Shangri-La

Shangri-La Corporation is a local non-profit organization that offers a variety of services and programs for people with disabilities or disadvantages.  They provide job skills training, housing and employment opportunities that empower people to become active members of their communities. 

Since 1964, what began as a school for children with disabilities is now a diverse organization providing services for a variety of people throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast. Shangri-La’s services help those with mental illness, developmental or documented disabilities, recipients of TANF (Temporary Aid For Needy Families), or those who are incarcerated or homeless. About 150 of their 550 employees have specialized employment jobs that accommodate specific needs and/or disabilities. For some, the supports they receive allow an increase in self-sufficiency. Others, however, benefit from full-time assistance with living and daily care services. 

Shangri La has a growing volunteer program. They are looking for volunteers age 16 and older to create more community inclusion activities or assist with special projects.
They offer volunteer opportunities for groups interested in “Do-it-in-a-day” activities.  Currently, they have 11 project activities to choose from; these consist of everything from building a basketball court, landscaping a neighborhood home, to painting one of their buildings.

Individual volunteers are welcome at LEAP - their Life Enrichment Activities Program. Salem’s LEAP has a wonderful new facility that includes a craft area, computer café, computer gaming area, a lounge and a coffee café.  The opportunities to teach others hobbies, or accompany a small group of people with developmental disabilities to attend a community event are some possibilities.  Other ideas could include:  demonstrating simple cooking skills; a reading group; arts and crafts; basic computer skills or gaming; gardening; photography and musical activities. If you have an idea for an activity, or would like a tour of their activities area in Salem, give them a call.

For more information contact Shangri-La’s Volunteers Coordinator at 503-581-1732 x328. Opportunities are listed on the HandsOn website and at http://www.shangrilacorp.org/volunteer.html
Melissa Gibler, Director of Programs at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley
HandsOn is the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. 
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
1-877-372-4141
HandsOn is an initiative of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

People Power

Volunteering for a national service program is a rewarding and highly impactful experience! Thousands of organizations benefit from the additional staff capacity a national service member brings including: Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Nationally more than 2,000 nonprofits have hired AmeriCorps members to help meet community needs and strengthen the reach of their organizations. Americorps members receive comprehensive training and support to bring innovative business-based approaches to citizen problem-solving.

In Oregon there are currently over 15,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds working on local needs to strengthen communities. Of these, 9,700 are senior citizens and 5,300 are students. Serving with national and local nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations and other groups, members tutor and mentor children, coordinate after-school programs, build homes, restore the environment, respond to disasters, build nonprofit capacity and recruit and manage volunteers. Nationally, AmeriCorps programs mobilized 2.4 million volunteers for the organizations they have served over the last year.

HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley almost tripled our staff with the addition of national service members, allowing us to offer seven volunteer management trainings, nine national days of service, and 6178 volunteer connections. The people power of a national service member to make a real difference at a local level is extraordinary. Right now more positions then ever are available, many only requiring a one year commitment! The benefits to the community are compelling; however the benefits to you are equally important. National service provides a plethora transferable job skills, establishes networking opportunities, a sizable educational award to pay current or future education debt, as well as a living stipend.

This is a great way to engage locally, or to experience life across the United States of America. Positions are posting over the summer, with start dates in early September. To learn more about national service programs and to apply visit Oregon Volunteers! at http://www.oregonvolunteers.org/americorps/member/

Khela Singer-Adams is the Director of HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, an initiative of the United Way.  Khela can be contacted at 503-364-1005, or by email at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Outreach shelter aids homeless

Did you know that on any given night, 18 families in Salem go without shelter? Families with children are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, and during the 2007-2008 school year 915 homeless students were enrolled in Salem-Keizer School District.

Did you know the YWCA’s Salem Outreach Shelter provides shelter and intensive case management to 60 families every year? SOS has provided resources to end the cycle of poverty since 1988. They are a transitional shelter that can house 15 families at one time. Each family has their own room. They also offer money management instruction, long-term housing and employment assistance. Families who use SOS’s services have made a commitment to change their lives. With the help of SOS, families develop intensive work plans to move them toward becoming contributing members of society and to a sustainable living situation. Parents know their family has a safe place to stay, and all school-aged children attend school during their time there. So what can volunteers do to support SOS? There are many ongoing and one-time service opportunities at SOS.

One program that brings out your inner interior decorator is the Adopt a Room Program. This is an opportunity for anyone with a flair for furniture placement and a knack for color. Represent your own style by painting, hanging pictures and picking out other room necessities to create a homey feel for SOS residents. Volunteers also are needed to adopt bath and shower rooms. For a list of all of SOS’s volunteer opportunities, contact Anita Padilla at (503) 588-8898 or apadilla @ywcasalem.org.

Melissa Gibler is director of Programs at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. Contact her at mgibler@unitedway mwv.org or (503) 363-1651.

Hunger is an urgent need that affects our entire community, this year dramatically more than last.

Marion-Polk Food Share collected a record 5,082,674 pounds of food (342,000 pounds more than last year) and distributed it to more than 80 direct-service agencies in Marion and Polk counties. With an average of 6,561 families a month receiving emergency food boxes, MPFS estimate that one of five area families ate from an emergency food box at least once in the past 12 months. This includes an estimated 10,500 children per month.

Balanced and nutritious meals are an important building block for our children to be able to learn and succeed. While getting food to those in need is important, MPFS works hard to fill food boxes consistently with healthy and nutritious core foods. As you are out shopping, consider adding a couple of core food items to your list and make a donation to MPFS. Core foods include grains, vegetables, fruit, milk or dairy alternative, meat, beans and eggs. Food donations can be dropped off at 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE in Salem between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In order for core foods to make the most difference for families’ nutrition, it is important that the recipes and skills for how to cook the food are shared as well. MPFS, in partnership with the OSU Extension Service, has built a strong program to share basic information about nutrition, food preparation, food safety and food shopping. This program has been piloted at six local sites by 17 volunteers who are making a big difference for families. With a goal of sharing this resource at every food pantry in Marion and Polk counties, there is an immediate need for additional volunteers to do food demonstrations in food pantries. Volunteers do not need a background in nutrition and are provided with all of the information and materials needed including recipes, supplies, and talking points. Volunteers are asked to spend three to five hours at a pantry once a month sharing this important resource with families.

To learn more about how you can volunteer, contact Lisa Wallig at (503) 373-3754. Visit http://www.marionpolkfoodshare.org for a complete list of core foods you can donate.

Khela Singer-Adams is the Director of HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, an initiative of the United Way. Khela can be contacted at (503) 364-1005, or by email at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Marion County CASA needs you!

Even for adults, navigating the court system is a difficult, confusing and even a scary thing.  Imagine you are a child who has just been pulled out of an abusive home and are now placed into a new foster home and you are at the mercy of the juvenile court system.  This is where CASA Volunteers come in.  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are a special breed of volunteer that stand up for what is best for children as they make their way through the courts.  CASA Volunteers come from all walks of life – they are married, single, religious or not; most are university graduates although some are not.  They all love children and want to help those who need it most. CASAs investigate each case and make recommendations based on the best interests of the child.  They advocate for services needed to maintain the child’s growth and development and act as the voice of the child in court.  They monitor the progress of the case until the child is placed in a safe home. 
 
There are so many details that go into these court cases; while in state care, attention must be paid to the child’s physical wellbeing, education, family relationships, and many other concerns. Parents are working at completing services so they can regain their children; possible alternate placements must be investigated – the children’s best interests can easily get lost in the shuffle.  CASAs are assigned to one child or one family of children at a time, so they have the time to keep track of all these details, and keep the social workers, attorneys and the Judge informed about what is happening in the case. National studies have indicated that children who have a CASA volunteer are less likely to experience new abuse and neglect.  They receive more of the appropriate services they need and are less than half as likely as children without a CASA to reenter the system after finding a permanent home. 
Currently there are not enough CASA Volunteers to meet the need in Marion County.  Becoming a CASA Volunteer is both rewarding and a great service to the community and its young residents.  Check out the Marion County CASA website for more information and to download the application.  http://www.MarionCountyCASA.org

Do you want to help the CASA program but you can’t commit to becoming a CASA volunteer?  There are plenty of other great service opportunities available.  Contact Jeanne Burbank for details.  503-378-6327 ext 369
Melissa Gibler, Director of Programs at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley

HandsOn is the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. 
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
1-877-372-4141

HandsOn is an initiative of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley