Spring 2022 Newsletter

SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ORGANIZATION VALUES OFFICERS Rich Schultz, Chair Cherry City Metals Jeff Moore, Vice Chair Saalfeld Griggs, PC Brian Johnston, Past Chair Dallas Glass & Window Jody Rowell, Secretary Community Service

FROM PATRICE At Family Building Blocks, our value system calls us to meet parents where they are and to support them through their own challenges, toward their own goals.

We strive not to be seen as experts or saviors, but rather as encouraging, consistent guides through the parenting journey. We do this by providing Therapeutic Classrooms for children, Home Visits for families, and education for parents. We also provide wrap-around concrete supports like a clothing closet, food pantry, diaper bank, and respite care.

Mike Blanchard, Treasurer Johnson, Glaze & Co.

When we reflect on the last three years, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for how this community responds to the need. Thank you for engaging in our virtual events, live broadcasts, and other fundraising efforts.

BOARD MEMBERS

By being present for our families’ changing needs and listening to YOU, our community, we were able to mobilize and jump into action. Here are some exciting updates of how we are adapting with your support:

Steve Altman | True Private Wealth Advisors Jacob Bailey | Sea Legs Media Ross Carey | Retired, U.S. Bank Gina Defa | COUNTRY Financial Walt Edmonds | Retired, OR Court of Appeals Adrienne Fischer | Legislative Commission on Indian Services 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 Diane McLaran | Center for Business and Industry Wes McWhorter | Premier Remodeling & Design Jerry Moore | Retired, Salem Chief of Police Christy Perry | Salem-Keizer Public Schools Marni Redding | Mother Tree Olive Grove and The Arbor Leilani Slama | Salem Health R. Taylor | Chemeketa Community College Ernesto Toskovic | KeyBank Patrice Altenhofen | 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.

First, Doris’s Place serving the Santiam Canyon. In 2020, 10 years after establishing “Doris’s Place,” a small home visiting outpost in Stayton, we were able to finally establish a full-fledged certified satellite Relief Nursery to serve the Canyon. Shortly after the wildfires, we partnered with the Wolf Ridge Complex and opened a Therapeutic Classroom for children in that community. It is a beautiful space, coming to life quickly with the support of so many. We used this space to provide much needed respite care to children and families who had been displaced and traumatized by the unthinkable tragedy in the Canyon. And there is still so much healing to be done. We know that with your ongoing support, families in the Canyon will continue to have hope.

Additionally, we are proud to announce the upcoming launch of Jan’s Place in south Salem. In 2021, we learned that we were granted funding to expand our Early Head Start program to serve an additional 108 children. That means yet another location is popping up, this time in south Salem, in partnership with Morningside United Methodist Church. This site will be called “Jan’s Place” after Jan Alsever, who raised her family in this neighborhood with her husband, John. Jan and John generously supported young children and their families for many years, and also included Family Building Blocks in their estate. Jan’s Place will be welcoming children in just a matter of weeks.

We recently opened the doors to Jeanette’s Place, the new home of our Family Mental Health program. With support from a lead donor, the Larry and Jeanette Epping Family Foundation, in September 2021 we secured a building to expand our family mental health program. Jeanette’s Place is conveniently located across the street from Helen’s Place, our Relief Nursery in southeast Salem. Jeanette’s Place is now open and houses two bilingual therapists, including Ben, two interns, and an administrative assistant.

Soon, we will hire more therapists to serve children and families in our programs. We anticipate that this program will grow to serve well over 200 children and their families annually. These services are 100% free to families and sustainable for Family Building Blocks as we are able to bill for many of them through the Oregon Health Plan.

The final update I’d like to share with you today is our most recent. We are moving our Dallas Academy Relief Nursery to Independence. We are partnering with Central School District and Salem Health, co-locating at the Central Health and Wellness Center. This move is happening in just a few weeks. We are looking forward to sharing more with you throughout the year.

• 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

FEATURED STORY MEET REBEKAH

When most of us here think about the holidays, we are probably thinking things like, “What will I serve my family for dinner,” “What is my budget for gifts,” “How tall of a tree should we get,” or even “Do I want to celebrate this year?” When families are living on the edge, they don’t often have the choice to celebrate, whether they want to or not.

Some families in our program go to great lengths to simply make a paper Christmas tree to hang on the wall. Some save for a winter coat for their child and end up choosing to feed them instead. Hope for the Holidays is so much more than just providing gifts, needed items, and celebrating for a day. At its core, it helps families feel seen. It helps them feel like they get to participate in their community: like they get to be “normal.”

When we create space and opportunities for families to feel normal, even for a day, it removes the barrier to dream. It allows them to see a future. To see possibility. To have hope and to grow.

When we choose to participate in opportunities like Hope for the Holidays, we are combining hundreds of small donations into one enormous gift for families. No single gift is too small. The impact is generational. Providing access like this yields great dividends for our community. When families get to participate, see a future, dream for their children, contribute to the world around them—when families thrive and not just survive—we’re all better for it.

Shortly after beginning a partnership with us this past October, one family in particular wasn’t expecting to be able to celebrate the holidays. This is Rebekah’s family. After receiving gifts for her family, Rebekah quickly wrote to us to express her gratitude for Hope for the Holidays. Her letter reads: “I have found that when we make a donation of our time, services, or a new toy for a family in need, we do not always realize the entirety of the impact it can have—that it can give someone hope when it was lost or simply make a kid smile.

My name is Rebekah. I have two amazing and beautiful boys named Liam and Leopold. Their dad was incarnated the day Leopold was born. Today, he is just three months old. This was a very difficult time for my boys and me. When I realized the holidays were coming up, my heart sank. I was not going to be able to provide the Christmas my boys deserved.

Then, Kylie, my Family Building Blocks Home Visitor, called me and told me that she could maybe get some donations together for my boys for Christmas. I was surprised when a few days later they were delivered to our home. It was WAY more than I ever expected. I cried as I stayed up until 3:00 am on Christmas Eve wrapping these amazing gifts from strangers for my boys. Christmas morning came and for that day everything seemed normal again. With their dad sadly not present, the boys were just happy and playful. It was by far the best day we had in three months. I was given this amazing opportunity to say THANK YOU!!! I may not be able to meet any of you, but please know that you gave a mom hope. You gave my boys a Christmas they deserve.

Without your help and donations, Christmas would have been hard on my boys and me. So again, thank you for your donations. I will never be able to express how much it means to me. But I promise you that when I can, I will pay it forward. May you all be blessed in abundance.” - Rebekah

WATCH REBEKAH’S STORY ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: bit.ly/383Va1x

SPOTLIGHTS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDES GREATER ACCESS TO SERVICES IN NORTH MARION COUNTY

One major stressor some families partnering with Family Building Blocks face is limited access to transportation to our critical wraparound services.

To continue offering the most intensive, specialized supports to children and families in rural areas like North Marion County, we needed to increase our transportation opportunities. Thankfully, we were recently awarded a $200,000 grant from PGE to purchase an electric bus and charging station.

This addition increases access to transportation for children and families partnering with us through our Therapeutic Classroom at our Woodburn Satellite Relief Nursery. Families attending our parenting classes and playgroups will now also have greater access to these services. By providing transportation to and from our Relief Nursery Therapeutic Early Childhood Programs, we are helping to significantly reduce the stress and strain on families who can benefit from our partnership. Thank you, PGE, for advancing equitable transportation electrification via the Drive Change Fund. Together we can continue serving those most in need. Here’s to “Clean Energy Future!”

Images from the 2021 Les Schwab Tires Diaper Drive

ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVE MEETS FAMILIES’ NEEDS

Thanks to the annual Les Schwab Tires Diaper Drive in April, we are able to provide families with over 45,000 diapers every year. Diaper insecurity is a challenging barrier that our families face. As children are born and families grow every single day, we know our families have a consistent need for access to diapers and supplies for their young children.

To participate this year, visit area Les Schwab Tire Centers and contact Julie Hilty at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

2021

HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Since 1983, April has been designated National Child Abuse Prevention Month to spread awareness and prevent child abuse. Each year, our community gathers with our blue pinwheels at the State Capitol to kick off the month-long initiative. Please join us in “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together” in April by participating in the annual Les Schwab Tires Diaper Drive and provide families with greater access to needed resources and supplies.

XICHA BREWING GIVES TO CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Thank you to Xicha Brewing for launching an exciting opportunity that benefits children and families in our community! Their team created Cerveza Común to offer an exciting brew to the community and donate 50% of the profits to Family Building Blocks and Causa Oregon. Ingredients were donated by Yakima Valley Hops, Imperial Yeast, and Lincoln Malt.

Thank you to these community partners! xichabrewing.com

SUSTAINERS IMPACT CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Thank you to the over 400 community members who attended either the Sustainers Happy Hour event or Livestream on March 9! Children and families continue to have hope because of YOU. We’d also like to thank Rebekah for sharing her story, our sponsors, including presenting sponsors, Green Acres Landscape, Inc. and ServiceMaster of Salem, our volunteers and staff for connecting in support of the youngest among us.

GIVE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN “KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE AND FAMILIES TOGETHER!”

Questions about donations or how to make an impact today? Contact Julie Hilty at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

BECOME A STEPPING STONE SUSTAINER AND GIVE MONTHLY! Monthly Sustainer gifts of any amount are critical for our wraparound services as they guarantee support each month on an ongoing basis.

Already a Dream Builder or Miracle Maker? Thank you! Would you like to give your multi-year pledge on a monthly basis? Please contact Julie Hilty at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

“Since becoming parents, nothing is the same for us. There are no limits to the empathy and compassion we feel for parents trying to raise a family. Please join us in becoming Sustainers today! Every dollar makes a difference in the life of a child.”

- Lillian and Josh Kay, Dream Builders and Sustainers

ONE-TIME GIFTS Make an impact by giving any amount, any time. familybuildingblocks.org

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

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

THANK YOU TO OUR PREVENTION PATRONS!

Nova Health Urgent Care - Dallas and Oregon Community Credit Union 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 Donor Relations & Business Partnerships, at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org or call 503.566.2132.

YOU’RE INVITED!

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 Julie Hilty at jhilty@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. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at usda.gov, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov” FAMILIES SEEKING SERVICES Contact our Intake Team to get started!

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

CHELSEA’S PLACE 2425 Lancaster Dr NE Salem, OR 97305 503.566.2132 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

INDY PLACE 1601 Monmouth St, Suite 101 Independence, OR 97351 503.566.2132 Therapeutic Classroom services coming soon!

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

JAN’S PLACE Morningside United Methodist Church 3674 12th St SE Salem, OR 97302 503.566.2132 Therapeutic Classroom services coming soon!

JEANETTE’S PLACE 1787 State St NE Salem, OR 97301 503.566.2132 Open for Family Mental Health Appointments.

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

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

DORIS’S PLACE (OFFICE) Santiam Center 11656 Sublimity Rd SE Sublimity, OR 97385 503.769.1120 Temporarily closed.

Please call for assistance.

FREEMAN PLACE 3772 Portland Rd NE, Suite A Salem, OR 97301 503.990.7431 Home Visiting services coming soon!

DORIS’S PLACE (CLASSROOM) Wolf Ridge Community Room 1351 E Santiam St Stayton, OR 97383 503.899.3690 Open for Therapeutic Classroom services.

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