Many of us are grieving the loss of our good friend Patty Katz, a well-known part of Oregon's addiction recovery advocacy and early visionary in Oregon's public safety reform communities. As someone in recovery, she co-founded Hands Across the Bridge, a nonprofit that coordinates an annual event that brings people together on the I-5 bridge in solidarity and support of addiction recovery. More information is available at facebook.com/handsproject. Patty’s greatest achievement was helping pass the Ban the Box law, legislation to remove the employment question about whether the applicant ever committed a felony. We’ll hear tributes to Patty from her many friends and family who gathered at her Celebration of Life that was held on Aug 8 at Living Hope Church in Vancouver, WA. During the service a letter was read from the Office of National Drug Control Policy offering condolences stating they were inspired by Patty’s leadership and example, and that she was a beacon of hope for our communities and our country.
- KBOO