Spring Newsletter 2017 by Family Building Blocks

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MARCH | APRIL | MAY

SPRING 2017 NEWSLETTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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.

FROM PATRICE

Along with several of my peers, I recently had the opportunity to attend the “Zero to Three” conference in New Orleans. Zero to Three is a national organization of leading researchers and clinicians in diverse disciplines focused on child development. We learned about the many ways babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.

Zero to Three recently completed a large-scale research effort to gain a clear and in-depth understanding about the challenges that millennial parents face, the help they seek, and how satisfied they are with the support and information they receive. Results of the study show parents across the board experience similar challenges and joys of parenthood. With respect to fathers in particular, the study showed that dads love being involved and would like more credit for their contributions. Dads want to be seen as more than just babysitters - they want to be involved in parenting their children and often feel shut out. Many want to raise their children differently from how they were raised. One of the most powerful statements I heard was from a young father: “As a little boy, I threw the ball to myself because my dad didn’t play with me, he wasn’t there. With my kids, I want to be the catcher. I want them to know they have a safety net.” The study revealed that 91% of all parents, moms and dads, say the way they were parented influences their own parenting, positively and negatively. Some new parents say they want to parent just like their parents did - some say just the opposite. Strikingly, 90% of all parents feel judged. Half of these parents feel judged all the time. That’s a rough environment for people doing a tough, important job. Parents expressed that they are aware they need support. They are often overwhelmed by the quantity of resources available and are skeptical of the quality of the information they find. The bottom line is parents are looking for empathetic, equal partners to explore parenting options rather than “experts” providing “solutions.” Learning about these study results was encouraging for me and validated our approach to our work at Family Building Blocks. We intentionally partner with parents because we believe every parent wants to be the best parent for their children. Our value system calls us to meet parents where they are, without judgment, to support them through their own challenges toward their goals. We strive not to be seen as the experts or the saviors for families, but rather as encouraging, consistent guides through the parenting journey. When you support Family Building Blocks, you are honoring the work our families engage in every day to ensure their children are safe and their families stay together. We are all grateful for your support.

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

FEATURED STORY HOME VISITING

Family Building Blocks staff provided nearly 10,000 home visits throughout Marion and Polk counties in 2016. Home visiting provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for parents to ask questions and to delight in their children’s social and emotional milestones. This regular point of contact with a trusted and professional expert is often life-changing. Parents raising young children and facing multiple stressors, including isolation from family and friends, benefit from hands-on coaching and provided by their home visitor, while gaining confidence as their children’s primary nurturers, teachers, and advocates. A home visit is a structured 90-minute session at a family’s home or in a community setting. Home Visitors bring activities that help parents engage with their child, and increase bonding and attachment. They share child development and parenting information grounded in research. The Home Visitor also serves as a link and referral partner to other community resources that a family might need such as housing assistance, counseling, or job training.

MEET ARIEL (FBB HOME VISITOR SINCE 2016)

How would you describe the job of a Home Visitor? “A unique blend of teacher, social worker, and friend. Our job is to walk alongside parents, encouraging them to be the best parent they can be.” How did you first become acquainted with Family Building Blocks? “I’m one of a handful of staff members who are also enrolled in the program as a parent. I connected with FBB at a local WIC office when I was expecting a baby, and learned that FBB was seeking to enroll prenatal moms. I had three older children, but it had been eight years since I had an infant at home, and knew that parenting techniques and child development best practices change over time.

ARIEL AND HER DAUGHTER ARYA

Tell us about some of the families with whom you partner. “One of the families I visit is currently homeless. I provide visits in a community setting for this family. This weekly point of connection is intrinsically valuable. The family’s living situation changes day by day, but they never miss a home visit. The consistency of our meetings is helping the family stay as stable as possible. Another mom I partner with is struggling with depression. She has shared that home visits are the only thing getting her through the week.” Home visiting brought an amazing light into my world. My Home Visitor offers hope, a point of connection, knowledge and resources. My personal history includes experience as a teen parent and surviving trauma and domestic violence. My Home Visitor taught me how to label my feelings, which opened up my world. My Home Visitors have offered this cycle of love – which I didn’t have growing up – and have helped me believe in myself.” From your perspective, what’s the benefit of Home Visiting? “Home Visiting impacts every person in the home – not just the child and parent enrolled in the program. Education is often the key to helping families get out of the cycle of abuse and poverty. We all know parenting is hard. I help reassure parents they aren’t messing up, and remind them of all the things they are doing right. I’ve experienced some of their struggles and can honestly say, I’ve been there and things will get better. It can change the world when you remind parents to really see and appreciate the progress they are making.”

“Look at your child. He’s amazing! He is connected to you. He’s happy. He loves you.” - Ariel, Family Building Blocks Home Visitor

SPOTLIGHTS JILL PETERS

THERAPEUTIC CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER, DREAM BUILDER, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER Jill Peters first learned about Family Building Blocks when she attended a Dream Builders Luncheon in 2015 with colleagues from Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management, where she serves as a Contributing Assistant Professor of Marketing. Inspired by the moving testimony, family success stories, and the incredible return on investment, Jill became a Dream Builder by pledging generous financial support for multiple years. Wanting to get more involved, Jill signed up to serve as a member of our Resource Development Committee of the Board of Directors, and volunteer as a therapeutic classroom assistant at Helen’s Place. “I’ve learned so much from the teachers at Family Building Blocks. I thought I knew quite a bit about parenting, having raised my own daughters and by being a grandparent, but my classroom experience taught me so much more. From seeing teachers in action in the classroom and attending volunteer training sessions, I’ve learned new techniques to soothe babies and toddlers, and how to engage children who are shy or might have experienced stress or trauma.” Jill is also a dedicated community volunteer. She helps feed people who are homeless every Friday night in downtown Salem, and provides support to the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network. Jill says her FBB training has been a great asset in other roles. She recalled an experience with a child who was very upset, but couldn’t express herself verbally. Jill explained, “This young girl was kicking and biting, and trying to run out into the street. I calmly let her know that I was going to hold her body to keep her safe, and I told her things like ‘It’s ok to be upset. I see that you are feeling angry and frustrated’ – all the valuable language I’ve learned in the FBB classroom. I kept thinking ‘What would FBB teacher Nelpha do?’ in this situation. Eventually, after validating her emotions and giving her some space to be alone with her feelings, she became calm and settled. I was so happy that I was able to help this child cope with her emotions and get in a safe place.” Jill’s hands-on involvement in our therapeutic classrooms has increased her excitement and passion for FBB’s mission. She shared, “I honestly believe FBB is the best non-profit and delivers the greatest results of any organization I’ve known. Beyond directly serving 1,300 children each year, the ripple effect is so much greater. They are transforming the lives of parents, siblings in the household, future generations, and more. I am very proud to be a donor and volunteer.”

MARION COUNTY BLUE RIBBON EVENT

APRIL 5, 2017 | STATE CAPITOL | 10:00 AM | FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! To spread awareness and show your support for child abuse prevention, please join us at the State Capitol on April 5 at 8:30 am. We will kick off the annual Marion County Blue Ribbon event alongside representatives from Marion County and other community organizations as Salem Electric hangs blue ribbons on a tree to represent Oregon’s victims of abuse and neglect. As part of the campaign, community members are encouraged to create and bring “I Will” cards where you fill in the blank of “I will _________ to prevent child abuse.” For more information about the event, please contact Julie Hilty, Family Building Blocks’ Community Outreach Manager at 503.566.2132 or jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org. See you there!

PROGRAMS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

TOUR DATES: March 15, April 19, and May 17 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 sbenefiel@familybuildingblocks.org or 503.566.2132.

PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS 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)

SPECIAL EVENT VOLUNTEERS UNCORKED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! SIGN UP BY MAY 12. DATE: Saturday, May 20, 2017 OPPORTUNITIES: Wine Servers (5:00-10:00 pm) and Silent Auction Monitors (3:00-7:30 pm) LOCATION: Zenith Vineyard, 5657 Zena Rd. NW

“I have enjoyed volunteering in the classroom for many years. It’s the highlight of my week! I was fortunate to be adopted by loving, joyful parents and I want to share that same joy with our FBB children!” - Kathie Van Ronzelen, Therapeutic Classroom Volunteer

“I volunteer at Uncorked because I believe in keeping children safe and families together and love seeing the community’s excitement, first-hand, in raising money for this cause and organization.” - Danae Johnson, FBB Board Member, Young Leaders Council Chair, and Uncorked 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.

27 MORE HOME VISITS IN MARION COUNTY

Because of the dedication of our community of supporters to put children and families first, we were able to secure funding to increase our home visiting staff and are proud to report that families in Marion County received 27 more home visits in February than in January. Thank you to our supporters and our outstanding home visiting staff!

SERVING MORE FAMILIES PARENTING CLASSES AND CHILDREN CHANGE LIVES In addition to increasing the number of home visits in Marion County, we are thrilled to report that we have served 16 more families and 23 more children in our Therapeutic Early Childhood Programs since the beginning of the year. Through support from our community and donors, we have been able to keep more children safe and families together this year.

Parenting classes are a key element of Family Building Blocks’ prevention strategy. We believe that every parent wants to give their child the best possible start in life. With 37 Englishspeaking and six Spanish-speaking parents enrolled in our classes in Marion and Polk counties, we are able to partner with them in raising over 38 children.

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

DIAPER DRIVE

SUSTAINER

DREAM BUILDER

Donate diapers for the annual Become a monthly donor and give Les Schwab Diaper Drive honoring online. www.familybuildingblocks.org child abuse prevention month in April.

Diapers size 4, 5, 6, Pull Ups, and Wipes For a list of drop-off sites and for more information, please contact Julie Hilty at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

mo.

Milk For 1 Classroom

mo.

Formula For 1 Infant

mo.

Diapers For 5 Children

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

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Home Visits For 1 Family

THANK YOU, SUSTAINERS HAPPY HOUR SPONSORS AND GUESTS! Thank you to all of the sponsors and community members who attended the 2017 Sustainers Happy Hour! Over 625 people gathered to support local children and families and listen to several inspiring stories about the power of prevention. “Be a leader through your story!” - Pedro, Family Building Blocks father and Parent Leadership Council member PRESENTING SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

DREAM BUILDER SPONSORS Advantage Precast | Downtown Storage First Tech Federal Credit Union | Kaiser Permanente Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry | US Bank

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS Bentley’s Grill | Capital Financial Planners Churchill Leonard Lawyers | Court Street Christian Church Pfaff-Karren Insurance | Sodexo | Summit Wealth Management

IN-KIND SPONSORS Allied Video Productions | Sea Legs Media

YOU’RE INVITED! 10T H

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PRESENTED BY

THE MID-VALLEY’S PREMIER WINE AUCTION BENEFITING FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS Held in the heart of Oregon’s esteemed wine country, Uncorked Wine Auction features a Wine Maker’s Reception, gourmet three-course meal, and silent and live auctions offering exclusive luxury experience packages.

Zenith Vineyard SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 | 5:00-10:00 PM $250 PER GUEST OR $2,500 PER TABLE

WWW.FAMILYBUILDINGBLOCKS.ORG/EVENTS

OR CONTACT SAM AT SLEWIS@FAMILYBUILDINGBLOCKS.ORG

ANN T S R I F

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UNTAPPED PAIRINGS EVENT JULY 15, 2017 Downtown Salem Time and Tickets: TBA Annual fundraiser and pairings event benefiting Family Building Blocks. slewis@familybuildingblocks.org.

RIVERFRONT FAMILY FEST AUGUST 5, 2017 Salem’s Riverfront Park 10:00 am-2:00 pm | Free Health and safety fair with familyfriendly activities. Contact Julie at jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

DREAM BUILDERS LUNCHEON OCTOBER 19, 2017 Salem Convention Center 12:00-1:00 pm | Free Bring your friends and celebrate the power of prevention. Contact Sam 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:

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E S TO G E T CHELSEA’S PLACE 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305

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

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