St. Johns Main Street was formed in 2010 by a group of passionate St. Johns residents and business owners who are committed to making our community more vibrant, stable, and sustainable.

Accomplishments

Since St. Johns Main Street was formed in 2010, the organization has been busy establishing itself in the community.  Successes include:

  • Incorporation of St. Johns Main Street as an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
  • Establishment an office on “Main Street” (Lombard Ave)
  • Establishment the largest safety watch Foot Patrol in the city of Portland
  • Secured grants to improve public safety and graffiti abatement
  • Created a Walking Map marketing tool for downtown St. Johns
  • Achieved a comprehensive recycling program with new locally designed and produced trash and recycle receptacles
  • Established ‘WinterFest’ as a signature Main Street event
  • Organized a Clean Sweep event with more than 250 volunteers to sweep, haul trash, replant, pull ivy, and spiff up North Lombard Street from St. Louis to Richmond Avenues
  • Collaboration between University of Portland business class and 10 St. Johns Businesses
  • Held a Design Workshop to envision what St. Johns might look like in the future
  • Established a weekly electronic newsletter, social media presence, and community calendar

Current Initiatives

St. Johns Main Street current and immediate future projects include:

  • Strengthen communication between Main Street and the community, including a new website, quarterly Business Mixer, Block Captain program and quarterly Gazette newspaper
  • Increase marketing of the St. Johns business district throughout Portland and SW Washington, including the branding of St. Johns
  • Establish a menu of services and resources to support local businesses
  • Attract new businesses to the district’s empty storefronts
  • Design and implement blade signs to make businesses visible and provide an unique atmosphere
  • Increase attendance at St. Johns signature events such as St. Johns Parade, Bizarre, Farmer’s Market, and Main Street’s Winterfest
  • Create 3-D Google Map sketch-up of downtown St. Johns
  • Create an online St. Johns business directory

Vision

St. Johns is a diverse neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, that feels like a small town in
the middle of the city. Its main street business district serves as the center of a thriving
community. The district is defined by the rich history of its buildings, bridge, industries
and unique geographic location. Its future growth is achieved by economically and
environmentally sustainable and diverse local businesses, supported by the resources
of a collaborative community.

Mission

The mission of the St. Johns Main Street Coalition is to create a thriving and diverse
town center that supports and attracts small businesses and customers. We connect
the people and resources of St. Johns to preserve our unique business district, promote
livability, and foster responsible development for the future.

Main Street & The Four Point Approach

Main Street is a national movement that has been around for more than 30 years and has been applied to more than 2,000 communities. Through the passion of community volunteers, the program’s proven four point approach, resources, and assistance have helped these district’s revitalize their downtown and neighborhood business districts. The result is a more vibrant, stable, and sustainable community. Click here to learn more.

Board of Directors

Ryan Deibert, President
Ending Homelessness Initiative at City of Portland

John Palmeri, Treasurer
Albina Community Bank

Amanda Morgan

Josh Guerra, Chair of Design
Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects

Roslyn Hill
Property Owner

Gilbert Luzader
NW Storage

Nicole Lennol
Farrell Realty

Nicole Blanchette
Leisure Public House

John Huckfeldt
Marie’s

Mike Fahey
Carpenter’s Food Bank

OFFICE

Robin Wright, Americorps VISTA
robinw@stjohnsmainstreet.org

AMERICORPS VISTA

APPLY HERE

We are excited to announce that the St. Johns Main Street Coalition is now accepting applications for an AmeriCorps VISTA member to start service in July 2013, The AmeriCorps VISTA member will work for a 12 month period with St Johns Main Street to support the mission and goals of the organization. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide capacity building support to stimulate economic development within the St. Johns neighborhood business district. The AmeriCorps VISTA member will work with the staff, board, and volunteers to build organizational infrastructure, expand community partnerships, secure long-term resources and coordinate training.

Main Street AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Goals
1. To stimulate economic activity within the business districts utilizing the Main Street Four-Point Approach® resulting in increased opportunities for gainful & secure employment.
2. To develop and implement fundraising strategies based on diversified income streams. Secure resource development strategies will allow the organizations to spend more time on economic development activities and less on fundraising activities.
3. To create a strong base of committed volunteers and the systems to support transitions on or off of committees and/or projects.

Essential Responsibilities/Activities:
The successful VISTA candidate should be entrepreneurial, energetic, imaginative, well organized and capable of functioning effectively in an independent situation. Additionally, s/he should bring excellent verbal and written communication skills (in person and via email) and be technologically competent. It is also essential that the VISTA be able to regularly traverse the district and interact respectfully with a diverse population. Ability to work evening and weekend hours.

Required Qualifications:
• Associates or Bachelors degree or 3+ years of relevant experience
• At least 18 years of age
• A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident
• Able to serve full-time for one year
• Ability to pass a criminal history background check

Preferred Qualifications:
• Education and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: economics, public relations, planning, business administration, public administration, retailing, volunteer or nonprofit administration and/or small business development.
• Volunteer recruitment and/or training experience
• Proficient in a variety of software programs
• Project management experience
• Event coordination experience
• Facilitation skills

Physical Requirements:
• Typical office work requires the ability to lift, carry, push and pull objects up to 20 pounds. Duties may require lifting 40 pounds occasionally.
• Sitting for extended periods, but may involve some amount of standing, stooping, kneeling, bending, lifting, walking, carrying, and reaching.
• Extensive wrist and hand movements required for frequent keyboarding and use of office equipment.
• Ability to perform close work to file, read and use computer.
• Ability to continuously exchange information through listening and talking with coworkers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals required.
• Ability to be mobile community wide for appropriate organizational needs required.

AmeriCorps*VISTA Benefits:
• An annual taxable living allowance of $$11,352, dispersed bi-weekly
• An education award of $5,550 OR a stipend of $1,500 upon successful completion of service
• Health care
• Relocation allowance if moving more than 50 miles to serve
• Loan forbearance and interest accrual payment on qualified student loans
• Child care (if eligible)
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Non-competitive eligibility for federal government service (for one year after service)

APPLY HERE

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

www.stjohnsmainstreet.org/community-partners