The Detour: Oregon Divides

Join us on Sundays at 7:00 a.m. for new episodes of The Detour. Listen live at 99.1 FM in the heart of Portland, or online anywhere at PRP.fm.

In this episode, we we take a look at the ways Oregon is divided and the mechanisms that widen those divides. We talk with Chad Karges, founder of the High Desert Partnership; Amaury Vogel, associate executive director of the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center; and Eddie Melendrez, member of the Ontario City Council, about how Oregonians can work across differences, beliefs, and backgrounds to develop relationships and build trust.

Chad Karges is a founder of High Desert Partnership. For twenty years, he managed the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Chad retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2019, and he remains a member of the executive team at High Desert Partnership.

Amaury Vogel is the associate executive director of the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (OVBC). Prior to joining OVBC, Amaury worked for Volunteers of America Oregon, providing direct service and managing programs. She has worked with vulnerable populations in a variety of settings, including early childhood education, domestic violence, and health care.

Eddie Melendrez is an artist, activist, boxing coach, youth mentor, and city councillor in Ontario, Oregon. Follow his arts and community-building work on Facebook.

For a full transcript of this episode as well as additional resources and further reading, visit the Oregon Humanities website.