Staff

Darlene Urban Garrett, has been doing community development since before graduating with her under grad degree in Social Work. Through undertaking a range of need assessments, she became passionate about assessing communities and working with community members to plan and solve identified issues. After receiving her Master’s in Public Administration, she was able to help communities at another level, by breaking through government red tape to get issues solved. Her work has taken her to Germany in working with the communities of the United States Army in Europe, to Kansas City where she worked as a Neighborhood Development Specialist, and to other cities including Cheyenne Wyoming, Little Rock and Hot Springs Arkansas and Kalush, Ukraine. She worked with indigenous people in Northern California. Most recently in Appalachia, she worked as a County Community Development Manager and as a Borough Manager focused on Community Development. Before coming to Neighbors West Northwest, she volunteered for 6 years serving the unsheltered of Portland. Darlene has two children, Tierney, also a Portland resident and Ian of St. Petersburg Florida. Her strongest belief and favorite quote is from Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

I began music as a career, in my early 20s, as a guitarist and songwriter in Philadelphia for the band Dandelion (Columbia Records). During this time, we achieved Billboard chart rankings, commercially released a few albums and singles, produced music videos, had our music featured in several movie soundtracks, and appeared in press outlets such as Rolling Stone Magazine. Additionally, I was lucky enough to tour with many, many legendary artists like Radiohead, The Ramones, Flaming Lips, GWAR, Bad Brains, Jewel, Alanis Morrissette, as well as a spot on Lollapalooza’s side stage. After moving to Portland, OR in 2001, I was able to collaborate on numerous musical theatrical productions, including one commissioned by Portland Metro focused on environmental sustainability that was performed for 15 years and seen by hundreds of thousands regionally. Collaborations with Tears of Joy Theatre on many different projects, including original orchestral compositions for Oscar Wilde's, The Happy Prince. . I also had the honor to serve as President on Tears of Joy Theatre’s BOD from 2014-2019, I spearheaded efforts to expand the theatre's outreach and educational programs, creating partnerships with schools and community organizations to bring puppetry and storytelling to children of all backgrounds. In 2006, I founded the Portland location of School of Rock, functioning as its music director for several years, ultimately becoming VP of Company and Franchise Operations. Following my retirement from School of Rock, in 2015, I founded an art gallery, cRdn, as well as a music school, Rockschool PDX. Both located on East Burnside. Through my various ventures in music, theatre, art, and education, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of individuals and communities. I believe that the arts have the power to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging, and I am dedicated to using my skills and experience to create inclusive and welcoming spaces where everyone can learn and grow. Overall, my journey has been one of continuous learning and growth, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to build and serve communities.

Rachel has a passion for working to take care of the natural spaces around us whether it be a designated forest, local . community space or her own backyard. She has a degree in environmental engineering degree and worked in the field of engineering for 10 years as a consultant designing green streets and working on other water resource and stormwater management projects. She has a strong personal interest in edible landscaping and native plants. In recent year she has started exploring medicinal plants and forest foraging. Through the Stormwater Stars Program she enjoys working with volunteers on ways to improve landscape spaces with a focus on watershed health and native plants. In her spare time Rachel enjoys exploring all that the outdoor world has to offer whether it be hiking, backpacking, skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, or a neighborhood walk with her family and two dogs.

Have grown up in Oregon, can usually be found cycling and exploring around the Pacific Northwest. At NWNW with a background of working and volunteering with social, historical or nature focused nonprofits and the State of Oregon. Feel free to stop by (my office is the Resource and Reference room) and visit sometime!