The goal of PCRI's Resident Services Programs Department is to provide
culturally competent services that encourage and promote self-sufficiency and
leadership for children, parents and families. These services are free of charge
and open primarily to PCRI residents, although some programs are made available
to the greater community. For more information about any of these services, call
(503) 288-2923 or email the Family Services Coordinator.
PCRI’s Resident Services Programs Include:
- Thriving Families Program
- Homeownership Preparation and Preservation
- Down Payment Assistance
- Financial Literacy
- Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
- Youth Programs
- Neighborhood Computer Network Centers
- Community Information and Referral Services
Thriving Families
PCRI’s newest and most comprehensive
program, Thriving Families, uses an innovative approach to help residents help
themselves, their families, and their community. The Thriving Families Program
incorporates several PCRI programs, providing an effective vehicle to help families
identify their needs and aspirations and put them into the framework of a strategic
plan.
PCRI sees the value and potential of the Thriving Families to empower parents
and their children to reach outcomes they have not achieved in the past or hadn’t
dreamed of. Working together, Thriving Families participants contribute and benefit
mutually by making a plan, figuring out the resources needed to implement their
plan, taking action, evaluating outcomes, learning from challenges, and—most
importantly—celebrating success.
Components of the Thriving Families Program include:
- Teambuilding, planning,
resource mapping, selection of wealth creation vehicles, and effective communication
concepts.
- Application of Thriving Family skills to develop and implement effective
strategies to obtain higher paying jobs, achieve homeownership, enroll in higher
education, achieve increased savings, and/or to start micro-businesses.
- Financial
literacy education and establishment of Individual Development Accounts.
- Financial
and non financial incentives will be awarded as families meet established performance
thresholds. These incentives can then be applied to an IDA or toward meeting
other goals.
- The families will be involved in an Economic Opportunities focus
group that will plan and implement a community service or advocacy project.
Homeownership Prevention and Preservation
Since 2004, PCRI has provided a very effective Homeownership Program designed
to prepare residents to transition from renting to first-time homeownership.
The facets of the program progress from family stability to asset building and
conclude with wealth creation through homeownership. This comprehensive program
includes the following steps: intake and assessment, credit review and credit
repair, financial literacy workshops, registration for Individual Development
Accounts (matched savings program), down payment assistance identification, completion
of an eight-hour HUD Certified Homebuyer Education Certificate Class, goal setting,
attendance in homebuyer club meetings, coaching and support, match up with community
professionals for specialized services (home inspectors, realtors, lenders),
and homeownership sustainability (foreclosure prevention).
For individuals who have graduated from the Homeownership Program and now
own their home, PCRI provides post-purchase support including additional homeownership
sustainability education, resources and education for home repair and maintenance
and additional support to help homeowners avoid predatory credit and lending
pitfalls.
Down Payment Assistance
PCRI helps prospective homeowners connect with a grant from the Portland Housing
Bureau (formerly the Bureau of Housing and Community Development) which provides
funds for first-time homebuyers. We also collaborate with community organizations
and lending institutions for other down payment assistance funds.
Financial Literacy
In 2007, PCRI initiated a program of educational workshops to prepare individuals
and families to better manage their finances. The program has two training modules;
one is by way of self-paced computer class training (10 modules) and the other
involves workshops in a class setting. Completion of this program is required
for participation in the Individual Development Account (IDA) Matched Savings
Program.
Individual Development Account (IDA)
PCRI has been involved in the IDA Matched Savings Program since 2004. In 2008
we expanded our community partnership with CASA of Oregon giving residents the
ability to save in 5 major areas (homeownership, higher education, micro-business
development, home repairs, and adaptive technology). We have now been able to
expand this program to include youth.
Youth Programs
PCRI offers a variety of programs to support the youth living in PCRI housing.
The most recent programs include Individual Development Accounts for Youth, a
Youth Fair, PCRI’s paid summer internship program, a Robotics lab, a Summer
Arts Program and computer labs. We are currently working with a community school
to develop tutoring and after school support services.
Other Services
Other services provided include Information and Referral to services provided
elsewhere in the community, advocacy for families (Parent Network), assistance
with resume writing, employment searches and training (including and in addition
to programs offered through Thriving Families), and Neighborhood Network Computer
Centers.
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