As we prepare to welcome a new Director to the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) this summer, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the many community partners and organizations who have walked alongside us during this foundational phase. Your insights, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to advancing equity and belonging for immigrant and refugee communities across Oregon have shaped this work in deep and lasting ways.
Your partnership has not only helped establish the foundation for OIRA’s future—it continues to anchor us in the values and relationships that make this work both meaningful and possible.
Next week, we invite you to join us for a special town hall event to meet the finalists for the Director position. This is an important opportunity for all of us to engage in dialogue, share our hopes for the future, and hear directly from the candidates who may lead OIRA into its next chapter.
Thank you sincerely for your time, your voice, and your continued support as we move forward together.
With gratitude,
Cheryl Miller, Interim Director OIRA
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Please share with your networks.
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Feel free to bring your lunch! You are welcome to eat in the room during the event.
Location: 1430 Tandem Ave NE, Salem, OR 97301, Clyde Saiki Conference Room (free parking is available on-site; the parking and entrance for the Clyde Saiki Conference Room are located behind the building at 1430 Tandem Ave NE in Salem. An ODHS Staff member will be available to provide access to this secure building.)
Format: In-person and online (Candidates will attend in person)
Zoom Registration and RSVP requested: Register here to let us know if you’ll be attending in-person or online.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) invites community members and staff to a special town hall event to meet the final candidates for the Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA).
This is your opportunity to hear directly from the finalists, learn about their vision and experience, and engage in a dialogue about the future of immigrant and refugee advancement in Oregon.
We welcome your participation as we continue this important recruitment process.
For questions or accessibility needs (ADA or language), please contact us at crystal.r.marion@odhs.oregon.gov by Monday, May 19, 2025, at 5 PM.
We hope to see you there—either in person or online.
Tracking federal changes in Oregon -- Joint ODHS/OHA webinar on May 29
There are a number of changes at the federal level that Oregon state agencies are tracking. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) warmly invite you to attend an hour-long webinar that will provide an opportunity to connect with us and receive updates about federal changes impacting Oregon.
Details:
- Thursday, May 29, 2025
- Virtual via Zoom
- English: 10 to 11 a.m. (Pacific Time); Spanish: 2 to 3 p.m. (Pacific Time)
What to expect:
- All participant microphones will be muted.
- There will be an option to submit written questions.
- This webinar will not be recorded.
- This meeting will be virtual-only. This meeting will screen share and use PowerPoint slides.
- Materials shared during the webinar will be e-mailed to all registrants. You can also find information on the ODHS web page and the OHA web page.
For people who speak or use a language other than English, people with disabilities or people who need additional support, we can provide free help. Some examples are:
- Sign language and spoken language interpreters
- Written materials in other languages or transcript
- Braille
- Real-time captioning (CART)
- Large print
- Virtual platform change
- Audio and other formats
Please contact Fabiola Herrera at mayra.f.herrera-hernandez@oha.oregon.gov or 503-979-6984 (voice or text), at least 48 hours before the start of the webinar to request an accommodation. We will make every effort to provide services requested after the 48-hour deadline. We accept all relay calls. If you need an accommodation, please contact us right away, even if you are only considering attending. The earlier you make a request the more likely we can meet the need.
The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement is excited to announce that we have received a small grant from our national partner, the Office of New Americans Network, to promote immigrant inclusion across the state. The Office will utilize this grant to partner with immigrant serving organizations and institutions in two rural communities, Northeastern Oregon’s Umatilla and Morrow Counties and Southern Oregon’s Jackson and Josephine Counties, to better understand existing barriers to equitable service delivery.
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The Unemployment Insurance program gives money to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced through no fault of their own. Weekly benefits are paid to support people as they actively look for work.
If you have lost your job or if your employer has cut your hours, you may be eligible for benefits. Benefits are not public assistance and will not affect immigration status.If you have already filed an initial application for unemployment benefits, you are ready to file every week and get the benefits you are eligible for! The fastest way to apply is through Frances Online. You can apply over the phone by calling 877-File-4-UI (877-345-3484).
Available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Lao, Somali, Amharic, and Arabic.
Use this form to apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
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World Refugee Day 2025 Walk Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM (Walk starts at 6:00 PM)
Location: Downtown Portland Waterfront Starting Point: Salmon Street Springs Fountain
Route Options:
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Adventurous Route:Steel Bridge → Eastbank Esplanade → Tilikum Crossing
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Humble Route:Steel Bridge → Eastbank Esplanade → Hawthorne Bridge
🎒 Grab your World Refugee Day care bags upon arrival (while supplies last). 👕 Wear what’s comfortable! Previous years’ World Refugee Day T-shirts welcome.
🌳 After the walk, we invite you to take time to recover under the trees on the waterfront, connect, and build community.
🌍 Why We Walk: This event is part of the United Nations World Refugee Day initiative—shining a light on forced displacement and affirming our collective commitment to human dignity and belonging. No speeches, no banners—just a walk together to build a compassionate community.
👥 Community-Led & Open to All: Started a few years ago by a dedicated community member, this event continues in 2025 as a shared Portland tradition by the diverse communities of the Portland metropolitan area. It’s family-friendly and open to everyone. If you see our crowd—walk with us.
🧡 We are thankful for CareOregon for continuing to sponsor this event year after year.
Oregon Health Care Interpreters Association (OHCIA) 10th Annual Conference May 31st Online
This year, as OHCIA celebrates its 15th anniversary, we reflect on the legacy of our association, the leaders who have contributed to its success, and the trajectory of the interpreting profession. We contemplate the changes over the last 15 years, discuss strategies to face today’s challenges, and imagine the advances we’ll see in 15 years if we rise to meet the moment.
Back in Stride again: Good in the hood Multicultural music and food festival
June 28-29, 2025 - Lillis Albina Park (N. Flint Avenue and Russell St., Portland)
12 PM to 8 PM
Parade: 11 AM Saturday, June 28
Live music, family fun activities, youth talent show, local vendors and more!
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