City Unveils Youth Pass for Matt Dishman Community Center; Kickoff for Citywide Initiative

Saturday, June 13, 2015

GoLocalPDX News Team

Mayor Charlie Hales’ program to make city facilities open to more teens, free of charge, kicks off this weekend at Portland Parks & Recreation’s Matt Dishman Community Center. Later this summer, free programs will expand to the Portland Parks & Recreation’s East Portland, St. John's and Mt. Scott community centers.

Beginning Monday, June 15, admission to Matt Dishman, at 77 N.E. Knott Street, will be free for all registered youth, age 18 and younger. Registration takes less than five minutes and can be done at the center this weekend. Participants should bring addresses and phone numbers for themselves and their parents or guardians as well as information about health conditions.

Hales will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, at Matt Dishman to outline the initiative.

“We have a crisis of gun violence and youth violence in our community, and one answer to that is to get upstream in the lives of your kids,” Hales said. “That means letting them pick up a soccer ball or a paint brush, a pen or a guitar, a job skill or a résumé. The more of these safe, positive activities we can provide for them, the better.”

Also on hand Saturday will be Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz.

“The late Charles Jordan, the visionary former Parks Commissioner and Director, famously said, ‘We’re more than just fun and games,’” said Fritz, who oversees Portland Parks & Recreation. “Those words ring true and always will. The City has a chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of youth who need our support the most. I thank the mayor for his efforts towards enhancing young lives and reducing violence, and PP&R staff for their dedication in making this program a reality.”

The proposal – supported in part by $2 million in the mayor’s approved budget for 2014-15 – is the first step in a long-range plan to provide safe and free activities for youth. Other agencies, such as the county, school districts and higher education, will be asked to take part. The mayor is also reaching out to private businesses – including the burgeoning sports apparel sector – and professional sports organizations such as the Blazers, Timbers and Thorns.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck issue,” Hales said. “This isn’t a city-government proposal, it’s a proposal for everyone.”

The Hales initiative will launch with free access to Matt Dishman, daily from June 15 through Aug. 15. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. On Fridays, the center will be open for teens only between 8 and 10 p.m.

Related Slideshow: Slideshow: Top Portland Metro High Schools

GoLocalPDX has ranked the top high schools in the metro area using a method developed in Babson College, Mass. High schools were ranked based on complete data available.

City Unveils Youth Pass for Matt Dishman Community Center; Kickoff for Citywide Initiative

Related Slideshow: Slideshow: Top Portland Metro High Schools

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