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Friends and Neighbors,
Opportunities to Celebrate Earth Day during COVID-19
Tomorrow, April 22nd is Earth Day and the event turns 50 this year! Celebrated in over 193 countries around the world since 1970, it is the world’s largest environmental movement. Sadly, COVID-19 is impacting many of the locally planned events to honor and highlight learning opportunities for environmental awareness and education. There are still ways that you can participate in a variety of ways:
- As a Metro Master Recycler since 2012, I have enjoyed visiting classrooms, reading a story and doing a fun project with students that highlights the benefits our protecting our environment. Due to our classrooms moving to Distance/Remote Learning, I wanted to help bring the experience that I normally do in a classroom, to you virtually. Click here for a reading of “A Diary of a Worm” and a fun how-to on building your own worm compost.
- Participate in a #MyPlanetMyPledge challenge. Make a pledge to a healthy planet. Create a sign showing that pledge. Hang that sign in your window. Snap a pic and post it on social media with the hashtag, #MyPlanetMyPledge.
- Learn about SOLVE. It was founded in 1969 and its mission is to bring Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Visit Solve’s website.
- Make a plan to reduce your personal consumption of plastic. Plastics generation was 35.4 million tons in the U.S. in 2017, according to the American Chemistry Council. National Geographic says 40% of that was for packaging, used just once and then discarded, including 380 billion single-use plastic bags yearly in the U.S. alone. The average plastic bag is used for only 12 minutes, but takes 500 years to break down in landfill.
- Explore five reasons bees are important to the environment.
- Fifty Environmental Activities Kids Can Do at Home
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Recyle or Not Game for Kids from Oregon Metro
- Participate in the Washington County Drawdown EcoChallenge 2020.
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Governor Tom McCall at a 1970 Earth Day Celebration
Making a Difference
Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Board of Directors and the staff are being positive partners in the community in response to COVID-19 and trying to address some areas of concerns that are happening in their parks during these trying times. There are three televised media stories featuring THPRD. The first feature was about the shelter opened at the Elsie Stuhr Center and can be found here. I am especially proud of the partnership exhibited here to help our most vulnerable community members. The second feature aired about the district's response efforts in closing park amenities and can be found here. The third feature is about the efforts in closing park amenities and vandalism happening in our parks and can be found here. THPRD Board of Directors presented at their meeting regarding the special district's pandemic response efforts. The presentation can be found here . Thank you to the compassionate leaders of THPRD!
Project Homeless Connect recently opened up their newest center serving our homeless population in Hillsboro during the COVID-19 crisis. Those experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to the Coronavirus and helping them find care, a warm place to sleep and a meal is what compassionate leadership is about. This center is a great partnership between Project Homeless Connect, Salvation Army and the City of Hillsboro.
 Mayor Callaway, Major Bob from the Salvation Army and myself on opening day of the center
Education Updates
Senator Jeff Merkley has compiled a helpful FAQ (frequently asked questions document) for individuals with student loans and how their loans interact with the federal CARES Act. Federal loan payments are suspended until September 30 and interest is waived. If you have a student loan held by the federal government, you do not need to take any action to suspend your payments. Your loan servicer might not inform you of this, though. You can read the full FAQ here and get further help at www.studentaid.gov.
Hillsboro School District honors their Seniors with Signs for Seniors
Thanks to generous support from community and business partners, HSD will be creating and providing every senior with a free sign for their doors, yards, or windows indicating that an amazing HSD senior lives there. #ProudToBeHSD
Small Business and Unemployment Insurance Resources
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has opened up a "Save Small Business Fund," giving small grants to businesses that meet certain criteria. To qualify, you must:
- Employ between 3 and 20 people
- Be located in an economically vulnerable community
- Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic
Only certain zip codes qualify. If your business is associated with the zip codes 97123 or 97006, you can apply.
For more information and to apply visit Save Small Business Fund.
Unemployment Insurance
Mental Health and Physical Well-Being Support
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Oregon is offering some great resources on their website. In addition, the NAMI Oregon Helpline is open during its normal hours from 9 am to 5 pm Mondays-Fridays during the Covid-19 crisis. They can help answer questions around accessing services and other help in your community.
They also have 20 weekly online support groups running for individuals and families living with mental illness, including parents/caregivers raising school-age children with behavioral health issues.
Call them at 503-230-8009 or toll-free at 800-343-6264. Or via email at namioregon@namior.org.
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Immediate Trauma and Crisis Assistance Lines:
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24-hour crisis lines Lines for Life
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Addictions and Mental Health Crisis service providers by county - Community Mental Health Programs
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Suicide Lifeline and Mental Health Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 or 800-SUICIDE
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Youth-line: Call: 877-968-8491 anytime. Text: teen2teen to 839863 between 4 and 10 PM. Online chat available at OregonYouthline.org
Upcoming Webinar Event
April 22| Home Alone: Combating Social Isolation, Anxiety, and Depression during COVID-19
The COVID-19 quarantine poses mental health risks from social isolation and fear. Hear from nationally renowned speakers about strategies for maintaining mental wellness and safely supporting vulnerable neighbors of all ages at this no-cost live stream event jointly hosted by the AARP and the Oregon Health Forum.
Moderator: Carlos Crespo, PhD, Professor, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health
Panelists: Emily Allen, Senior Vice President, AARP Foundation Programs, Dr. Derenda Schubert, Ph. D., Clinical Psychologist, Executive Director, Bridge Meadows, Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, Ph. D., President, Jessie F. Richardson Foundation and Founder of Age+
Event Details:
Wednesday, April 22
10:00-11:00 am Live Stream
Register here through Zoom
Presenting Sponsor AARP Oregon
Addiction Recovery Resources
As a member of the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, I know how important it is to have continuous access to recovery resources when battling the disease of addiction. Physical distancing can complicate addiction recovery efforts. The Oregon Recovery Network is partnering with Recover Together With Google to provide Oregonians one centralized location with the latest state and local recovery resources and COVID-19 information so that our community can come out of this crisis stronger than ever.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach and Support
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COVID-19 excellent resources can be found at these websites:
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Additional COVID-19 resources are now available in American Sign Language via YouTube:
Additional Resources
Education Links
District Links
Federal Delegation Links
Utilities Assistance
Food and Housing Assistance
- Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-11: places a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. The order is effective for 90 days.
- Governor Brown's Executive Order 20-13 strengthens Governor Brown's previous ban on residential evictions, and prohibits landlords from charging tenants late fees for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium.
- Community Action.org
- Oregon Food Bank
- Meals on Wheels
Please remember to be good to yourself, to others, and to our planet. Kindness matters and there is no Planet B. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Onward and Upward,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-487, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.JaneenSollman@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/sollman
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