Autumn 2017 by Family Building Blocks

AUTUMN 2017 NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FROM PATRICE

Family Building Blocks is celebrating 20 years of “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together!” Unparalleled vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and foundational support made Family Building Blocks a reality.

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

At the height of a meth epidemic in the mid-1990’s and amidst weekly reports of devastating cases of child abuse and neglect in Marion County, a group of concerned community members including Sue Miller, Deanna Smith, and Dick Withnell visited the Relief Nursery in Eugene. Eugene’s Relief Nursery was established in the 1970’s and was the first of its kind in Oregon. Inspired by the model and outcomes, these outstanding citizens started mobilizing support to establish a Relief Nursery in Salem. The Oregon Commission of Children and Families received a Federal Health & Human Services grant in 1996 which provided start-up funding. In September 1997, Family Building Blocks began operating Therapeutic Classrooms at the United Methodist Church. Chelsea’s Place on Lancaster was our first permanent location. The building previously was home to the popular Chelsea’s Restaurant and Pie Shop. Jack and Pam Scott very generously donated the building to Family Building Blocks in 1999. In honor of their extraordinary gift, we named the location Chelsea’s Place. Chelsea Scott is the daughter of Jack and Pam, and the name also pays tribute to the family restaurant legacy. Generous donors have also made three more recently established locations possible. Doris’s Place in Stayton is named for Doris Wipper, a beloved member of the Freres family. Doris served as the chief financial officer for Freres Lumber Co. for many years and established a fund to provide opportunities for future generations. In 2008, Gracie’s Place in west Salem was named for Dick Withnell’s mother, and in September 2016, Helen’s Place, honoring Larry Tokarski’s mother, was established as a certified Relief Nursery and resource for families in the under served area of south and southeast Salem. We are indebted to Sue Miller for her vision and dedication to children and families. Sue served as our founding Executive Director and her strong leadership guided the organization for 15 years. Because the community wrapped its arms around this inspiring vision and vital mission, we have provided Relief Nursery services since 1997, Healthy Families services since 2003, and Early Head Start since 2010. It’s important for you to know that your support will make Family Building Blocks a reality for children and their families for years to come. In our first 10 years of operation, we reached a total of 2,000 children. Now, because of people like you, we reach over 1,300 children every year. You are transforming the lives of generations of families! Thank you.

Ernesto Toskovic | KeyBank Conrad Venti | Pioneer Trust Bank Patrice Altenhofen | FBB Executive Director

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS YEAR 1

30 CHILDREN

YEAR 10

350 CHILDREN

YEAR 20

1,300 CHILDREN

SEPTEMBER 1997

Family Building Blocks opens its first Therapeutic Classrooms in the basement of United Methodist Church in downtown Salem.

DECEMBER 1999

Jack and Pam Scott announce their donation of Chelsea’s Restaurant and Pie Shop.

SEPTEMBER 2000

Chelsea’s Place opens, doubling the number of children and families served. The community contributes over $1 million in less than nine months, ensuring Chelsea’s Place would be open for the new school year.

FEBRUARY 2008

Gracie’s Place opens, providing a facility for Family Building Blocks to partner with children and families in Polk County.

MAY 2008

The first Uncorked Wine Auction is held at Zenith Vineyard.

AUGUST 2011

Family Building Blocks launches Home Visiting services in Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Mill City, and Mehama.

MARCH 2016

The Dallas Academy Building location housing a Therapeutic Classroom, Home Visiting Services, and playgroups becomes a certified Relief Nursery.

SEPTEMBER 2016

Helen’s Place opens its doors to children and families in southeast Salem.

“IF I HAD NOT PARTNERED WITH FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS, MY CHILDREN WOULD NOT BE LIVING WITH ME TODAY.” - PEDRO, FBB DAD

SPOTLIGHTS SUPPORTING CHILDREN EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

One of the many benefits of Family Building Blocks’ Therapeutic Early Childhood Program is that we have the flexibility to customize the curriculum and experience for each child’s needs. In our Therapeutic Classrooms we focus on the social and emotional development of the children. Typically, eight children are supported by two teachers and two volunteers, allowing us to provide individualized attention and to respond quickly to every child. We are currently partnering with a family whose child was born 12 weeks early and remained in the NICU for several weeks. This child is now 28 months old and is experiencing communication, cognitive, and motor delays. When this family found Family Building Blocks, the child’s mother explained that her toddler frequently became very agitated and overwhelmed from loud sounds and over stimulation. During the first few weeks of the child’s participation in our classrooms, he cried throughout the day, stressed from sensory overload and the excitement of other children in the class. Because of this, the child experienced difficulty regulating his behavior and did little exploring or playing. After inquiring with the child’s mother about how we could best support her son, staff suggested that the child come to class 15 minutes before the other children to adjust to the environment. Since making this change, mom and classroom staff have noticed a positive change to this child’s experience. Today, this child is eager and ready to explore his classroom environment while feeling comfortable and calm when other children enter the space. The child is smiling and engaging with other adults and children. This is an example of how our Therapeutic Classrooms are places of healing where young children are supported in all aspects of development so they can thrive and have every opportunity for success.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! WE HAVE 30 CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITIES.

TOUR DATES: Sept 27, Oct 18, and Nov 15 from 11:00 am-12:00 pm at Chelsea’s Place (2425 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem) Contact Stephanie Benefiel to sign up for a tour at 503.566.2132 or sbenefiel@familybuildingblocks.org.

PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS 30 THERAPEUTIC CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! OPPORTUNITIES: Monday-Thursday TIME COMMITMENT: 9:15 am - 12:15 pm LOCATIONS: Dallas Academy (Dallas), Gracie’s Place (West Salem), Chelsea’s Place (NE Salem), and Helen’s Place (SE Salem) “I love volunteering in the classroom where the children are safe and receive care and stability. I love the trusting relationships they are developing and I enjoy reading and playing alongside the children.” - Katie Buckley, Therapeutic Classroom Volunteer

MOTHERS & BABIES VOLUNTEERS HELP WITH THE NEW COURSE - SIGN UP TODAY! SCHEDULE: Courses once a week MORNINGS: 10:45 am - 1:15 pm EVENINGS: 5:00 - 7:30 pm LOCATION: Chelsea’s Place (NE Salem) DESCRIPTION: Help with children 10 and younger “I wanted to help with this program because I like working with children and helping people. I really like the friendly children, mothers, and staff I work with in the program.” - Jocelyn Garcia, Mothers & Babies course volunteer

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER BUT DON’T HAVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE? No problem! Our highly trained and dedicated staff offer comprehensive trainings and orientations for our volunteers.

HIGHLIGHTS

FAMILIES CELEBRATE PROGRAM GRADUATION

In August, children and families joined staff and volunteers at Chelsea’s Place to celebrate the children who have graduated from the Therapeutic Classroom program. Families made new connections within our community and enjoyed watching their children play together outside on the playground. With snacks and treats, we spent an afternoon celebrating their progress and our time together.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME FOR RELIEF NURSERIES

Each September, we welcome children to our Relief Nursery Therapeutic Classrooms in Marion and Polk counties. Children walk through our doors to learn and grow with our staff, volunteers, and interns. They will experience new ways to connect and communicate with children and adults through our specialized curriculum, and will interact with therapy animals, sensory tables, art projects, and more.

STAFF HONORED WITH STATEWIDE AWARD

FBB’s Senior Resource Development Director Brandy O’Bannon received The Ford Family Foundation’s 2017 Gerald E. Bruce Community Service Award for her dedication to volunteerism in our community. As an employer, FBB encourages all employees to engage in our community outside of work. As a benefit of employment, each staff member is allowed up to eight hours of paid volunteer time off each year.

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPONSOR A FAMILY THIS NOVEMBER!

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, please contact Julie Hilty at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

GIVE Thank you for continuing to support our mission of “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together!”

SUSTAINER

DREAM BUILDER

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

Give $1,000 a year for three years. brandy@familybuildingblocks.org

Give $5,000 a year for three years. brandy@familybuildingblocks.org

yr.

mo.

Formula For 1 Infant

MIRACLE MAKER

Home Visits For 1 Family

Therapeutic Classrooms For 1 Child

THANK YOU UNTAPPED DONORS, SPONSORS, AND VOLUNTEERS!

THANK YOU FBB YOUNG LEADERS COUNCIL FOR HOSTING UNTAPPED

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PINT SPONSORS Aldrich CPAs + Advisors | Huggins Insurance

Thank you to all of the sponsors, donors, volunteers, vendors, bands, and attendees who supported and attended the inaugural Untapped “Brew & Chew” Pairings event in downtown Salem! Over 250 people gathered to support local children and families and helped raise over $15,000 for critical prevention services in Marion and Polk counties. We are so proud to be a part of such a strong and united community that continues to come together to help local children and families.

KEG SPONSOR

GROWLER SPONSORS

VENUE SPONSOR Dr. Gary & Linda Nishioka

YOU’RE INVITED! 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

CELEBRATE WITH US AT THE DREAM BUILDERS LUNCHEON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 | SALEM CONVENTION CENTER 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM | PROGRAM NOON - 1:00 PM RSVP today for our Dream Builders Luncheon on October 19! In addition to sharing inspiring family stories, we are paying tribute to 20 years of partnering with the community to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together.”

PRESENTING SPONSOR

20TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR

Come celebrate Our Founding, be inspired by Our Families, and hear about exciting plans for Our Future. Our goal is to host 1,100 guests for lunch. Are you passionate about Family Building Blocks’ mission and legacy? Please sign up to host a table of 10 (at no cost to you). We need your help to make this the largest event in our history! Join us as we honor our past and dream for our future! To sponsor the event, become a table captain, or reserve your seat, contact Sam Lewis at 503.566.2132 or slewis@familybuildingblocks.org.

GALA OF TREES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 | 6:00 - 10:00 PM | TICKETS: $110 OREGON STATE EXPO CENTER PAVILION Tickets for the 2017 Gala of Trees are on sale now! Join us, along with Boys & Girls Aid, to raise money for local children and families at this must-attend annual event! Celebrate the holidays and bid on a range of elaborately decorated holiday trees with popular and traditional designs. Proceeds from this event directly benefit children and families in need. Boys & Girls Aid has joined forces with Family Building Blocks for a multi-year partnership to make a significant impact for children and families in our community.

PRESENTED BY

A BENEFIT FOR BOYS & GIRLS AID AND FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS

Our vision is for all children in our community to be safe, thriving, and out of foster care. We hope you share our excitement about this partnership! Together, as a community, we can ensure the well-being of our youngest generation and future generations to follow. To purchase tickets or learn more, please contact Sam Lewis at slewis@familybuildingblocks.org.

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 Will Christiansen at wchristiansen@familybuildingblocks.org.

CHELSEA’S PLACE 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305

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

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

BROADWAY PLACE 1255 Broadway St. Salem, OR 97301

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

HELEN’S PLACE 180 18th St. NE Salem, OR 97301

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