Portland, April 19th, 2013. The 13th Annual “Celebrate Success” was sold out and raised $300,000. The diamond dig was a popular activity sponsored by “Diamonds by Passerini.” The event has grown from a luncheon for 200 to a sell-out dinner for over 500 of business and community leaders who support Dress for Success. The annual gala raises funds to help women in poverty move towards self-sufficiency. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) The gala was held at the Portland Art Museum and the theme this year was springtime in Paris.
Margaret Hinshaw, Roger Hinshaw (President of Bank of America Oregon and SW Washington), and Peggy Willer
Tara Kinateder, Barb Attridge, and Vince Whiting
Priscilla Lewis with daughters, Summer Lewis and Noelle Webster
Karen Fishel, Dress for Success Oregon Board of Directors and Co-Founder of Dress for Success Oregon, and Lisa Lucas, Dress for Success Oregon Board of Directors.
Celebrate Success 2013 Diamond Sponsor, Todd Passerini, from Diamonds by Passerini
Amy and Kathleen Larson
From Dress for Success:
Dress for Success Oregon is a nonprofit organization that has been helping low-income women successfully transition back into the workforce since 1999. We promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Dress for Success Oregon is the local affiliate to a worldwide organization Dress for Success. All money raised for Dress for Success Oregon stays in our local community. We receive no tax dollars and are 100% funded by the generosity of people like you.
Portland, April 25th, 2013 . 251 supporters joined forces to raise $49,017 for the continued success of the “Think to the Future Initiative” education program. Through it The Black United Fund of Oregon provides much-needed guidance and support to under-served students on the path to higher education and career success. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
“The Oregon Lottery team was a master sponsor at the Black United Fund of Oregon’s 16th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon. They presented a $1500 scholarship later that afternoon to a deserving African American high school student.“
The funding assists in the social and economic development of Oregon’s low-income communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups. The Black United Fund of Oregon’s 16th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon was held at the Governor Hotel and chaired by Michele Cruse.
From the Black United Fund:
Mission
To assist in the social and economic development of Oregon’s low-income communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups.
How do we do it?
We partner with organizations right here in our community, who believe as we do that every person matters and every dollar counts. We support organizations with a proven track record of improving social and economic conditions by increasing opportunities in underserved neighborhoods. Because we know this is the only way to have a truly healthy community.
History
We are committed to providing financial support and life-changing programs for Oregon’s low-income communities, and have been for 27 years and counting. In 1983, leaders in North and Northeast Portland noticed that many philanthropic organizations were not giving as much support to communities of color. To combat this inequity, they started the Black United Fund of Oregon to channel charitable funds to low-income areas and since that time, big changes have occurred. We have raised over $4 million to help thousands of our most vulnerable citizens. Last year alone, we served 75,000 Oregonians with grants to more than 30 organizations.
Portland, April 20th, 2013. Guests kicked up their heels to support support SEI programs at the Party with a Purpose benefit. Kris Aman and Robin Givens captivated the crowd as did student performers and artist Mike Phillips. Vice President of Jordan Brand Howard “H” White, was honored as a living example of SEI’s motto: Life Has options.
Tony and Carla Hopson with Howard & Donna White
The Presenting sponsor the event was Wells Fargo, all funds go to support the award winning inner-city youth development programs of Self Enhancement, Inc.
Party with a Purpose! Here+Now, delighted over 300 guests.
SEI coordinators help with school homework and life’s lessons. They attend school functions, parent-teacher conferences, and graduations.
Howard White and Tony Hopson, Sr.
Carla Penn-Hopson with Russell and Denise Hornsby
Loretta Smith
Gary and Karen DeStefano
From SEI:
We are Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a nonprofit organization supporting at-risk urban youth. In 31 years, SEI has grown from a 1-week summer basketball camp to a flourishing agency serving thousands of students each year in the greater Portland, Oregon area, with plans to replicate across the country.
Whereas others see only statistics, we see strong individuals, tomorrow’s business owners and leaders, teachers and citizens. We help our students see themselves and their potential the same way. Then we help them find their strengths, ignite their passion and identify the plan that will move them in the direction of their dream. And we stay with them every step of the way, 24/7, 365 days a year from age eight through 25. Mission statements, vision statements, slogans and credos are displayed on walls and web sites all over for-profit and non-profit America. Some are poignant, some are pathetic. We think that too often they are just words that are pointed to now and then. Not here. Students and staff live by the SEI standards from the moment they walk through our doors.
Who are SEI kids and how do they become a part of the program?
Nationwide and right here in Portland, growing numbers of children are exposed to a host of risk factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, jailed parents and/or siblings, gangs, substance abuse, absentee or abusive parents, and hunger. As a result, the number of young children with aggressive, noncompliant and acting-out behaviors in schools has been steadily rising.
SEI partners with teachers and school administrators to identify children most at risk, and then those students are individually assessed using the Walker-McConnell Scale and given a “risk” score. The Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment is used to determine the level of risk and social skill deficits. In 2009, 92% of the students enrolled at SEI scored as either severe or high risk.
Student demographics
97% African-American
85% qualify for free or reduced lunch
73% from single parent households
36% are gang affected
30% have a parent or sibling incarcerated
SEI students come from our own SEI Academy (middle school) and public schools including Boise Eliot, Humboldt, Vernon, Woodlawn and Ockley Green K-8 schools, as well as Beaumont middle school, Jefferson, Grant and Benson high schools.
Portland, April 26th, 2013. Over 500 attendees cheered Camp Fire Columbia’s stars as they competed against local celebrities in Camp Fire’s Celebrity + Youth Talent Show at the Crystal Ballroom. Portland Timber player Jake Gleeson, Timber Joey, and players Dave Horst & Ryan Kawulok were a hit with their medley of hip hop classics in their second year as celebrity performers at the event. (Photo credit, Brian Rollins)
Youth performers from Camp Fire’s afterschool program in David Douglas School District pose after nailing their hip hop dance performance in front of 500 guests.
Youth and celebrities performed song, dance, step, and a poetry slam. Attendees determined the winners of each act by voting with donations. The event raised over $136,000 for Camp Fire’s before, during, and after-school programs at 19 local schools.
Gwen Sullivan, President of the Oregon Teachers Union; and Representative Lew Frederick enjoy a moment at the Celebrity + Youth Talent Show. Representative Frederick performed a poem, along with Commissioners Loretta Smith and Amanda Fritz.
Brooke Van Roekel, Camp Fire Columbia Board Chair; and Kali Ladd, Camp Fire Columbia Board Member watched take a moment from cheering on Camp Fire youth and celebrity performers to smile for the cameras.
Youth performers from Camp Fire’s afterschool program in David Douglas had a blast singing a medley of classics, united around the theme of Sunshine (summer is almost here!)
Timber Joey and Scot Thompson, Community Ambassador, of the Portland Timbers perform a hip-hop medley as one of five celebrity acts.
Peter Ames Carlin (author of bestselling Springsteen biography “BRUCE”) and Drew Carney (TV reporter at KGW Channel 8) perform Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” as one of five celebrity acts.
Tres Shannon, co-owner of Voodoo Doughnut performs as one of five celebrity acts, with help from Victoria Porter. Shannon channeled his Bobby McFerrin-esque skills in a performance of Mozart, along with juggling and headstands.
From Camp Fire Columbia Camp Fire Columbia is a community based nonprofit organization located in Portland, Oregon (serving eight counties in Oregon and SW Washington) with a mission to build caring confident youth and future leaders. Camp Fire partners with local kids, schools and families to provide diverse, best practices programming that:
Supports academic achievement
Builds social and life skills
Fosters community engagement
Develops career and college readiness
Camp Fire’s programs directly serve over 3,000 kids ages 5-18 each year across an eight-county area, including the greater Portland metro region, and help serve another 11,000 children and families annually through partnerships and special projects.
The 21st Century Camp Fire Camp Fire launched in 1910, the same year as the first talking motion picture. Much like today’s films, the 21st Century Camp Fire is a whole different animal than it was 100 years ago—or even 20 years ago! Just as films have adapted to emerging technology, Camp Fire has evolved to better meet the emerging needs of kids and families.
While Camp Fire has historically been synonymous with outdoor learning and providing opportunities for women, today’s Camp Fire is a multi-faceted agency that serves all kids through a diverse array of programs.
Did you know…
Camp Fire strengthens local education. We partner with over 20 schools to pick up where schools leave off—keeping kids safe, engaged, and learning.
Camp Fire supports our region’s most vulnerable youth. Our programs are located in 20% of the Title-1 schools in Multnomah County.
Camp Fire supports academic growth. Students in our programs demonstrate significant increases in reading, writing, and math. A recent study found that Camp Fire kids made academic gains at a faster rate than their non-Camp Fire peers.
50% of Camp Fire kids are boys. We’ve been co-ed since 1975. Ask a child if they’re a Camp Fire Girl, and they’ll respond as if you asked them whether they own an 8-track.
Camp Fire welcomes and embraces all youth of diverse cultures, beliefs, experiences, and identities. We are committed to creating a culturally-competent, inclusive, and safe environment for all children and families.
Camp Fire is national in name only. Camp Fire Columbia is 100% locally driven.
Camp Fire is supported by some of the most prominent names in our community, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the City of Portland, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Portland, Ore- Portland Children’s Museum is delighted to announce that a recent gift from Target Corporation will continue the popular Free First Friday, a program that keeps the Museum open for free to visitors from 4 to 8 pm on the first Friday of each month. These evenings are part of the Community Partners program, which focuses on connecting with families facing barriers to accessing the Museum.
“Target Free First Friday makes a huge impact at the Museum,” said Carrie Hoops, Interim Executive Director. “We see record-breaking attendance numbers as a result of this program. The demand for low cost access to the museum is high and growing, and we are able to meet these frequent requests thanks to generous supporters like Target.”
Target First Free Fridays draw an average of 1,000 monthly visitors that otherwise would not have access to the Museum. This year the Museum expects more than 12,000 visitors for Target First Free Fridays alone.
To extend free access and reduced-cost memberships to qualified families, the Community Partners Program collaborates with over 200 organizations including Title I schools, libraries, government agencies, and non-profits to develop strategies that connect underserved communities to the arts. With Target’s help, the Museum’s Community Partners program will reach over 35,000 children and their families this year alone.
“At Target, we are committed to serving local communities where we do business,” said Laysha Ward, President, Community Relations, Target. “That’s why we are proud to partner with the Portland Children’s Museum as we work to strengthen communities and enrich the lives of our guests and team members.”
ABOUT TARGET
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,778 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.
ABOUT PORTLAND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Portland Children’s Museum is the museum that doesn’t act like a museum. You won’t find any velvet ropes inside, and playing with and touching our exhibits is strongly encouraged. Our main exhibit is the imagination of the children who play here. Every activity from permanent to travelling exhibits is designed to encourage children to play and wonder while they learn about themselves and the world around them.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! info@portlandsocietypage.com
Nationwide and right here in Portland, growing numbers of children are exposed to a host of risk factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, jailed parents and/or siblings, gangs, substance abuse, absentee or abusive parents, and hunger. As a result, the number of young children with aggressive, noncompliant and acting-out behaviors in schools has been steadily rising.
