Meet Curt

Curt’s experience at Patton Home highlights the sense of community and support fostered there. He speaks highly of the dedication and care provided by the resident coordinators, whose efforts go above and beyond to make sure residents have access to the resources they need. For Curt, this support made his transition to Patton Home not just smooth, but genuinely welcoming.

Having grown up in Portland, Curt has deep roots in the city. Though he spent time living elsewhere, including a decade in Vancouver, he maintains a great affection for Portland, a place he knows extremely well. Curt fondly remembers Portland in his youth—clean, polite, and tightly knit, with neighborhood barbecues and fairs bringing people together. While acknowledging changes over the years, Curt finds comfort in the community he’s found within Patton Home.

The diversity at Patton Home, where people of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds coexist, is something Curt values. He cherishes the freedom to express and be himself, while encouraging others to do the same. Maintaining Patton Home’s culture of respect is a collective effort, with management, resident services, and residents alike holding one another accountable. This shared commitment to kindness and dignity reinforces the supportive nature of the community.

Curt’s outlook is shaped by a lifetime of experiences, including being one of the only Black students at a mostly white school, serving as class president his sophomore year of high school, participating in The American Legion Oregon Boys State, and even attending a convention with Oregon’s then-Governor, Tom McCall. Through these experiences, Curt has witnessed both the best and the worst in people. Despite the challenges, he embraces a philosophy grounded in compassion and integrity: “Don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal.” These simple values continue to guide his approach to life and relationships.

Curt also addresses the stigma often associated with affordable housing, emphasizing that places like Patton Home are vibrant communities filled with diverse and dynamic individuals. Programs and activities, such as art classes, have encouraged him to connect more deeply with his neighbors. For Curt, Patton Home is a place to live, as well as a home for connection, respect, and belonging.

Surrounded by family in a neighborhood he enjoys, Curt values spending time with his granddaughters and watching them grow. His experience at Patton Home reflects the importance of community and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.