MLC Family Resource Newsletter

This season's edition of the Family Resource Newsletter has a couple of upcoming events and resources. Together with the fabulous social work intern Leah, we are here to support your family. Please don't hesitate to reach out! Warmly, Kate Allen, part time school social worker (kallen1@pps.net). Resources at MLC include:

• The MLC clothing closet is open and available to all families. We are also happy to provide vouchers to the district PTA clothing closet at the Marshall campus.
• The social work office (rm 225) has hygiene supplies for students in need as well as gender-affirming undergarments, snacks, and sexual health resources.
• We have a drug/alcohol counselor with NARA that comes to school to see students once a week.
• Our Thursday school-based mental health therapist Emma with Stronger Oregon is currently full. However we are thrilled to work together with child/adolescent therapist Justyna at William Temple House to help students get therapy just across the street. Email Kate to be referred! kallen1@pps.net

• Did you know about the May changes to the work requirements for families with SNAP benefits? See here for more information about how to regain benefits and please reach out to the school social work office if your family is impacted and needs help!

• While PPS social workers no longer have direct access to referring families to the Bienestar rental assistance program, Multnomah County has (limited) funds available for eligible families. The next opening for the general assistance for housing is coming up on May 12th at 10am. Eligibility is quite strict so make sure to review the requirements in advance and reach out for help navigating! See here for more details.

• Oregon Law Center has a new Eviction Defense Project with support for qualifying families to help with eviction prevention.

Who does this program serve?

This project provides legal assistance to low-income tenants facing eviction.
Tenants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Eviction Legal Defense Program:

• You must rent a unit within the city of Portland.
  
• How to verify your jurisdiction on Portland Maps
  
• You must be low-income (60% Area Median Income or below)
  
• View income limits or estimate your AMI with the AMI Calculator
  
• You must be facing eviction. One of the following applies to you:
  
• You have received a termination notice that has not yet been filed in court, OR
  
• You have received notice about the pending loss of your housing subsidy, OR
  
• You have an eviction court case
  

How do I apply for this program?
Call 888-585-9638 or email evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org

• Water and sewer bill support resources listed here!

If so, check out this new program for parents of teens in their Junior or Senior years to learn, grow, and support one another: https://www.clearerskiescounseling.org/groups

Stay tuned for details coming soon about the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program for all middle school students at MLC. The high school SOS program happened earlier this year in the HS health classes.

FaithBridge Portland invites you to save the date for the 2nd annual Black Girl LIVE! suicide awareness and prevention event for Black and Brown girls ages 12 to 17 and the adults who support them. Last year’s event hosted approximately 100 girls from Portland and beyond for education and celebration in an intentionally created space. The event is supported by OHA and intended to raise awareness, promote healing and offer access to culturally relevant resources and strategies.

Save the date: May 15, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: 2800 NE Liberty Street, Portland (University of Oregon Portland campus)

Spring is off to a busy start as always! Please enjoy this month's short and sweet edition for your spring forward!

Here comes the light! This month's newsletter has resources for parents of kids at every age and stage. And a warm welcome to join us on Tuesday Febrary 10th from 6-7pm online for a special workshop on Co-regulation for MLC and Chapman parents, with former MLC parent and play therapist MereAnn Reid (see below for details). Shine bright MLC!

Healthy kids learn better and this includes mental health!

Every month I will share out mental health groups and resources to support your wellbeing!

Individual and Group Counseling for Students:

• Lunch chill art groups at MLC: Starting this month, most Thursdays the social work office will be open to middle school students and most Fridays the social work office will be open to high school students with a rotating art theme for each month. February is all about drawing creatures!
• We now have a new school-based mental health provider Emma Sameth on site at MLC one day a week through a partnership with Stronger Oregon. Reach out to Kate, Benner, or Meredith for more details. Limited availability!

Groups for Adults:

• Women's Divorce Support Group Location: hybrid- downtown Portland/virtual Time: Tuesdays 4-5:30pm Cost: $45-$75/session Name: Nic Sutherland MFT-A Website: earthenwaretherapy.com Email: nic@earthenwaretherapy.com

Parenting resource:

• Parenting Beyond the Binary: Support for Parents of Trans and Gender Diverse Youth - Six Sundays in person, Feb 8-March 15 from 4-6pm. Suggested donation of $10 per group.
• Screen Time Solutions Summit (free)- Feb 4-6 with recordings available for 24 hours after each session. Click here for the full program an list of speakers.

Thanks to the MLC parents, PTSA and William Temple House for being such great partners with this year's MLC Season of Giving Drive. THANK YOU for helping our families in need get much needed support during the holidays.

And if you are a family in need (because we know people need support all year long and not just during the holidays) please click on the green bar to request support!

The MLC social workers, together with local mental health partners, are teaming up to potentially offer a couple of free evening parent workshops just for MLC parents in the new year. Please help us plan the program by answering a few questions so we can best meet your needs. Thank you!

Healthy kids learn better and this includes mental health!

Every month I will share out mental health groups and resources to support your wellbeing!

Individual and Group Counseling for Students:

• Lunch chill art groups at MLC: Starting this month, most Thursdays the social work office will be open to middle school students and most Fridays the social work office will be open to high school students with a rotating art theme for each month. January is all about mandalas!
• By late January we will have a new school-based mental health provider on site at MLC one day a week through a partnership with Stronger Oregon. Reach out to Kate, Benner, or Meredith for more details. Limited availability!
• Kindred Youth: The former MLC social worker Clement Wilson is facilitating a hang-out group for trans and gender expansive teens ages 15-18 on Wednesdays from 5:30-7 in inner SE Portland.

Groups for Adults:

• Living with Loss - an 8 week grief/loss group for adults is start up soon Thursdays at 12:30 at William Temple House just across the street from MLC. Click here for the fllyer and more info.

Groups for both Adults and Youth:

• New years brings a variety of vision board groups from this provider including a high school specific group in late January.

Parenting groups:

• Trans Parent Pizza Party: Thurs Jan 22 from 6-8pm in North Portland. "Parenting a gender-nonconforming child can be beautiful, lonely, confusing, and life-changing. Many parents want to feel closer to their children but are unsure about how to navigate the changes, conversations, and big emotions that come with gender exploration." Click here for more details or to register!

All MLC parents are welcome to join a special event on Tuesday Jan. 20 at 5pm about the Signs of Suicide program and the mental health resources available at MLC. Join social worker Kate Allen as she shares components of the comprehensive SOS program before it is taught in high school health classes on Friday Jan. 23. The meeting will be 30-45 minutes and informational in nature. Click on the meeting link to join here!

See their website for opening weekend events and ongoing family activities.

Thanks to the MLC parents, PTSA and William Temple House for being such great partners with this year's MLC Season of Giving Drive. We have been able to support many MLC families and our neighbors in need at the William Temple House during a very stressful time this holiday season. There is still an opportunity to donate in the last two weeks of the Season of Giving Drive! See the flyer for details and THANK YOU!

If you are a family in need please click on the green bar to request support!

The MLC social workers, together with local mental health partners, are teaming up to potentially offer a couple of free evening parent workshops just for MLC parents in the new year. Please help us plan the program by answering a few questions so we can best meet your needs. Thank you!

Healthy kids learn better and this includes mental health!

Every month I will share out mental health groups and resources to support your wellbeing!

Individual and Group Counseling for Students:

• We are fortunate to relaunch our school's partnership with the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) and PPS which provides on-site drug and alcohol counselors to meet with MLC students free of charge during the school day, individually and in group. Contact Kate (kallen1@pps.net) for more details or to sign up! Open to all students.
• Did you know there are two local mental health clinics that serve youth for mental health counseling in walking distance of MLC? They are: 1. William Temple House and 2. Connections First. Reach out to them directly for after school appointments or contact Kate to be linked up with them!

Groups for Adults:

• Wintering Well: for Community, Mood, and Energy group for adults starting in January.
• Roots and Resonance: Mindful Movement and Sound for nervous system regulation.
• Oregon City DBT has openings for its virtual groups for adults to learn distress tolerance skills.
• Braving Divorce is starting a new telehealth group in January for women navigating divorce.

Groups for both Adults and Youth:

• NAMI offers a wide variety of online groups for both youth and adults. See flyer for details!

Parenting groups:

• Fire Circle: support groups for parents of neurodivergent youth - and groups for youth!
• Present and Playful Workshop: Dec. 11 one day workshop on nervous system regulation.

Check out this program with T-mobile for low income families to get help with internet connections!

Check out this great resource for a free one-hour training from the American Lung Association for parents to talk to their kids about vaping.

Providence now offers free online individual coaching and group wellbeing programs incuding yoga, tai chi, high intensity interval training (HIIT) classes, and more through its Basecamp program.

This is what community looks like!

Thanks to the PTSA, William Temple House, and Trader Joes for being such great partners with this year's MLC Season of Giving Drive. Lets all pitch in and give what we can to help feed MLC families and local neighbors struggling with food insecurity. See the flyer for ways to donate food to school, give funds on the link provided, or purchase an extra gift card at the NW Trader Joes.

Thanks to Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong for her email to families Oct. 30 with food resources. Here are some additional community resources:

• Map of free food in Portland
• Food resources including pet food banks and hot meals
• Local restaurants and cafes giving away free food for those with SNAP benefits
• How to prepare for delayed SNAP benefits
• Oregon Food Bank resource navigator

Healthy kids learn better and this includes mental health!

Every month I will share out mental health groups and resources to support your wellbeing!

Grief Groups:

• Dougy Center continues to offer a variety of free grief groups for kids and adults including groups in Spanish.
• Grounded Grief is also starting groups in November for adults in the evenings and mornings.

Parenting groups:

• Creative Parents Retreat: Full day (10-4) Sunday November 16 in-person retreat for parents of preschoolers to teens from 10am-4pm at Mudland Maker Space in the Lloyd Center Mall. Scholarships available.
• TransParent: PDX TransParent provides a confidential environment where parents/caregivers of transgender or gender diverse children of all ages can share feelings in a confidential, affirming environment. Interested members should click on the interest tab for the Portland chapter section of the TransParentUSA site to get links and contact info for the group. Groups meet twice monthly (virtually and in-person) and use Signal for communication and support between meetings.

  
  

The MLC social workers, together with local mental health partners, are teaming up to potentially offer a couple of free evening parent workshops just for MLC parents in the new year. Please help us plan the program by answering a few questions so we can best meet your needs. Thank you!

Change makers unite! With the increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Portland, together with the RESJ team at PPS, we want to empower our students to feel seen, safe and engaged in the conversation.

Encourage your grade 6-12 child to join a workshop with social worker Kate Allen at lunch in Jordans room 204 on Thursday Nov. 13 (MS) or Friday Nov. 14 (HS).

• Middle school program

• High school program

• Whistle packet making reference sheet

Families can please refer to the PPS Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Student and Families website for a wide range of resources and supports for families including the KYR Red Cards.

Welcome to the October MLC School Social Work Newsletter. In these busy times, we want to ensure you have reliable community resources readily available to support your family to grow healthy and strong. Please know that we are here to provide confidential support for any difficulties your student may be facing, both in and out of the classroom.

Our school is quite fortunate to have Leah Arkills-Mclain join the team this month as our social work intern. She will be at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays while Kates days continue to be Thursday and Friday and every other Wednesday. Email: kallen1@pps.net. Rm: 205

Healthy kids learn better and this includes mental health!

Every month I will share out mental health groups and resources to support your wellbeing!

• Dougy Center is now accepting new families for Tapestries, a Culturally Specific Grief Group for Black and African-American families
• Strong HER middle school support group for girls (meets online).
• October is MLC high school social work check-in month. Kate and/or Leah will be meeting individually 1:1 with each of the high school students this month during their electives/advisory for a wellbeing and resource check.

Parenting groups galore:

• Parenting support for parents of younger students with big behaviors
• Parenting support network for parents of teens
• Parenting support for parents of 11th and 12th graders about to launch teens

MLC has an ongoing commitment to student confidentiality and safety. PPS schools are designated as sensitive locations under district policy. ICE cannot access student information or enter campuses without a judicial warrant. Please reach out to any member of the support team (Benner, Meredith, Beriah, Kate) with any concerns.

Local / Multnomah County

• Family Preparedness packs from Oregon law center and Latino Network: Family_Emergency_Preparedness_Spanish_PROTEJA-A-SU-FAMILIA_RGB.pdf

  Family_Emergency_Preparedness_Packet_English.pdf

  
  

• Coalition of Communities of Color (CCC) – Immigrant & refugee network, culturally specific services.
  
  

• Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) – Wraparound support, family advocates in schools, youth programs.
  
  

• Adelante Mujeres – Latina empowerment, youth leadership, family services.
  
  

• Multnomah County Student Health Centers – Confidential care for all students ages 5–18, regardless of status.

Oregon Statewide

• Oregon Latino Health Coalition (OLHC) – Advocacy, bilingual navigation, legal support.
  
  

• CAUSA Oregon – Immigrant rights organization; rapid response, family support.
  
  

• Oregon Law Center / Legal Aid Services of Oregon – Free legal help for immigrant families.
  
  

• VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project – Day laborer and immigrant worker support.
  
  

• New Avenues for Youth is starting a new Queer Youth affinity night for youth ages 9-17 on Wednesdays from 4-6pm.
• Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Recource Center (SMYRC) continues to offer a wide range of programming for youth this month including crafts, movies, zine making and more!
• PPS offers many resources and supports including the amazing caregiver support guide for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.

Hello MLC families! I'm Kate Allen (she/her), your new .5 school social worker and I am here as an advocate for you! I have worked for over 20 years as a school social worker and am thrilled to be at MLC this year taking over for Clement. Please reach out if your family needs support accessing school & community resources, rent/utility assistance, mental health support, food & clothing resources, and for general help assessing what help and support your family may need. We will work together to come up with a plan that fits your needs. I am in Rm. 205 every Thursday and Friday and every other Wednesday. Email: kallen1@pps.net

Every month I will send out a newsletter of community resources and supports for you and your family. This month's edition is short and sweet but will grow in future months.