FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                       March 31, 2010

Contacts:        Karen Shawcross                                Molly Shank

                        Executive Director                               President

                        kshawcross@hdcnwo.org                   Portland Women's Foundation

                        503.693.2937, Ext. 104                        info@portlandwomensfoundation.org

Cell: 503.330.1717                              

Website:          www.bienestar-or.org

                        www.portlandwomensfoundation.org

Bienestar, a nonprofit based in Hillsboro , is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant in the amount of $6,750 from the Portland Women's Foundation for 2010.   In announcing the award Karen Nelson, Selections Chair of the foundation said, "The Portland Women's Foundation values Bienestar's contributions to our community.   We look forward to a great year working together with Bienestar to enhance resources for women in need in the Portland metropolitan area."

Bienestar is a nonprofit community development corporation providing affordable housing and resident services for 458 low-income families in Aloha, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Scappoose.   Resident services programs are offered onsite for adult and youth residents in community rooms at the ten Bienestar apartment properties. Bienestar's mission is to build housing, hope and futures for the well-being of working families.

"We are very grateful for this investment by the Portland Women's Foundation, and will put this award to work right away to support our new counseling program for women residents who live in our apartment communities", says Bienestar Executive Director Karen Shawcross.   "In response to growing needs for mental health services for our residents, we were fortunate recently to recruit Leocadia Montero to our staff.   A recent graduate of Pacific University 's Master's program, she is able to offer bilingual, bicultural counseling services using a cognitive behavioral model.   This grant award supports the new women's therapy group she has organized to help residents deal with post- traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues."

The Portland Women's Foundation (PWF) funds housing and education programs that impact and improve the lives of women in metropolitan Portland Oreogn, including Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties.   By funding small, grassroots programs, foundation ensures that the grants provided empower women to become independent and self-sustaining.   In 2009, PWF increased its giving and granted $190,925 to 26 organizations which help women become self-sufficient.   For over 120 years, PWF has believed that investing in women is crucial to the well being of the greater Portland community.

For more information, contact Bienestar Executive Director Karen Shawcross at 503.693.2937, Ext. 104.or kshawcross@hdcnwo.org.