Event Recap
Meyers Memorial Trust 9/26/2025
An unconference for civic collaboration and youth empowerment
CityCamp PDX
www.companysite.com
Intro
On Saturday, September 26, 2025, Portlanders gathered at Meyer Memorial Trust for CityCamp PDX, a day built by the community to help youth serving organizations. ��In the spirit of an unconference, participants pitched ideas, set the agenda, and filled the space with conversations about the future of civic collaboration in Portland.
The event brought together youth organizations, community advocates, technologists, artists, educators, and civic leaders.
2
Why it Matters
CityCamp PDX wasn’t about sessions or topics it was about people. It was about creating a space where ideas could turn into action, where nonprofits could meet technologists, and where collaboration and imagination could thrive.
3
Thank you volunteers, sponsors, partners
Community Advocates
Technologists
Andrew Kotska
CodePDX
Machine Learning/AI
Courtney Rosenthal
Civic Technologist
Data Privacy Champion
Melissa Santos
CASA Court Advocate
Data Scientist
Roxanne Seaton
Pop-rox.com
Creative Technologist
Jenn Luevano-Brummett
SVP Portland
Community Landscape
Corrine Matlak
CRIN Creative
Event Production
Creative Talent Connector
Denise Waldron
Life2Launch
Sponsor
Wendy Popkin
Relationship Builder
Shelley Darcy
The Broad Effect
Salah Muhumed
Life2Launch
Meyer’s Memorial Trust
Host
4
21 Participants
CityCamp PDX Sponsor:
5
July
Aug
Aug
Sept
October
Context Building
Set Purpose
Design Format
Event Prep
Project Plan
Inspiration
Team Build
Outreach
Hosting
Event Recap
Project
Timeline
Alliance of Civic �Technologist Unconference
Youth Org Focus
Volunteering in �youth orgs
Ask network to join
CityCamp Guides & Community Support
Ask youth org network to join
Core Planning Team
Meyers Memorial Trust
Poprox & Wired Wednesday
TBD
6
What Happened?
After the opening remarks, attendees pitched session ideas ranging from capacity building, interconnecting programming, the way technology could fit in improve data collection and help tell a more nuanced story.
7
Facilitator: Roxanne Seaton�Scribe: Wendy Popkins
Session: Capacity Building
Takeaways
�Next Steps:
Session Notes
8
Facilitator: Roxanne Seaton�Scribe: Wendy Popkins
Session: Programming
Takeaways
�Next Steps:
Session Notes
9
Facilitator: Andrew Kostka�Scribe: Melissa Santos
Session: Technology
Takeaways
�Next Steps:
Session Notes
10
Facilitator: Roxanne Seaton�Scribe: Wendy Popkins
Session: Other
Takeaways
�Next Steps:
Session Notes
11
�Collaborate on admin functions like IT operations, Diversifying & Strengthening Resources, Systemic Collaboration Efforts, help nonprofits get on the radar of out of state major funders, collaborative programming efforts to access grants, where does synergy exist, global collaboration efforts
Topic(s) Discussed
Undiscussed Topics
Unconference
Capacity Building
How can we design a collaborative system to mobilize revenue-generating resources that support youth organizations in tackling the critical indicators of individual and community well-being
Programming
Session
How to increase funding for cash assistance programs addressing health, housing, social, and economic health? Creating a standard framework language for life & career skill building, share innovation with developers/founders as early adopters, create opportunities for paid work for youth and those who support them.
How might we design a connected ecosystem where youth can move easily between programs and opportunities, how can we support digital literacy and tech skill development at home?
CityCamp PDX 2025
commonscamps.com
12
How to document participant data easily and effortlessly. How can we use data collected for learning and broader insights, how can we use AI in an ethical & environmentally friendly way? Is there an ethical way to share data
Continued
Technology
How can we streamline data collection so it supports staff instead of burning them out? How can we increase data entry ease into mandated system? How to have the data tell a more nuanced story.
Other
Session
ice rapid response plan, access global connection toward learning cultural/global competencies, How can we understand better creating or growing an org? Who might also be trying to solve the issue at hand?
How can we inform other organizations about resources for their youth, How can we bridge the gap between gen-z and workforce orgs
Topic(s) Discussed
Undiscussed Topics
CityCamp PDX 2025
commonscamps.com
13
Project Goals
for The Year
These are the pilot projects that we are partnering to champion
1
1
1
Champion one Coalition
Resource Hub Pilot
Impact Measurement Campaign
Share Framework
1
Create a Data Storytelling Example
Storytell a collaborative program effort
1
Code PDX Pitch
14
Our journey ahead
Host Oregon Commons Camps state-wide
Our Services
With strategic partners
Facilitate Coalition Building
Help with strategic research, crafting project plans, and leveraging tech literacy.
Create a Resource Hub
Resources Needed
Partnerships with youth orgs, funders, and civic leaders
CityCamp PDX Sponsorship
Funding for coalition-building, resource hub, and pilot projects
Our Strategies
Pilot shared models
Stronger peer-to-peer connections
Nonprofits leave with concrete tools and templates
Shared pilot projects launched
Increased visibility of youth needs to funders and civic leaders
Immediate Impacts
Oregon Commons Camps
Use participatory unconference format to surface priorities
With strategic partners
Develop guides�& tools
Center youth voices in decision-making
Leverage partnerships to align funding with real community needs
15
Long-Term Impact
Oregon’s youth have greater access to opportunities
Move funding from competitive to collaborative through strong coalitions and interconnecting program models
Youth orgs save time and resources through shared infrastructure
Build an example of transparent collaborative system design for duplication
Our destination
16
CodePDX
Social Venture Partners Portland
CityCamp
Alliance of Civic Technologists
Life2Launch
CRIN Creative
Oregon Common
Camps
Social Artist & Groups
Andrew Kotska
CodePDX
Machine Learning/AI
Courtney Rosenthal
Civic Technologist
Data Privacy Champion
Melissa Santos
CASA Court Advocate
Data Scientist
Roxanne Seaton
Pop-rox.com
Creative Technologist
Network of Art Therapists
SWEC Community Ambassadors
Our Network
17
Secure Partnerships so that…
1
Growing CityCamp PDX into a city wide event in 2026. We’re connecting with potential partners. We’re open to connections!
2
We’re creating project plans for each solution identified: coalition building, resource hub, tech/data solutions.
3
Ongoing communication. A newsletter is where we’ll start but we have a few creative ideas to keep the conversations going.
we move from conversation into action.
CityCamp PDX
18
Thank You
For Attending & Advocating!
Youth Organizations
CityCamp PDX Sponsor:
+ more following our project
19
Let’s Meet Again!
We will be reaching out to organize a meetup to discuss progress and find natural coalitions.
Arte Soleil has graciously offered to host.
Lookout for periodic emails sharing details around project progress.
20
Documentary
Photography by Kimberly �Marie Kimble
Portland, OR Documentary Photographer
@kimberlymariekimble
kimberlymariekimble.com
CityCamp PDX
Collaboration & Consulting
Community Impact Expert�Jenn Luevano-Brummett�jenn@svpportland.org
Life2Launch
Denise Waldron
denise@life2launch.com
Event Producer
Corrine Matlak
hello@crincreative.com
Oregon Commons Camps
Freelancers & Consultants
View Full Group Here
CityCamp PDX
We facilitate participatory events to spark action for our community
Oregon Commons Camps
Our Approach
The need for interconnected systems extends from cities to rural voices, youth and elders, and industries and communities. We're here to help facilitate co-designing our shared future.
Further Outreach
Our Approach
The need for interconnected systems extends from cities to rural voices, youth and elders, and industries and communities. We're here to help facilitate co-designing our shared future.
23