Bridging from Portland's Westside to the Eastside
We Believe in Portland brings together purpose-driven leaders, businesses, and neighbors to make a real difference for our city. Powered by AdoptOneBlock, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the initiative empowers people to take simple, consistent action for cleaner, more connected communities.
This fall, we're expanding. For the first time ever, We Believe in Portland will extend beyond downtown and into the Inner Eastside. This "bridging" event will send teams of volunteers to remove litter from both sides of the river, marking a new chapter in our commitment to a cleaner and thriving Portland.
Volunteers will kick off at Pioneer Courthouse Square, then head out in teams to clean assigned areas downtown and in the Inner Eastside. As part of the event, we envision hundreds of volunteers walking together across the Hawthorne Bridge in unity and pride, wearing their We Believe in Portland shirts, a powerful symbol of connection across neighborhoods.
This shift is driven by you. Feedback from past participants made it clear: you want to do more, and you want to go where the need is greatest. Expanding east allows us to reach areas that often see less routine maintenance, and sets the stage for a new model. Starting in 2026, we’ll alternate each event between the east and west sides of the city.
Join us for a couple of hours of service and connection. Afterward, we’ll celebrate with food, conversation, and community at our afterparty (location TBA), while supporting local businesses.
Bring your coworkers, friends, or family, put on your work gloves, and show your love for this city we share. Let’s build a cleaner, more connected Portland together.
Agenda
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Come early to connect with fellow volunteers and teammates. Assemble your team and feel the collective energy of so many people coming together to care for our city. T-shirts and limited cleanup supplies will be available on a first come, first served basis.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Event Kickoff
We’ll officially begin with opening remarks and a shared moment of inspiration, with a review of cleanup dos and don’ts before heading out into the city to get to work.
Can’t make it to the kickoff?
That’s okay! You’re still a vital part of this movement — feel free to begin at your assigned cleanup zone.
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Cleanup in Action
Time to clean! Volunteers head to their assigned cleanup zones, with those assigned to the east side crossing over the Hawthorne bridge together. Cleanup zone maps and instructions will be shared in advance to make it easy to jump in and make a difference.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
After Party (location TBA)
Celebrate all we’ve accomplished together with fellow volunteers and community champions. More details coming soon!
Cleanup Supplies
We aim to reduce waste. If you have participated in the past, we encourage you to bring your supplies with you! We will have gloves and garbage bags available at the kickoff on a first come, first served basis. You’ll be able to order cleanup supply kits (trash grabber and 5-gallon bucket) when registering through September 5th. For more information, check out our FAQ page.
Sponsorships
We rely on sponsorships to make this important work possible and to continue delivering meaningful impact in our community. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please take a look at our sponsorship page for more information.