Birch Community Services

Mission

Our mission is to build a financially stable community by providing education, food, and nurturing accountability.

Bottom Line for Portland

In Oregon, 45% of households were living paycheck to paycheck in 2022, with 560,869 households defined as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), earning above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what’s needed to survive in the current economy. At Birch Community Services, we address the root causes of financial difficulty by providing financial literacy education. Families receive weekly groceries, take our 6-hour financial course, and meet regularly with a Birch financial counselor. In exchange, families pay $80/month and volunteer 2 hours/month. 

Quote

"Since joining Birch 9 months ago, we've paid off thousands of dollars in debt. And now whenever we have challenging conversations about money, we have a system!"

- Ben & Misha Herrmann, Participants

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Birch Community Services is here to serve our whole community and we celebrate the diversity of each of our participants (now and in the future). As an organization, we value the varying perspectives and thoughts of others so we can continue to grow and meet the needs of each area of our community. We are committed to learning and growing as we seek to make Birch a safe and welcoming space for everyone regardless of age, race, nationality, gender, religion, sexuality, or ability. 

Birch Seeks To:

• *Celebrate diversity
• *Be a safe and welcoming place
• *Value varying perspectives
• *Meet the needs of our whole community
• *Continue to learn and grow

Partner(s)

We are honored to partner with one of our ongoing agency partners, Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm! 

Sales Xceleration is partnering with us this year through a generous $2500 matching donation on Giving Tuesday (December 3rd)!

Rogers Machinery is partnering with us this year as well through their generous $2000 matching donation that will end our year on December 31st!