Advocacy & Civic Engagement Programs

Effective Community Action

The Project aims to improve the representation of people of color in civic engagement and advocacy on public policy and legislation that will result in quality education, social justice, affordable housing, universal health care, employment and economic development. The organizations that traditionally advocate on such issues are often not adequately diverse or representative of African American, Hispanic and Asian communities.

Civil Rights and Social Justice

The Urban League is a leader and coalition partner on issues of civic rights, racial equality and social justice in the greater Portland area. We have played an important role in campaigns against racial profiling, discrimination in housing and lending practices.

The Urban League works with other community partners to identify legislation on the city, state, county level and nationally that affect our communities. Our aim is to facilitate the most effective mobilization of our communities to make an impact on the decision-making process.

Education

The League was a major influence in developing policy on the redesign of the predominately African American Jefferson Cluster Schools. Our advocacy role resulted in curricula/structure choices that will be instrumental in sustaining the viability of the schools.

The League was represented on the State Board of Education.

We regularly advocate for youth and their parents facing discriminatory disciplinary practices within the education system. The League is actively campaigning for diversity within the Portland Public Schools teaching force, and policies that promote cultural competent teaching.

Seniors

The Urban league Senior Program is among the most active advocates for seniors of color in greater Portland. The program advocates for individual seniors with social services and support agencies. It also organizes seniors to lobby elected officials on issues such as aging and disability service funding, and health care, prescription drugs, Medicare and elder abuse prevention.