Better People in the News

August 2010
Better is pleased to be a recipient of a grant for $3000 from the Jackson Foundation. Better People appreciates the Foundation's support of our work and continued assistance in helping us to help our clients become not only better at making decisions but better workers as they gain and retain employment.

Better People congratulates the Jackson Foundation on their 50th anniversary of contributing to the health and welfare of Oregonians especially those residing in the Portland Metropolitan area.

Better People is proud to be associated with an organization founded on the principals of equity. The following message appeared in the Oregon Daily Journal from which the Foundation emerged:

The Journal in head and heart will stand for the people, be truly Democratic and free from political entanglements and machinations, believing in the principles that promise the greatest good to the greatest number---to ALL MEN, regardless of race, creed or previous condition of servitude......It shall be a FAIR newspaper and not a dull and selfish sheet......(and) a credit to 'Where rolls the Oregon' country...C.S. Jackson editorial, Oregon Daily Journal, July 23, 1902.

Better People thanks the Foundation for its 50 year commitment to Oregon communities.

August 2010
Better People joins with the Juan Young Trust to help young people who have legal histories become more efficient and effective in their search for jobs as they establish and maintain stable lifestyles. Better People proudly announces the Trust awarded Better People $8000 to help fund this endeavor.

July 2010
Better People is excited to be partnering with Spirit Mountain Community Fund as a 2010-2011 recipient of a grant for $10,000 to help fund our Job Readiness program. Better People appreciates the Spirit Mountain Community Fund for funding our program in our effort to help clients find and gain employment as they contribute to the healthy growth of each of their respective communities.

July 2010
Black United Fund of Oregon - YouTube video

May 2010
Better Better is pleased to announce that the Howard Wallis Irwin & Dorise Carlyon Irwin Foundation has given Better People a grant for $3000

May 2010
Better People is pleased to be the recipient of the Equity Foundation's Workplace Giving Campaign.

April 2010
Better People is the recipient of a grant from the Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust for $3,500.

April 2010
Better People is pleased to be the recipients of a grant from The Collins Foundation for $10,000 to help fund our Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT®) classes. Better People thanks the Foundation for our selection.

April 2010:
Guest Columnist Joshua Marquis Oregonian Op Ed: Shelving of Measure 57 was a shell game.   read more...
Executive Director Clariner Boston's response: As Executive Director of Better People, I feel compelled to respond to Joshua Marquis’ guest column.  read more...

April 2010:
Better People is pleased to again be the recipient of the Henry Family Foundation’s $25,000 matching grant. We need your contribution to help us reach this goal! Please refer to our on-line contribution process.

December 15, 2009
Better People client D. J. Fultz shares his life experiences - Better People ED Clariner Boston shares the organization's views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrwVn0S8oDMBoston,

January 2007: Over the past eight plus years, Better People has offered services to more than 3500 individuals who have legal histories, enrolled more than 2000 into the program, encouraged more than 1100 to pass Step Three of the MRT® process (considered to be job ready), assisted over 500 in gaining living-wage jobs, helped over 300 remain employed for at least a year or longer, and witnessed the graduation of almost 400 people who completed all Twelve Steps of the MRT® process.

March 2004: State Senator Avel Gordly to salute former formerly incarcerated persons who are changing their lives at Better People graduation ceremony Wednesday.

January 2004: Better People Receive Award. Better People, ... is this year’s winner of The Skanner’s “Drum Major for Justice Award,” presented at the 18th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Monday.

November 10, 2003: Costas donation buys softball gloves for people in recovery. As the Florida Marlins celebrate their World Series victory, a group of Portland ballplayers are celebrating their own "one-day-at-a-time" victory over addiction ..

September 23, 2003: Chair Diane Linn to salute former formerly incarcerated persons who are changing their lives. Organization will celebrate its 5th anniversary by welcoming back first former offender graduates.

March 25, 2003: Better People Graduates Find New Jobs and New Hope
Former formerly incarcerated persons Complete Key Program On Their Way To Recovery
Graduation Ceremony Scheduled for 6 pm -7:30 pm Wednesday, March 26 At Lutheran Inner City Ministries, 4219 NE MLK Blvd.

October 10, 2002 Milestones can be rare occurrences in a lifetime. And when they happen, they're often cause for pause or reflection.

September 18, 2001: A record 41 people will be honored during the Fall 2001 MRT Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, September 26.

August 7, 2001: Better People graduate is now hiring ex-individuals who have legal histories. Click to see a report (about one minute to download, courtesy of <INKFORGE> Web Coding).

July 18, 2001: Better People featured in report called Getting Back to Work: Employment Programs for Ex-individuals who have legal histories

May 2, 2001: Better People Awarded Grant To Serve Ex-Offender Food Stamp Recipients

March 30, 2001: Better People graduates featured on Oregon 12 television. Click here to see the story (about one minute to download, courtesy of <INKFORGE> Web Coding)

March 22, 2001: Better People featured in The Oregonian Read the story here.

August 17, 2000: Better People featured in Mercury: Read the story, New Age Prisoner Reform, and a letter to the editor written in response (scroll down a bit on this link).

July 24, 2000: Why should you hire a Better People client? A businessman explains why. (200k RealPlayer file from Oregon 12 television.-- about one minute to download, courtesy of <INKFORGE> Web Coding)

June 22, 2000: Better People Receives Enterprise Community Grant.

March 27, 2000: Third MRT Graduation set for this Thursday, March 30.

February 3, 2000: Send email to Barry Scheib, Marketer, if your company pays at least $8/hr. with health benefits and has a hard time finding and keeping good help.

December 2, 1999: See Channel 8's Report on Better People
(631k Real Player file, approximately 2-3 minutes to download, courtesy of <INKFORGE> Web Coding)

October 28, 1999: Better People Adds 5 Board Members

October 18, 1999: Read KGW-Channel 8's report on Better People.

October 12, 1999: You're looking at success -- the remarks of one Better People graduate

October 8, 1999: Murdock Trust gives Better People $80,000

October 5, 1999: Better People graduate featured in The Oregonian

September 30, 1999: Better People holds second MRT Graduation Ceremony

September 30, 1999: Better People graduate John Smith the focus of a report on News Channel 8; Graduation ceremony featured on Oregon 12 television..

July 21, 1999: From Jail to Jobs - from the Skanner

June 30, 1999: Meyer Trust Gives Better People $75,000

June 7, 1999: Annual Report and Current Program Update through June 7, 1999

May 10, 1999: Employers thrilled!

March 30, 1999: Better People holds first MRT Graduation Ceremony

March 16, 1999: 30 individuals who have legal histories placed in full-time jobs, averaging $9.12/hour!

March 15, 1999: Better People Board Expands