A Heart for Rockwood
Since our formation, our desire at Faithful Friends has been to bring support to children in local communities deeply impacted by the struggles of life that are most common to family breakup and disfunction. We love equipping God’s people in local churches to shine their lights brightly in some of the darkest areas of the city.
One of the areas that is close to our heart is the Rockwood community in outer NE/SE Portland. We continue to receive more child referrals from this area on regular basis than any other area, and we continue to struggle to find adequate support for children who so desperately need a consistent and stable adult in their lives.
What makes Rockwood so unique? The Rockwood Community Development Corp. has some fascinating history on this often overlooked area of outer northeast/southeast:
“Rejected by both Portland and Gresham, Rockwood is a community that has never been embraced. Years of neglect and underinvestment have led Rockwood to be Oregon’s largest, under-resourced, and challenged community...
The income disparities are stark. Median household income in Rockwood is less than half of what it is in Portland. In just the past eight years, this gap has more than doubled. Home to over 40,000 people, Rockwood is part of East Multnomah County which is known for a considerable gap between the rich and poor.
In fact, if Multnomah County were divided into two states, the west side of the county would be one of the wealthiest states in the United States, and the east side would be one of the poorest.”
(great to see a former mentor, Scott, interviewed in this video)
The cultural diversity in Rockwood boasts over 88 languages! Investment is happening, and spaces are being created to help bridge some of the gaps that have prevented a more thriving community. One of the most visible updates lately is known as Rockwood Market Hall. Check it out next time you’re looking for some good international food. If you want to dive deeper into Rockwood’s stats, take a look at this 100-page identity atlas.
As we move into 2023, we plan to continue to partner with churches, schools, and social services to bring the Kingdom of God to the families in this vital area. Join us as we seek more volunteer mentors who live in or nearby the Rockwood.
If you can help connect us with potential volunteers, churches, or social services, please get in touch!
What are your favorite spaces or memories from the Rockwood area?
