FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                     October 27, 2011

Contacts:       Karen Shawcross                              
                        Executive Director                     
                        kshawcross@hdcnwo.org                 
                        503.693.2937, Ext. 104          
                        Cell: 503.330.1717                     
 
Website:          www.bienestar-or.org

Elm Park Apartments Grand Reopening and Tile Mural Dedication
Forest Grove, OR – Residents, Forest Grove officials, Bienestar staff and supporters gathered Friday October 24th at the Elm Park Apartments for a grand reopening celebration and tile mural dedication marking the completion of 2 years worth of work. New siding, paint, a soccer field, picnic areas, community room, computer lab, and play structures for children turned this already friendly community into a vibrant place to live and play. Made possible by refinancing through USDA Rural Development, Elm Park is committed for another 33 years of affordable housing for farmworkers and their families.

 

Former Bienestar resident Isaac Alonzo designed the artwork used on the tile mural while local artist and Bienestar supporter Lynn Adamo of Our House Tile Design, with her team of volunteers and Elm Park children carried out the fabrication of the project.  RACC (Regional Arts and Culture Council) provided grant funding for the mural project.

Turning out to show support of the event were Forest Grove Mayor, Peter Truax and several members of the Forest Grove City Council.

The Mayor spoke at the event, commending Bienestar for a job well done for many years and all expressed their continuing support of Bienestar’s presence in Forest Grove for ensuring that affordable farmworker housing is more than just shelter, but also creates community.

Cutting the ribbon to dedicate the mural were Yareli Izquierdo and Lourdes Farfan Chavez, two residents and participants in Elm Park’s Homework Club. They were chosen by Bienestar staff for their hard work in Homework Club and school and their presence in the community. After the ribbon cutting, event guests gathered in the Elm Park Community Center to enjoy homemade salsa and refreshments, prepared by talented residents Josefina and Agustina. 

Bienestar is a nonprofit community development corporation providing affordable housing and resident services for 463 working poor families in Aloha, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Scappoose. Elm Park was the first development project for Bienestar, formerly Housing Development Corporation of Northwest Oregon, in the 1980s. Resident services programs are offered onsite for adult and youth residents in community rooms at the Bienestar apartment properties. Bienestar's mission is to build housing, hope and futures for the well-being of working families and seniors.