Dear Friend,
Last Saturday, I attended a wedding at the First Congregational Church in downtown Portland. My friends Denise and Julius tied the knot in the presence of family and friends. Their relationship has taught me life lessons I will never forget. And their story reminds me why Portland is such a special place.
Ten years ago, Denise and Julius were homeless, Iiving under a bridge’ Outreach workers from JOIN helped them find their first apartment together. At the time, I served as Housing Commissioner for the City’ I asked my friend Marc Jolin (Executive Director of JOIN) if I could deliver a meal to one of their clients over the holidays. That’s how I was first introduced to Denise and Julius….more