As part of our values of accessibility and transparency, Community Warehouse invites staff at all levels to participate in shaping the policies, tools, and resources that directly impact their work and well-being. This includes collaborative processes for reviewing and revising the employee handbook, contributing feedback during budget development, and helping design internal systems that support a healthy workplace culture. Based on staff feedback to improve retention and work-life balance, Community Warehouse piloted and implemented a 4-day workweek in 2024! (We are one of the first direct service nonprofits in our region with a 4-day workweek.) Also based on staff feedback, and recognizing that front-line employees are more likely to defer making a personal retirement contribution, Community Warehouse now offers a set amount contributed per paycheck, whether or not the employee chooses to contribute.
With support from Sara Curiel-Paez at Capacity-Building Partnerships, our staff created and now actively implement an equity lens to support more equitable decision-making.
We embed equity in all-staff trainings and retreats. In the past year, our staff went on the Fair Housing Council Bus Tour to learn about housing discrimination in Oregon and went through a training on trauma-informed care with a racial justice lens.
Equity is woven through our Strategic Plan and in our values of accessibility, community, and respect: how we provide client-centered, trauma-informed, dignity-driven services for clients, how we ensure participation in our mission is accessible for donors and volunteers, and much more.
In June, we opened our 3rd furniture bank location in Gresham, which makes Community Warehouse the first furniture bank in the country with 3 locations! Approximately 40% of our clients come to us from East County, so this expansion is an important move to provide more accessible services, lower wait times for our other furniture banks in NE Portland and Tigard, expand furniture pickup routes for donors, and engage more community members in Gresham.
We have ongoing pop-up volunteer events at all three locations! Our next volunteer pop-up is Saturday, July 12 from 1-4 PM at our Gresham location.
We’re planning an Estate Store Night Market on September 19, 2025 at our NE Portland location, featuring music, refreshments, and lots of local vendors!
One of Community Warehouse’s objectives is that our staff, board, and volunteers reflect the community we serve. Partners in Diversity’s job board helps us reach a diverse audience that shares our values, and events like Say Hey help us foster community connections and build relationships. We love this community and are proud to be part of it!
