Catholic Community Services selected for membership in Frontiers of Innovation

Catholic Community Services has been selected for membership in Frontiers of Innovation and Executive Director Jim Seymour has been invited to serve on the advisory group.

The Frontiers of Innovation (FOI) is an initiative of the Early Childhood Innovation Partnership, a collaborative effort of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, and the TruePoint Center for High Performance and High Commitment.  The FOI community includes policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and philanthropists.  Launched in May 2011, it is designed to catalyze cross-sector, cross-disciplinary collaboration and high-impact strategies for innovation in the field of early childhood policy and practice.

Click here to learn more about the Frontiers of Innovation and Catholic Community Services partnership.

Personal Empowerment for Achieving Real Lasting Security

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s Community Impact investments for the 2011/13 cycle include collaborative funding—dollars directed toward partnerships that focus on successful outcomes in the areas of education, income and health; and target ways to keep our communities strong today and into the future.

The goal of collaborations is to bring community partners together, amalgamate knowledge and resources, leverage available funding and work toward an effective way to get to the root of a critical issue and not just find quick-fix solutions, but rather discover a way to eliminate or address the problem and its subsequent impact on the community at large.

The PEARLS (Personal Empowerment for Achieving Real Lasting Security) Project is one such collaborative effort. PEARLS Project partners include Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service, St. Francis Shelter and Helping Hands Resources; with grant support provided by the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.

The partners work together to transform the lives of domestic violence victims as they move from crisis to shelter and safety—and ultimately to security—as they rebuild their lives free of violence. 

Each year, the Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service (MVWCS) shelters 300-500 women who are fleeing violence; providing necessary crisis intervention and supportive services to keep them safe. As the economic struggle deepened, MVWCS struggled to help victims find stable housing and employment.

Through the PEARLS collaboration, MVWCS clients now have access to housing at St. Francis Shelter, where they learn skills to rebuild their lives—money management, food preparation, organizational skills—in addition to experiencing support specific to victims of domestic violence and abuse.

While at St. Francis, Helping Hands Resources steps in to provide one-on-one mentoring around clothing, makeup, hygiene, personal presentation and other skills necessary for seeking employment. Helping Hands also provides necessary household items in preparation for the transition to long-term housing for clients.

In a nutshell, the PEARLS Project offers comprehensive and intuitive services and support that promote the health, stability, self-sufficiency and wellbeing of victims of domestic violence within our community. These three distinctive nonprofit agencies work hand-in-hand to make this collaboration a success; participants indicate that the assistance they received from each organization increased their access to resources and security.

The PEARLS Project continues to grow and thrive.
 
To learn more about the PEARLS Project collaboration, contact Kate Decarlo at the United Way: (503) 363-1651 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director
for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Listen to and believe violence victims

The number of calls answered by domestic and sexual violence programs in Oregon totaled nearly 170,000 during 2010. Calls included individuals requesting help related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other unsafe situations.

Communities across Oregon responded with assistance according to their capabilities, sheltering 2,763 adults, 300 teens and 2,031 children. More than 22,700 requests for shelter and safety from violence could not be met. This number is a 17 percent increase as compared to unmet calls for 2009.

In Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, nearly 15,000 requests for help were received via help lines, with a total of 400 sheltered as part of domestic-violence programs. Of those sheltered, 46 percent were younger than 18 years of age.

Issues related to violence continued unabated during 2011.

Clearly the call for help needs to be answered. Those who are unsafe need to be sheltered. Education needs to be in place to promote awareness and prevention. Unfortunately, shelter and safety programs and services do not have adequate funding to meet the need.

One way to slow down the increase in domestic violence in our community is to take an active role as citizens.

Listen and believe. Domestic violence is veiled in secrecy. Often when a person reaches out to a friend or family member to describe a situation that feels unsafe, the listener doesn’t want to believe the abuser has violent tendencies. Listen and let the person know you believe him or her.

Don’t question. Don’t ask questions that put the fault on the survivor, such as “Why do you stay?” or “How could you let this happen?” Keep in mind that the fault for domestic violence lies with the abuser, not the victim.

Offer support. Calling Mid-Valley 211 can connect victims of domestic violence to various services and programs available in the community. Help lines are staffed by trained call specialists who listen carefully and offer appropriate support for emergency and long-term assistance.

Take care of yourself. Often we feel traumatized when close friends or family members share a story of domestic violence. Help lines can help you work through your emotions.

Be aware and speak out. There are many ways to get involved and support the effort to build awareness and prevention. Volunteer at a shelter, donate money or items needed to a domestic violence agency, or enroll in a community class to learn more and become an advocate.

In addition to Mid-Valley 211, our community offers 24-hour assistance for victims of abuse. In Marion County, contact the Mid-Valley Crisis Center at (503) 399-7722 or (866) 399-7722. In Polk County, call Sable House at (503) 623-4033 or (866) 305-3030. In Yamhill County, contact Henderson House at (503) 472-1503 or (877) 227-5946.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Partnership helps nonprofits with in-kind gifts

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is a community redistribution partner through Good360, a partnership that allows the United Way to obtain tens of thousands of dollars of retail goods, which are redistributed to local nonprofit agencies.

Known as the Gifts in Kind program, the local United Way received and redistributed more than $100,000 of in-kind goods to qualified nonprofits during the fiscal year ending in 2011.

The Gifts in Kind program launched during 2000 with a single retail partner — Bed Bath and Beyond. Since then, the local United Ways have worked hard to add additional partners, thus increasing the ability to provide a wider variety of goods. Today, retail participants include The Home Depot, South Salem; Guess Outlet, Woodburn Company Stores; Van Heusen Outlet, Lincoln City; Torrid, Salem Center; and Avenue, Keizer Station.

As nonprofits face declining monetary donations and struggle to make ends meet, this program allows them to redirect funds toward other much-needed programs and services. Gifts in Kind, as a community resource, has become vital to sustainability for many nonprofits.

Gifts in Kind works because it is largely a team effort.

Retail employees collect, organize, track and sometimes deliver the donated products. Local United Way staff and volunteers pick up items weekly or bi-monthly, sort, and prepare them for distribution.

Once a month, agency representatives or volunteers select products and ensure that they get into the hands of those who need them most.

Because this is a donation-based endeavor, funding is minimal — with the only expenses being annual fees for the Good360 partnership and the storage space used to house the goods prior to distribution.

Nonprofit organizations that wish to participate must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt health and human service agencies that provide direct service to residents in Marion, Polk or Yamhill counties. Applications for participation are accepted and reviewed in June. Once approved, nonprofits pay a nominal fee for annual membership.

To find out more about Gifts in Kind or to donate goods, contact Kara Rotella at the local United Way office, (503) 363-1651 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Share a Tree with Target

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley will once again partner with local Target stores to distribute holiday trees to those in need. Each year, United Way receives approximately 6 fully decorated, pre-lit Christmas trees from Target.

Please complete the form below if your agency is interested in applying to receive one or more of the trees. Responses must be submitted by Friday, December 11th 2011 to be considered.

 

‘211’ Phone Service Connecting More Oregonians To Help

David Nogueras, OPB | November 17, 2011 | Bend, OR

Everybody knows where to call if you have an emergency. Dial 911, and in most cases life saving help is just minutes away. But what if your emergency is a financial crisis that threatens to put you out of your home, or that leaves you unable to feed your kids? 211 connects those in need with agencies that can help. And in Oregon, it’s a service that’s growing rapidly. For six years now, The Shepard’s House in Bend has opened its doors to those who need help. It’s a Christian-based day shelter. Loomis Goode is the chaplain. “A lot of our guys are in recovery from drugs and alcohol. A lot of them have been in prison. And we offer them classes. We offer them a lot of counseling. So we’re a full program house,” he said.

But Goode says when people come in looking for help with things the program doesn’t provide, he often sends them to the same place. “And I’ll tell you, ‘Have you ever tried 211?’ ‘Well no, what’s that?’ So I’ll tell them what 211 is so they can make the connection ... we’ll even give them a phone let them call 211 from here,” Goode explained. For about 3 quarters of the state, 211 is a centralized clearing house for social service needs. At a call center in Portland, anywhere between 4 to 10 operators answer calls weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Most of those calls are from people who need help with the basics: housing, food, health care.

Liesl Wendt is CEO of 211 Info. That’s the non-profit that fields 211 calls in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Often people don’t know exactly what they’re calling for. They know that they’re about to be evicted from their house. They know that they have a shut-off notice from their utility company. But they don’t often know what and how to access services,” Wendt says. Operators on the other hand have that information at the tips of their fingers. Using careful listening and the most recent data, the operator can determine what the caller needs and what services might be available to them. But while operators don’t need to be in the same county as the caller to be effective, success does require regional partners on the ground to keep the database current.

Ken Wilhelm is the executive director of the United Way of Deschutes County. That agency partners with 211 Info in Central Oregon. He says the idea of a referral service is really an old idea. What’s new, he says is the technology. “You know, when I started it was index cards, a rolodex I guess would be how a lot of folks would remember it. So information technology developing as it has, it just made sense to eventually go to a digital clearing house function,” Wilhelm says. Wilhelm say 211 not only helps meet the needs of the people in the local community, but it also provides a huge benefit to the providers of services. “It creates efficiencies both for the agencies and for the person seeking help,” he explained.

Wilhelm points to a 2004 study conducted at the University of Texas. Researchers there caculated that a national 211 system could save society more than a billion dollars over the course of a decade. 211 Info’s Wendt say the service can also be a useful tool to help governments better provide services. “As resources become scarcer, I think there’s an even bigger desire to understand what’s actually happening in real time in a community. And by real time I mean what happened last month in Deschutes, who’s looking for what types of services, where are the people’s needs getting met, where are those gaps in services so that policy makers can make the best decision in the most timely way possible,” she said. 211 Info operates in 18 Oregon counties.

With the holidays and the cold weather approaching, it’s a service that’s likely to get more an more calls in the coming months. Wendt says the non-profit plans to offer service to all counties in the state by 2013.

© 2011 OPB

5 Ideas for Getting Involved in Your Community During the Holidays

So you want to help your community this holiday season, but while brainstorming ideas for the project you find yourself stumped? The media confronts us daily with the many social problems that plague our nation, without a solution in sight. It is easy to feel helpless when this information is talked about because no solution is foreseen.

It’s a good idea to start looking for holiday volunteer opportunities now, so you can be sure to find something you’d like to do. Just like shopping for a turkey the night before Thanksgiving, you might not find what you’re looking for if you wait until the last minute to find somewhere to volunteer.

It is easy to become involved in making a difference for your community by following these simple project tips. And remember, you can always get in touch with one of our HandsOn Network volunteer centers to find volunteer opportunities!

Hunger or Housing. From big to small projects there are tons of ways that you can help tackle this issue in your community! Help cook and serve meals at a soup kitchen, gather clothing and donate it to your local shelter, make toiletry kits for the homeless, make care packages full of winter clothing for your local children’s shelter, help repair a local homeless shelter, or partner with Habitat for Humanity and help with a build.

Elderly. Helping the older population in your community can be both fun and rewarding from any level. You can spend time with a senior citizen in your community, deliver meals to a homebound individual, perform home repairs or yard work for senior citizens in need, hold a social event for your local nursing home, adopt a “grandfriend” at your local nursing home and make regular visits.

Education. Education has become a big topic in the media over the years; there are many ways that you can help improve your community’s education system through volunteering. Ideas include raising money for Braille or large print books for the visually impaired, plan a school supply drive to assemble “back to school” kits for your local schools, set up a buddy system for kids needing friends, bring toys to hospitalized children, read books or the newspaper to visually impaired individuals, raise money to purchase and install playground equipment.

Health. Participate in a local AIDS or breast cancer walk, volunteer at a Special Olympics event, hold a blood drive, help a local agency create health promotion kits, host a health screening at a local store, library, or school.

Environment. You can help tackle your community’s environmental issues at many different levels. Set up a recycling center at your local school or retirement community, clean up a vacant lot or river bank, raise funds to adopt an acre of the rainforest or other habitat, clean up trash in your local park, partner with volunteers to paint a mural at a local school or park.

These are just a few tips that can be incorporated into your holiday resolutions that will make a big difference in your local community. From big to small you can help improve your community this holiday season.

For more great holiday volunteer opportunities, checkout HandsOn’s Winter Wishes Event Page.

Senior centers are in greater demand these days

Since 1900 the average life expectancy for an American increased by 30 years. That’s good news, right?

Based on census bureau statistics, (the latest year for which data is available) one in every eight Americans is aged 65 or older. That’s 39.6 million people. This age group accounted for 12.9 percent of the total population and more than 46 percent of all federal domestic spending. More than 87 percent report Social Security as their primary source of income.

The average annual health care costs for an older American earning less than $10,000 a year was $17,000. The average cost for one year of nursing home care was $76,680.

The number of persons celebrating their 100th birthday has increased 72 percent since 1990.

The older population is expected to reach 72.1 million by 2030—more than double the number during 2000—and comprise 19 percent of the total population. 

More than 516,000 older people reside in Oregon.  They make up 13.5 percent of the total population. Yet few people are aware that more than ten percent of the older population in our communities struggle with isolation, inadequate physical activity, poor nutrition, and limited access to services.

In a one-stop-shop sort of atmosphere, Center 50+, the City of Salem Senior Center, endeavors to link our older population and their families to local programs and services. Founded in 1976, Center 50+ is a collaborative partnership between the City of Salem, concerned citizens and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends of Salem Senior Center.

Located on Portland Road NE, Center 50+ offers meals, recreation, volunteer opportunities and education to more than 700 older adults daily. One valuable partnership is the Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels program, which serves more than 48,000 meals annually through a combination meal site and home delivery program.

Of the more than 15,000 senior centers in the country, only 120 are accredited and Center 50+ is one of them. That’s a notable accomplishment given that focal-point senior centers are charged with all of the following:  serve the fastest growing population of both well and frail older adults; reach out to under-served, low income and minority older adults; provide information and access to services; raise and manage funds from multiple sources; and be responsive to a broad range of community needs.

Find out more about City of Salem Senior Center by calling (503) 588-6303, or you can access their Web site at:  http://www.cityofsalem.net/residents/senior center

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director
for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Local United Way director retires

On Monday afternoon in her office, Gayle Caldarazzo, 67, turns her eyes to the top right corner of her mind, looking for the words to describe the past four years.

She had just completed her last board meeting as the executive director of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and had 10 minutes to spare before a press conference to mark the launch of her last project with the nonprofit. Her last day is Sept. 30.

“It’s been just, well …” she trails off. “I don’t know how to say it.” Then she finds it: impact. That’s been the focus for Caldarazzo since she was appointed as the executive director in June 2007. “How could United Way really impact our community?” she said. Since then, the organization has grown from two full-time and three or four part-time employees to at least 10 full-time employees.

United Way’s first annual campaign since Caldarazzo became executive director collected $1.8 million, 50 percent more than the year before. The donations have been rising every year since, with the most recent campaign topping off at $2.3 million. She doesn’t have any earth-shattering secrets on how to raise money at a time when everyone seems to be pinching pennies as many people are experiencing unemployment and poverty for the first time. “Building relationships and working hard,” she says. Those were the qualities the board saw when she stepped in as the interim leader four years ago, past president Bill Wilkson said. “We knew we needed someone familiar with a lot of community leaders,” he said.

In particular, Caldarazzo strengthened relationships with the business community, which she calls the “bread and butter” for United Way. “I wanted to honor our corporations — our businesses in our areas and make them feel that they are really important to us,” she said. “When you ask and you tell them why, then they were more prone to come on board to support us.” The next annual campaign will kick off Wednesday at Zenith Winery, Caldarazzo’s last public appearance as the United Way executive director.

Under Caldarazzo’s leadership, HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley was born in October 2007; the program is a resource that connects volunteers with service opportunities in the area. The program is credited for Salem’s jumping eight spots to No. 15 in the midsize-city rankings for volunteerism issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service. In the 2009-10 fiscal year, HandsOn volunteers completed 271,580 hours of service, said Melissa Gibler, HandsOn’s director of programs. The impact of Caldarazzo’s last work is yet to be known. Mid-Valley 211, a call center that connects community members with social-service agencies in the area, launched Monday, adding Marion and Polk counties to complete its tri-county territory.

Mike DeRocher, a senior vice president at AmeriTitle and a former board member, will step in as interim executive director Oct. 1. The board has asked him for as much as two years of service, Wilkson said, to give it the time necessary to find and hire the United Way’s next leader. He said a search committee, which would be a mix of board members and volunteers, is in the works to lead recruiting internally and externally. As for Caldarazzo, she’s beaming with excitement for what’s coming next, and rightfully so.

Her wedding is in October, and the retirement is perfectly timed for the couple to transition into their new life together. Then in the new year, she’ll evaluate what her next chapter will look like. “Because I know I’m not done yet, you know?” she says. “I’m not done — I can’t be. “But I feel it’s time to go to another level where I can pick and choose more and see what God has in mind for me — where I’m going to be, what my next project will be.”

Volunteers needed for veterans’ resource fair

Local Vietnam veteran Wayne Crowder was volunteering at the homeless count in Falls City a few years ago when he noticed there was an unusually large number of veterans living in rundown trailers, broken down RVs and illegally camping in the woods.

After additional investigating, he learned there are two barriers that prevent veterans from experiencing a poverty-free life — housing and apprehension.

For myriad reasons, veterans fear reaching out for help from service providers such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and often end up surviving on hand-outs and the occasional odd job.

Serving our Veterans at Home was created to meet the needs of local veterans and their families by offering services focused on the joyful but often difficult transition from active duty to home life. Post-traumatic stress disorder, physical injuries and psychological wounds can be debilitating aftereffects for those who serve in our military forces.

SOVAH offers a local office that works with veterans to address specific needs and to ensure that care and resources are available for them and their families.

On Sept. 16 and 17, SOVAH will host its second annual Stand Down, a resource fair for veterans and their families. A variety of services will be offered, including dental care, surplus and civilian clothing, social services and pet care.

The event will include a barbecue lunch for all attendees. For this year’s event, SOVAH will host a job fair Sept. 17.

Volunteers are needed to help stage a successful event. Positions vary from guest greeters and event guides to pet assistants and meal servers. Four- to six-hour shifts are available. Youths ages 15 to 17 can volunteer with an adult. To sign up or for more information, go to handsonmwv.org.

Let’s serve those who served our country.

Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact her at (877) 372-4141 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Many places in east valley need volunteers

A summer drive going east from Salem will take you to a lively little town teeming with personality. Silverton is well-known for its quaint shops, lovely murals, and the nearby gateway to Silver Falls State Park.

In addition to all that, Silverton is home to a plethora of wonderful, family-friendly volunteer activities.

The Oregon Garden is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, honoring a history of hard work, determination and dedication that began when the Oregon Association of Nurseries first started exploring the development of a botanical garden back in the 1940s.

Today, The Oregon Garden is home to more than 20 specialty gardens, waterfalls, quiet ponds, fountains, a children’s garden and a 400-year-old signature oak tree that stands 100 feet tall.

In addition to being a peaceful place to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of nature, the garden also is a wonderful place to volunteer.

Where else can you plant a flower or tend a walking trail and know that visitors will enjoy your effort for months to come?

If you are blessed with a green thumb, you can become a horticulture volunteer and assist staffers with more advanced garden projects and care.

You also could opt for the annual planting party and invite your family and friends to learn about the plant world as a group. The Oregon Garden also is looking for greeters and gift shop attendants.

Meanwhile, if you prefer the company of four-legged friends, consider a short drive to the outskirts of Silverton, where you can discover a sprawling farm on a hill called the Silver Creek Animal Sanctuary.

At Silver Creek, the goal is to provide a loving home for ill, abused and neglected goats and llamas, while also offering a healing, learning environment for adults and children with special needs.

Silver Creek is home to 87 goats and seven llamas — all waiting to offer you a rewarding experience interacting with animals in a healthy, healing environment.

Sign up for “Sanctuary Saturday” and spend an afternoon engaged in good, old-fashioned, hard work with the animals.

Every experience includes time giving out treats and attention, which the animals love.

Check out these and other family friendly volunteer opportunities at http://www.handsonmwv.org.

Melissa Gibler is the program director for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley. Reach her at (877) 372-4141 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Garten helps people blossom

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 53 million Americans live with a disability.
About two-thirds of that number can be classified as being severely disabled. This includes
people of all ages, and those who were born with a disability or acquired it during their life.
The word disability is used to refer to an individual’s level of functioning—including physical,
sensory, cognitive, intellectual, and mental impairments. It is also used when speaking of various
types of chronic diseases.

For those of us who struggle with the challenge of a disability on a day-to-day basis, we prefer
that people see us, rather than our disability. We are not dis-able, or un-able, we are simply
differently-abled. Moreover, we are people with interests, ideas, feelings, and the desire to live a
full and productive life. We want to work, play, love and be loved; and most of all be included—
just like everybody else.

The Central Willamette Valley is very fortunate to have Garten Services. Garten was founded
in 1970 by Sally Gearhart. As legislation gave rights to people with disabilities, Sally undertook
the opportunity to begin a program that served special needs children. Through the years, Garten
remained a fixture in the community—evolving and expanding as more opportunities opened up
for providing services that focused on people of all ages and myriad types of disabilities.

Today, Garten is a successful non-profit organization offering customized vocational, career,
retirement, and day activities for more than 500 people with disabilities. It only takes a tour of
their recycling facility to see that in the process of being a productive, successful business, they
have engaged workers in such a way that helps them become productive, active individuals who
are perfectly capable of earning a pay check, chatting with co-workers during their lunch hour,
and feeling proud of their achievements as a member of the community.

Garten partners with local businesses to offer mail services, (they are the largest mail house
in the Salem area), custodial services, a commercial laundry business, and a comprehensive
recycling center—all supported by people who are differently-abled!

The word Garten is German for “garden.” The name choice is appropriate because just as a
gardener provides nourishment and attention to create a blossom of healthy growth, Garten is
committed to helping individuals be productive, independent, recognized, and valued; while also
cultivating a community with a better understanding of people who are differently-abled.

We all want to blossom, however we are able.

Find out more about Garten at: http://www.garten.org or call: (503) 581-4472

Fostering a stronger, better community

Foster care can be defined as a temporary living arrangement for abused, neglected, and/or abandoned children. When a child enters foster care, the state — via family court and the Department of Human Services — stands in loco parentis to the minor, making all legal decisions. The minor is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver, or foster parent, who is responsible for day-to-day care.

Imagine being a young child and having a parent who is unable to care for you because of homelessness, alcohol or drug addiction or a critical illness. Worse is the situation wherein a child enters the foster system after the death of a single parent, with no other relative being available or capable of care.

Foster children experience the trauma, sadness, loss, and/or confusion of their situation, and then enter a system that is often overtaxed because of the sheer volume of cases. Many times, they are separated not only from their siblings, but also from their friends, schools and communities.

Approximately 8,700 children currently are in foster care in Oregon — including, on average, 1,000 in Marion County. They are being cared for by a diverse cross-section of foster parents. It is a job that requires the ability to exercise sound judgment and provide a responsible, stable and emotionally mature environment. And there are never enough homes to accommodate the number of children entering foster care each year.

Many different local organizations work together to provide a better experience for children in foster care. Court Appointed Special Advocates work as volunteers and are appointed by the juvenile court to an individual child or family of children. Their role is to advocate on behalf of the child(ren) and help to secure the necessary services and a safe, permanent home situation as quickly as possible.

Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley offers the Community Homes for Children program, which was created to provide children with long-term foster care in a nurturing home environment. They work primarily with children who are unlikely to be reunited with their families or adopted.

At the core of foster care are children with every emotional and physical need that a normal child experiences, plus some issues that require special attention based on the experience that led them to be fostered in the first place. Foster parents provide a chance for kids to heal and feel supported. They offer guidance, stability and a safe environment.

Whether you are a foster parent or support an organization that is involved in the care of our children who are without parenting; your contribution to the community is immeasurable.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Reach her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free phone number

As the economic outlook continues to look cloudy with only a touch of sunshine here and there, many individuals and families who have been accustomed to the comforts of life are now seeking assistance for the first time. 

Eighteen months ago my wife and I were employed. First she was downsized, then six months later I was laid off. Our unemployment and health insurance will end soon. We aren’t sure we can keep up our mortgage payments much longer. Our kids are ages four and nine. We’ve never needed help and have no idea where to start.

In many instances, the initial point of contact for someone seeking help, support, or simply information, begins with a phone call. And one of the best ways to promote available programs and services in our community is a state-wide information and referral helpline.

During 2004, national momentum behind a simple solution that would connect people to health and social services brought 2-1-1 to the Portland metro area. Today, 2-1-1 services extend to 65 percent of the state’s population, including Yamhill County.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free phone number that connects callers with local community services such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, elder care, legal help, and more. During a disaster, 211 provides critical information about evacuation routes, food and shelter, as well as support during long-term recovery.  211 is confidential and available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  211 call specialists live and work right here in Oregon, so they understand the needs of Oregonians. And shared software systems make it easy to share database information across regions while reserving local control over resources and partnerships.

We live in the McMinnville area and dialed 2-1-1 after discovering that a neighbor was ill, unable to take care of herself and had not eaten in several days. We didn’t know what kind of help was available, but needed information about what to do. We were connected to elder services and a Meals-on-Wheels program. We couldn’t be more pleased with the assistance we received. Thanks to 211, our neighbor is doing quite well! This is such an important community service.

The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is working hard to expand Yamhill 211 to Marion and Polk Counties during 2011. This is a step that directly aligns with the United Way mission to connect people with the resources they need and provides a community-wide service with community-wide outcomes.

Together, the tri-county area can make this happen by staying informed, providing financial support, spreading the word and remembering that getting help will become as simple as dialing three numbers.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director
for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Better Health Begins at Home

Better Health Begins at Home

At the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, we talk about advancing” the common good,” with education, income, and health being the building blocks for a successful life. Yet it has become increasingly apparent that a quality education, stable income, and good health are beyond the reach of too many individuals and families in our communities and across the land of the free.

Let’s take a look at HEALTH.  Often health is defined as the general condition of a person; the state of being free from illness or injury. At the time of its creation in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Today, statistics reveal that only one-in-three adults can be considered healthy.
Yet, health and well-being play a key role in both education and income.

If a child enters the classroom hungry, with a toothache or unable to see the board clearly, his or her learning suffers.  In our community, one-in-four children face hunger every day. Fifty-three percent of eighth graders did not have a medical check-up or physical exam in the previous year. Statistics reveal a direct correlation between health, education and the high school drop out rate; as well as the rate of juvenile arrests.

An adult suffering from sickness or injury results in reduced capacity at work. Three-of-ten working individuals report health problems. An estimated 69 million employees took sick days in one year, amounting to $48 billion in wages paid for time not worked—an amount that has a dramatic impact on the overall economic blueprint for our society. The cost for those who do not have insurance or receive pay for sick time can be enormously detrimental; leading to additional stress and loss of well-being.

Developing solutions to the health dilemma must, undoubtedly, be addressed on a community-wide level. But we can also make strides both as individuals and as families by engaging in a lifestyle of prevention and physical fitness.

Programs such as Healthy Start/Healthy Families (http://goisn.org/ccswv/healthystart.html, (503) 362-6138) help families create the foundation for success in school by supporting and improving the health, education, and well-being of the whole family. The Resource Assistance Program at the YWCA (http://www.ywcasalem.org/rap/rap.html, (503) 581-9922) connects families with primary health care options as well as other resources.
Both the local YMCA (http://www.youry.org, (503) 581-9622) and the Salvation Army’s Kroc Corps Community Center (http://www.salemkroc.org, (503) 566-5672), offer affordable options for people of all ages and lifestyles to engage in physical fitness programs.

Getting fit and staying healthy is a lifelong favor we do for ourselves and our loved ones. Get started today.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Red Kettles Ring in the Reminder to Give

It’s that time of year. All around town, the bells are ringing as the Salvation Army continues their annual Red Kettle Campaign. The much-familiar Christmas Kettles are an essential part of the total funds raised for the local Salvation Army.

One local bell-ringer has been standing in the cold and rain for several years. He began ringing three years ago when he lost his job and happened to see a notice in the local paper for bell ringers. Not only did he land the job, but his family also received a food basket for the holidays and beautifully wrapped gifts for his young children. “We were planning to skip Christmas gifts and were hoping to be able to afford food and heat,” said Adam, who declined to provide a last name. “Instead we had one of our most memorable Christmases ever and have never forgotten the miracle of receiving both food and gifts.” Since then he has returned to work, but continues the bell-ringing tradition evenings and weekends—offering smiles and genuine gratitude to those who reach out a hand to drop coins or dollars into the kettle.

Whether you offer loose change from your pocket or open your wallet to fetch a bill, your gift makes the holiday season brighter for those who need a helping hand. Kettle donations go toward providing a Christmas meal for families and/or toys for children ages 0-12.

The Salvation Army also has an Angel Tree program—local businesses throughout Marion and Polk counties host a tree with tags that describe items for children in need. Shoppers can select a tag, purchase the suggested gift and return it to the Angel Tree location. More information and tree locations are available on the Web site:  http://www.sasalem.org

Toys can also be dropped off at Salvation Army Family Services, located at 1977 Front Street SE in Salem. Financial contributions can be mailed to PO Box 7047, Salem, OR 97303.

Those seeking help can contact the Salvation Army directly at (503) 585-6688 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  The deadline for holiday gift sign up and assistance is December 17th.

Additional help is available through the Northwest Human Services Crisis Hotline; they will be providing gift cards for toys and food for families in the Salem-Keizer area. Call (503) 581-5535 to find out more.

For services specific to Polk County, call the Polk County Service Integration office at (503) 623-9664 or go to http://www.co.polk.or.us/si  The Web site offers a holiday assistance flyer as well as various locations for holiday meals.

The holidays provide an opportunity to both give and receive—and experience joy in the process.

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Let’s Redefine Christmas…

What if we all worked a little harder to redefine the holiday season by putting more Thanksgiving into it?  If you think about it, we can follow a trail from the last bit of gravy being washed off those Thanksgiving plates to Black Friday—that day of chaotic shopping that marks the advent of shopping, tree trimming, gift wrapping, and every other detail that has come to define the holiday season.

Before the last bit of leftover turkey finds its way into a casserole, we find ourselves engaged in a month-long compulsion to buy something, anything, for everyone we imagine deserves, wants, needs, or expects a gift. We participate in costly, time-consuming, fully-commercialized activities; decorating our home, attending parties, addressing cards, traveling, and more shopping.  We’re stressed. We’re exhausted.

What if we focused simply on giving?  The true spirit of giving.  The joy of giving.  The miracle of giving.

Let’s start with imagining a scenario wherein we forgo buying a trendy gadget that looks really cool, but will probably never be used by your brother, sister, mother, friend, co-worker, and instead, give a donation to their favorite charity. In turn, request that they give one to your favorite charity.

This is appealing for many reasons:  You discover what people are passionate about. More money goes to people and/or causes who need it. Shopping is easier and even interesting. Your gift is tax deductible.  Donations are more environmentally efficient—no gas for shopping, no paper for wrapping, no consumer spending to initiate the production of more trendy gadgets that will never be used. Charitable giving also teaches us about the community around us and provides an opportunity to effect change in our own way.

The biggest benefit to charitable giving is the feeling of goodwill. In fact, research reveals that people who give money away are happier and less stressed than those who don’t. Being less stressed is good for everybody and enables us to stay in the spirit of thanks-giving. And that is more in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

Please consider charitable giving as a gift option this year.

Gayle Caldarazzo is executive director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley. Contact the United Way directly at (503) 363-1651 to find out more about how you can make a charitable donation this holiday season.

Unique gifts available at One Fair World

When searching for the perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list, consider One Fair World, a shop located at 474 Court Street in downtown Salem.  One Fair World offers a lovely display of home décor, jewelry, stationery, musical instruments, and more.  You can buy paper made from elephant dung in Sri Lanka, hand-knit mittens made in South American villages, or jewelry crafted from recycled products in the Philippines—the world’s most impoverished nations produce items made from local resources and sell it to improve the living conditions of their towns and villages.  One Fair World offers both unique gifts and a resplendent sense of goodwill as you discover the story behind the one-of-a-kind items made by artists and craftsmen. 

Beginning December 1, One Fair World will offer an opportunity to find the perfect gift AND give back to the local community.  Through a partnership with the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, One Fair World will host a community shopping event—12 Days of Christmas—with a percentage of all sales going to the United Way to benefit those seeking help in the tri-county area.  There will also be a food drive to benefit Marion-Polk food Share and a book drive with a goal to collect 12,000 donated books in 12 days for the Reading for All initiative.  The 12 Days of Christmas event will kick off during Go Downtown Salem’s First Wednesday of December with a Holiday Open House beginning at 5:00 p.m. 

To learn more about the 12-Days of Christmas or One Fair World, contact Linda Bruce:  (503)585-1636 or visit http://www.onefairworld.org  To donate new or slightly used books visit http://www.reading4all.com and click on the Holiday Book Drive link for more information and a list of drop-off locations.  Donation receptacles for both the food drive and the book drive will be located at the One Fair World store for the duration of the 12-days event. 

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Creating Gardens for Good

The offices of the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley (UWMWV) sit on a dead end block off Liberty Street, not far from downtown. Across the street from the two-story building is a vacant lot owned by the city of Salem.

Inside the offices, employees are always aware of the most urgent, critical human services needs in the tri-county area. Their job is to do the research, identity the problems, find programs that offer solutions, raise funds to support those programs, and ensure that dollars get allocated according to where they are needed most. With only nine employees, the UWMWV, like other non-profit entities, is dependent upon volunteers for help.

During 2009, there was a ten percent increase in people seeking food boxes from the Marion-Polk Food Share—a United Way-funded agency. Forty-four percent of those eating from food boxes are children. Incredible things happen when creative minds gather to determine new and better ways to help.  Hence the birth of an idea to turn the vacant lot into a community garden.

Austin Rowlader works for HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley. He spends his days organizing projects for volunteers. His vision for the community garden was to create a place where: “neighbors can come together and grow food for themselves and the community.”  He began his quest by contacting the city of Salem, who immediately granted permission to turn the lot into a growing place. He also got in touch with Marion- Polk Food Share and invited them to join in the effort. His next call went out for supplies; and resulted in donations of gardening tools from the South Commercial ACE Hardware, and wood and soil from Marion-Polk Food Share for planter boxes. With a partnership and supplies in place, Austin drew up plans and set a date to begin the transformation from weeds and blackberry bushes to a well-planned, functional garden. Neighbors and UWMWV staff were invited to help.

Through the HandsOn network of volunteers, Austin has organized groups from Marion County Police Department and Oregon State Hospital to help create garden boxes, fill large planters and begin planting.  Today, the area is still a work in progress, yet recent rains have encouraged the growth of autumn vegetables. As the garden becomes fully developed, the food harvested will be consumed by the growers and neighbors, and given to Marion-Polk Food Share for distribution to its network of pantries. What was once an unused vacant lot has evolved into Austin’s vision of hope and food for those experiencing hunger in our community.

To learn more about the community garden or other volunteer opportunities; or for help in starting your own garden of hope, contact Austin Rowlader at the United Way office:  (503) 364-1005, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Terianne Petzold is marketing and communications director for the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley.  She can be reached via e-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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. 
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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. 
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1-877-372-4141

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