It's been a devastatingly hard time for a lot of folks. Dealing with the impacts of the current administration is an ongoing battle and it is going to take all of us, doing our best, in whatever ways we can. The enshittification is real. If you are looking to get more involved and engaged in 2026, do not wait any longer! Action is the antidote to despair; everyone has their part to play, from donating money to writing representatives to showing up at the ICE facility to protest.
There are so many orgs both local and national that are doing the hard work of resistance. I am posting this (crossposted on SubRosaPDX.com) and will work to update it throughout 2026 as we find new opportunities and orgs to support.
So let's buckle up, hang on to each other, and put direct action on our immediate to-do list for this next year.
✓ Join forces with the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC):
PIRC has been doing some impressive work leading Migra Watch online trainings and creating systems that alert the community to the presence of ICE. They have been dispatching a network of community volunteers to witness and report detentions and/or arrests where possible. Head over to their website to sign up for the next training, download and print hotline flyers or educational 'Know Your Rights' info sheets. If you are not able to be an in-person reporter or witness, distributing these flyers to your community can be a great way to support the effort. This resource will be more supportive if information is shared widely. The flyers are available to download and print in both English and Spanish. You can also host a fundraiser. If anything, DONATE! They are doing very necessary work.
✓ Volunteer and support The Marie Equi Center:
The Marie Equi Center is doing amazing work to empower and improve the health of LGBTQIA2S+ folks in the Pacific Northwest. They host free events, legal clinics, and have drop-in service hours for the Trans and Queer Service Center and Community Health Program. You can sign up to volunteer or donate. Follow them @marieequi.center and spread the word about this community resource.
✓ Download and call your reps with The 5 Calls App:
If you're willing and able to make phone calls, download the app on Google Play or the App Store. It makes it super easy to call representatives about the issues that matter to you. It will find the representatives for your location, give you their numbers (just click to call) and a script to read from or to make your own.
✓ Donate new or used items directly to these local orgs:
It's winter and people are cold. Find a local spot and donate gently used or new warm clothing, jackets, socks, shoes, boots, gloves, hats. Donate food items. Many of these programs have been cut; people have lost a portion (or all) of their SNAP benefits. We need to support the orgs getting folks what they need, more than ever, NOW. Here are a few that take drop-offs: Rose Haven (@rosehavenpdx), Rahab's Sisters (@rahabs.sisters), Blanchett House (@blanchethouse), Friends of Seasonal and Service Workers.
✓ Invest your time into supporting Local Mutual Aid Efforts:
If anything, donate to a free fridge somewhere in your neighborhood, or drop off food or supplies directly to a nearby encampment or houseless person. Check on these folks in the extreme weather. To learn more about local mutual aid efforts and learn how to get involved check out: Portland Mutual Aid (@portlandmutualaid) and this long list of mutual aid resources and info. Also follow: @pdxfreefridge & @communityfreefoodpdx.
✓ Follow these orgs for more info and events:
@pirc_oregon, @pdxcd, @rainbowbloc, @degeneratesagainstfascism, @pdx2pal, @portlandpeoplesoutreach, @portlandstreetmedicine, @oswcoaltion, @pdxswrp (Portland SWrkrs Resource Project), @equitablegivingcircle, @pdxicewatch, @portlandforpalestine, @dontshootpdx, @ccrjustice, Organized Power in Numbers @opinorg & @workingfamilies, Immigrant Defense Project @immdefense, the Transgender Law Center @translawcenter, @hackinghustling, or donate to Call to Safety.