CCC’s podcast, They Are Us: Breaking Through Stigma, continues to shed light on the realities of homelessness and substance use in Portland, featuring voices from people in recovery and frontline experts. Hosted by Juliana Lukasik, CCC’s Public Affairs Director, the series challenges stigma by sharing stories and professional insights on the complex paths to healing and stability.
As episodes air, they will be available on our Podcast page!
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Listen to Episode 6
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Episode 6 Summary
In this episode of They Are Us, host Juliana explores a unique partnership between Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and CCC’s Clean Start program. Together, they’re not only tackling the visible challenges of trash, graffiti, and biohazards in the city, but also supporting individuals in recovery through meaningful employment and human connection.
In 2024 alone, Clean Start crews removed more than six million pounds of trash and over 92,000 needles from the Portland metro area. But their impact goes far beyond cleanliness. These team members often serve as trusted points of contact for houseless neighbors, local businesses, tourists, and law enforcement, acting as city ambassadors as much as cleaners. It’s work that often goes unseen, but it makes a world of difference—and the guests in this episode bring that story to life.
Guests Mark Wells, Executive Director of Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, and Mike Forney, a Clean Start team member affectionately known as “Belmont Mike,” share their perspectives on community, recovery, and the transformational power of trust and second chances.
Public Safety with a Human Lens
As the leader of Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, Mark Wells brings both lived experience from decades in law enforcement and a deep belief in the value of partnerships. He describes the enhanced service district’s wide-ranging work, from janitorial support to overdose response, and explains how collaboration with Clean Start fills vital gaps in the city’s public safety system. Mark emphasizes the mutual respect developed between cleaners, outreach workers, and police officers, pointing to real-world examples of trust and cooperation that are changing lives and shifting perceptions.
The Story Behind Belmont Mike
Mike Forney shares his powerful personal journey from addiction and homelessness to stability and purpose. After spending years living outside, often helping others even while he struggled, Mike credits outreach teams and faith-based recovery programs with giving him the support he needed to survive. Today, as a Clean Start team member, he shows up every morning to keep neighborhoods clean, connect with others still living outside, and offer the same compassion that once saved his life. His story is one of perseverance, healing, and the quiet leadership that comes from lived experience.
More Than Clean Streets
This episode highlights how partnerships rooted in trust and accountability can transform communities. Clean Start isn’t just about cleaning streets. It’s about creating a pathway to recovery, dignity, and reentry. When people with lived experience are empowered to engage directly with others in need, they become some of the most effective messengers of hope. And when systems like public safety and social services align, real progress becomes possible—not just for individuals, but for entire neighborhoods.
Listen to the sixth episode here and stay tuned for more honest stories and discussions that break stigma and foster understanding of homelessness and substance use disorders in our community.
