Multnomah Support Groups
We can help you find a group, start a group or support your own!
If you know of any new or updated support group information, or cannot find a group in your area, please contact us 503-241-0799 / 800-764-8367 or orparc@nwresource.org for help and suggestions.
Select a county
Multnomah Support Groups
Options Counseling and Family Services
KEEP is a FREE support group for foster and kinship parents. It’s designed to enhance skills while supporting each family on their individual journey. It’s 16 weeks; we meet once a week, and groups are 90 minutes.
KEEP curriculum is evidence based with a trauma informed lens. Our facilitators bring in weekly lessons focusing on things like looking at challenging behaviors, introducing new skills, balancing encouragers and setting limits, promoting peer and school success, and managing stress.
Although psychoeducation is a big component, KEEP strives to provide very warm and non-judgmental space where local foster and kinship parents can have frank conversations, share personal experiences, exchange resources, and find ways to stay connected beyond 16 weeks that we are directly involved with them.
Our groups are small and intimate. A typical group is between 5-7 families with two facilitators. Traditionally, they are in the evenings with number of benefits included for families. KEEP provides childcare, we bring in light meals/snacks, as additional incentive we have $20 gift cards that each family receives at every session, and upon completion each participant can get up to 24 training credits.
Groups are offered year around on 16 week cycle. To learn more information, please fill out our self-interest form at https://www.keepfostering.org/pdx-foster-kin-parent-keep-group-interest-form/.
Mirna Pani at (503) 250-0401, keepmetro@options.org, or mirna.pani@options.org
Thrive Ministries
Join us for a time to gather together and connect with other foster and adoptive parents. We will provide dinner AND child care.
Mountainview Christian Church
1890 NE Cleveland Avenue
Gresham, OR 97030
Location Map
To register for this group please contact us at: thriveministries.co@gmail.com
Sponsored by NAMI Oregon and Providence Health and Services
The Talk it Over support group is for parents, caregivers, and siblings of a child, teen, or young adult with a serious behavioral disorder. Group is for family members only, including siblings. Snacks are provided. No registration required.
It is a free public service provided by NAMI Oregon with support from Providence Health & Services.
Margaret Puckette, 503-737-9971, raisingtroubledkids@comcast.net
Northwest Adoption Support, MereAnn Reid
Facilitated by MereAnn Reid, Child & Family Therapist, specializing
in child development, adoption, and parenting. Topics determined by the
group, with support from fellow parents raising kids adopted at any age.
Sole parents and all couples welcome.
Childcare not provided; please contact group leader before your first session.
$40/family per session, sliding fee option.
Taborspace
5441 SE Belmont Street
Portland, OR 97215
Location Map
MereAnn Reid, MA, 971-533-0228, hello@mereannreid.com prior to your first session
Northwest Adoption Support, MereAnn Reid
TBD, Portland, OR
MereAnn Reid, MA, 971-533-0228, hello@mereannreid.com
United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oregon
For parents raising children with Cerebral Palsy and similar conditions, however everyone is welcome. Please contact Susan Cushman to attend.
HABLA ESPAÑOL? Alza tu Voz: Groupo de Apoyo y Recursos es un grupo para
padres de hijos con parálisis cerebral o otras discapacidades de parte
de UCP Oregon. Todas las juntas seran el segundo jueves de cada mes de
la 6:30pm a 8:00pm en las oficinas de Portland.
United Cerebral Palsy Association
305 NE 102nd Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97220
Location Map
Susan Cushman, 503-467-0332 or scushman@ucporegon.org
Parent-led
The general focus of this group is advocacy-based parenting. Grandparents, parents, families raising relatives are all welcome to attend.
Jefferson High School (Blazer Room A4344)
5210 N Kerby Avenue
Portland, OR 97217
Location Map
Carollynn Smith, 503-283-9594 or Patricia Trice, 503-283-6312
Hollywood Senior Center
A support group for Grandparents and other relatives (such as aunts and uncles) raising and parenting children. The group is for those who were most likely not expecting to be raising children at this time in their lives. Whatever your situation, one thing is clear; your lives have changed with the addition of someone else's children. These changes may bring happiness or sadness, but there is a change. And with that change comes stress. Understanding the stress and finding proper ways to deal with it is vital for our own emotional and physical health as well as for the health of your children.
Temporary Summer Location: Bridge Meadows
8502 N Wayland Avenue
Portland, OR 97203
Location Map
For more information please call 503-288-8303 or 503-988-8210
Northwest Adoption Support, MereAnn Reid
8- to 12-week group open to adult adoptees and birth parents. Topics
include: search & reunion, identity & belonging, sharing your
story, and navigating mixed feelings.
TBD, Portland, OR
MereAnn Reid, MA, 971-533-0228, hello@mereannreid.com
PFLAG
Currently meeting online. Learn more and register here.
The "mother" chapter of the PFLAG Portland chapter family and one of the oldest Chapters in the PFLAG National Network, PFLAG Portland has been serving Portland families since 1977, and as an affiliate of the PFLAG National network since 1982.
First United Methodist Church
1838 SW Jefferson Street, Room 202 (accessible)
Portland, OR 97201
Location Map
info@pflagpdx.org, 503-232-7676
PFLAG
Launched in 2014, the East County Chapter is safe space for Gresham and East Multnomah county residents.
East Portland Community Center
740 SE 106th Multipurpose Room #3 (accessible)
Portland, OR 97216
Location Map
Autism Society of Oregon (ASO)
This is an unstructured time for caregivers of teens and adults to visit, talk and learn from each other working through similar situations.
Autism Society of Oregon
9320 SW Barbur Boulevard, Suite 240
Portland, OR 97219
Location Map
For more information, please call the ASO office at 503-636-1676 or send an e-mail to ASO at info@autismsocietyoregon.org
The PATH Center
This group is for adoptive parents, and will include a pertinent, educational component each month. RSVP requested.
The PATH Center
4035 NE Sandy Boulevard Suite 200
Portland, OR 97212
Location Map
Trillium Family Services
A school-based prevention program to support teenage girls who are survivors of trauma. Groups use an evidence-based curriculum to support girls in understanding how surviving trauma has impacted them and making sense of their trauma in a way that allows them to move successfully into their futures. Group members learn healthy coping skills, learn about trauma and its effects, and support each other in telling their survival stories.
Groups meet at the following Portland Metro Area schools:
- Grant High School
- Cleveland High School
- Madison High School
- Roosevelt High School
- Fir Ridge High School
- RLA
- Milwaukie
- Centennial HS
If
you are interested in joining a Chrysalis Group or referring a high
school girl to the group, please contact Erica Weber, LCSW at
503-939-0923 or email eweber@trilliumfamily.org.
The PATH Center
Especially designed in support of foster and adoptive moms, but all moms are welcome!
The PATH Center
4035 NE Sandy Boulevard Suite 200
Portland, OR 97212
Location Map
The group is currently on hold but considering Covid-safe meetups outside with just parents where we can maintain social distancing yet still chat and get support. Please reach out if interested. Foster and adoptive families welcome.
Natalie Koprowski, 503-805-5148, natski81504@yahoo.com
NAMI Multnomah
Free, online peer-led support group for parents and caregivers of children / adolescents (ages 0-18) with mental health barriers.
Online
For group access, please call our HelpLine at 503-228-5692.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Multnomah County
NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.
For all family members and loved ones of individuals (primarily adults, but all are welcome) with mental health barriers.
Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar circumstances.
NAMI’s Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and to get what they need.
- Free of cost to participants
- Designed for adult loved ones (18+) of individuals living with mental illness
- Led by family members of individuals living with mental illness
- No specific medical therapy or medication is endorsed or recommended
- Confidential
For group access, please call our HelpLine at 503-228-5692
503-228-5692, info@namimultnomah.org
Greater Metropolitan Foster Parent Association and ODHS
Monthly training and support provided to Foster, Relative and Adoptive Families. Please contact us to register and receive notices about monthly topics and speakers.
Please join us to attend our new virtual support group via zoom.
To register and receive notices, please contact:
Doris Tamoro @ 503-285-9103
Donna Thomas, Multnomah County ODHS, Child Welfare Training
Phone: 503-545-6865
Email: donna.thomas@dhsoha.state.or.us