On August 14, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe hosted our annual Appreciation Lunch to celebrate the incredible people who make our downtown community thrive. This event is always meaningful for us because it brings together our entire team—from office staff to street crews—to recognize the essential work that happens every day. While we may have different roles, our field teams are truly what make our mission possible, and this appreciation day gives us the chance to say thank you in person.
Director Park was transformed into a celebration space, with music from DJ George and delicious food from local food carts—PJ’s Pizza Wagon, Koi Fusion, and Gourmet on the Go. The result was a relaxed summer party atmosphere our hardworking crews truly deserved.
Honoring Excellence
Awards were presented recognizing our Cleaners of the Year, Public Safety Coordinators of the Year, and our Sidewalk Ambassadors as Downtown Champions. We also presented the Commissioner Nick Fish Community Champion Award to recognize outstanding commitment to downtown’s vibrancy and resilience.
We were honored to be joined by Mayor Wilson, Dr. Andy Mendenhall of Central City Concern, and Councilor Eric Zimmerman in celebrating these exceptional individuals who consistently go above and beyond for our community.
Cleaner of the Year Honorees
Kam Corbus was awarded Clean Start Employee of the Year and Devin Castaneda received the Clean & Safe Employee of the Year award. Both have shown remarkable dedication to enhancing our city’s livability through their daily commitment to excellence.
Our cleaning crews are downtown’s unsung heroes, working seven days a week to keep our streets welcoming for everyone. Through our partnership with Central City Concern’s Clean Start Program, we’re proud to train, mentor, and employ workers who are formerly homeless or face other employment barriers. These teams sweep sidewalks, remove graffiti, pick up litter, pressure wash surfaces, and respond quickly to service requests from downtown businesses—all while treating every interaction with professionalism and care.
Public Safety Coordinator of the Year Honorees
Chris Edwards and Jessie Diaz were recognized as Public Safety Coordinators of the Year for their unwavering dedication to creating safe, welcoming spaces throughout downtown.
Safety is fundamental to everything we do, and our public safety team exemplifies this commitment daily. Working closely with our vendor GardaWorld and partnering with Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, they provide enhanced public safety support across our 213-block district. Beyond addressing safety concerns, they serve as helpful resources, answering questions and connecting people with social services—truly embodying the community-focused approach that defines our work.
Downtown Champion Honorees
Our Sidewalk Ambassadors were honored as Downtown Champions for their essential role in creating positive connections throughout our community. Thank you to Kay Floyd, Max Fortner, Ethan Rowe, Bryan Sanguino, Laif Kvarsten, Zachary Powers, Ethan Thomas, and Bram Barnes for representing the very best of what it means to be a downtown ambassador.
Community Champion Honoree
We presented the Commissioner Nick Fish Community Champion Award to Stephen Lien in recognition of their outstanding commitment to downtown’s vibrancy and resilience.
The People Who Make It All Possible
These honorees represent just a few of the exceptional individuals who make Downtown Portland Clean & Safe’s mission a reality every day. To everyone who contributes to our work and helps downtown Portland flourish—thank you. Your dedication, professionalism, and genuine care for our community make all the difference.
Days like this remind us why we do what we do: behind every clean sidewalk, every safety response, and every friendly interaction is someone who chose to show up and make downtown Portland better for everyone.
