Washington County

The Washington County Chapter of Unite Oregon focuses on key issues prioritized by our members. These include advocating for higher wages for workers, advancing racial justice by ending police profiling, fighting for the rights and dignity of immigrants and refugees, addressing the affordable housing crisis, and promoting holistic community health and wellness.

We also work on planning and land use issues, improving transportation access and affordability, promoting economic justice for working women, advocating for environmental justice, and enhancing civic engagement. Our efforts are rooted in a racial justice perspective, with a strong emphasis on developing future leaders and building a robust movement for justice.

Our ongoing campaigns and initiatives aim to nurture new organizers and community leaders while maintaining a prominent leadership role within the community.

What are we working on right now?

• Beaverton Multicultural Community Engagement Program: (Click to apply)

  Previously known as the Beaverton Organizing and Leadership Development (BOLD) and the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Cohort, this program continues to be recognized as BOLD due to its longstanding recognition. It includes two elements: civic leadership development and community engagement.

• Washington County Civic Leadership Program: (Click to apply)

  This program provides comprehensive training for emerging leaders, covering various aspects of government, advocacy, and community engagement. Participants learn essential skills for effective leadership, including power analysis, strategy development, and delivering impactful testimonies. The program also introduces transformative justice as an alternative model for addressing community issues. Applications are currently open.

• Tualatin Valley Highway Equity Coalition (TEC):

  Now in its second year, this initiative focuses on equitable community development with an emphasis on transportation improvements along the TV Highway corridor. The goal is to ensure faster, safer, and more reliable transit while building coalitions with marginalized communities who are most impacted by these investments.

• Southwest Corridor Equity Coalition (SWEC):

  This program ensures that residents of the Southwest Corridor benefit from the opportunities provided by the light rail project and addresses the impacts associated with this major infrastructure investment.

• City of Cornelius Downtown Development's Anti-Displacement Anti-Gentrification Strategy:

  This project focuses on preventing displacement and gentrification in downtown Cornelius.

• Amity Orchards - Affordable Multifamily Housing in South Cooper Mountain, Beaverton by Wishcamper:

  This program involves community engagement and leadership development. The goals are to recruit and educate qualified applicants from diverse, multicultural backgrounds and marginalized communities, and to help set up a Residents Council to work with the Resident Services Coordinator and a developer representative.

• New Affordable Multifamily Housing on 209th Ave (Aloha) - Vision and Values:

  This project focuses on community engagement and leadership development for a new affordable multifamily housing initiative in Aloha. Metro purchased three acres at 3140 SW 209th for this future complex. Starting in winter 2024, the Housing Authority of Washington County will plan the development, which will include 86 to 100 apartments for low-income households (30-60% of the area median income, about $34,000-$67,000 for a family of four). The complex will feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, along with on-site parking.

• Unite's Community Commons Events:

  Starting in March 2024, we have hosted Unite's Community Commons Events in community-friendly spaces across Washington County. These events aim to create a Community of Learning and Sharing, filled with food, music, and engaging activities. Serving as a beacon of unity, they foster an environment where learning and sharing thrive. Your presence is not just welcomed but cherished. Unite Oregon remains a pillar of grassroots advocacy, driven by and for immigrants, refugees, people of color, and marginalized communities.

1st event: "Affordable Housing," March 5th, 2024, Cornelius Public Library, Cornelius

2nd event: "Renter's Rights," April 2nd, 2024, HomePlate, Beaverton

3rd event: "Child Care Small Business and 211 Services," May 16th, 2024, Community Senior Center, Hillsboro

4th event: TBA soon, likely late July since we will host the 2024 Action Summit on June 29th. You all are welcome. Please register to join (click to register).

Past Programs and Projects:

• Dare to Invest in Learning to Lead (DILL) African Women Program:

  This is a Washington County Civic Leadership Program which Unite Oregon partnered with African Heritage Education Empowerment Community (AFRHEEC). This program supported emerging African women leaders in Washington County by fostering relationships, providing civic and political education, and developing community organizing and leadership skills. It has now concluded.

• Washington County Equitable Housing Coalition:

  This three-year community-organized coalition educated the public and addressed housing issues such as affordable housing and eviction protection in Washington County. Although this program has ended, you can still review housing resources shared by our coalition, nonprofits, and government partners on the program's website.

Our Leadership

The Unite Oregon, Washington County Chapter is locally led by a community leadership council consisting of 5-10 members who reside in our community and are passionate about fostering a multi-racial, multicultural democracy that is inclusive of all. We prioritize immigrants, refugees, and people of color for leadership council positions. Additionally, 2-4 members of our leadership council are elected to serve on Unite Oregon's statewide Board of Directors.