Advocate with Central City Concern

Group of people posing for photo outside Puentes complex

Our clients’ stories matter. Not just to those we serve, but to people in the halls of power who can support CCC’s mission of ending homelessness.

Our public policy team works year-round to advance policies to end homelessness, improve health care access, increase economic justice, correct racial disparities and achieve greater alignment of the support systems our clients rely on. And as a direct-service organization, we know that the most powerful agents for change are CCC’s clients, alumni and direct service staff.

We help our clients and staff share their experiences — of recovery from homelessness, substance use disorder, illness or unemployment — in ways that encourage elected officials to change systems that aren’t working for our community.

You’ll find CCC clients, former clients and staff:

Speaking in support of renter protections and supportive employment before the Portland City Council.
Meeting with Oregon legislators to talk about improving community health and wellness through criminal justice reform, housing access, and economic opportunity.
Advocating for Multnomah County to invest more in culturally specific behavioral health services for our Latinx and Black communities.
Explaining to local and state officials why Oregon needs a better re-entry and diversion program to improve health, wellness and justice in our African American community.

Our policy focus in 2021:

Integrated approaches to ensuring access to housing, health care, economic resiliency and social connectedness

We work with local, state and federal governments, as well as community partners, to improve short-term responsiveness and make long-term foundational systems change, with the goal of improving opportunities and health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and poverty, and centering disparities felt by Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other communities of color.

Download our policy agenda