Ruja Bista
Hi, I’m Ruja. I’ve been an international student from Nepal, and I’ve been in Oregon since 2022. I currently live in Tigard, but my classmates and colleagues at PCC come from all over the Metro area. They inspired me to apply for the Rising Fellowship and work to serve the people of East County.
Before the Rising Fellowship, I served in PCC’s student government and also worked as a student organizer. In this role, I researched strategies to investigate social issues, educate the public, and bring people together for change. One of my proudest achievements as a student organizer has been recording and hosting a podcast called From Campus to Community, where I discussed ongoing civic issues and the role played by Dreamers in our community.
When I’m not immersed in my studies or community work, I love reading, especially Haruki Murakami and Sally Rooney. I also love painting, hiking, and taking photos in Oregon’s wealth of natural environments.
Rosalie Diaz
Hello everyone! My name is Rosalie and I was born and raised in Northeast Portland, OR. I moved to Gresham in my adult years and have been here ever since. Before the Rising Fellowship, I worked for several local nonprofit agencies and for the City of Gresham. I’ve enjoyed witnessing both sides of the community organizing realm.
I am a first-time mom to a bright little star named Melody! To help me spend as much time as possible with her, I decided to start my own childcare business. In addition to that and the Rising Fellowship, I am attending PSU, where I study Early Childhood Development. My goal is to one day open a daycare center, and eventually, a preschool. Education is very important to me, since there’s one thing nobody can take away: knowledge. There are many improvements to be made in the education system in the U.S. and I hope to contribute my little grain of salt.
As a Rising Fellow, I am excited to be here and to learn the ins and outs of community organizing!
Amber Cook
Hi, I’m Amber. I made Portland my home after coming here to go to Reed, and live in the Montavilla neighborhood, where East Portland begins. Every year, I wrangle the schedule and attend a 25-year gaming convention at Edgefield in Troutdale, a place that feeds my imagination and creativity—like a grown up Amber in Wonderland. During tax season, I also file income tax returns with clients at H&R Block.
Outside of the Rising fellowship, I’m a dogged tenant organizer at the low-income apartment complex where I live, a minorly-published speculative fiction author, and an artist of color and wonder. Being priced out of decent housing and becoming a low-income renter in Portland have made protest art and organizing important parts of my activism. This experience has also led me to work as a professional eviction court observer for the PSU eviction research project. I was pleased to be appointed to the Rental Services Commission, which the City of Portland disbanded last year, in spite of our 12-year-old housing crisis. This experience led me to partner with great organizations like East County Rising and Residents Organizing for Change. And it made me want to work harder, smarter, and with more focus on self-care on issues of housing justice.
Erin Meechan
Hi, I’m Erin. I’m a resident of Northeast Gresham and I’ve lived in East County for nine years. In addition to my two adult daughters and seven grandchildren, my partner and I have two teenage girls at home who attend Gresham High School.
In addition to my work as a Rising Fellow, I currently serve as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Community Programs at the Eastside Timbers Youth Soccer Club. I’m a member of Residents Organizing for Change and the Community Alliance of Tenants, as well as part of the Resident Advisory Committee at Home Forward.
In my work, I help organize and advocate for safe, secure, and affordable housing for all Oregonians. I believe that access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing is a basic human need; it is the first step toward enabling individuals to live, regardless of the challenges they may encounter and that it’s the foundation for functional overall well-being.
My second passion for the community is multi-modal transportation. In addition, she likes singing, coaching young athletes, spending time in nature, and advocating for racial and identity justice via policy reform through legislative change.