MC Northwest
Posted: July 12th, 2010 | Author: Katherine | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Mercy Corps Northwest, radio | 1 Comment »
Three women from Bhutan are growing vegetables in SE Portland through a partnership with Mercy Corps Northwest. Photo credit: Juan Carlos-Delgado
Out here in Portland, we are in full-swing with our radio documentaries. I am still orienting myself to the city, both to the outlay of the streets and to the general sensibilities afloat in this progressive hub. In ways, it reminds me of Vermont, my home-state, and yet, with the population of Portland the same as the entire state of Vermont, there is more power, resources, and momentum behind initiatives here, whether it be the light-rail trains or Project Clean Slate, which gives people a chance to clear minor crimes off their records through community service.
Speaking of power and resources for social change, yesterday Colin and I met up with John Haines, the executive director of Mercy Corps Northwest. Mercy Corps works all across the world, but at MC Northwest, the focus is on micro-financing and education efforts to support small business owners in the community. I wish I had the time to cover everything they do—like their New American Agricultural Project, which helps recent immigrants establish sustainable farm businesses, and their LIFE Project, where they support incarcerated individuals with the tools and education they need in order to make a successful transition back into society. These programs are particularly impressive as I think about their similarity to the programs I witnessed last summer in Bangladesh while working for BRAC (Building Resources Across Communities), the world-renowned NGO that takes a systematic, holistic approach poverty alleviation. The mission of BRAC and MC Northwest is strikingly parallel, and it’s so exciting to see trace the similarities of their action. At the same time, it’s also exciting to examine how the execution of their vision is shaped to their respective communities.
Most memorable quote of our time with John: “What applies in Gaza and Pakistan right now is not what might apply directly here, but the foundation is the same, and that is to build just, productive and secure communities.” Yeah, I feel that.
-Katherine