Safety Fair
Celebrating Together: Annual Safety Fair & Employee Appreciation
The scent of BBQ in the air, the thrill of cornhole with co-workers, and a day packed with games—it could only be the Safety Fair! This year’s event was another success, thanks to our great partnership with NACHC and OPCA, who helped us out as volunteers. A big thanks to Miller’s BBQ for the delicious food that had everyone coming back for seconds!
Our Board members provided their usual unwavering support, and it was a delight to have Jan, our former Chairman, handling check-ins. If you missed her, you missed out on some classic fun facts—did you know they changed the alphabet song? HAHA, just a little trivia to keep things fun and light!
A special gift was waiting for you from our talented employees and HOST clients! For the second year in a row, they showcased their creativity by hand-painting personalized rocks for each employee and volunteer. I got one with a fun Mario theme—what did yours look like?
If you pass any of our QM team in the hallways, give them a high five for all their hard work! They spent months putting this event together,and we truly appreciate their efforts. Thanks to them, we hope you left feeling safer, wellfed, and with plenty
of great memories. Here’s to another year of safety, fun, and good times with your amazing co-workers!
Raffle Winners!
Child’s Play Basket:
Lesya C | WSC - Eligibility
Entertainment Tonight
Suri M | WSC - Medical Spa-aaaaahhh
Kane S | I.T. Department
The Great Outdoors
Angie E | WSC - Medical VROOM VROOM
Esmeralda M | Mental Health
We Didn’t Start The Fire
Kat Lee | HOAP
Celebrating National Health Center Week!
As we celebrate National Health Center Week, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the importance of this annual observance and to recognize the vital role each of you play in our mission at Northwest Human Services.
National Health Center Week is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible work of community health centers across the nation. These centers are more than just healthcare providers; they are anchors of well-being in our communities, offering essential services to individuals and families who need it most.
At Northwest Human Services, we are especially proud of our commitment to serving some of the most vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness and individuals with low income. Our health centers and community programs provide critical care and support to these groups, ensuring they have access to comprehensive medical services, mental health support, preventive care, crisis intervention, basic needs such as meals and showers, and safe and inclusive spaces in which to access these services. By addressing the unique needs of these populations, we help bridge gaps in healthcare and foster greater equity in our community.
This week serves as an important reminder of the positive impact we make every day. Our dedication to delivering quality, accessible, and compassionate care helps improve health outcomes and foster stronger, healthier communities. It is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and passion that each of you bring to your respective role in our medical home
In celebration of National Health Center Week, we are hosting several activities and events. Thanks to everyone who helped plan and bring these together or will play a role in bringing them to life. These activities are a great way to engage with our community and further our mission of promoting health and wellness for all. We hope you all get a chance to smile, reflect, and spread awareness in your relationship circles about the critical role health centers play in our Country.
Thank you all for your unwavering dedication and for being an integral part in our efforts to enhance the health of our community. Together, we are making a significant difference, and it is something we can all be incredibly proud of.
Happy NHCW!
Paul Logan, CEO & Stephen Goins, COO
Celebrating National Health Center Week: Join Us for a Week of Festivities!
Tuesday, August 6th: Staff Celebration!
The annual Safety Fair in the staff parking lot by the Facilities building from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Enjoy fun games, a delicious barbecue lunch, and a special token of appreciation from the youth at our HOST program. Our board members and local legislators will also be joining the festivities.
Wednesday, August 7th:
Honoring Healthcare for the Homeless
We will celebrate the essential care we provide by giving care package goody bags to all patients/clients at HOAP on Medical Wednesday. These bags will also be distributed on our medical bus run Thursday morning. Let’s show our support for those who need us the most!
Thursday, August 8th: Patient Appreciation Day
Take a moment to thank a patient or client for allowing us to care for them. All patients visiting the West Salem Clinic and Total Health Community Clinic will receive a flower as a token of our appreciation.
Friday, August 9th:
Reflect and Celebrate
As the week wraps up, take some time to reflect on the celebrations, challenges, and achievements. Be proud of the incredible work each of you does—let’s celebrate together!
Summer, Summer, Summertime!
Summer is in full swing, and for many of us, that means it’s VACATION TIME! (Yay!)
But let’s be real—it can be tough to fully disconnect from work and truly “be present” during your vacation, on a day off, or even in the evenings after your workday should be done. It’s so important to make sure that when you’re “off,” you’re really taking time to refresh and recharge. Remember, taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your patients and those around you—so make YOU a priority!
And while we’re at it, let’s challenge ourselves to truly live in the moment and make the most of our PTO. Check out a few snapshots of our team, capturing the highlights of their summer adventures!
This is how we disconnect from the hard stuff! BBQ and futbol! These are from our trip to Kansas City, MO. Olivia O. and husband
We went to my sister’s in Klamath Falls for much needed break and meet our newest family member Lucy (my sister’s new pony). Teresa W, I.T.
The highlight of my summer is meeting our new member to Compliance Addison S (Arielle’s Daughter). Trina H
On top of Sentinel Dome (8300 ft above sea level), with a view of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, and other high peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the backdrop.
Creative ways to stay active during vacay:
• Use the hotel workout room or swimming pool, if available. If your hotel doesn’t have a workout room, find a nearby gym.
• Exercise first thing in the morning. You may be more likely to do it then.
• Use a phone app or pedometer to motivate you to add steps throughout your day.
• Ask the hotel concierge about local parks and walking/running trails. A concierge can be a great source of information.
• Walk to local restaurants for meals instead of driving.
• If the hotel is large, turn its hallways and staircases into a “track,” and do “laps.”
• The Internet is full of advice for exercises you can do in your hotel room, for beginners as well as exercise experts. You can also jump rope or run in place. If that’s too boring, do it while you watch TV in the morning or evening.
Family camping trip over the 4th of July holiday. Angie E, WSC
My husband and I at the beach for his birthday weekend. Karon C., Admin
A gorgeous sunset that I was able to sit and enjoy with my daughter on a porch swing overlooking Lake of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs, AR by Kristin K.
Drift Creek Falls Trail just south of Rose Lodge. Erin M, Billing
988 | 2-year anniversary
In July, we celebrated the two-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This service has been a lifeline for millions of people across the country. Since it started, the 988 Lifeline has helped over 8 million people by answering their calls, texts, and chat messages when they were in crisis. In May 2024 alone, 988 handled 610k nationwide contacts—way up from 413k in August 2022, its first full month. This 47% increase shows that more people are learning about and trusting this important resource.
As we look to the future, we know that technology will play a big role in making our services even better. One exciting advancement is called geo-routing, which will help connect people to the nearest 988 center based on their location when they call. This will be an essential tool to connecting those in Marion and Polk County to the NWHS 988 Call Center.
We know that getting eye care can be tough for many of our patients, which is why our recent eye care event was so important. Thanks to the amazing partnerships with OHSU Casey Eye Institute, Salud Tuality, OHP CPOP, and our own dedicated staff, we were able to provide free eye exams and prescription glasses.
A big thank you to our Care Coordination Team for organizing this event over a weekend and providing extra support for our patients. Our Community Health Workers (CHW) and Eligibility team worked hard to keep everything running smoothly. The OHSU Casey Eye team did a fantastic job with the eye exams, making sure everyone got the care they needed, including glasses if they needed them. With the support of our amazing partners, our community received the essential eye care they deserve.
Together with our community partners, the outreach team provided:
35 individuals with an eye screening at no cost, resulting in, 10 individuals (29% of participants) receiving a prescription and glasses at no-cost, 19 individuals (54%) received a recommendation for an annual exam to preserve the gift of sight.
Summer Kickball
Congrats to Our “No Profit, No Problem” Kickball Team for Clinching the 2024 Summer League Championship!
We’re so excited to announce that the No Profit, No Problem Summer League team has won the championship!Our team has worked hard all season, and it’s fantastic to see them achieve this huge victory.Fans and supporters are celebrating right along with the team. This win isn’t just about being the best on the field—it’s also about the friendships we’ve built and the fun we’ve had together.
The team is open to newcomers and has spots available for the upcoming season! More information will be available soon! 2024
Summer Time Breakfast Break
“I could not find a page to review, guess we need to set up a yelp! Thank you so much for the breakfast. The blueberry pancakes were amazing. Scrambled eggs and sausage were hot and fresh and delightful! Service with a smile and friendly greetings! We appreciate you guys tons. Facilities is a great team and we are blessed to have them here. Thank you again!!!” -Becki M, LPN
A big thank you to our Facilities team for bringing us together to enjoy a sunny morning with our co-workers and Board of Directors. Your effort made for a truly wonderful start to the day!
August Health Tips: Keep Your Routine as Fall Approaches
I recently learned that August is often seen as the transition month between summer’s sweet end and fall’s fresh start. Whether you have kids heading back to school or not, it’s clear there’s a shift in the air as we edge closer to a new season. I find myself wondering, “How did we get to August so quickly?” With school starting in the upcoming weeks, the change feels imminent.
I was recently chatting with a friend about the back-to-school transition and how challenging it can be. Even for those of us with grown kids (like me) or no kids, there’s still a shift that happens this time of year. Every August, I remember how tough it used to be—struggling to get out the door, managing the endless paperwork and forms, figuring out dinner times, and coordinating activities. It’s a reminder that transitions can be tough for everyone, no matter where they are in life. As we move from the warmth of summer to the cooler days of fall, it’s a great time to take a look at our daily routines.
Plan Your August Adventures:
~ Update Your Schedule: Adjust your planner to fit in those final summer activities while also making space for any upcoming fall plans. Balance is key!
~ Set Priorities: Make sure to include your essential routines—like work, exercise, or relaxation—before filling in with spontaneous summer fun.
Eat Smart and Hydrate:
~ Fresh and Flavorful: Who is guility of warming up a Hot Pocket on lunch? raising my hand! Try to stick to nutri tious meals, especially since so many summer treats are in reach. Quick and easy farm fresh recipes are perfect for keeping your energy up.
~ Easy to reach water bottle: - Hy drate, hydrate, hydrate.. Keep sipping that water, especially as the tem perature starts to change. Staying hydrated helps you feel overall better.
Getting your zzzzzzzz’s:
~ Consistent Schedule: With the long summer days this can be a challenge! Aim for a “bed time” or a sleep routine to help your body adjust as the seasons shift.
(L to R) Mr. M (Jan’s husband), Jan M., Meghan F, Jaquline V., Bob M.