INTERTWINE SUMMIT 2021
Houselessness and the Environment panel discussion
2:40 to 3:40 p.m.
Houselessness is a social crisis, and we all have a role to play in finding solutions and a compassionate response. This panel will provide a quick overview of the current situation, including root causes of houselessness and its long-term solutions. It will focus on the unique character of our regional crisis and recognize its impact on the environment and the environmental sector. Most importantly, it will share ideas, tools and resources for how we can handle complex situations on the job right now.
MODERATOR
Hannah Buehler, Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Hannah Buehler (she/they) is a Watersheds and Environmental Justice Technician at Bonneville Environmental Foundation, developing relationships with grassroots partners to meet critical community needs around environmental justice, houselessness and hygiene access. They have been working to develop an online Trauma Informed Care training curriculum for land and water stewards designed to reduce traumatization and criminalization of unhoused folks in greenspaces. They also work to support partnerships with watershed councils and conservation organizations in tree planting and riparian restoration projects.
PANELISTS
Punneh Abdolhosseini, Metro
Punneh Abdolhosseini (she/her) is currently a Senior Community Stewardship Planner for Oregon Metro’s RID Patrol Team. This work includes supporting the expansion of the work transition program for people with barriers to employment. She is also currently managing the agency’s Reimagining Police, Security, and Incarcerated Labor project that is building the foundation for how Metro takes accountability for its relationships with the carceral system. Before her new role as Senior Community Stewardship Planner, she coordinated the operational needs of the RID Program. That work included supporting people experiencing houselessness to gain access to garbage disposal services. This work also supported Metro’s Parks and Nature department and other local governments with the movement of people when needed.
Roy Iwai, Multnomah County
Roy Iwai (he/him) is a water quality scientist with a passion for collaboration to improve watershed health. He has managed the Water Quality Program at Multnomah County since 2007. He leads several partnerships at the local and state levels, including the Clean Rivers Coalition, a collaborative partnership dedicated to creating the first statewide clean water outreach campaign in Oregon. Roy has a Masters degree in Oceanography from Louisiana State University.
Barbie Weber, Ground Score
Barbra (Barbie) Weber (she/her/they/them) is a committed advocate on issues regarding hygiene access for all, environmental justice and housing rights. She's co-founder and coordinator for Ground Score Association (a peer-lead initiative of Trash for Peace). Barbie is also a Gather Make Shelter academy member, Oregon Poor People's Campaign Coordinating Committee member, Central Eastside Together board member and Hazelnut Grove villager. In February 2021, Barbie piloted the GLITTER program (Ground Score Association Leading Inclusively Together Through Environmental Recovery), a sustainable tent-side trash service for people living outside. She has been highly involved in many organizations and advocacy groups including Street Roots, Sisters of the Road, Right 2 Survive, Western Regional Advocacy Project, etc.
Barbra is an effective communicator with a gentle demeanor. Her motto in life is to do as little harm as possible to all life around her, to make every effort to assist in the betterment no matter what race, religion, gender identity, social status, mental health, criminal history, age, etc. And to fight with all her might to tear down stereotypes and to end hate that divides communities to their core.
Nili Yosha, Outside the Frame
Nili Yosha (she/her) is the Artistic and Executive Director at Outside the Frame. The daughter of indie filmmakers and a supplemental educator for most of her life, Nili started a filmmaking program for homeless youth in 2009, and in 2015, made it a stand-alone organization dedicated to training homeless and marginalized youth to be the directors of their own films and lives. Since then, Outside the Frame has become a household name for homeless youth empowerment and has been awarded Best New Nonprofit by Portland Monthly Magazine. She has two kids and a wife who is a midwife.