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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2011)
vernonia prevention coalition The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition august23 2011 15 Be a Piece of the Puzzle: Value of Feeding a Community 2011 Vernonia Summer Meals Program Pilot Project How does a program measure success? By the number of kids fed or the enduring collaboration of community volunteers and agencies to provide quality programming to our youth of Vernonia. Youth (1-18) Meals Bought Volunteers Total Reimbursed Value Meals Prepared 3600 385 470 $9,775 #of Volunteers 10 Hours 325 46 1800 Match Value $ 19, 500 Well, we can start with the numbers of youth meals prepared and served. Unexpectedly, Vernonia Summer Meal Program (VSMP) also prepared and served 783 meals to adults. At the height of the VSMP, 195 meals were served and averaged 100 per day for the 44 days of the program. This is 25% over our initial survey results. (Increased slightly after article submission) Prevention Objectives Prevention Theory Continuing Relationship with School Adherence to school increases academic success Daily Nutrition Reduction of Self harm Mentorship Increase positive attachment to healthy adults Collaboration of Community Partners Increase success of quality programming while leveraging sustainability of programs. In the prevention world, the success of this program can be measured by many things. The number of people attending is the output but the potential influence on our kids is a much needed outcome. For those of you whom utilized the VSMP we thank you: Summer School, Vacation Bible School, Daycare Providers, Sports Camps, Foster families, families and individuals. Next year we hope to include Camp Wilkerson as a site for the week of camp. Award Winning Children’s Author, Trudy Ludwig is coming to Vernonia Schools to present her nationally acclaimed presentations on Emotional Bullying Wednesday August 31 - District-wide staff Workshop, “Creating a Safer Social and Learning Environment in Schools” Thursday September 8 - at WGS -- K-5th Grade Presentation for students 6:30-8:00 PM-Parent Presentation, “Understanding Our Kids’ Social World: Friendships, Cliques & Power Plays.” For more information contact: DeAnna Pearl, DFC Grant Director, Vernonia Prevention Coalition Tel: 503.369. 7370 Email: DeAnna@vernonia.or.gov David Spackman, School Counselor, Washington Grade School Tel: 503.429.7941 Email: dspackman@vernonia.k12.or.us National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 5th Tuesday Community Coalition Meeting at the VCLC 6:30-8:00 PM August 30th November 29th January 31st For more information contact: DeAnna Pearl, VPC Director 503-369-7370 DeAnna@vernonia-or.gov 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press 1 The VSMP planners and staff would like to thank many people and organizations: Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon Pioneer Baptist Fellowship St. Helen’s Summer Meal Program Vernonia School District Vernonia Food Bank Vernonia Prevention Coalition Skein Slayers Vernonia Library Hands on Art Master Gardeners Vernonia Foursquare Church Foster Grand Parent Program Dewey Deweber DeAnna Pearl Cathy Meyer Nic Welch Ron Welch Gina Fields Heather Lewis Barb Carr Carol Senn Officer Brent Thompson Vernonia Rural Fire District Three Little Pigs $4,400 Grant for equipment, transportation and staffing Fiscal Agent for grant and plethora of volunteers Menu, meal preparation and encouragement Site host Bread and the occasional sweet for the volunteers Advertising materials, copies and purchase of Food Handler’s cards & payment of background checks Yarn and materials Tuesday programming Wacky Wednesday programming Thursday programming and volunteers Friday Craft Programming & Volunteers Mentorship and support Clowning around and giving us magic Grant writing and form development VSMP Food Coordinator VSMP Volunteer Coordinator VSMP Transporter (2400 miles to deliver meals) VSMP Positive promoter Gathering up the pieces & recycling program Completion volunteer background checks For warming up the place & making coffee Eating with the kids and showing how cops are cool For bringing out the truck, gear and people Saved 66 buckets of slop from the garbage can Finally, a huge thank you to the documented 55 volunteers whom tirelessly showed up every week to help set up, serve, clean and put away during our 44 days of the Vernonia Summer Meals Program. Two thumbs up for those of you whom showed up on Fridays to mop, scrub and clean to prepare for Sunday’s PBF church and Monday’s food service. We have already begun to plan for next year. If you would like more information please contact DeAnna Pearl at (503) 369-7370.
