January 2025
New Year, New Home!
Dear Friends,
This year started with our favorite kind of celebration: housing! Thanks to our valued partnership with Homes for Humanity, we unveiled a new property called Cultivate Commons. This local development consists of six units: five 2-bedroom apartments and one 3-bedroom house. We are grateful to offer these apartments at an affordable rate, aiming to house 10-13 people.
It gets even better—Cultivate Commons is just a short walk from our Workforce Hub, allowing us to walk alongside our residents in this new chapter of their lives. We’re here to help them hang curtains, find furniture, and set up their homes. More importantly, we’re committed to celebrating birthdays, sharing meals, and ensuring that they feel supported and not alone.
Cultivate Commons represents a significant milestone for all of us—our team, our partners, and everyone who believes that change is possible.
More than just a property, it symbolizes our promise and commitment to continue standing by our neighbors, filling gaps, and creating spaces that are safe, supportive, and full of opportunities.
Thank you for supporting us on this journey.
A Big Thanks & A Warm Welcome
Earlier this month, our Director of Development & Relationships, Matthew McCarl, transitioned to pursue further education in social work.
Since the early days of Cultivate Initiatives, Matthew has been an invaluable leader, and we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for his contributions and to cheer him on in his next chapter.
When we think of Matthew, words like grounded, kind, thoughtful, and unwaveringly supportive come to mind. His good-natured spirit and dedication have left a lasting impact, and we know he will continue to inspire and be for & with the people.
Thank you, Matthew, for everything—the hard work, the heart, and the commitment you’ve poured into this community. Your legacy will always be a part of Cultivate Initiatives. Wishing you all the best in this next journey!
Caleb Coder
Executive Director / Cultivate Initiatives
We are excited to introduce Ryan Saari, who is stepping into this important role. We warmly welcome Ryan!
Dear Friends,
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Director of Development and Relationships here at CI. It’s an honor to join this incredible organization and be part of a team dedicated to empowering our neighbors and building community from the inside out.
At Cultivate Initiatives, we believe in leading with authenticity, trust, and inclusion. From providing housing solutions to offering workforce development opportunities, we’re creating pathways for stability and independence for those facing the highest barriers. As we continue to expand our programs and partnerships, my focus will be on fostering relationships that strengthen our impact and amplify the voices of those we serve.
I’m looking forward to connecting with each of you—whether you’re a long-time partner, new supporter, or just curious about our work. So here’s my invitation: send me an email and say hello! Let me know what inspires you about this work, how you’d like to get involved or just introduce yourself. I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for your continued support of Cultivate Initiatives. I’m excited to join you in making a difference, one relationship at a time.
Ryan Saari
Director of Development & Relationships / Cultivate Initiatives
Share Laughter this February
We believe that laughter is the shortest distance between people. For the second consecutive year, we're excited to host a one-night-only show featuring four incredibly talented and accredited comedians, hosted by Portland's own Julian Gray. This event promises a night full of laughter, community, and fun!
We’ll be sending out all the details on how to snag your tickets next week, so keep an eye out—belly laughs await!
Thanks for your ongoing support,
From the Cultivate Initiatives Team
