PORTLAND, Ore. — The PacifiCorp Foundation’s Pacific Power Fund recently awarded more than $72,600 to Oregon civic and community programs. The largest grants went to The Nature Conservancy’s Youth for Conservation Environmental Education Program and to the Lawyers' Campaign for Equal Justice, a legal assistance and education project for Latin American farm workers.

Youth for Conservation, which received $10,000, integrates The Nature Conservancy’s core mission of protecting natural habitats with projects that provide opportunities for youth to increase their understanding of conservation issues, and to develop scientific fluency and practical life skills.

“If young people develop an awareness of conservation challenges and gain a sense of responsibility, they will become good stewards of the natural environment,” said Stephen Anderson, spokesperson for The Nature Conservancy in Oregon. “If they learn about the opportunities that exist in conservation, they might choose it as a career path. This program leads students to build a richer understanding for the natural world and their place in it.” 

The Lawyers' Campaign for Equal Justice is receiving $10,000 from the Foundation to help its legal aid staff extend outreach and education efforts to 40,000 indigenous Mexican and Central American farm workers who make up a growing part of Oregon’s agricultural workforce. Mixtecos, Triquis, Zapotecos and the many other groups of indigenous peoples entering the farm labor workforce rarely speak English and many speak only the most basic Spanish. Staff will build bridges to this community, providing information about wages and working conditions, particularly healthcare and work safety. Outreach will take place in person, through audiotapes in several languages and on the radio. 

Other Portland-area nonprofits receiving PacifiCorp Foundation grants include:

• Albertina Kerr Centers for Children– Kerr Early Intervention Program
• Community Cycling Center– Get Linked drop-in program for ages 5-12
• Community of Writers, Inc.– Jefferson Cluster writing project
• Insight– Program to educate/employ young people with disabilities
• National Policy Consensus Center– Hands on Lands watershed stewardship work program – cleaning up hazardous fuels in Wallowa County
• Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center– Field education program for schoolchildren
• Oregon Mentors– Recruiting and training volunteer mentors
• Oregon Trout– Salmon Watch program
• Oregon Zoo Foundation– Zoo presenters and urban nature overnights programs
• Rebuilding Together– Volunteer day
• YWCA of Greater Portland– LearnLinks

About the PacifiCorp Foundation

The PacifiCorp Foundation was created and incorporated in 1988 and serves as the major channel of philanthropy for PacifiCorp, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. To apply for a grant and to review specific eligibility requirements, please go to www.pacificorpfoundation.org .

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com