Autumn 2016 by Family Building Blocks

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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER

AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER

2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RECENTLY AT

OFFICERS Brian Johnston, Chair Dallas Glass & Window Nita Kennedy, Chair-Elect COUNTRY Financial Jason Herber, Past Chair True Private Wealth Advisors Jody Rowell, Secretary Community Service Mike Blanchard, Treasurer Johnson, Glaze & Co.

SENATOR RON WYDEN VISITED CHELSEA’S PLACE

BOARD MEMBERS Dave Alcorn | PGE Jacob Bailey | Sea Legs Media Ross Carey | US Bank Wally Carson | Retired, OR Supreme Court

We welcomed Senator Ron Wyden at Chelsea’s Place on August 10th for a tour and community discussion regarding his proposed legislation, the Family First Prevention Services Act. “If you’ve got one dollar to spend, spend it on prevention! The Family First Prevention Services Act is an important step toward keeping children safe and families together.” - Senator Ron Wyden

Leslie Dinsdale | Community Service

MID-SUMMER CELEBRATION

PRESENTED BY

Staff, board members, volunteers, Dream Builders, and Miracle Makers gathered together in July to celebrate each other’s commitment to our mission and to thank our community of donors for helping us keep children safe and families together!

Wes McWhorter | Premier Remodeling & Design Jeff Moore | Saalfeld Griggs, PC

RIVERFRONT FAMILY FEST

PRESENTED BY

It was a record-breaking year for attendance at our annual Riverfront Family Fest! With over 3,700 guests and a range of family-friendly activities, Salem Riverfront Park came to life as we a celebrated families in our community.

FEATURED STORY MEET ELAINE!

DREAM BUILDERS LUNCHEON | OCTOBER 13, 2016 SALEM CONVENTION CENTER | NOON-1:00 PM

Join 800 community members to meet Elaine, a young woman who attended our therapeutic classrooms 12 years ago. Elaine’s story is a powerful testimony of how the children and families we serve become stable and self-sufficient over the long-term. Elaine’s teacher Ricardo Larios, the recipient of the 2015 Miliken Educator Award, will speak about his experience watching Elaine grow into the happy and successful person she is today. Longtime FBB supporter Dick Withnell will share his perspective on the power of FBB’s prevention programs. To reserve a seat, sponsor the event, or become a table captain, please contact Sam Lewis today! PRESENTED BY slewis@familybuildingblocks.org

BENEFIT OF INVESTING EARLY

HEALTHY

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT The images on the left illustrate the stunted growth of a three-year-old’s brain when impacted by abuse and neglect, compared with a healthy brain. Child Trauma Academy, 1997

$7,500

YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

EXTREME NEGLECT

$28,000 FOSTER CARE

99%

of the children enrolled in our prevention programs are able to remain living safely with their parents, avoiding foster care and the devastation of abuse and neglect.

$95,000

ANNUAL AVERAGE COST PER CHILD

SPOTLIGHTS DONORS: DRS. BUD AND SELMA PIERCE

“Family Building Blocks helps very young children in broken families receive the nurturing love that they need to achieve their full potential in life. The great Sue Miller of Salem introduced and explained Family Building Blocks to Selma and me many years ago and we joined the effort as major sponsors of the organization.” - Drs. Bud and Selma Pierce Bud and Selma have been generous and consistent Miracle Makers since 2008. They have served our community admirably through their respective medical practices, and both have an incredible commitment to volunteerism and community service. They are keenly aware of the great need in our community and their investment in Family Building Blocks has helped transform the lives of hundreds of children. They have also demonstrated their public support of our work through their sponsorship of our Uncorked Wine Auction since 2013. Thank you, Bud and Selma!

VOLUNTEER: JANICE PRIMUS-WICKETT

“I always walk out feeling happy,” says volunteer Janice Primus-Wickett of her experiences volunteering with Family Building Blocks. Janice began volunteering with FBB after her retirement from Stayton High School where she spent 23 years teaching Health and Child Development classes. Janice was diagnosed with breast cancer just before she retired and her fighting spirit aligns with the work of FBB, helping families overcome obstacles and live healthy lives.

Janice started volunteering in 2004 in one of FBB’s infant/toddler therapeutic classrooms. After a brief break to support her family as a granddaughter battled a serious illness, Janice is back at FBB in full force. She has supported special projects, helped at Doris’s Place in Stayton, and is a member of our Special Events Team, where she recently made deliveries for Uncorked and accepted donations for FBB at the World Beat Festival. Janice is also a dedicated member of the Auxiliary Committee. She knew FBB was a good fit for her because she felt she was contributing to something worthwhile and she’s always enjoyed children. Janice has one daughter, three step daughters, and nine grandchildren. “My first impressions of FBB? Positive, supportive, grace-filled.” Janice gestured to black and white pictures around the room and said, “All these little faces fall through the cracks if there’s no one to love them. FBB raises people up, they don’t make judgments, and they’re changing our whole culture.” Janice’s genuine warmth and positive outlook on life are an inspiration, making her a treasured member of the FBB volunteer team.

HIGHLIGHTS STATE STREET OPEN HOUSE AND RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

SEPT 30 | 11:00 AM-5:00 PM | 18TH & STATE ST.

Sounds of demolition and construction have been replaced with sounds of families and teachers in the halls! Children are now attending therapeutic classes after a summer of intense preparation and unwavering dedication by our staff and volunteers. To celebrate the grand opening, please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00 am followed by an open house. See the transformation of the property, experience the new classroom environments, and learn more about what’s new at Family Building Blocks. Ice cream will be served in honor of Deluxe Ice Cream, the former occupant of this corner lot, from 11:30 am-5:00 pm while supplies last.

THANK YOU TO

AND

Larry and Jeanette Epping Family Fund through the Salem Foundation

“This is a remarkable opportunity for Family Building Blocks and the community. We are looking forward to being an active and vibrant partner in this south central neighborhood.” – Brian Johnston, Board Chair

JOIN THE DONOR RECOGNITION WALL!

Become a Dream Builder or renew your Dream Builder pledge to be part of the donor recognition wall that will greet visitors at the State Street location. Pictured on the right is a detail of the design plan - a beautiful, original interactive work of art created by Salem artist Mary Heintzman. The relief sculpture depicts children playing in a colorful landscape with local flora and fauna. Families are encouraged to experience the scene through sight and touch and to create memories with each other. Mary’s work also includes the Eco Earth Globe at Salem Riverfront Park. To learn more, contact Brandy O’Bannon! brandy@familybuildingblocks.org

THANK YOU, BRIAN JOHNSTON AND WELCOME, NITA KENNEDY!

Brian Johnston of Dallas Glass & Window has served as the Board Chair of Family Building Blocks for the past two years. With his dedicated leadership and support, Family Building Blocks launched the Dallas Academy Relief Nursery, secured the resources to develop the State Street Relief Nursery, and expanded our capacity to keep more children safe and families together. Brian will continue on the Board as Past Chair. Thank you for your service, Brian! Stepping up as Board Chair is our outstanding board member Nita Kennedy of COUNTRY Financial! Nita has served as a board member for three years. “I am honored to lead our Board as champions of our mission to keep children safe and families together. We thank our community for wrapping your arms around this vital cause.” - Nita Kennedy

GIVE Thank you for continuing to support our mission of keeping children safe and families together!

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

mo.

Milk For 1 Classroom

mo.

Formula For 1 Infant

mo.

Diapers For 5 Children

DREAM BUILDER

MIRACLE MAKER

Give for three consecutive years! brandy@familybuildingblocks.org

yr.

Home Visits For 1 Family

VOLUNTEER

SPECIAL EVENTS

For fundraisers like Uncorked Wine Auction and the Dream Builders Luncheon, sponsorship dollars are critical for developing programming and growing our community impact. To become a sponsor, contact Sam Lewis! slewis@familybuildingblocks.org

Therapeutic Classrooms For 1 Child

SCHEDULE A TOUR

From rocking babies in our therapeutic classrooms to helping with special events and more, volunteering is an incredible gift.Take a tour to learn more and become one of our 400+ volunteers. Contact Megan Gapp today! mgapp@familybuildingblocks.org

SPONSOR

yr.

TOUR SCHEDULE: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Wednesday, September 14 Wednesday, October 19 Wednesday, November 16

IN-KIND CLOTHING & MORE

Clean, gently used children’s clothing (infant to size eight), toys, and home goods are yearround resources for families in our programs. To donate clothing and materials to one of our six sites, contact Julie Hilty! jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org

CHELSEA’S PLACE CHELSEA’S PLACE CHELSEA’S PLACE

LEAVE A LEGACY LEAVE YOUR LEGACY TODAY

Consider naming Family Building Blocks as a beneficiary in your will or estate plan and ensure your legacy of keeping children safe and families together will continue for generations to come. To leave a legacy, contact Brandy O’Bannon! brandy@familybuildingblocks.org

YOU’RE INVITED! HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS NOVEMBER 2016: SPONSOR A FAMILY!

Family Building Blocks ensures that all children enrolled in our services have basic needs met during the holiday season and that they create precious memories with their parents for years to come. Would you like to sponsor a child and their parents during this holiday season? By doing so, you can help provide needed materials including educational toys, books, pajamas, and more. To sponsor a family for Hope For The Holidays, please contact Julie Hilty! jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org

FALL FASHION FRENZY OCTOBER 22, 2016 Woodburn Premium Outlets 11:00 am-4:00 pm | $20 Proceeds fund mini-grants for FBB families. Buy tickets today! fallfashionfrenzy16.eventbrite.com

AFTER HOURS EVENT MARCH 2, 2017 Salem Convention Center 5:00-7:00 pm | Free Proceeds benefit direct services for FBB families. Contact Julie! jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org

UNCORKED WINE AUCTION MAY 20, 2017 Zenith Vineyard 5:00-10:00 pm | TBA The Northwest’s premier wine auction benefiting FBB. Contact Sam! slewis@familybuildingblocks.org

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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To update your physical address for our quarterly newsletter and to join our monthly IMPACT e-news list, contact Will Christensen! wchristiansen@familybuildingblocks.org

BROADWAY PLACE 1255 Broadway St. Salem, OR 97301

STATE STREET 180 18th St. NE Salem, OR 97301

GRACIE’S PLACE 1135 Edgewater St. NW Salem, OR 97304

DORIS’S PLACE 383 N. 3rd Ave Stayton, OR 97383

DALLAS ACADEMY 182 SW Academy St. Suite 110 Dallas, OR 97338

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