COVID-19 Resources for the Portland Community

The past year has brought so many challenges to our community with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the rollout of vaccines and public health measures, hope is on the horizon in 2021. Still, many Portlanders are struggling with the stress, uncertainty, and trauma of the pandemic. 

As we navigate year two of COVID-19, the Mac’s List team will continue to share resources for Portland residents, job seekers, employers, and parents. If you have a COVID-19 resource you would like us to add to this list, please send us an email at support@macslist.org.

Resources for Portland Residents

  • To learn more about Oregon’s vaccine distribution plan and when you are eligible to be vaccinated, visit the Oregon Health Authority website. You can also learn information about the situation in Oregon and receive guidance from OHA.
  • Get the latest updates on what the City of Portland is doing to combat the virus’s spread and updates from Mayor Wheeler here.
  • Find Multnomah County’s latest COVID-19 resources and updates here.
  • Congressman Earl Blumenauer and his team have a comprehensive list of emergency relief resources for the community. Click here to get information on food access, resources for college students, education and entertainment resources, and financial aid.
  • The NAACP put together a guide to the equity implications of the COVID-19 crisis. You can read that here.
  • For veterans, click here for updates on the VA’s response for veterans with symptoms and updates on veteran patients with COVID-19.
  • Click here to find resources for freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers and playwrights, photographers, and more.

Food Resources

How to Support the Community

  • Here for Portland is an initiative to support local businesses through a tough economic winter. 
  • Travel Portland has compiled ways you can show your love for Portland through the #PortlandTogether COVID-19 resources. This roundup includes COVID-19 resources for business owners. Additionally, Travel Portland has a guide to outdoor dining on patios and street plazas.
  • Early in the pandemic, our friends at Bridgeliner put together a list so everyone can chip in and help in ways big and small. Please consider supporting local businesses and showing up for people in need. Click here for resources and ideas of how to continue to show up for the community.
  • Eater Portland has an updated guide on where to give, volunteer, donate food, and support local restaurants during the pandemic. 

Self-Care Resources

Resources for Job Seekers

  • Here’s a list of all the available jobs in Portland that are here on Mac’s list.
  • For the tech industry: if you are a tech professional looking for employment opportunities, or a tech employer looking for immediate assistance, click here to view an updated list of tech professionals ready to be hired, provided by the Portland tech startup community.
  • Jobsnow.org has a list of COVID-19 job seeker resources. 
  • Boly:Welch

Resources for Employers

  • For information on unemployment benefits for job seekers and employers, visit the Oregon Employment Department website.
  • The Portland HR Management Association (PHRMA) has a series of resources for local employers, including articles on sick leave, crisis leadership, and webinars from HR experts.
  • If you’d like to communicate directly with other employers in our community, sign up for BBPDX’s Switchboard. This platform is structured around offers and asks to help connect people in need with real solutions.
  • Greater Portland rounded up all city, county, and state resources for businesses in one place: Resources for Greater Portland Businesses.
  • The National Council of Nonprofits has a step-by-step guide for nonprofits figuring out their next steps and making critical decisions: Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19.
  • The Communications Network created a Crisis Communication Resource Guide for COVID-19, built by and for foundations and nonprofit organizations supporting communities at local, regional, national, and global scale.
  • Want to make your virtual events or meetings on Zoom even better? Check out this comprehensive guide from Creative Mornings
  • Boly:Welch has compiled excellent resources to help you and your organization adapt in the COVID-19 era. They’ve also hosted virtual conversations with business partners around leadership, innovation, and connection during a time of crisis.

Resources for Parents

  • PDX Parent continues to add ideas and resources on its website to help your family weather the crisis.
  • Homeschooling parents, click here to learn more about Scholastic Learn at Home, a program offering 20 days of free access for up to 3 hours per day. Or sign up for the PBS Daily newsletter to get more ideas for activities you can use for playtime and learning time.
  • If your family is feeling extra stressed during COVID-19, click here for ways you can de-stress together.
  • If you’re looking to keep your kids entertained and learning, check out this guide to 30 virtual field trips of educational places you can explore together from your couch. Or visit a museum virtually. My Quarantine List offers virtual world tours.
  • Due to COVID-19, local nonprofit INSIGHT, is providing distance learning options for teen students stuck at home during the pandemic. High school students who are preparing for life after high school are the target audience for the INCIGHTFUL Transitions Curriculum. For more information and for a free demo lesson, go to incight.org/curriculum.