Spring 2021 by Family Building Blocks

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SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ORGANIZATION VALUES OFFICERS R. Taylor, Chair Chemeketa Community College 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.

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.

FROM PATRICE Family Building Blocks’ programs play an important role in supporting parents and fostering positive childhood experiences that are critical to children’s future success. For over 20 years, Family Building Blocks has provided Relief Nursery services to families with young children in Marion and Polk counties. By strategically leveraging public and private funding streams, we expanded program services to include Early Head Start and Healthy Families to meet the needs of our community. All programs are supported by volunteers, clothing closet, food pantry, diaper bank, respite care, basic needs resources, and referrals. While Family Building Blocks’ programs have always been grounded in mental health, for some children the only way to build positive relationships with their parents is through therapy, guided by a mental health clinician with expertise in serving children impacted by trauma. Unfortunately, the families we serve have very limited access to such services. Given this, we knew we had to find a way to increase access to mental health care for our families. In 2020, a gift from Mountain West Investment Corporation enabled Family Building Blocks to hire our first mental health clinician and with support from a lead donor, Larry and Jeanette Epping Family Foundation, Family Building Blocks secured a building to expand mental health services. This new building will be an extension of Helen’s Place, our Relief Nursery in southeast Salem. In January 2021, we received a gift of $20,000 from Pacific Power supporting this capital campaign dedicated to improving the relationship between parent and child today and for years to come. Family Building Blocks’ new Family Mental Health Program provides behavioral health services such as individual, family, and group psychotherapy, and play therapy to children, their parents, and their families. When operating at full capacity this new building will have four mental health clinicians providing therapy to 150 children and their parents annually. The typical family will receive 30 sessions of therapy. Family Building Blocks’ Family Mental Health Program will contribute to our established services by helping to remove the barriers that are preventing children from having safe and secure relationships with their parents and caregivers. If you’re interested in learning more or donating to this campaign, please contact me at patrice@familybuildingblocks.org or 503.566.2132.

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

FEATURED STORY SUSTAINERS PROVIDE HOPE AND RELIABILITY

Usually this time of year, we are excitedly preparing for our annual Sustainers Happy Hour where we gather, celebrate, and learn about the critical foundation Stepping Stone Sustainers, our monthly donors, provide to children and families. While we will miss seeing you in person, we are wishing you the best as we all focus on staying safe and healthy. As we all persevere through these unprecedented challenges, we do have hope—because of you. Because of you, our loving staff is able to continue providing essential, concrete supports to children and families who are facing overwhelming life circumstances, now more than ever. We continue to adapt, providing increased emergency services like food and supply box deliveries, virtual home visits and playgroups, on-site respite care, and parent education. Knowing the need for mental health supports is ever-increasing, we are also working diligently to expand our new Family Mental Health Program offered exclusively to families enrolled in our programs. Sustainers provide the most reliable support to children and families through monthly donations. For me personally, being a sustainer for Family Building Blocks means that, in a small way, I can make a huge impact in “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.” Because Sustainer gifts provide better futures for children and families, I am asking you to join me in becoming a Stepping Stone Sustainer for Family Building Blocks. Already a Sustainer? Please consider increasing your Sustainer gift or giving your annual one-time gift or multi-year pledge in monthly increments. With your help, we can continue saying YES to families who reach out for our help. We are deeply grateful. If you’re ready to say YES to becoming a Sustainer or increasing your gift to meet the changing needs of over 1,200 children and their families, please see the Sustainers Campaign insert for ways to participate and give. Here’s to another year of “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together” with you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Diane McLaran, Board Member, Stepping Stone Sustainer, and Sustainers Campaign Chair “I am constantly judged about my parenting by my appearance. Family Building Blocks didn’t judge me and I was able to trust them.” - Pedro

“I was a single mom and I wasn’t ready or prepared. Family Building Blocks was my biggest supporter after my baby was born.” - Ariana

“I really struggled with postpartum depression and my home visitor helped me get the help I needed.” - Darcy

“Family Building Blocks helped me with feelings of isolation and gave me confidence in my parenting.” - Jeannie

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 Friday, April 2 from 8-10 am at the State Capitol for a safe, drive-by parade. We also hope you’ll participate in the annual Les Schwab Diaper Drive during the month of April to support families with their most basic needs.

ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVE WE’RE HIRING: JOIN MEETS FAMILIES’ NEEDS OUR EXPANDING TEAM! Thanks to the annual Les Schwab Diaper Drive in April, we are able to provide families with over 25,000 diapers every year. Diaper insecurity is a challenging barrier that our families face. As we continue navigating the pandemic, we know our families have a growing need for consistent and safe access to diapers and supplies for their young children. To participate please visit area Les Schwab Tire Centers and contact Julie Hilty at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

Calling all mental health clinicians, early childhood educators, and more! Working for Family Building Blocks means: “Building a better world!” and “Love.” During this time, we are doing MORE for families, not less. Do you want to make a difference by joining our mission to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together?” Check out all the great open positions and benefits we offer online. Join our team by applying online today! familybuildingblocks.org/careers

WEAR A MASK TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 Protect each other and “Keep Children Safe and Families Together!”

STAY HOME. STAY HEALTHY. STAY SAFE. HOW ELSE CAN I PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS? • Wash your hands often

• Connect virtually or outdoors

• Avoid touching your face

• Avoid indoor gatherings

• Stay home when possible

• Avoid touching others

• Stand six feet apart in public

• Avoid sharing food and drink

FOR UPDATES AND RECOMMENDATIONS, CALL 211 OR VISIT:

OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY: www.govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19 MARION COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH: www.co.marion.or.us | POLK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH: www.co.polk.or.us

HIGHLIGHTS DORIS’S PLACE BECOMES A CERTIFIED RELIEF NURSERY SATELLITE

On Friday, January 21, 2021, Doris’s Place, our location in the Santiam Canyon, became a certified Relief Nursery satellite. In 2020, we opened our first Therapeutic Classroom at Doris’s Place, located at the Wolf Ridge Community Room in Stayton. While Therapeutic Classrooms remain closed during COVID-19, we have been able to support families through Respite Care, virtual Home Visits, playgroups, parenting education, phone check-ins, emergency food boxes, support during the wildfires, and more. Established in 2010, Doris’s Place was named for the late Doris J. Wipper. The Oregon Community Foundation–Doris J. Wipper Fund Trustees, including the late Ted Freres, are major supporters of our work in the Santiam Canyon. They encouraged us to bring our prevention programs to families living in the rural towns of Aumsville, Lyons, Mehama, Mill City, Sublimity, and Stayton. The late Doris Wipper was a beloved member of the Freres family who own Freres Lumber Co. in addition to being corporate sponsors of Doris’s Place and supporting Family Building Blocks’ programing annually. Doris served as the chief financial officer for Freres Lumber Co. for many years and established a fund to provide opportunities for future generations. Our main Doris’s Place office is located at the Santiam Center in Sublimity. This co-location model housing similar family support services provides the best opportunity for families in the area to have their needs met under one roof.

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

COMMUNITY LEGACY SPONSOR

SAFETY SPONSOR

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM

JOIN US FOR UNCORKED 1 4 T H A N N UA L

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S AV E T H E D A T E S

“KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE AND FAMILIES TOGETHER” BALTHAZAR SPONSOR

BENEFITING

O N L I N E AU C T I O N

SATURDAY, MAY 8 - SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

LIVE STREAM EVENT

THE EVENING OF SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 FREE to register, bid, and watch. Sponsor the event, give online, donate to the auction, and more! FAMILYBUILDINGBLOCKS.ORG/EVENTS/#UNCORKEDLIVE

THE MID-VALLEY’S PREMIER ONLINE AUCTION & EVENT

Beginning May 8, 2021, the online auction will feature a range of celebrated community-focused items to exclusive luxury excursions, and more. Bidders can keep the excitement going the week of May 8-15 with the auction culminating in a fun and engaging live stream event with host Jim Clair and auctioneer Johnna Wells. This dynamic duo is back by popular demand to celebrate our community’s focus on “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together” during the most challenging time in our history. Please save the dates and join us in May!

A great event inspires more than just attendees, it inspires the entire community. At U.S. Bank, we are committed to making the communities in which we work and live better places. Our commitment means supporting the programs and organizations that enrich the quality of life for our neighbors. Because when our community succeeds, everyone wins. Proud to sponsor Uncorked Live benefiting children and families partnering with Family Building Blocks All of

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“KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

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NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

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AND FAMILIES TOGETHER”

FRERES LUMBER MASS PLY PANELS • Not your typical mass timber panel! • Veneer-based engineered wood • Now certiﬁed for beams and columns • Environmental Product Declaration (ASTM-veriﬁed)

Visit frereslumber.com to learn more about the company. PHONE: 503.859.2121 EMAIL: info@frereslumber.com Veneer • Plywood • Lumber • Mass Ply Panel (MPP) • Wood Residuals • Cogeneration

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF

“KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE AND FAMILIES TOGETHER” IN MARION & POLK COUNTIES

Drs. Selma & Bud

PIERCE

Proud to support Family Building Blocks in their mission of “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.”

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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FAMILIES SEEKING SERVICES Contact our Intake Team to get started! 971.301.1003 M-F, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

WOODBURN CLASSROOM First Presbyterian Church 950 N Boones Ferry Rd., Woodburn, OR 97071 971.701.0076 Open for Respite Care. Please call for assistance.

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To update your physical address for our quarterly newsletter and to join our monthly IMPACT e-news list, contact Esmeralda Chan Tuyub at echantuyub@familybuildingblocks.org.

CHELSEA’S PLACE Main Office 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305 503.566.2132 M-F, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

HELEN’S PLACE 180 18th St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503.566.2132 Open for Respite Care. Please call for assistance.

DORIS’S PLACE Main: 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 Respite Care. Please call for assistance. Please call for assistance.

BROADWAY PLACE 1255 Broadway St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503.990.7431 Temporarily closed. Please call for assistance.

GRACIE’S PLACE 1135 Edgewater St. NW Salem, OR 97304 503.566.2132 Temporarily closed. Please call for assistance.

DALLAS ACADEMY Main: Dallas Academy Building Respite Care: Dallas Alliance Church 182 SW Academy St. Ste 210 775 E Ellendale Ave, Dallas, OR 97338 Dallas, OR 97338 971.301.1927 971.301.1927 Temporarily closed. Infants, toddlers, and preschool. Please call for assistance. Please call to register.

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