Peggy was homeless for over a year until she connected with Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) by happenstance. The single mother believed she was calling a different agency when she dialed our phone number and spoke extensively about the circumstances surrounding her homelessness with one of our staff, Ellon. She said for the first time, she felt heard.

“I learned that by behaving and achieving at a level that allows you to have options, you gain control over your life,” Michael says. “It’s not just about positioning yourself; it’s about gaining and maintaining confidence that you can achieve your goals.”

Amaya, a Grant High School student, shares the value that she feels from a culture that forges safety through diversity and inclusivity. A culture like that of Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI). As a Black and Filipina woman, Amaya loves knowing that she is a part of a family that holds the culture of all people in high regard.

John approached Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) after having battled a substance abuse problem and homelessness for over five years. Desperate for help because he now had a child on the way, he connected with a coordinator in our Community and Family Programs (CFP) department in order to begin a treatment program because he wanted to break the family cycle of drug abuse.

For Emerald, by doing the “small things” for the kids she now serves, she hopes to continue sharing her giftings with others so that she can be a guiding light, just like SEI was for her.

Once paired with her coordinator, June, Sierra began a long but rewarding journey towards graduation. June worked with Sierra daily, implementing tools for success along the way that started to shift Sierra’s idea of academic achievement. She began completing assignments, socializing in healthy ways with her peers, and participating in extracurricular activities.

Through the support and guidance of SEI, Jasmine is now linked with a support system that is empowering her through her healing journey. She has received rental assistance from our agency so that her family will have a roof over their head and has attained another full-time job!

Knowing that Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), through our Community & Family Programs (CFP) department has programs specially designed for children just like David, his DHS caseworker approached our agency hoping to find resources that would stabilize him and return him to a safe home. At SEI, our wrap-around services not only serve individual young people but their entire family.

In early September 2020, the Pacific Northwest was ravaged by devastating wildfires that burned over one million acres of land in the state of Oregon alone. As a result, the air quality in the region increased to such hazardous levels that our skies were orange, and the air outside was almost unbreathable. Recognizing the urgent need at hand, Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) partnered with The Joint Office of Homelessness (JOHS) to help reduce the impact of poor air quality on our most vulnerable community members

Shy and self-conscious, Rosalyn, a Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) student since the 6th grade, modeled good behavior in school but struggled academically in math and science. Her difficulties in these subjects continued into high school, affecting her progress toward graduation -- until she partnered with an SEI coordinator to create an Individual Success Plan (ISP).

The Center is a safe haven for me. A place I know I can always come home to, no matter where I go next, or how long I’ve been gone. The SEI standards and culture is so strongly woven into who I am that it’s almost like an armor of confidence and strength because I am confident in who I am, and I am strong because of the village that poured into me.”

“SEI is a platform in which each of us has been given the chance to showcase ourselves. SEI has introduced me to people, places and opportunities that I’ve turned into even greater and more enriched experiences.

“Being a part of the SEI has caused immense growth within my character and has translated throughout my life. I only knew myself in relation to my grades and meekness, but now I have found and exercised my voice, to elevate myself and the people around me. I see myself today as a leader, an advocate and a team player, because of SEI providing me with the platform to tap into my potential.

“When I joined SEI, I automatically felt a connection because of how welcoming everyone was. I was a student who was always involved in drama or in trouble, but when I realized my privilege of being in the SEI program, that all changed. I struggled throughout middle school and every step of my hard times, SEI was always there.

SEI introduced me to a community of people who look just like me, and this has helped me become more comfortable with myself. Being outspoken was never a word to describe me, but SEI motivated me to speak up for myself and have the confidence in my beliefs and individuality—which is something I have been struggling with all my life.

“SEI introduced to many successful people of color, which is something you don’t see enough of in Portland. I enjoyed listening to many talks from Nike and Jordan Brand representatives about their paths to success. It was good to see people who looked like me share their stories because it inspired me to seek my own success without limiting myself.

“The adults that I have met through SEI have made a tremendous impact in my life, from advocating for me and showing they believe in me, to inspiring me and helping me realize my potential. I’ve become a self-driven, strong, and confident leader, with a multitude of life skills where I feel confident taking the next step of my education.”

“SEI has always been there for me. SEI stood up for me in situations where I’ve been mistreated. SEI has even paid for trips, clubs and events just so I wouldn’t have to worry about the financial cost.”

“SEI turned out to be a four-year support system that provided me with social connection, academic support, financial assistance, and a sense of belonging. Ultimately, it connected me with mentors that always believed in me.”

“With the help of SEI, I now realize that I have the potential to be great at whatever I do and have the options to achieve it. I now live by one of SEI’s slogans, “Youth Potential Realized” and will accept nothing less than what I deserve and one day when I’m successful, I will help young black kids realize their potential.”

"The moment my aunt said 'I'm so proud of you!', I had to pinch myself a couple of times to know that this was reality...then I was greeted by my SEI Coordinator, that is when I sighed with relief - my prayer was answered. My dream came true!" - Javondre' Cole, 2018 Jordan Wings Scholar Program Participant

As always, when Shereen Sherman spoke in front of the school board this spring, she was prepared. As Student Body President of Jefferson High School, she felt it was her obligation to help the board understand the problems that other students were afraid to talk about.

Rosalyn, an SEI student since the 6th grade was very shy and a self-conscious student. While she was a good student who stayed out of trouble she also struggled in certain academic areas such as math and science. Rosalyn was always hard on herself and it caused her to avoid opportunities.

SEI helped him get summer employment and have been able to keep him from being kicked out of school. Once this youth was able to move home, SEI worked with DHS to allow him to be able to stay home and support his mom by developing a plan of how she can successfully parent him and keep him out of trouble.

Her SEI coordinator worked with her daily to make sure she was in school every day, even if it meant picking her up in the mornings to get her to school. Her coordinator also remained consistent in making sure Sierra was completing her school assignments and staying focused socially.

“Because of SEI, we all became something better than what people expected of us.” The three Lincoln sibling didn’t get many breaks in their young lives. Their father died before most of them were old enough to remember much about him. Their mother abandoned them for five years, calling only once – on LaToya’s 16th birthday. Their oldest brother was in jail. But LaToya declares for all them, “We don’t make any excuses. Excuses never change anything, you do.”