Lee Helfend Email and Phone Number

A 501c3 that organizes BIPOC, youth, transit-dependent individuals, and low-income communities using Environmental Justice principles. I led our coalition building, political advocacy, communications and narrative strategies, government relationships, and grassroots community organizing initiatives.

Getting There Together is a multicultural, multigenerational coalition that centers and uplifts the voices and needs of people most impacted by transportation inequities through education, advocacy, access, and leadership. Our work is focused in the greater Portland region.

Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA) is a movement of communities facing environmental racism, climate change, and economic exploitation – the frontlines of injustice and the frontlines of change. We bring together organizations committed to base-building in frontline communities. We gather to create ownership over our collective future and move Oregon toward an economy that is rooted in our shared values, the principles of a Just Transition.

State agencies must include the public in the development of public policy and drafting rules whenever possible. This is accomplished through the use of a rulemaking advisory committee. The committee appointed must represent the interests of persons likely to be affected by the rule. DLCD uses a list of interested parties to invite RAC participation and comments on rulemaking activities.

TriMet’s 16-member Transit Equity Advisory Committee (TEAC) provides insight and guidance to the General Manager on issues of equity, access and inclusion.TEAC has been instrumental in helping TriMet develop and implement a variety of equity initiatives, from our reduced fare program to decriminalizing the fare-evasion citation process. The committee has also provided important feedback on reimagining safety on public transit and establishing affordable housing goals as part of transit oriented development, and helped connect hundreds of nonprofit and community-organizations with millions of dollars in free fare grants through TriMet's Access Transit program.Committee members represent a diverse cross-section of community leaders, advocates and liaisons for disadvantaged and historically underrepresented communities. The committee serve as a link to community organizations and provides input on improving service for transit-dependent riders.

PERC serves as a key component of Metro’s efforts to develop successful public engagement processes.

The EAG helps ensure that the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program remains centered on equity. The group makes recommendations to IBR program.

During this time of organizational transition, I developed curriculum and facilitated trainings for union leaders interested in winning public office. I supported their campaigns while managing the non-profit's annual budget, finances, board relations, fundraising, and recruitment.

I led an organizing team for one of the largest teacher unions in the country, mobilizing public school employees for resources and power in the New Orleans area, in a post-Hurricane Katrina landscape. I worked with educators to better meet the needs of schools, develop student-centered campaigns, and advocate for civil rights.