Partner with Edison Breakfast Raises $150,000 for Innovative High School

Partner with Edison Breakfast Raises $150,000 for Innovative High School

Portland, OR. Edison High School welcomed 350 guests to the Oregon Zoo for its annual Partner with Edison Breakfast. Guests heard from senior JP Mulligan and former student Danielle Gross about the importance of Edison High School. Board Member, Pat Becker, posed with friends Steven Klein and Kevin Kelly who supported the event. The benefit on November 2nd generated $150,000 to help support financial aid, technology, and professional development at the school. Edison, the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with learning differences. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography) 

Tricia Sipowicz and Kristin Collins, who shared her “Edison Story” about the positive impact the school has had on her entire family. 

Edison parents Linda Pollack, Cathrine and Stefan Olander, and Eileen Day.

Edison students wake up extra early to help at the breakfast

Edison Board Member, Ann Brayfield, with Edison President, Sean Preston.

Friends Shiree Ferguson, Emily Shields, Kathi Austin, and Deedee Dolp enjoy their first Partner with Edison Breakfast.

Student speaker, JP Mulligan, jokes with his parents during his moving speech.

Rose Kilpatrick and Jesuit Counselor and Head Football Coach, Ken Potter.

From Edison High School:

    “Some kids have learning differences. All kids have dreams.”

Welcome to Edison High School, the only high school in Oregon and Southwest Washington dedicated to serving students with complex learning differences. Our work here is powerful and profound: helping every student reach his or her full potential.

As a small, private school, Edison High School offers an individualized curriculum that meets each student’s special needs, and maximizes the ability to learn. We also provide the emotional support that builds confidence and maturity. By empowering students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth, Edison does more than prepare teens for the future. We change lives.

Providence Heart of Gold Event raises  $300,000 to Help Needy Children

Providence Heart of Gold Event raises $300,000 to Help Needy Children

Portland, February 21st, 2013. Supporters marked the 20th anniversary of  the Providence Child Center Swindells Resource Center by donating more than $300,000. William Swindells, Jr. and Dick Clark, ED at SPV Foundation had a chance to catch up at the Pure Space event in Northwest, Portland.

Charlie Swindells at the Podium, Bill R. Swindells on right of image.

Charlie Swindells at the Podium, Bill R. Swindells on right of image.

Children and their families who have used the Swindells Resource Center shared their touching stories during the event, and the Heart of Gold Award was presented to the Swindells family in loving memory of Jean Baton Swindells. The event also included a ceremony and dinner.

Amy Roloff, left, star of TLC’s reality show “Little People, Big World,” poses with Michelle Kennedy and her son, Evan Kennedy at the 2013 Heart of Gold event on Feb. 21. Michelle and Evan use the resources at the Swindells Center and visit Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children for speech and other therapies.

Amy Roloff, left, star of TLC’s reality show “Little People, Big World,” poses with Michelle Kennedy and her son, Evan Kennedy at the 2013 Heart of Gold event on Feb. 21. Michelle and Evan use the resources at the Swindells Center and visit Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children for speech and other therapies.

Past Heart of Gold award recipients are honored at the 2013 Heart of Gold event on Feb. 21. From left, Eloise Savage represents Providence Child Center Guild, Nancy Lematta, Ann Humberston, Karen Gaffney, Pat Becker, Pat Moss, Bill Schonely and Jim Moss.

Past Heart of Gold award recipients are honored. Eloise Savage represents Providence Child Center Guild, Nancy Lematta, Ann Humberston, Karen Gaffney, Pat Becker, Pat Moss, Bill Schonely and Jim Moss.

Heart of Gold attendees place bids to raise money for the Swindells Resouce Center at Providence Child Center at the 2013 event on Feb. 21.

Heart of Gold attendees place bids to raise money for the Swindells Resouce Center at Providence Child Center.

William Swindells, Jr.

William Swindells, Jr.

The Swindells Center at Providence Child Center provides direct support and links to resources for families of children with disabilities in Oregon, including books, parenting groups and classes, speaker events and other materials. Services are offered at the main Portland location of the Swindells Center, as well as satellite sites in Hood River and Medford. All locations will benefit from donations given at Heart of Gold. When Jean Baton Swindells was born with Down syndrome in 1957, her parents, Ann and Bill Swindells Jr., had few places to turn for information, resources or support. After Jean died at the age of 33, the Swindells family provided the financial support to build the Jean Baton Swindells Resource Center. Established at Providence Child Center in 1994, it gives families the information the Swindells did not have when Jean was growing up.

“Jean inspired her parents, Ann and Bill, to provide the resources necessary for families all across Oregon to help their special needs children reach their fullest potential,” says Karen Santangelo, Providence Child Center Foundation president. “It’s only through community support that this important program is able to touch 12,000 families annually.”

Contributions from the Swindells family to Providence Child Center over the years have connected thousands of families, educators, providers and caregivers throughout Oregon with resources at little or no cost. The center has helped children regardless of age, language or diagnosis. Proceeds from the 2013 Heart of Gold event will support the ongoing work of Swindells Resource Center and provide support and resources for future generations of children and their families.

The Swindells Center at Providence Child Center provides direct support and links to resources for families of children with disabilities in Oregon, including books, parenting groups and classes, speaker events and other materials. Services are offered at the main Portland location of the Swindells Center, as well as satellite sites in Hood River and Medford.

For more information about the Providence Child Center Foundation, call 503-215-2406.