It’s March and in Portland and that can mean sheets of cold winter rain or brilliant blue skies that say spring is tantalizingly close.  Both, really: sometimes one or the other every ten minutes. 

Here at DRO, we are settling into new digs.  After 18 years at our former location, we moved two blocks west to the corner of Broadway and Alder in downtown Portland.  Our move was prompted by the need to find less expensive rent.  Like many other publicly-funded programs, budgets are strapped.

Moving is always a challenge, especially after collecting 18 years worth of, uh, junk.  It can be especially interesting for a program like ours that likes to settle into older office buildings which must be thoroughly accessible for clients, staff and visitors with disabilities.  I’ve joked that we should move more often just to bring more old buildings into ADA compliance.

When we signed our last lease five years ago, we had no way of knowing that the Oregon legislature would decide to hold yearly sessions and it’s 2012 session would meet in February.  We didn’t know that we would be in the midst of a major lawsuit seeking to enforce the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want integrated employment.  We also didn’t know that a few staff members would be grappling with serious health or family issues.  We did know that the lease ended on February 29, 2012, Leap Day.  Back in 2007, that date sounded peaceful enough.

But we did it!  The phones, computers, servers, desks, chairs, books, files, bookcases, file cabinets, printers, plants, pictures, tables, lamps, appliances, and just plain, uh, stuff, made it with hardly any disruption in service.  We’ve changed our stationery, business cards, and shortened our web address.  The building has installed power door openers, a new elevator and is still making modifications to suit our needs.  All the boxes aren’t empty but we’re getting there.

Meanwhile, the legislative session completed its work on major reforms to health care, education and early childhood services, passed a budget that avoided additional cuts to human services and declined to pass a few bills that would have eroded the rights of Oregonians with disabilities.  DRO’s casework, litigation, outreach, training, benefits planning and information/referral services have continued unabated. 

This is all to say that February presented DRO with many challenges.  Our incredible staff, however, rose to the occasion.  Long hours, a flurry of details and a variety of major stressors have been endured and overcome.  What also endures is the skill of our staff, commitment to our clients and passion for DRO’s mission.

I say it often: it is a privilege to do this important work with our incredible crew of employees, volunteers and partners.  Thank you.