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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 2010)
community news september14 2010 VPC Hires Volunteer Coordinator The Vernonia Prevention Coalition (VPC) has announced that they have hired Heather Lewis to fill the role of Volunteer Coordinator. According to Lewis, the project is a direct response to requests that were voiced during the Community Collaborations training sessions that were hosted by the Ford Family Foundation in Vernonia in the Spring of 2010. “A request came from every group [at the training] that there be a volunteer coordinator to facilitate centralized resources for increased access by groups (volunteer, non-profit, schools, civic, emergency response, city) to support and streamline collaborative efforts,” said Lewis in a message she sent out to community groups in Vernonia which she hopes to engage in the project. “The VPC saw an opportunity to support the community by filling this position with a mind to their mission of engaging youth with adults for constructive experiences to effect positive change.” Lewis and VPC Director DeAnna Pearl have developed the program so it fits the mission of the VPC, who are funding the position. “One of the VPC’s missions is to train mentors in order to have positive impact by effecting change within our youth’s lives by how they engage in the community,” said Lewis. Lewis’ project calls for training volunteer adult mentors to work with local youth on local projects. She intends to work through the local school system to find youth interested in volunteering for projects. Each student in the Vernonia High School system is required to complete 30 hours of Huge Garage Sale! ...RAIN or SHINE... Many unique (and heavy!) items – bring a truck! . . . If we don’t have it you probably don’t need it! . . . Table Saw, Barbie Jeep, Leather Couches - Hunter Green, MF Tractor w/brush hog, Commercial-grade exercise tower, Like NEW Duel-Fuel Coleman Powerhouse Camp Stove, Pub-Style solid-wood dart board with doors, NorthFace 3-room Tent – used 1X, Pick-up Truck Auxiliary Fuel Tanks - 1 is NEW, Large 2-Level Ferret Condo, Commercial-Grade Wheel Barrow, Bird cages, NEW Commercial Van interior Metal Shelving/Storage (2x), Pole Lights, Multiple TVs/DVDs/VCRs, Like-New Unit heater, ATV broadcast spreader - electric, Tork-Lift SuperHitch 4’ Extension, Garage/Shop Rotary Brush Sweeper, Pet Feeders (2x) – Dog/Pony, Commercial Grade Camp-Chef Professional Grill Box BBQ - unopened, Weber grills – portable - 1 gas/1 New-in- box charcoal, Large/Heavy Industrial Steel Mechanic Table w/ramp, Top of Line Roto-Tiller – needs repair, Popcorn Warmer, Trampoline – Inflatable indoor/outdoor, NEW 1964/65/66 Mustang accessories, Motorcycle racing gear, Life Jackets, Wood Stove, Crab rings, Fishing gear - including 2 like new Bass bait-casting reels, Neoprene Fishing Waders, 5 Oak Bar Stools with backs - padded, Monavie Misc., Chicken Roaster, Commercial-Grade Twin-Gear Masticating Juicer w/accessories (pasta), Limited Edition Moto-Glide 3 Speed BEACH bicycle KUSTOM KRUISER w/flame tires, FirePit/Stove. . . and More! . . . Many items Top-of-the-Line Brands. (No baby stuff, No clothes) . . . Look for us on the September 18th Community Yard Sale Map! . . . 59420 Airport Rd, Vernonia. . . We will begin Friday morning the 17th (ONE DAY EARLY) volunteer community service in order to graduate. The timing appears to be right for this type of project because the city is facing budget cuts and constraints. Services that are necessary are having to be reduced in many areas of the community and the need for volunteer groups to take up some of the slack is self-evident. There is also a growing concern about how the city will manage and maintain all the properties (expected to be around forty) they will obtain through the FEMA flood recovery buy- outs. “We have a potential pool of workers at the school and now we have a way to constructively use those service hours,” says Lewis. But the city wouldn’t be the only beneficiary of the volunteers Lewis will be coordinating. All groups in the community will have the ability to create “job descriptions” for volunteer opportunities and Lewis will help match up mentors with workers. Lewis has hit the ground running and already sent out what she is calling a “Social Capital Survey” to begin gathering pertinent information about groups and their current projects and status; potential volunteer opportunities and needs within each group; and their interest in collaborating with other community groups. According to Lewis, her work plan for the first year is three- fold: to gather the information in the Social Capital Survey; compile that information into a usable registry; and identify and coordinate opportunities for collaborations. She intends to hold training sessions for potential volunteers, and also hopes to hold a community celebration. Her long-term goal is to help make community project and programs more self-sustainable. Another large concern for Lewis is the need for volunteers to accurately document volunteer hours, which can often be used as a match when applying for or receiving grants. “The fact is this community walked away from a sizable amount of money because we hadn’t adequately documented our volunteer hours during the flood,” says Lewis. According to Lewis, showing community groups the value of their volunteer time will help make them more efficient and successful. Lewis says she is available to attend any meetings to answer questions Ancient Earth Farms 18209 Keasey Rd., Vernonia Produce now available! Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes and celery 10% Discount for Seniors 7 and see if there are additional needs that this position can address. Lewis says she expects to be very busy this year getting this project up and running. “I really want this to be a sustainable project,” says Lewis. “It’s important to establish in people’s minds that there really is a value to documenting what they are doing and in developing these partnerships and collaborations, whether it’s with the city, or with the schools, or each other. And hopefully there will be a synergy that develops and people will see the benefits.” You can reach Heather Lewis, Volunteer Coordinator--VPC at (503) 429-4677. Vernonia Coffee Roasters “QUALITP COFFEE ROASTED TO PERFECTION” Now Available Free Produce w/ Voucher from Vernonia Cares Food Bank New Fall & Winter Hours Tues, Thurs & Sat. 10am-5pm Closed 1st Week of Oct for Winter Planting 503-789-5597 ancientearthfarmswverizon.net www.ancientearthfarms.com 503.429.0850 503.816.2265 WWW.VERNONIACOFFEEROASTERS.COM DALLAS BRASS IS COMING TO VERNONIA Friday, September 17th, 7:00PM at Washington Grade School Gym Band students in grades 7-12 will participate in a day long workshop and perform with Dallas Brass during the evening concert. All band students get a free ticket to the concert. Tickets available at Creatures & Vernonia Florist, Vernonia School Dist. Office and during Jamboree at the Booster’s Snack Shack. $12 adults Sponsored by: The National Endowment for the Arts $8 students & seniors Western States Art Federation $40 Family Pass (up to 5 people) Creatures & Vernonia Florist Vernonia School District Vernonia Band Boosters Vernonia Boosters Vernonia’s Voice