Metro recently awarded the nonprofit, Cultivate Initiatives, $100,000 from $10 million in cleanup funding that was approved in a bill passed by the Oregon Legislature earlier this year. Metro’s regional cleanup strategy focuses on spending the state funds in ways that will have immediate impact and serve communities most affected by dumping and litter. The funds can’t be used to remove the belongings of people experiencing homelessness.
The idea is that the portion of the state funding that goes to nonprofits will strengthen and sustain organizations that are leading cleanup efforts in underserved areas. Trash for Peace, a nonprofit that aims to “build community-led and equitable waste reduction and recycling systems” has also received state funds to expand its operations.
Cultivate Initiatives offers mobile showers and basic health services, connects people experiencing homelessness with case management and peer support, and offers them the opportunity to work in their cleanup and property stewardship programs. Building relationships is at the core of what they do. Three times a week, paid interns on their Community Beautification team head out to pick up trash and junk around East Portland and East Multnomah County. Getting an internship is intentionally “super low barrier,” says Matt McCarl, community engagement and action director at the nonprofit. Internships last two weeks. People work 7-hour shifts for $15 per hour, for a maximum of $600 – untaxed and paid in cash.