Alliance for a Safe Oregon

Mission

ASO is on a mission to end firearm related tragedies and build communities where all Oregonians feel safe and have opportunities to thrive. We’re practical and proactive, collaborating with community leaders to develop programs based on evidence, guided by healthcare experts, informed by lived-experience of survivors, and designed to save lives.

Bottom Line

In Portland, communities face intersecting challenges of firearm suicide and community gun violence, with the greatest impact being on communities of color, Veterans, low-income populations, and youth. Firearm suicide is higher than the national average, youth from Black and brown communities report anxiety around going to school, and BIPOC-led organizations have often been excluded from decision-making. We address these gaps by advancing equitable, community-driven solutions that reduce harm, build leadership, and expand access to life-saving interventions. 

From delivering free firearm suicide prevention training to primary care doctors and social workers (who often see patients shortly before a suicide attempt but lack tools and confidence to address firearm access), creating a curriculum for pediatric residents at OHSU about firearm safety and secure storage (which will eventually be used across the nation), to creating a youth program supporting BIPOC middle and high school students impacted by gun violence and providing them with trauma-informed care, leadership development, and pathways into civic engagement, we are dedicated to making Portlanders feel safer in their communities.

Quote

“I was grazed by a bullet and this was the first time I was able to talk to an adult about it.” -A high school student who completed our youth program in 2025

Incentives

$25+ donors will all receive an ASO sticker.

The first 10 donors who give $200+ will receive a signed book from Kim Stafford, Oregon's former poet laureate.

Our 50th donor will receive $50 in gift cards from Baker and Spice, one of Portland's most delicious bakeries.

In honor of Measure 114 passing (a ballot measure requiring permit to purchase a firearm and other life-saving regulations), our 114th donor will receive a $50 gift card to the Sesame Collective (can be used at Dolly Olive, Shalom Y'all, MEC, or Yalla).

Partner(s)

Kim Stafford: Oregon's former poet laureate, Kim Stafford, is providing signed books for our poetry incentive.

Baker and Spice: Baker and Spice, one of Portland's most delicious bakeries, is providing $50 in gift cards for our 50th donor.

Project POOCH: Project POOCH is our non-profit partner. We will be hosting a trivia event together on 11/9. Get your tickets here!

Holy Ghost Bar: Holy Ghost is donating their space for our trivia night. They are also donating a gift card to the winning trivia team. 

Untapped Trivia: Untapped Trivia, previously voted Portland's best trivia company in Willamette Week, is offering us a discounted rate for our 11/9 trivia night.

Sesame Collective: Sesame Collective is donating a $50 gift card for our 114th donor.