Winter 2020 by Family Building Blocks

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WINTER 2020 NEWSLETTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ORGANIZATION VALUES

FROM PATRICE

OFFICERS

While 2020 has offered us all our share of challenges, we have good news to share— we are welcoming three talented new members to our Board of Directors!

R. Taylor, Chair Chemeketa Community College Jeff Moore, Vice Chair Saalfeld Griggs, PC

Steve Altman, Founding Partner of True Private Wealth Advisors in Salem, is returning to our Board after a bit of a hiatus. Steve is the mastermind behind Uncorked, our largest annual fundraiser. Steve and his late wife Kirty have been Dream Builders for over a decade, demonstrating their deep commitment to our mission. They have three children, and their oldest, Izzy, is a volunteer with Family Building Blocks. We welcome Steve back with open arms!

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.

BOARD MEMBERS Steve Altman | True Private Wealth Advisors Jacob Bailey | Sea Legs Media Ross Carey | U.S. Bank

STEVE ALTMAN

LANDON PEGG

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.

Landon Pegg is part owner and Vice President of Western Interlock in Rickreall. Landon is already an active Board member, and says, “One of my main passions in life is mission/ministry work through our church and in our personal lives. I believe that, as a Christian, it is my responsibility to love people in tangible ways. I especially have a love for children and believe in Family Building Blocks’ mission of ‘Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.’” Landon and his wife Samantha live in Dallas, Oregon and have five daughters, all under the age of 10.

Rita Siong is the Market Insights Manager for Portland General Electric. She recently served on the City of Salem’s Human Rights Commission, as well as the City’s Cultural and Tourism Promotions Advisory Board. Rita’s colleague Theresa Haskins describes Rita as “a passionate person with lots of interesting personal experience and a great RITA SIONG sense of humor.” Rita speaks conversational Cantonese, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. She lived in several countries before coming to the United States. Rita settled in Salem 20 years ago and volunteers for animal rescue organizations. Thank you for joining us in “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together!”

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

FEATURED STORY MEET SHARON’S FAMILY AND GIVE BY DECEMBER 31

“We are not forgotten. We are not alone.” Sharon is a mom of four children facing unprecedented challenges during COVID-19. Like many families in our community, and all over the world, Sharon and her children continue to carry the mental, physical, and emotional stress of isolation daily. As we collectively look to the future with uncertainty, Sharon and her children are strong and focused, knowing they can rely on the foundation they built with Family Building Blocks over the past five years. Sharon’s family recently graduated from our program during the pandemic. While her relationship with Family Building Blocks started with her youngest children (pictured), Massyah, age five, and Anyssah, age three, Sharon’s parenting journey began over 15 years ago. After giving birth to her first child, Sharon knew she needed help. Living in Albany, she enrolled in a family support program through Linn Benton Community College. She began to feel secure and confident in her parenting. Unfortunately, after her second child was born, their support teacher passed away and the program closed. Because she no longer had access to the same level of care, Sharon felt helpless and began losing confidence in her ability to parent her young children. Their family developed communication habits Sharon regrets, and before long, yelling and shouting became normal. Years later while pregnant with Massyah, Sharon knew she wanted to be the best parent she could be. She remembered how hopeless she felt after losing her support system with her second child. She knew she would need help. That’s when Sharon found Family Building Blocks. Her family began receiving Home Visits and Massyah attended the Therapeutic Classroom at Gracie’s Place in West Salem. When Sharon became pregnant with Anyssah, she felt relieved knowing her family was a Family Building Blocks family. Eventually, Anyssah was also able to attend the Therapeutic Classroom. Their family continued to benefit from Home Visits and Sharon was able to meet her own needs by accessing our Respite Care program. “Family Building Blocks has been a huge part of our life. Truly, our second family.” Sharon shared that when she needs to feel hopeful she thinks about her children. “They amaze me every single day. If it weren’t for Family Building Blocks my kids would not be able to articulate their feelings and needs this well. I have learned a lot, too. I now know how important it is to be with them in the moment. I know the difference it makes when we make eye contact...when I hold their hands and take a breath with them. We have learned about empathy and how to express ourselves. Now, I can help my kids process their feelings. Instead of putting them in ‘time-out,’ we have ‘time-in,’ where we hug and talk about our emotions and actions. I am so proud of them.” Once COVID-19 turned our world upside down, we all felt the weight of the unknown—parents especially. Sharon’s family adapted and began connecting with their Teachers virtually. They received emergency food boxes and scheduled regular check-ins with their Teachers. Sharon often worried, “How can I help my kids understand what’s going on around us? What will I tell Anyssah when she asks about the classroom? What will happen after we graduate?” That’s when she noticed her daughter doing something profound. “Anyssah was having a difficult time being away from the classroom. I never understood how important routines were until I watched her playing one day. Anyssah gathered all of her toys and assigned two of them as Teacher Maria and Teacher Christina. I realized she had created her own Therapeutic Classroom on our living room floor. She still does this often and always says ‘OK, everyone, line up. It’s time for lunch. But first, we need to wash our hands.’ And after lunch is over she says, ‘OK, now it’s time to play! Everyone, line up and come this way.’ Though we graduated from the program this summer, this reminded me that Family Building Blocks will be with us forever. We are so blessed.” Sharon is right. Family Building Blocks will be with children and families forever. The foundation we help families build lasts for generations. Even during a pandemic, children are born, families grow, and parents learn every single day. Children and families cannot wait. Because of your support, when families bravely ask for help, we are there. YOU are changing the trajectory for over 1,200 children and 780 families a year, for generations. We envision a world where children are safe and families stay together. YOU make it possible. Please give generously to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together.” Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Patrice Altenhofen, Executive Director

YEAR-END GIFTS MATCHED! R. Taylor, Chair, Board of Directors

Gifts received by December 31 will be MATCHED up to $25,000!

VISIT FAMILYBUILDINGBLOCKS.ORG/DONATE TO GIVE BY 12/31 OR TEXT FBB TO 91999!

HIGHLIGHTS

GALA OF TREES RAISES OVER $115,000 TO BENEFIT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

This was an incredible year for the 30th annual Gala of Trees benefiting children and families partnering with Family Building Blocks. We are overcome with gratitude for our community’s commitment to “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.” The 17 full-size and tabletop trees and seven wreaths, all thoughtfully and beautifully decorated, included truly outstanding gifts, trips, wine, self-care packages, toys, and more. Winning bidders get to enjoy these festive features in their homes while they plan for their getaways, delight in their new treats, and celebrate our community’s commitment to supporting children and families. We’d like to give the most heartfelt thank you to our tree decorators and volunteers for your countless hours perfecting every last detail. Your efforts are the foundation of this beloved event. Thank you to our sponsors, donors, Holiday Tree Tour hosts, and to you, our community, for your dedication to the youngest among us.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN 2020 THANKS TO YOU!

KELLY’S HOME CENTER

Our annual Hope for the Holidays in November and December is what holiday dreams are made of. This giving program ensures our families’ basic needs are met during the holidays. It also provides them priceless opportunities to bond, give and receive gifts, provide food for their families, and create memories together for years to come. Each year, we partner with local businesses and individuals to collect donations of winter coats, age appropriate educational toys, pajamas, books in multiple languages, and gift cards for food for local families raising young children. Because of your generous support this year, Family Building Blocks was able to provide gifts and needed items and help create sweet holiday memories with over 400 children and their parents in our community.

ENCORE GLASS

YOU made all of this possible during one of the most challenging years in our community’s history. Thank you to our many Giving Tree hosts, donors, and all who encouraged others to participate in this important opportunity to give and provide hope. HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR? DONATE: In November, visit us at familybuildingblocks.org/hopefortheholidays to fulfill the need for these gifts and make an online donation.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY STREET RODS

HOST A “GIVING TREE”: To participate as a business and collect needed items, please contact Julie Hilty, at 503.566.2132 or jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org.

HIGHLIGHTS

CHILDREN FIND JOY DURING THE PANDEMIC

Each year, children in our Therapeutic Classrooms have the opportunity to play dress up with costumes and engage their peers in our annual Harvest Parade. While classrooms remained closed this year, we were able to provide this treasured experience to children attending Child Care in Dallas. They joyfully paraded in costume, enjoyed tasty treats, and celebrated the festive season. A bright spot for all involved, the parade was extra special this year.

FAMILIES ACCESS NEEDED DENTAL CARE

Children and families experiencing isolation and extreme stress during this pandemic struggled to have their basic needs met. While oral hygiene is critical to our long-term health, it can often be neglected during quarantine due to seclusion and financial strain. In addition to offering mental health check-ins and concrete supports like emergency food and supply boxes, we were also able to safely provide access to free dental care for families in need thanks to SmileKeepers!

COMMUNITY WORKS TO END HUNGER

We were proud partners of the inaugural Willamette Valley Hunger Challenge for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week November 15-22. Participants learned firsthand the difficult decisions families facing food insecurity in the Willamette Valley make every day. Providing emergency food boxes to families in our program has been a critical component of care in 2020. To learn more about this important initiative, please visit willamettehungerchallenge.org.

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

GIVE GIVE BY DECEMBER 31: GIFTS MATCHED UP TO $25,000! HOW CAN I “KEEP CHILDREN SAFE AND FAMILIES TOGETHER?” Give a one-time gift, make a monthly or yearly pledge, and more! GIVE ONLINE: familybuildingblocks.org/donate TEXT TO GIVE: Text FBB to 91999 GIVE BY MAIL: Checks can be mailed to 2425 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305 Because of your support, when families bravely ask for help, we are there. YOU are changing the trajectory for over 1,200 children and 780 families a year, for generations. We envision a world where children are safe and families stay together. YOU make it possible. Please give generously to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together.” QUESTIONS ABOUT GIVING? Contact Nikki Paxton at npaxton@familybuildingblocks.org or 503.566.2132

GIVE THROUGH YOUR IRA A YEAR-END TAX GIFT FROM THE IRS...AND A STOCKING STUFFER FOR FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS! Qualified Charitable Distributions for Traditional IRA Accounts by Jeff Moore, Saalfeld Griggs, PC and Family Building Blocks Board Member For those who own a traditional Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), make charitable gifts, and have already started your “required minimum distributions” for your IRA, the IRS has given a tremendous gift you may want to consider for your year-end tax planning. As you know, once you turn age 72 (but age 70½ if you reached age 70½ prior to January 1, 2020), you must—at a minimum—start withdrawing from your IRA the “required minimum distribution” amount each year. This is true whether you need the income or not. And any distribution from your traditional IRA is, of course, subject to the ordinary income tax rates. However, a tax-smart way to make a charitable gift to Family Building Blocks is to do so using funds from your traditional IRA via a “Qualified Charitable Distribution.” In the past, if you wanted to use IRA money to make a charitable gift you first took a taxable distribution from the IRA, paid the tax due, and then gave the post-tax money to the charity and claimed a limited deduction—not so with a Qualified Charitable Distribution. Current law permits you to direct the IRA custodian to distribute directly to a charity such as Family Building Blocks with two tremendous advantages: (1) the distribution counts towards your required minimum distribution amount for the year, and (2) the distribution will not be taxable to you and will not be includible in your adjusted gross income (which itself may offer other tax benefits). Although the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act waived the requirement for a required minimum distribution (RMD) from retirement accounts for 2020, a Qualified Charitable Distribution can still be made even in a year when no RMD is required. While this may seem a little too good to be true, there are a few rules and limitations you should be aware of: • The Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”) must come from a traditional IRA; it is not available for retirement plans and SEP or Simple IRAs—and it doesn’t make a lot of tax sense to distribute from a Roth IRA because Roth IRA distributions are not taxable (but note that you could potentially roll these other retirement accounts into a traditional IRA and then proceed with a QCD); • The QCD must be transferred directly from the IRA custodian to Family Building Blocks and not to you personally and then to Family Building Blocks (but the IRS does allow you to personally deliver the check so long as the check was made out to Family Building Blocks); • You must be age 70½ or older; and • As of 2020, the QCD is limited to $100,000 per IRA owner per year (and if married, each spouse may transfer $100,000 for a total of $200,000).

GIVE GIVE STOCK AND “LUMP” YOUR DEDUCTIONS STOCK DONATIONS AND “LUMPING” DEDUCTIONS by Mike Blanchard, Johnson, Glaze & Co. and Family Building Blocks Board Member 2020 has been a bit challenging, to say the least. To help non-profits like Family Building Blocks respond to the pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act. For those who don’t itemize deductions, you will still be allowed to deduct up to $300 of charitable contributions from your income. This means every taxpayer can lower their taxes by making a contribution this year. With the stock market pushing to record highs this year, giving the gift of stocks may make sense. For stock investments that would result in long-term capital gains (outside of an IRA or 401(k)), rather than write a personal check to the organization, transfer the stock and let Family Building Blocks sell it for you. By doing so, you “give away” the capital gain income but get a deduction for the full value of the stock. Depending on your tax situation and how much gain is in the stock, the savings can add up. The important thing is that you must give the stock directly, don’t sell it yourself. Combining these strategies can stretch your charitable dollars and help organizations like Family Building Blocks continue to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together.” Please note: These articles are not meant to be tax advice. Please seek proper counsel for your own circumstances. Talk to your tax or investment advisor to get started today!

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

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