About Fourth Plain Forward
ABOUT
The Fourth Plain District
Our diverse community, comprising over 21,000 individuals from various backgrounds, reflects a tapestry of cultures and experiences. However, amid this diversity, we confront substantial challenges – systemic racism, enduring poverty, and pronounced health disparities.
These challenges are not abstract concepts; they shape the daily reality of our community. Fourth Plain Forward serves as the driving force that brings together established systems, grassroots initiatives, residents, and businesses. Our shared goal is to break down the barriers that have hindered our communities progress.
ABOUT
Uplifting Communities
Our commitment extends specifically to uplift Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, alongside those facing resource limitations and exclusion from mainstream services. We recognize that the conventional narrative often fails to encompass the full spectrum of human experience.
While we are rooted in the Fourth Plain corridor, our impact is not geographically tied to the area. We actively collaborate with communities and organizations across Vancouver and Clark County.
Our Long term goals
Guiding our actions, our three Goals shape our programming, steer our initiatives, and inform our decisions.
People
Socio Economic Autonomy - Empowering individuals to achieve financial independence and control over their economic futures, education and wellbeing.
Place
Thriving, well-resourced neighborhoods - Creating vibrant, resource-rich environments where community members flourish.
Policy
Inclusive & equitable policy transformation - Advocating for and implementing policies that promote fairness, inclusivity, and justice for all community members
OUR FIVE VALUES
In parallel, our Five Values detail the ethical and strategic routes we take towards community development and social change
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Racial Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice: We stand with and for our Black, Brown, and Indigenous community members as well as folks who are under-resourced and excluded from mainstream services, and those whose social capital does not meet the expected norms and standards of mainstream society. By promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect, we seek to make a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
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Our approach is rooted in the wisdom and strength of our communities. We do not take a top down approach, but are facilitators, committed to amplifying the voices of our residents in every decision we make. We believe the keys to meaningful change are found in the hearts and minds of community members. We are here to support their vision, fostering an environment where they lead the charge towards growth and betterment.
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We believe in the power of unity. We are more than an organization; we are part of a larger community that includes residents, businesses, and other local organizations. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners, combining our strengths to create a collective impact that surpasses what any of us could achieve individually. We foster an environment of shared goals and collaborative action, united for the common good of our communities.
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We champion development that values people over profits. Our goal is to ensure that growth and progress benefit all community members, without causing displacement or disrupting our diverse social fabric. We advocate for policies and initiatives that make our community a place where everyone can thrive, regardless of their economic status.
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We are dedicated to nurturing an environment that respects and adapts to our changing climate. This means encouraging practices that reduce environmental impact and enhance our community's resilience. We believe that by embracing sustainable living and understanding our role in the ecosystem, we can make our communities more adaptable and sustainable for generations to come. Underlying these pillars is our dedication to empowering the people we serve. We envision communities that are resilient, self-determining, autonomous, and fully capable of shaping their own futures. This vision fuels our commitment, shaping our approach, and driving our actions.
Our Five Priority Areas
Our five priority areas provide the programmatical direction for Fourth Plain Forward. They align directly to our long term goals and are managed by our Program Managers.
01 Community Wealth Building
Empowering our community by enhancing workforce development opportunities, promoting educational access, fostering small business innovation and growth, and improving financial wellness. Our initiatives include:
Business Incubator and technical assistance for entrepreneurs and small businesses
Career Center & Job Board
Financial Wellness for residents
02 Thriving Neighborhoods
Creating culturally congruent transportation and mobility solutions, health programs, climate adaptation strategies, and initiatives to improve food access. Our initiatives include:
Climate Adaptation Task Force
Culturally Congruent Birth Doula training
Culturally Specific Food Access
**03** Affordable Housing and Asset Development
Advocating for inclusive housing policies, development of affordable housing, fostering of inclusive and accessible community assets. Our initiatives, geared towards fostering inclusive, accessible, and well-resourced neighborhoods, include:
Housing Advocacy
Research and Development of Affordable Housing
**04** Learning and Evaluation
Our commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and impact. We promote community engagement and civic leadership, and build capacity within Community Based Organizations. Our initiatives include:
Fiscal Sponsorship & capacity building of Black, Brown and indigenous-led CBOs
Neighborhood Association Capacity Building
Monitoring & Evaluation Systems
**05** Art, History, and Culture
Celebrating the rich cultural heritage that binds our community together through public art, music, historical interpretation, cultural interpretation and more. Our initiatives include:
Grandmother Camas
Summer of Art programming
Historical Research and interpretation
TEAM MEMBERS
Meet The Team
Paul Burgess
Executive Director
Linkedin >
Paris Nelson
Strategic Development and Policy Manager
Linkedin >
Wil Fuentes
Program Manager
Linkedin >
Miryam Valdivia
Program Manager
Linkedin >
Michelle Tan
Fourth Plain Community Commons Operations Manager
Linkedin >
Angela Jenkins
Fourth Plain Community Commons Kitchen Manager Linkedin >
Kiana Coburn
Fourth Plain Community Commons Marketing Coordinator
Linkedin >
Almendra Velazquez
Climate and Health Coordinator
Linkedin >
FOURTH PLAIN FORWARD
Meet The Board
Dr Michele Cruse
Board President
LinkedIn >
Mariana Zaragoza
Board Vice President
LinkedIn >
Kyle Roslund
Board Secretary
Website >
Bill Steiner
Board Member
Website >
Javier Navarro
Board Member
Website >
Nicole Peppers
Board Member
LinkedIn >
Sharif Burdzik
Board Member
Linkedin >
Lourdes Salmonte García
Board Member
LinkedIn >
Rudolfo Serna
Board Member
Website >
Melissa Williams
Board Member
LinkedIn >
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