. Also elected to two-year terms were: Our Children's Store o Faye Burch, Vice President supports League and o Seona Baldwin, Secretary other youth charities Peggy's number one goal is to "make the Our Guild a strong supporter for Urban League Holiday shoppers can purchase some great programs, especially youth programs. The gifts and support their favorite youth charity Guild is an excellent way to get the at the sametimethis ycarThe Al Char'.ren's community more involved in the Urban League and 33 other non-profits that serve League." children are selling gifts through December at Our Children's Store at 510 SW Store For Guild information, call 280-2615. Broadway in downtown Portland. The store was organized by CASA of Gifts are available for all ages -- from League dedicates Shelly Multnomah County (Court AppointedHill Conference Room handmade ornaments to cookbooks andSpecial Advocates) to help it and other t-shirts.Urban League items include non-profit children's agencies raise neededThe Urban League recently held a clothing created by Spike Lee and t-shirts funds to help our children. dedication ceremony for the E. Shelton Hill with positive messages for youth.The Conference Room, named in honor of the Urban League will receive 85% to 100% ofVolunteers are also needed to help work at former League director who died in the revenue from items it sells.Prices are the store.For information, call OurFebruary at age 89. "Shelly" Hill directed very reasonable. Children's Store at (503) 223-5029. the League from 1956 to 1973.Shelly's wife Helloise and former League employees URBAN LEAGUE OF PORTLAND MISSION STATEMENT joined Dr. Tukufu, staff and Board chair The mission of the Urban League of Portland is to help African Americans and others Gina Wood at the dedication. On the same achieve parity and economic self-sufficiency through advocacy, community problem day the Oregon Senate passed a resolution solving, partnerships, and by conducting programs designed to strengthen the growth honoring Hill's "inestimable contribution to and development of individuals, families and communities. the causes of liberty and justice for all." President's Column Assisted in raising the League's role as an advocate. "We'll leave with some good memories" There are two additional reasons why we have decided to leave and they are really the It is with both sadness and excitement that I two most important. First, is that both my announce my resignation as President and wife and I are very attached to our families. Chief Executive Officer for The Urban It has been difficult to travel to the Midwest League of Portland effective October 31. or the South to get together with "family." The sadness comes in part from the many We decided in 1991, after residing here for friends and acquaintances that my family a year that we were going to stick to our and I have made during the 3 1/2 plus years timetable of 3-5 years then try to relocate that we have resided in Portland. closer to family. The excitement comes from accepting a Second, is the whole issue related to position as the Executive Director of the diversity. We are accustomed to residing in Public Services Institute at Lorain County areas, or close to areas, with larger Community College, just west of populations of people of color, particularly Cleveland, Ohio. In this position, I will be African Americans.There are many at the cutting edge in what some consider to individuals in Portland that I credit for being be a national model in using the resources serious in their attempt to diversify of higher education to improve the capacity Dr. Darryl Tukufu Portland.I have gained a genuine of public leadership. appreciation for all races and ethnic groups During the past few years, I have grown toaccomplishments were: beyond the superficial cordiality that I believe that most of us have experienced really appreciate the potential and current Assisted in eliminating a $400,000 deficit.