Winter 2024 Newsletter by Family Building Blocks

WINTER 2024 NEWSLETTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ORGANIZATION VALUES OFFICERS Nancy MacMorris-Adix, Chair Retired, Legacy Silverton Midwives Rich Schultz, Past Chair Cherry City Metals Jeff Moore, Secretary Saalfeld Griggs PC Mike Blanchard, Treasurer Johnson, Glaze & Co.

FROM PATRICE

We are thrilled to announce, that after decades of successfully “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together,” the Family Building Blocks Board of Directors created The Foundation for Family Building Blocks in 2022. The Foundation’s goal is to ensure that every child is safe and every family is together, for generations to come.

Family Building Blocks’ Relief Nurseries, located in Salem, Woodburn, Independence, and the Santiam Canyon, are primarily supported by donations from individuals, businesses, and private foundations. All of our services are free to families. As the core service providing wrap around services to all children and families served by Family Building Blocks, sustaining the Relief Nursery program is key to the success of the thousands of children and parents we serve every year. The Foundation for Family Building Blocks is committed to building an endowment that will ensure our Relief Nursery services are available in rural and urban Marion and Polk counties in perpetuity. This will give Family Building Blocks the ability to plan for the long-term and meet the evolving needs of each new generation.

Hannah Fouts | SMI Real Estate

We are very grateful for our “founding” Foundation Board members: Chair, Steve Altman (center); Secretary, Brian Johnston (right); and, Treasurer, Ross Carey (left).

Gifts to the Foundation for Family Building Blocks are a long-term investment in our community. Donors can name Family Building Blocks in their estate or will, give a percentage of the sale of your business, give stock or another appreciated asset, give from their IRA, give property (with the option to retain the right to use it during their life), or designate Family Building Blocks as a beneficiary of a retirement, investment or bank account, or life insurance policy. If you would like more information regarding the Foundation for Family Building Blocks, please contact me at patrice@familybuilidingblocks.org.

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

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

• 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.

Keeping Children Safe and Families Together, For Generations to Come

2023 GALA OF TREES GALA OF TREES RAISES OVER $280,000 TO BENEFIT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES! Helping raise over $3 million since it began in 1990, the Gala of Trees has supported the efforts of many nonprofit organizations serving children in need in Marion and Polk counties. We are proud to continue this legacy of caring for the youngest among us as the host of the annual Gala of Trees. The 2023 Gala of Trees, presented by Mountain West Investment and ENT Northwest, was an incredible night. We are so thankful for the community’s generosity and support! Thanks to you we had a sold-out event and grew even larger than last year. We have so much gratitude for our community’s commitment to “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.” We’d like to give the most heartfelt thank you to our tree decorators and volunteers for your countless hours perfecting every detail. Your efforts are the foundation of this beloved event! And, this event would not have been possible without our incredible sponsors! Because of your generosity, ALL the funds raised at the Gala of Trees, goes directly to intensive services for children and families. Thank you SPONSORS! PRESENTING SPONSORS

SAPPHIRE SPONSORS

DIAMOND SPONSORS Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Salem Oregon Heart Center Salem Radiology Consultants, PC

IN-KIND SPONSORS Allied Video Productions Pretty Good Printing

Umpqua Bank

TREE SPONSOR Eola Christmas Trees

WINE SPONSOR Redhawk Vineyard & Winery

FLORAL SPONSOR Peoria Gardens, Inc

Interested in sponsoring or volunteering at the Gala of Trees in 2024? Contact Julie at jduran@familybuildingblocks.org regarding sponsorship opportunities or volunteer@familybuildingblocks.org for volunteer shifts.

CHECK OUT MORE GALA PHOTOS!

HOPE, THANKS TO YOU CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN 2023, THANKS TO YOU! Our annual Hope for the Holidays in November and December is what holiday dreams are made of. This giving program ensures our families’ basic needs are met during the holidays. It also provides them priceless opportunities to bond, give and receive gifts, provide food for their families, and create memories. Each year, we partner with local businesses and individuals 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 this year, Family Building Blocks was able to provide gifts, needed items and help create sweet holiday memories for over 700 children and their families in our community! Almost 180 holiday donors participated, allowing FBB to partner with parents, providing holiday hope to a record breaking 714 children throughout Marion and Polk counties! THANK YOU, COMMUNITY! Thank you to our many Giving Tree hosts, donors, and all who encouraged others to participate in this important opportunity to give and provide hope! Thank you, Holiday Donors! Abiqua Academy City of Stayton Debi Adams

Christine and Jim Clair

Shantia and Mike Diane and Mark Adams Coates Adventures with Collier Law Autism Elizabeth Aldridge

Randy Cook and Tracy Gregg

Christopher Allnatt

Creative Concepts Home Staging & Contracting

Steve and Marni Altman Cynthia Backer Karen Bassett Chuck and Ann Baumann Becka Makes Buttons, LLC Lori Becker Book Bin Meridith Brand and Mike Chasar Jennifer Brown Mary Martha Brown Sarah and Geoff Bucholz Buttercup Hill Inc Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry (CCBI)

CreativiTEE & rofe designs Vicki Crider D & A Oven, Inc Gina Defa White and Lawrence White DKS Associates Do It Best Pat Doerfler

Food For All - Lower Willamette FFA District Lorey Freeman Jennifer Gilchrist Grace Communion International Salem Granny Fi’s Shortbread Susan Graves and Lloyd Chapman Green Acres Landscape, Inc. Sarah Gross Pam and Bob Grove Grove, Mueller & Swank, P.C.

Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods

Barb Hacke Resch and Friends

Julie and Melinda Duran

Sue and Don Harteloo

Lisa Ehlers

Robert and Theodora Hight

Encore Glass Kathy and Jim Eustrom First Congregational Church

Childhood Health First Associates of Presbyterian Salem, PC Church Church at the Woodburn Park First United City Dance Methodist Church Theatre

Jenny and Peter Hoelter Brenda and Bruce Holoubek Alice Hyde Illahe Hills Country Club Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Erin Jansen

Java Crew Linda and Jim Jennings Danae and Daniel Johnson Jeniffer and Tim Johnson Dexter Johnson Johnson Family Orthodontics Stacie and Rob Kansky Keller Williams Capital City

Mary Artz Tax & Business Services Inc Robert Mauger and Rachel Ulrich Cindy McPike Wes and Wendy McWhorter Rob and Donna Melton Stacie and John Miner Jessica Minifie

Kerr by Ingredion Joan Mitchell Jerry and Kristen Smith Samantha Moore Family Dental Group Jeff and Debbie Moore Alice LaForce Mountain West Calli Leamon Investment Kay and Jerry Corporation Lefley Kim Mullins Les Schwab Naked Cat Tire Center Coffee Lancaster Les Schwab Tire Center - West Salem Lions Club - Salem Downtown Lions Club West Salem Nancy and Bill MacMorris-Adix

Kate and Steve Nass National Association of Women in Construction NAWIC Roger and Ginna Neufeld Oak Park Dental, LLC

Pam and Stewart Anne O’Brien Marsh James and Shannon Martinez

Office of the Legislative Counsel

OGA Golf Course Tyson and Andrea Pruett On Any Sundae Kate Ratcliffe Open Dental Re/Max Integrity Software Oregon Department of Justice - Business Activities Section Oregon Department of Revenue Oregon Realtors Oregon State Credit Union Shelley Osborne and Glen Roseborough OSU - Office of International Services Kathie and Richard Painter Pajama Program Stephanie Palmblad Christy and Dale Perry PH Tech

Regence BCBS Victor Reuther Caleb and Annie Reynolds Ashley Rockwood Deborah Rudy Joan Rumelhart Saalfeld Griggs PC Salem Clinic Patient Service Dept Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics - Post Anesthesia Care Unit Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics - Inpatient Rehabilitation

St. Vincent de Paul Dual Language Immersion Catholic School

Suzanne Trujillo

Storeit.com LLC

Walker Middle School

Carrie Ullman State of Oregon and Thomas Cullen - DAS - Chief Human Resource United Way Office of the MidState of Willamette Oregon - DAS Valley - Procurement Valley View Services Dermatology Stayton Police Department Sara Waldrip Straight From New York III, Inc. Summit Wealth Management, LLC

Camas Weraky West Salem Troop 7150

Ellie Surckla

Jen Widell

Ally Swanson

Breanna Wiersma

Target Stores Keizer Lisa Taylor

Rich Schultz

The Bridal Gallery

Avari Schumacher

The Reed

Makenzie Pineda Lori Sills

Turner Christian Church

The Giving Trees Tips for Tots

Willamette Valley Street Rods Rebecca Williams Elizabeth Willis Lynn and Frank Witherspoon

Pink Elephant Tavern

Silver Ridge Livestock

Pioneer Trust Bank

Sinceri Senior Living

Postal Connections

Maureen and Lowell Smith

Woodburn Ernesto Toskovic and Sequoia Veterinary Clinic Kate Tosswill

Preserve Oregon

SNL Design

Alicia Triplett

Sarah Wort

Janice PrimusWickett

Jordan and Julie Ann Sparks

Sarah Troutt and Chad Colburn

Rebecca and John Wulf

T-Mobile Sandy Torgrimson-Fox

Withnell Motor Company

FAMILIES EXPRESS GRATITUDE “El amor, el apoya, y la amabilidad vienen como regalos con anvultura de esperanza de personas.” “Love, hope, and kindness comes as gifts wrapped in hope from people we do not know.” This beautiful statement was written in a thank you card sent to Family Building Blocks from Giselle’s family, a family enrolled in FBB services. Little Giselle is a toddler in our program. Giselle lives with her mom, dad, and older siblings. They received gifts this year as part of FBB’s Hope for the Holidays program and sent FBB pictures and a handmade card. “From the very bottom of our hearts we want to express, our most sincere gratitude to each generous person who donated towards our Christmas tree, the lights, the ornaments, and every accessory that decorated this tree. Your acts of goodness have filled our family and home with lots of joy and you have restored our faith in humanity” – Card from Giselle’s Family Hope is a powerful word. In this instance, tangible gifts from strangers like socks and books gave Giselle’s family hope. For some families partnering with Family Building Blocks, “hope” is often bundled up in a stack of diapers keeping a baby safe, warm, and dry. For others, hope is the telephone ringing with the news that there is a spot in a Therapeutic Classroom for a child on our waitlist. Hope is watching parents bravely choose a different path than generations before them. From holiday giving, to diapers, to our intensive therapeutic programs, we simply provide hope, and families do the rest.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Classroom Volunteers: All locations Playground Spring Clean Up: Salem, Aumsville, and Independence Garden Clean Up: In Salem at Helen’s Place Classroom Deep Cleaning: Salem and Woodburn Parking Lot Pick Up: Salem

BECOME A VOLUNTEER TODAY! Contact: Gaby, volunteer@familybuildingblocks.org

HIGHLIGHTS THANK YOU, U.S. BANK FOUNDATION We are deeply honored to be the recipient of the 2023 U.S. Bank Foundation Community Possible Grant! Thanks to the Community Possible Grant Program, we can continue working toward our goals of creating a more inclusive and equitable community! This important funding will support and enhance mental health services for children and families by providing play therapy materials for Jeannette’s Place and our incredible Family Mental Health Team. Established in 2020, our Family Mental Health Program has provided over 300 children and families, safe spaces where they can build healthy relationships by accessing behavioral health services including play therapy. Ensuring families are resilient and strong, able, and ready to address the many stressors they are facing is our mission. “Play” is one of the most effective tools in our tool box. We are SO thankful for U.S. Bank’s dedication to this mission with us! Together as community partners, we are ALL healthier and stronger! “Play is the work of children.” – Maria Montessori

LES SCHWAB DIAPER DRIVE IS COMING IN APRIL

HOST A TABLE AT SUSTAINERS HAPPY HOUR

From April 1-30, Mid-Willamette Valley Les Schwab Tire Centers will host their annual April Diaper Drive benefiting Family Building Blocks.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 6, from 5:00-6:30 PM and HELP US fill the room with YOUR friends, co-workers, and family for an evening of inspiration and joy!

You and your business, community group or school are invited to partner with us in collecting and delivering thousands of diapers to families in our community! As children are born and families grow every single day, we know our families have a consistent need for reliable access to diapers. Les Schwab and Family Building Blocks are partnering to meet this challenge with the goal of collecting over 100,000 diapers in 2024! The Les Schwab Diaper Drive benefiting FBB, has been hosted by every Les Schwab location in Marion and Polk county, since 2010. Now is your opportunity to JOIN THE FUN AND MISSION! • Why diapers? Did you know, babies need 8-10 diaper changes a day? Often families in our community lack a sufficient supply of diapers to keep their babies clean, safe and dry. • Why April? April is Child Abuse Prevention month. Our goal every year is more babies and their families having access to safety and connection. The April Diaper Drive is a big part of meeting that goal, more children safe and more families together! • Interested in participating or partnering? Interested in hosting a collection box? Contact Julie, jduran@familybuildingblocks.org to learn more about registration and advertising options. Thank you for considering covering babies from top to BOTTOM in our community with us.

We are expecting over five hundred guests at the Salem Convention Center for Sustainers Happy Hour, where we will share our mission, a never-before-seen inspiring Family Story, and help YOU and your guests get connected! You will not want to miss it! Enjoy complimentary wine and appetizers with 9 (or more!) of your friends, inspiring them to see the joy in giving to FBB like you do! “We are only reaching 1 out of 4 families who need our services. What if we could reach EVERY family in need?” – Rich Schultz, FBB Board Member and Past Board President What if YOU could be part of making that happen? Contact Claudia at cvorse@familybuildingblocks.org to reserve your FREE table or your seat, today. This event will include access to ASL and Spanish interpretation. Call 503-566-2132 or email us at accessibility@familybuildingblocks.org to request an accommodation.

SAVE THE DATES JOIN US AT PINT NIGHTS IN 2024! Thank you, FBB Young Leaders Council for presenting “Pint Night,” a monthly fundraiser hosted at various locations throughout the Willamette Valley, all in support of children and families partnering with Family Building Blocks! Mark your calendars for the 3rd Thursday every month for Pint Night! Grab a friend and join us!

PINT NIGHT

February 15 4:00-8:00 PM Willamette Valley Smokehouse, South Salem March 21 4:00-8:00 PM Fork Forty / The Best Goose, Downtown Salem April 18 4:00-8:00 PM Angel’s Share Barrel House, Turner A special thank you to our recent hosts: Turner Pizza and Tap House, Magoo’s, and The Yard! Follow and like Pint Nights on FB for up-to-date specials and locations!

Interested in hosting or sponsoring a future Pint Night? Contact Julie at 503-566-2132 or jduran@familybuildingblocks.org

March 6 5:00-6:30 PM | FREE

April 18 Noon-1:00 PM | FREE

May 31-June 1 2024

Join us to celebrate at the Salem Convention Center

Join us at The Gate in Independence

Join us for this premier event at Bryn Mawr Vineyards

cvorse@familybuildingblocks.org

jduran@familybuildingblocks.org

Join our Special Events Team and volunteer your time at one or all three of these amazing upcoming fundraisers! Email: volunteer@familybuildingblocks.org to reserve your volunteer role today! Family Building Blocks prioritizes equitable access. To request an accommodation for any of our upcoming events, please email accessibility@familybuildingblocks.org or call 503-566-2132.

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

2425 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305

PRINTING SPONSOR:

To update your physical address for our quarterly newsletter and to join our monthly IMPACT e-news list, contact Laura at lstovin@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.

FAMILY CONTACT Contact our team! 503.566.2132 M-TH: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM F: 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

CHELSEA’S PLACE 2425 Lancaster Dr NE Salem, OR 97305 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

INDY PLACE 1601 Monmouth St, Suite 101 Independence, OR 97351 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

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

JEANETTE’S PLACE 1787 State St NE Salem, OR 97301 Open for Family Mental Health Appointments.

JAN’S PLACE Morningside United Methodist Church 3674 12th St SE Salem, OR 97302 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

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

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

FREEMAN PLACE 3772 Portland Rd NE, Suite A Salem, OR 97301 Open for Home Visiting services.

DORIS’S PLACE Cascade Resource Center 574 N 11th St Aumsville, OR 97325 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

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