Beginnings
When PASS started in 1997 there was a long waiting list for services. Individuals in our part of the DD spectrum were told it might be up to 25 years before their name was “called.” Thus PASS was started, the Day Program began operations on January 19, 1998.
This was the beginning of our adventure
1997
In late January, representatives of five families met in Warren and Evvalee Rushold’s home; their sons were about to exhaust their eligibility for special education and all were wondering what was next. The support system beyond school was limited and most individuals went on a long waiting list for services.
It rapidly became apparent that the families would have to build their own solution. Over the next 4 months the group went through the process of forming an Oregon non-profit.
The following are important happenings during this year:
May 29, 1997 – Parents for Alternate Support Solutions (PASS) was incorporated.
Founding Board of Directors:
Warren Rushold – President
Ray Berg – Vice President
Mary Guerra – Treasurer
Marilyn Moen – Director
Barbara Weikum – Director
September, 1997 – 6-month renewable lease signed with Portland Adventist Medical Center (PAMC) for start-up space on the PAMC campus. Cost to PASS was $1 per month, all inclusive.
December, 1997 – Two staff hired; activities director, and a caregiver.
January 19, 1998 – PASS Day Program opens its doors with two staff and three clients: Wesley, Matthew, and Geoff. PASS received significant start-up assistance and advice from the Arc of Multnomah.
January, 1999 – Evvalee Rushold takes the reins as full time volunteer Program Director. Warren Rushold continues as volunteer President and CEO.
Major factors in PASS’s early success are the very low cost space thanks to PAMC, and volunteer leadership.
Staff begin to setup and equip our first facility.
1998 – 1999
2002
PASS receives “Group of the Year” award from the Arc of Multnomah.
A grant from the Multnomah County Commission on Self-directed Supports enables PASS to start facility based Saturday respite care.
The first organization to achieve State certification under Support Services for Adults – the brokerage support system set up as a result of a settled class action lawsuit, “Staley vs. Kitzhaber”.
July-December would be our last 6-month lease with PAMC.
We now had a 5-client waiting list of our own!
Molly-Mink Liston of Gilbert Brothers Commercial Realty assisted PASS in finding a suitable property at 10700 SE Division St, Portland.
Parent Ron Hurl and others assisted in fundraising including:
Our donor list – $40,000
Collins Foundation $25,000
Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters $20,000
Sisters of Charity $25,000 (program expansion)
Portland Development Commission (PDC) $100,000
Multnomah County $5,000
Berg Construction – 1st floor remodel.
November, 2022 – services moved to our new location under a lease/purchase agreement.
Our waiting list was cleared and we began accepting more new clients.
PASS is recognized by the IRS as a 501 c (3) tax exempt non-profit.
2002 – Passages
2003
Passages Continues:
Mortgage on the Division St. property secured through Merchants Bank of Gresham; effective June 30, 2003.
The Multnomah county grant was $75,000.
Special thanks to Larry Postlewait (Relationship officer) and Larry Baker (Vice-president.)
2017
PASS gets two new outing vehicles; one van that can transport 3 clients, and a new big bus that can transport 5 clients to support greater community inclusion.
2018
PASS celebrates being open 20 years and hosts an anniversary party for all!
2019
PASS opens up a second site in Milwaukie Oregon on February 1st 2019 and gets a new outing bus that enables the transport of individuals with and without mobility devices, thanks to a generous anonymous donation.
2020
Closed temporarily from April to November due to COVID, reopened in November with reduced capacity and started hosting virtual classes such as story time, arts and crafts, education, science class, cooking class, and much more!
2017 – 2020
Beyond
PASS continues to serve individuals with developmental disabilities at our PDX SE Division St. facility and MILW McLoughlin Blvd. facility and on outings into the community!
PDX PASS currently serves over 50 clients and PASS Milwaukie serves 35 clients.
PASS, Inc. Oregon 