About Us

Mission

Greater Good Northwest’s mission is to shelter, house, and support communities that are historically and presently underserved, while promoting holistic community-based care. We focus on providing these services to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Vision

We envision the ongoing creation of participant-centered communities that inspire dignity, sustainability, and purpose.

Values

We value resourceful sustainability, inclusive connection, radical service, and holistic support.

History

In 2021, Greater Good Northwest began because we identified an ever-increasing service gap and lack of resources for our underserved communities (specifically BIPOC, LGBTQIIA+, and formerly incarcerated individuals.) We recognized that many folks from these communities were falling through the cracks of other organizations. Our founding staff members chose to seek out and enter the few spaces that these communities were already accessing, and prioritize their needs by assisting them in obtaining supportive services.

Our Team

Eboni Brown

Executive Director

Eboni hails from sunny Orange County California and some how found herself in not so sunny Portland. A Project Manager turned Nonproﬁt Diva, Eboni spends her free time volunteering at a couple local organizations geared toward empowerment and radical change, travels every chance she gets, stirs up trouble with her daughter Olive, gets into anything to do with the beach or river, having a dance party, dressing up, and really enjoys meeting new folks. A lifer in the social service world and she can’t imagine working in any other ﬁeld.

Chila Ortega

Director of Program Operations

"Shannon 'Chila' Ortega has called Portland home for most of her life. A proud mom and grandma, she spent much of her career as a journeyman welder before discovering her true passion through volunteer outreach work. For the past 10 years, she has been dedicated to social services in various capacities, using her lived experience to connect with and support those in need. Coming from a challenging background and overcoming struggles firsthand, Chila is deeply committed to empowering and uplifting marginalized and underserved communities. With a heart for advocacy and a mission to inspire, she strives to be a source of hope for those navigating difficult times."

Teddy Carter

Director of Finance

A combination of nerdy charm and millennial cynicism, Teddy brings his special brand of energy from the darkness of Alaska in the winter. His family describes him as compassionate and contrary; his friends know him as colorful and gentle; his bartenders know him as "tequila-soda-splash'o'lime." When not at the office, most of his activities are food-centric, though he frequently can be seen roller skating in outlandish ensembles, playing table-top games with friends, or frolicking on a hiking trail in the nearby wildernesses.

Jess Porter

Director of Human Resources

With a background as a behavioral health nurse, Jess offers a unique perspective to Greater Good Northwest. With two decades of frontline experience, she has transitioned from providing direct care to individuals with severe mental illness, to supporting the houseless community, and now empowering the employees driving transformative change. Her deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of serving vulnerable populations shapes her approach to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and empowering environment for all. Outside of work, Jess is a proud soccer “team mom”, a horror movie enthusiast, and a frequent changer of hair color, always channeling her inner Rainbow Brite to bring color and positivity into everything she does.