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.
