Junior Achievement Celebrates Kidder Mathews Ribbon-Cutting at BizTown

Junior Achievement Celebrates Kidder Mathews Ribbon-Cutting at BizTown

Portland, OR. Junior Achievement volunteers like Olivia Arce and Genevieve Klein, seen above in green aprons, are helping kids get back to business after months of sitting idle due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local leaders in Oregon and Southwest Washington said they’re, “excited to announce Kidder Mathews’ new storefront in JA BizTown®! Kidder Mathews is the largest independent commercial real estate firm on the West Coast.” The ribbon-cutting on April 18th was part of the nonprofit’s ongoing effort to get support from the local business community for the program. BizTown features a large indoor commerce-oriented town square. There are storefronts and workspaces for banks, restaurants, retail shops, manufacturers, and services‚ most of which are sponsored and branded by Pacific Northwest businesses.

Kidder Mathews team cuts the ribbon on its new storefront at the Junior Achievement BizTown. The team includes Brendan Murphy, Jordan Carter, Steve Bowers, Steven Klein, Peter Stalick, Clay Newton, Olivia Arce and Genevieve Klein.

Genevieve Klein and Olivia Arce extended their day to volunteer within the Kidder Mathews workspace at JA BizTown. “I love JA BizTown,” exclaimed Klein, “I wish I had gone through a program like this when I was younger. I have a business degree, and even in college, I never learned personal finance in the way JA teaches it.” Genevieve’s father, Steven Klein is the Managing Director of Kidder Mathews office in Portland. He has fond memories of participating in Portland’s Junior Achievement program as a student in the 1970s. 

Here’s a video about BizTown produced by Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington:

After having 18 hours of classroom instruction, local 5th-grade students get to try their hand at running a business in “BizTown“.

Junior Achievement’s BizTown has served over 100,000 students since it opened in 2007.

The SE Portland facility is a $5 Million business immersion educational center that helps kids get a hands-on feel for working in the grown-up world.

About Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington:

Junior Achievement (JA) is thankful to have great partners, like Kidder Mathews, who were ready and eager to step up during the pandemic. Kidder Mathews supports all Junior Achievement offices and students along the West Coast; Portland, Ore, has the only Kidder Mathews JA BizTown site! Therefore, we are extremely appreciative of this partnership and look forward to more collaboration in the future!

Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington serves thousands of students each year. Students not only navigate the intricacies of jobs and being members of the community, but also discover the abundance of opportunities available within their cities. Since 1950, Junior Achievement of Oregon & SW Washington (JA) has been empowering local students by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to manage their money, plan for their futures, and make smart academic, career, and economic choices.

The local JA office located at 7830 SE Foster Road serves 35,000 kids in Oregon and Washington. For more information, see www.japortland.org.

VIPs Flock to Portland International Auto Show Sneak Peek Charity Preview

VIPs Flock to Portland International Auto Show Sneak Peek Charity Preview

Portland, OR. Over 3,500 people received the VIP treatment at the Auto Show Sneak Peek Charity Preview on February 19th at the Oregon Convention Center. One couple won a 2020 Audi Q3 45 TFSI quattro, which was provided by Audi Beaverton. Brian and Jennifer Cornilles had the winning ticket for the Audi; they’re pictured with Greg Remensperger who is the Executive Vice President of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association (Brian and Jennifer Cornilles, center) and Jeff Blackwood from Audi Beaverton.

Organizers say they’ve contributed over four million dollars to local charities with the proceeds from the Sneak Peek Charity Preview Party and the Portland International Auto Show. There were 600 vehicles from 35 manufacturers, plus exotics from around the world at the event.

The VIP Sneak Peek is the official kickoff of the Portland International Auto Show (PIAS).The auto show dates for the public are February 20th – Sunday, February 23rd. This year, the charities which benefited from selling tickets included: Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Meals on Wheels People; Victory Academy; the Brian Grant Foundation; The Dougy Center; and Self Enhancement Incorporated.

Shannon Inukai-Cuffee, a second-generation dealer and President of Dick’s Auto Group, poses for a photo with Erinn Sowle who is the General Manager of Suburban Ford.

Supporters from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) pose for a photo at The VIP Sneak Peek.

The charities help some of the most vulnerable citizens in the Portland area and the auto show is proud to support their efforts, says Greg Remensperger, executive director, PIAS. “You can’t ask for a better neighbor in your community than an auto show or auto dealership,” says Remensperger. “The auto industry has always been generous, and we are honored to help support these important organizations in their mission to serve.”

Clint Hill and Thuy Lam came in support of Meals on Wheels People and Boys & Girls Clubs.

Jason Barry and Steven Klein

Ryan Skudlarek and Kiri Dowhan

There were new Ferraris which start at $215,000.

Patrick Lamb and his band provided entertainment.

Here’s a link with more information about the auto show: Portland International Auto Show (PIAS)

Donations can still be made to the charities including Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Meals on Wheels People; Victory Academy; the Brian Grant Foundation; The Dougy Center; and Self Enhancement Incorporated.

Here are more photos from the event:

2020 Sneak Peek Gallery

 

Annual Partner with Edison Breakfast Raises $220,000 for Students with Learning Differences

Annual Partner with Edison Breakfast Raises $220,000 for Students with Learning Differences

Portland, OR. Edison High School welcomed 350 guests to the Oregon Zoo for its annual Partner with Edison Breakfast. Edison supporters Elizabeth Gewecke and Catherine Bekooy visited with Edison parent Diane Engelhard at the event. Guests heard from junior Grace Penaflor, alumnus Jensen Clarke, and Edison teacher Rachel Hansen about the importance of Edison High School. The benefit on November 1st  generated $220,000 to help support financial aid, technology, and professional development. Edison is the only high school of its kind in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with learning differences. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)

Blake Howells, Steven Klein, and Tyler Kaluza

David Squire, the parent of a current Edison senior, shares his “Edison Story” about the positive impact the school has had on his entire family.

Desiree Baldocchi and Leslie Ganz get up early to support Edison.

Kristen Leonard arriving for the event.

John Russell enjoys the Partner with Edison Breakfast.

From Edison High School:

Our Mission

Edison High School empowers students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth, while preparing them for the future. We are guided by a set of Core Values. Edison is student-centered and characterized by attunement, collaboration, dedication, accesssibility and organization; our students become future-ready. We have a very low student:teacher ratio, an excellent student support program, a unique educational approach and methodologies specific to students with learning differences. Learn more on our General Information tab!

Student Profile

Edison High School is open to students who have learning differences such as Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Visual Perception and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. Students are referred by parents, schools, counselors, tutors and medical professionals. Each student and family is interviewed prior to admission and evaluated by staff to ensure a good fit. We have a close-knit community, a welcoming and safe environment and vibrant student life.

The History of Edison High School

Our school was founded in 1973 as the Tree of Learning. For many years, students were taught in portable classrooms on the Jesuit High School campus. In 1992, we moved into a brand-new building of our own, changing our school’s name to Thomas A. Edison High School in honor of the famed American inventor who had a learning difference. In 2014, we streamlined the school’s name to Edison High School. Students also take classes in a satellite building in the Valley Plaza next door.

Edison High School is accredited through AdvancED (formerly Northwest Association of Accredited Schools).

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.

Portland Duck Lovers Hang Tough in Championship Form

Portland Duck Lovers Hang Tough in Championship Form

Arlington, Texas, January 12, 2015. Thousands of University of Oregon supporters traveled 1,600 miles to witness history in the making at the first ever national college championship game. Christi Goodman enjoyed the game with Puddles the Duck and Anh Thu Nguyen.  It was a who’s who of duck lovers and although fans left disappointed by the 42 to 20 final score, which gave the Ohio State Buckeyes the national title over the ducks, fans wore their green and yellow proudly all the way home. Here are some of our favorites images:

Heather, Alexa and Taylor Teed

Heather, Alexa and Taylor Teed 

KGW's Joe Donlon, Drew Carney pose with Steve Klein

KGW’s Joe Donlon, Drew Carney pose with Steven Klein

Eric and Todd Bruun, Dean Dordevic, Mark Bruun, and Kathi Dordevic

Eric and Todd Bruun, Dean Dordevic, Mark Bruun, and Kathi Dordevic

Kris and Michael Gorriaran

Kris and Michael Gorriaran outside of AT&T  Stadium 

Brent Keeton and Wendy Cook

Brent Keeton and Wendy Cook

The consensus: Oregonians love the ducks!

The consensus: Oregonians still love their ducks!