Autumn 2021

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AUTUMN 2021 NEWSLETTER

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ORGANIZATION VALUES

FROM PATRICE How do you face the challenges of a global pandemic?

OFFICERS R. Taylor, Chair Chemeketa Community College

If you are a rock star staff member of Family Building Blocks, you RISE to them!

Jeff Moore, Vice Chair Saalfeld Griggs, PC Rich Schultz, Past Chair Cherry City Metals Brian Johnston, Past Chair Dallas Glass & Window Jody Rowell, Secretary Community Service Mike Blanchard, Treasurer Johnson, Glaze & Co.

Our team has faced the adversity of the last 18 months with courage, creativity, and a lot of care for one another and for the children and families they serve. As usual, they have pivoted (and pivoted and pivoted) to stay safe and healthy while “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.”

Here is a snapshot of what they have accomplished:

BOARD MEMBERS Steve Altman | True Private Wealth Advisors Jacob Bailey | Sea Legs Media Ross Carey | U.S. Bank Brent DeMoe | Polk County Family and Community Outreach Walt Edmonds | Retired, OR Court of Appeals Adrienne Fischer | Legislative Commission on Indian Services

1,251 Children supported

809

Families voluntarily partnered

3,707

31,400

Masks distributed to children and families

Diapers provided in emergency supply boxes

9,270

5,715

Hannah Fouts | HomeSmart Realty Group Deana Freres | Community Service Pedro Gomez | Representing Partnering Families Levi Herrera-Lopez | Mano a Mano Danae Johnson | Capital Financial Planners Rob Kansky | Green Acres Landscape Lillian Kay | HomeSmart Realty Group Nancy MacMorris-Adix |Retired, Legacy Silverton Midwives

1,313

Respite Care opportunities accessed

3,885

Meals and emergency food boxes delivered

Diane McLaran | Center for Business and Industry Wes McWhorter | Premier Remodeling & Design Jerry Moore | Retired, Salem Chief of Police Landon Pegg | Western Interlock Christy Perry | Salem-Keizer Public Schools Marni Redding | Mother Tree Olive Grove and The Arbor Leilani Slama | Salem Health Ernesto Toskovic | KeyBank Conrad Venti | Venti’s Restaurants Patrice Altenhofen | FBB Executive Director

ORGANIZATION VALUES • We respect the unique personhood of each child.

• We believe in the power of a securely attached family.

• We are family-centered, caring and supportive.

• We strive for equity and celebrate diversity.

• We are collaborative and ambitious.

• We emphasize strengths and assume positive intent.

• We honor vulnerability and courage.

• We offer optimism and hope.

• We express gratitude for our community’s generosity.

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

Home visits conducted (virtual and in-person)

Volunteer hours given

FEATURED STORY MEET GILBERT’S FAMILY AND JOIN US FOR THE 2021 DREAM BUILDERS PLEDGE DRIVE PRESENTING SPONSOR

COMMUNITY LEGACY SPONSOR

“Watching a miracle unfold in front of you.” – Amy, Gilbert’s Teacher

MEET GILBERT’S FAMILY

ENJOY THIS INSPIRING FAMILY STORY, PLEDGE TO GIVE, AND ENTER TO WIN!

Meet Gilbert’s family, watch their inspiring story, pledge to give, and ENTER TO WIN! New Dream Builder pledges are entered to win a two-night stay at Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa! Renewed and increased pledges are eligible to win swag and more. Winners will be chosen on 11/1/21.

Dream Builders are donors who pledge to give at least $1,000 a year for three years. Dream Builder pledges provide Family Building Blocks a strong, reliable foundation.

In place of our annual luncheon, we hope you will enjoy our presentation and photos in this newsletter as we continue to celebrate and focus relentlessly on the PREVENTION of child abuse and neglect. As you know, Family Building Blocks’ mission is simple: “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.” We believe that every parent strives to be the best parent they can be and that NO parent wants to abuse or neglect their child. All parents need and are worthy of support.

We are the only organization of our kind in this community. We provide intensive, specialized supports for families with children newborn to age five, who are at the point of disintegration due to the overwhelming life circumstances they are facing. We are often the last and best chance for parents to keep their family together before a child ends up removed from the home and placed in foster care. This is why we exist.

And what we do works. Year after year, 99% of the children we serve are able to continue living safely with their parents and families—no foster care, no abuse, and no neglect. The children and families we serve are facing crisis every day. They are facing what are sometimes called “risk factors”—homelessness, isolation, poverty, addiction, domestic violence, unemployment, lack of transportation, and other significant stressors. We know that the more risk factors faced by a family, the harder it is for that family to stay strong and together.

A family may walk through our doors facing over 10 risk factors. We know that by partnering with Family Building Blocks, a family can reduce their risk factors by as much as 36% in 18 months of service. Reducing risk factors for children is vitally important. Research shows that preventing a small child’s exposure to adverse experiences results in enormous payoffs in increased graduation rates, improved life-long health, lower incarceration rates, and reduced teen parenthood. The economic rate of return is a remarkable 1:8. For every dollar spent on prevention, there is an $8 return. That’s why we like to say, if you have a dollar to spend, spend it on prevention!

FEATURED STORY Here is the classic example of the benefit of investing early: It costs $7,500 to enroll a child and family in our Therapeutic Classrooms and wraparound services; $42,000 if a family breaks apart and a child ends up in foster care; and, if the child experiences an abusive childhood, struggles to use good judgment, and is incarcerated as a juvenile, the annual cost to our community is $110,000.

Many people are not aware that the parents in our programs reach out to us voluntarily. When a parent connects with Family Building Blocks, they are courageously saying “I want to be a better parent and I am struggling. I need your help.” And Family Building Blocks responds.

We respond by providing Therapeutic Classroom environments for children, Home Visits for families, parent education, and wraparound supports like clothing closets, food pantries, and respite child care. We believe every parent deserves to feel joy and that every child deserves to feel secure and be safe. It may be hard to believe, but what comes so naturally to so many of us is nearly impossible for some. Some parents experienced significant trauma as children. Some families are living with toxic stress.

This is what makes it so hard for some parents to establish critical bonds with their babies—bonds that lay the foundations for relationships, emotional regulation, and learning. And when a parent cannot focus on their child, for whatever reason, a once in a lifetime opportunity is missed. This is because a child’s brain is 40% developed at birth and 80% developed by age three. Neglect at this stage in life, even if unintentional, can impact that child forever.

Children cannot wait. A parent’s ability to respond to their baby is CRITICAL. Critical to the parent-child relationship. Critical for the healthy development of this very small child’s brain. Every parent deserves to know this and be given the skills to bond with their child.

It is so simple and so profound.

When you support Family Building Blocks, you are honoring the work in which our families engage every day to ensure their children are safe and their family stays together. We are all grateful for your support.

Enjoy the video of Gilbert’s inspiring story online by scanning the QR code on the left. Please share the link with others and encourage them to become Dream Builders!

Nikki Paxton, Donor Relations Manager, is available to answer your questions at npaxton@familybuildingblocks.org or 503.566.2132.

We are forever grateful for your partnership.

Please give to support children and families. Make an annual pledge, become a monthly Sustainer, or give a one-time gift by giving online, completing and returning the insert, or by texting FBB to 91999.

YOU can help build the dream for generations to come! THANK YOU!

YOU CAN HELP BUILD THE DREAM FOR MORE FAMILIES! “Watching a miracle unfold in front of you.” – Amy, Gilbert’s Teacher

SCAN TO WATCH GILBERT’S STORY, PLEDGE TO GIVE ONLINE, AND MORE!

MEET GILBERT’S FAMILY

ENJOY THIS INSPIRING FAMILY STORY, PLEDGE TO GIVE, AND ENTER TO WIN!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

COMMUNITY LEGACY SPONSOR

“When I say to Gilbert, ‘Mommy loves you,’ he says, ‘I love you, Mommy!” Gilbert’s mother, Tania, is overjoyed that, at three-and-a-half years old, Gilbert is now able to express his feelings verbally. Hearing your child say “I love you” for the first time is one of the most profound and meaningful things a parent can experience. Born prematurely at just six months, Gilbert fit perfectly in Tania’s hand.

After contracting an infection, Gilbert’s doctors feared he might not live through the night. Tania and her husband, Benjamin, prepared for the worst. Yet, Gilbert persevered.

Gilbert was given a feeding tube and continued to grow. After his first birthday, Gilbert was diagnosed with cerebral palsy which impacts muscle development and function, balance, fine motor skills, speech, and more. Tania didn’t believe he would ever reach milestones like rolling over, crawling, walking, or talking. Yet, Gilbert persevered.

In addition to their son’s health concerns, Tania and Benjamin are facing other challenges while raising Gilbert. When Benjamin was a teen, he suffered a stroke which affects his mobility and ability to communicate. Anticipating many barriers in their parenting journey due to these circumstances, and wanting to be the best parents they could be, Tania and Benjamin knew they needed a strong support system. That’s when they found Family Building Blocks. We welcomed this family and continue to help them stay safe and together with the most intensive, specialized care in our community. Our free and voluntary services, including Therapeutic Classrooms, Home Visiting, Respite Care, our new Family Mental Health Program, parenting education, and more, all provide a supportive parenting community. Gilbert and his parents have the opportunity to grow independently with the safety and security they need to overcome their challenges and reach their goals.

While attending our Therapeutic Classroom, Gilbert began to stand on his own just after his third birthday. Today, Gilbert is able to put together phrases like “I love you,” and is proudly walking everywhere—a true miracle unfolding. Gilbert’s teacher, Amy, is supporting the family with developing a secure bond and attachment. She also helps them create plans and routines and is committed to partnering with them as they navigate future educational opportunities for Gilbert. Amy shared, “I see so much in his future. He has a lot to contribute. Family Building Blocks is helping him become an amazing human in this world.”

HOW TO GIVE DURING THE PLEDGE DRIVE & ENTER TO WIN! New Dream Builder pledges are entered to win a two-night stay at Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa! Renewed and increased pledges are eligible to win swag and more. Winners will be chosen on 11/1/21.

MAIL IN

Complete and return the form on the back to: Family Building Blocks, 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305

ONLINE

Scan the QR code above or visit us at familybuildingblocks.org/donat/dbpledge to: Become a Dream Builder or Miracle Maker or renew your current pledge Complete the form and select any of the Dream Builder or Miracle Maker amounts to be paid over three years.

Donate Monthly or Donate One Time Click either button on the top of the page and complete the forms with your preferred amount.

TEXT TO GIVE

Text FBB to 91999 to pledge to become a Dream Builder, give monthly, or give a one-time gift of any amount, any time.

INCREASE YOUR CURRENT PLEDGE

Contact Nikki Paxton today at npaxton@familybuildingblocks.org or 503.566.2132.

TO GIVE BY MAIL, PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM TO: Family Building Blocks, 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305 Questions? Contact Nikki Paxton today at npaxton@familybuildingblocks.org or 503.566.2132.

Dream Builders are donors who pledge to give at least $1,000 a year for three years. Annual pledges at the Dream Builder level are critical for our wraparound services as they guarantee long-term support that will transform the lives of thousands of children and their families for generations. Every year, over 800 families partner with Family Building Blocks, forming a safe and supportive parenting community.

Please join us and make a generous commitment to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together” in our community.

RENEW AND/OR INCREASE YOUR PLEDGE Please increase my monthly Sustainer gift amount to $_______ Please increase my annual pledge amount to $______ _.

.

When my annual pledge is completed, please renew for ______

years at $______

__ per year.

I have enclosed my amount due payment today.

BECOME A DREAM BUILDER BY MAKING A MULTI-YEAR PLEDGE, GIVE A MONTHLY GIFT, AND/OR GIVE A ONE-TIME GIFT MULTI-YEAR PLEDGE

$250

a year for 3 or 5 years

$500

a year for 3 or 5 years

$1,000

a year for 3 or 5 years

$2,500

a year for 3 or 5 years

$5,000 a year for 3 or 5 $__________ a year for ___

years

$10,000 a year for

MONTHLY GIVING

ONE-TIME GIFT

$250+ FRIEND OF FBB | $1K+ DREAM BUILDER | $5K+ MIRACLE MAKER

3 or 5 years

years

STEPPING STONE SUSTAINER (INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS)

$50 $250

$100 $500

$1,000 $_______

$2,500

$25

one-time gift

$30

$50

$84 (DREAM BUILDER LEVEL) $__________

a month

PAYMENT INFORMATION Charge my card monthly:

5th

15th

Charge my card one time on:

25th

Credit Card Visa Master Card Discover #_________________________________________________

American Express Expires:

(name on card)

(statement billing address)

EFT: Donation will be deducted monthly:

5th

15th

25th

or

(zip code)

one time on:

Checking Acct #:___________________________________ Routing #:_____________________________________ Bill me (choose one):

One Time

Monthly

Annually

Check Enclosed Matching Gift: My employer or my spouse’s employer will match my gift. ____________________________________ (company name)

I would like my donation:

In honor

or

In memory of _________________________________________

SIGNATURE:__________________________________________________

If you make a multi-year pledge, we will send you reminders.

THANK YOU! YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

SPOTLIGHTS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE SANTIAM CANYON BENEFIT FROM OUR FULL RELIEF NURSERY SERVICES

With support from generous gifts like the recently awarded $35,000 grant from the Ralph Hull Foundation, Family Building Blocks is expanding our wraparound services in the Santiam Canyon. Our newly certified Therapeutic Classroom at Doris’s Place will serve children and families in Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Mehama, and Mill City thanks to this grant and founding support from the Oregon Community Foundation – Doris J. Wipper Fund. In addition, funds from this grant will also ensure children and families have access to the incredible benefits of our wraparound Relief Nursery prevention services including Home Visiting, strong community partnerships at our co-location site, and more.

A major component of our highly specialized, free, and voluntary Relief Nursery Therapeutic Early Childhood Programs, Therapeutic Classrooms provide a safe, nurturing environment to support healthy development and healing from trauma for children ages six weeks to five years. Focused on the healthy social and emotional development of young children, Therapeutic Classrooms are an innovative strategy that incorporate evidence-based curriculum, research on brain development, and early childhood expertise to develop resilience in children.

JOIN US FOR OUR VACCINE CLINIC! FREE! NO INSURANCE OR ID REQUIRED.

COVID-19 VACCINES WITH FREE! NO INSURANCE OR ID REQUIRED.

ENJOY A FREE MEAL!

OCTOBER 16, 2021 TIME: 3:00 - 6:00 pm LOCATION: WFMC Health 435 Lancaster Dr NE Salem, OR VACCINES: Pfizer and Moderna

WALK-INS WELCOME WHO: Ages 12+ (Ages 12-14 require parent/guardian present or signed parent/guardian consent. Available in print for walk-ins.)

QUESTIONS? Contact Julia at jlabahn@familybuildingblocks.org

2021

GIVE Thank you for your support in “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together!”

SUSTAINER Become a monthly donor and give online. familybuildingblocks.org

DREAM BUILDER Give $1,000 a year for three years. npaxton@familybuildingblocks.org

MIRACLE MAKER Give $5,000 a year for three years. npaxton@familybuildingblocks.org

ANNUAL HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS GIVING PROGRAM SPONSOR A CHILD OR PARENTS IN NOVEMBER

‘Tis the season! We are delighted to kick-off our annual Hope for the Holidays giving program in October. To ensure our families’ basic needs are met during this holiday season and that they can create memories together for years to come, we are partnering with businesses and individuals in our community to collect donations of winter coats, age appropriate educational toys, pajamas, books in multiple languages, and gift cards for food for local families raising young children.

Because of your generous support in 2020, Family Building Blocks was able to provide gifts and needed items and create sweet holiday memories with over 400 children and their parents in our community. YOU made all of this possible.

Please join us again this year to provide hope for the holidays to children and families during one of the most challenging years in our community’s history.

DONATE: Visit us at familybuildingblocks.org/donate/ or scan the QR code to fulfill the need for these gifts and make an online donation.

BONUS: Please visit us online (above) to see our AmazonSmile Wishlist where items will ship directly to us at Chelsea’s Place AND Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to Family Building Blocks.

HOST A “GIVING TREE”: To participate as a business and collect needed items, please contact Julie Hilty at 503.566.2132 or jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

YOU’RE INVITED SAVE THE DATES

PRESENTED BY

Holiday Tree Tour, Online Auction, and Gala

DECEMBER 1-3, 2021 ONLINE AND IN SALEM

Please join us for some festive holiday cheer during our favorite time of year! After touring the dazzling trees at local businesses in the Salem area and bidding online, don your festive wear and join us for the gala as we close the auction Friday evening at the Salem Convention Center!

SPONSOR THE EVENT

Email Julie at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org!

INVITATION TO FOLLOW

familybuildingblocks.org/events/#galaoftrees

BUY GALA PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR DECEMBER 3! $150 EACH | LIMITED AVAILABILITY: TO PURCHASE, EMAIL ECHANTUYUB@FAMILYBUILDINGBLOCKS.ORG ENTER TO WIN! If purchased by October 31, you’ll be entered to win a beautifully decorated wreath PLUS $100 to W. Wallace in Salem!

If the Gala is canceled, purchasers will receive a full refund. We hope to see you there continuing the legacy of this beloved event that benefits Family Building Blocks and “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.”

THANK YOU TO OUR PREVENTION PATRONS! PREVENTION PATRONS ARE INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES THAT SPONSOR OUR RELIEF NURSERY THERAPEUTIC EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS Thank you to our summer/fall event sponsors who transferred their sponsorship dollars to our Prevention Patrons giving program. To become a Prevention Patron, please contact Julie Hilty, Director of Business Partnerships, at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org or call 503.566.2132.

HEALTH SPONSOR

WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM

Cascade Collections | Childhood Health Associates of Salem Dallas Community Foundation | Instant Fire Protection Co. Mid-Valley Garbage & Recycling Association Nova Health Urgent Care - Dallas | Oregon Community Credit Union

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SALEM, OREGON PERMIT NO. 64

2425 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305

PRINTING SPONSOR:

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971.301.1003 M-F: 8:00 am-4:30 pm

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To update your physical address for our quarterly newsletter and to join our monthly IMPACT e-news list, contact Rufina Caluya at rcaluya@familybuildingblocks.org.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

CHELSEA’S PLACE (MAIN OFFICE) 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305 503.566.2132 M-Th: 8:00 am-12:30 pm, 1:00-5:00 pm F: 8:00 am-2:00 pm

WOODBURN CLASSROOM First Presbyterian Church 950 N Boones Ferry Rd., Woodburn, OR 97071 971.701.0076 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

HELEN’S PLACE 180 18th St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503.798.4744 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

BROADWAY PLACE 1255 Broadway St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503.990.7431 Temporarily closed.

Please call for assistance.

DORIS’S PLACE Office: Santiam Center Class: Wolf Ridge Community Room 11656 Sublimity Rd. SE 1351 E Santiam St. Sublimity, OR 97385 Stayton, OR 97383 503.769.1120 503.899.3690 Temporarily closed.

Open for Therapeutic Please call for assistance.

Classroom services.

GRACIE’S PLACE 1135 Edgewater St. NW Salem, OR 97304 503.363.3057 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

DALLAS ACADEMY Dallas Academy Building 182 SW Academy St. Ste 210 Dallas, OR 97338 971.301.1927 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

Family Building Blocks (Main Office) 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305 | 503.566.2132 | www.familybuildingblocks.org