Self Enhancement, Inc.

Yesterday, we had an amazing time celebrating the groundbreaking of the Strong Family Apartments! This project, co-developed by CDP and Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), will bring 75 affordable homes to families in N/NE Portland with incomes between 30% and 60% of the area median income. Part of the Alberta Alive vision, this development is designed to create long-term stability and opportunity for the Black community in N/NE Portland. It also honors the legacy of the Strong family, who sold the property to the Portland Housing Bureau with a vision to support Black families in the neighborhood. We were joined by speakers Trent Aldridge, Tony Hopson Sr., Dr. Jackie Strong, Dr. Mark Strong, Rekah Strong, Councilor Mary Nolan, Commissioner Carmen Caballero Rubio, Dr. Steven Holt, and Leslie Goodlow. Expected to open in 2026, the development will feature a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, community gathering spaces, an outdoor courtyard, and play areas. SEI will lead resident services and programming for both youth and adults, fostering a vibrant, supportive environment for future residents. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you our project team for making this possible: Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS), Metro, Portland Housing Bureau, #PortlandCleanEnergyFund, Colas Construction, Holst, Chase, Citi, Hudson Housing Capital LLC, Earth Advantage, Energy Trust of Oregon, Guardian, DCM Consulting, LLC., Ground Workshop, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Interface Engineering, Inc., Vega Civil Engineering, LLC. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gJG9Vsfr

🏘️Our SEI family is growing🏢, and so are the spaces we are in! We just picked up the keys to our new building, which our teams will share. We can't wait to show you around. In the meantime, if you are interested in joining our SEI Family, please check out some of our open positions: Family Educator, Early Literacy Coordinator, CAPI PCL Parent Education Coordinator, and more! Head to https://lnkd.in/gstZR4mD to learn more👨🏾💻👩🏽💻

We met with the Data, Technology, and Systems team at Sunstone Way to discuss the impact of robust data collection on social service organizations. Effective data collection highlights program efficacy and uncovers areas needing additional support and capacity. ⁠ ⁠ Data Specialist Alex Mondon is leading Sunstone Way's efforts to transform data into compelling evidence, highlighting the crucial role of housing retention in long-term solutions to homelessness.⁠ Thank you for all the innovative insight! ⁠ #sunstoneway #apathtohopeandhousing #CommunitySolutions #CommunityPartnership

Meet Dr. Darrell Millner—Portland State University professor emeritus and renowned expert on African American history in the West, for whom CDP and Self Enhancement, Inc.'s second Alberta Alive project is named. The Dr. Darrell Millner Building, located in the heart of North Portland, honors his legacy. His scholarly work has shaped the understanding of the Black experience in Oregon, and this development continues that legacy by supporting Black residents and families. "This is the highlight of my life," Dr. Millner shared. The Dr. Darrell Millner Building offers 63 apartments reserved for households that qualify under the City of Portland’s N/NE Preference Policy, prioritizing those with deep generational ties to North and Northeast Portland. The building features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for households earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI). The Millner also includes 2,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, a community garden, an outdoor play area, and parking.

"This is the highlight of my life. " We are honored to do this work and have named our newest building after Dr. Darrell Millner. It is six stories, with 63 affordable housing units, and it serves as a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that Portland’s Black community survives and thrives in the neighborhoods they helped build. This building represents hope for future generations and reminds us that our history and culture have a permanent place in this city🏙️

🚨We are hiring🚨 The Anti Domestic and Sexual Violence Program is hiring for a Rape Prevention Education Advocate. The ideal youth-serving advocate is passionate about violence prevention and education, comfortable supporting youth experiencing trauma, and self-driven, creative, and innovative. If you are interested in joining our amazing team, please apply at https://lnkd.in/geXxMGPR   The necessary trainings and certifications can be provided upon hire for the right candidate. This position will be open until filled. 

Oohhh Hey!! 👋🏾 ** Allow me to re-introduce myself. I’m Indya Davis, global brand marketer, change agent and passionate about creating opportunities & exposure to support youth in Black & Brown communities. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and had little to no exposure to what an HBCU was before going on a college tour with Self Enhancement, Inc. As a first-generation college student, I knew I needed to explore the walls outside of Oregon. After having the best time of my life, I declined a full academic scholarship to OSU (momma wasn’t happy about that 😜) & started my solo journey to Charlotte to attend Johnson C. Smith University - JCSU Here I am, 20+ years later and a proud HBCU grad... and because of that, it’s my turn to pay it forward! I’m thrilled to announce the JC (Jeri Cathlene) Community Impact Scholarship!! A scholarship for students from the Pacific Northwest who plan to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). ✔️Scholarship will be awarded to (2) students ✔️Includes (1) R/T ticket home during the holidays ✔️Applications will open in January. Stay tuned for criteria + more details in December!! #hbcuweek #hbcugrad #jcsu #pacificnorthwest

On September 12th, we were honored to attend the naming dedication and grand opening of the Dr. Darrell Millner Building, located in North Portland's Overlook neighborhood.   Named after Dr. Darrell Millner, the former Department Chair of Black Studies at Portland State University, this project is the third community created under the Alberta Alive vision. Community Development Partners (CDP) and Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) partnered as co-owners / developers to create this community that prioritizes those with generational ties to N/NE Portland to redress the historical displacement and harmful urban renewal practices of the area.   This project brings 63 affordable apartments, ranging from one- to three-bedroom units, with 75% of the units mix offering two or more bedrooms for families, and supports households earning up to 60% of the area median income. SEI will have a resident services coordinator onsite to assist tenants with navigating social services and accessing community resources. Together, CDP and SEI are creating a network of affordable housing communities that celebrate and strengthen the heart of Portland's historically Black North/Northeast neighborhood.

Our Portland Chapter has been busy preparing for the exciting transformation of Self Enhancement, Inc. in Portland, OR. Together with artist Kyra Watkins of the Portland Street Art Alliance and Miller Paint Company, they are making its interior reflect the vibrancy and vitality of the community it serves! Volunteer painting day this past weekend was a huge success! Check back soon to see the stunning AFTER pics! Sending a 🌈 of gratitude to our Portland team! 👇 Click the link to continue to fund this exciting project! https://lnkd.in/gWS7SkJn

Save the date... Healing & Resilience Wellness Fair 💜 💚 on October 12th, 2024 at the Center for Self Enhancement. Let's run it back!!! 2024 DVAM is upon us, and what a year it has been since our first annual resource fair! This past year, we have had ongoing discussions about the intersections of mental health and survivor identity. Mental health care is not easily accessible to survivors of violence who face additional barriers to care, particularly systemic racial and economic inequities that result in a lack of access to affordable health care, increased stigmas, and a lack of culturally specific mental health resources and care options. This year, at Self Enhancement, Inc., the Anti Domestic and Sexual Violence Program is partnering with our dear friends in the Empowerment Program to host the Healing & Resilience Wellness Fair (see details on the flyer). Together we will host a variety of anti-violence service providers and culturally specific mental health providers to create an event that is meant to celebrate every step, forward and back, in the healing journey. Our goal is for attendees, youth and adults, to gain direct access to resources and information regarding culturally specific mental health care and anti-violence resources in both personal and professional settings. We want folks to know that mental health and safety from violence is for everyone, and that individuals get to define what mental health and safety mean for themselves. So please... Join us for a day of a tremendous fun, food, healing, dancing, and yes... massages!!! And get some handy info while you're having all that fun. If your organization is interested in tabling at this event, please email me at oliviap@selfenhancement.org, or Brandie Alberti (Empowerment Programs Manager) at brandiea@selfenhancement.org.