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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 2011)
16 vernonia prevention coalition november22 2011 The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition Be a Piece of the Puzzle Mission Possible: Got Outcomes! Like most things, prevention programming is measurable by outputs and or outcomes. Most of us understand and expect to see the outputs of our efforts. For example, 350 hotdogs served during a baseball game. What often are not captured are the outcomes of people buying the hotdogs at the baseball game. For example, an outcome statement would look like, 90% of consumers felt their purchase was worthwhile and will return during all the football games to support the program that provided said hotdogs. Motivated individuals whom support community programming helping ensure sustainability of said programs. The Vernonia Prevention Coalition (VPC) and its sector representatives have a lot of outputs: trainings provided, outreach numbers, youth traveling to leadership programming, bully intervention training, youth serving youth programs, suicide intervention trainings, books purchased for school and community libraries, increased adult mentor opportunities, medical services brought to area, mental health services brought to area, meetings attended, partnerships established, articles written, training volunteers, food handler cards for adult volunteers, background check purchases for volunteers, grant writing, signs purchased, incentives distributed, code enforcement support, proper law enforcement reporting practices, etc. The VPC Director, DeAnna Pearl, can provide you numbers, dates, and times for each of these if you are interested. Just ask her and she can give you more than you wanted to know. However, on Saturday November 5, at the Vernonia Volunteer and Victory celebration the VPC was able to bring to light the outcomes of efforts made by groups and individuals whom volunteer and support the livability of Vernonia. These outcomes where measured in the applause, tears, laughter and new found collaborations highlighted in the evening’s events. Outcomes of program partnerships between churches, collaboration of youth serving programs and recognition of support by never before realized like mission agencies. Outcomes where measured by comments, “I had no idea that was happening here?” or “Wow, who do I contact about being a part of that next year?” The greatest outcome measure of the night was the awe and thankfulness Members of Christian Public Service were recognized for their volunteer contributions at the Vernonia Volunteer and Victory Celebration. given to the Christian Public Service shape the delivery of the message and the development whom have collectively provided over 14,000 volunteer hours that equates to over a of the community action, policy advocacy and quarter of a million dollars of service. This is not to enforcement that make sense for them. All the while diminish the efforts of other groups and agencies that keeping in mind the collective outcome of community present on that Saturday from honoring the longest Lion members whom feel they live in a safe and healthy Club member, Bill James, to the youngest recognized neighborhood. Bottom line outcome measurements are actually the increased recognition of efforts made by volunteer, Coral Donne Pearl, of Salmon Festival. One of the greatest things we can do as a groups and individuals whom service Vernonia. Even community is to celebrate the capacity, whatever that greater, the increased participation of youth involved may be, of individuals, groups, programs and agencies in supporting healthier and safer communities is at its that service our community. Often times the individuals all time high for the last five years. This in turn reflects or groups listed above do not take the time to get out the reduction of self harm by youth. Still further, it of the trenches and celebrate their efforts. Several invigorates the community to work together to support do not even want to be known because of whatever a safe and healthy community. We continue to invigorate by educating reason. Taking the time to celebrate the outputs and the following outcomes is important because it helps ourselves and others to the missions of the various us recognize where we have been and how far we have groups whom serve Vernonia but to celebrate them come in realizing our mission. Some missions are as well. We are NOT just a small community trying simple and some are convoluted. But how do we know to put on a hotdog feed. We ARE a community what groups mission are? Even greater questions, how recovering from a disaster to rebuild a school, health can we partner or volunteer if we don’t understand the center, senior center, food bank, waste water treatment, missions of the groups, programs and agencies service etc. to provide a safe and healthy environment for our community and our youth. We are NOW sitting at the our community? The VPC’s mission is to develop safe table with county, state, federal agencies and private and healthy neighborhoods through collaborative philanthropy. We CAN no longer be inarticulate about planning, community our needs and expectations. We are NOT VICTIMS action, policy advocacy of our circumstances nor at the mercy of the kindness and enforcement. It of others. We are BECOMING creators of our own would be safe to say destiny. Similar to the WWII slogan, “We Can Do It!” most of Vernonia and its the over 55 groups and agencies whom provide service surrounding communities and outreach to local citizens and surrounding areas can want safe and healthy say, “We ARE doing it!.” We ARE developing safe and neighborhoods. The healthy communities where volunteerism is celebrated Coalition goes even and positive outcomes are the norm. If you would like to know more about the VPC one step further. With keeping our mission in or volunteer opportunities, please contact DeAnna mind, it is the 12 Sector Pearl, Director, @ (503) 369-7370 or DeAnna@ representatives whom vernonia-or.gov. 2001 Vernonia Prevention Coalition Sector Representatives Position Name Sector Contact Affiliation Chair Josette Mitchell Government (503) 429-4232 COV Mayor Vice Chair Pete Weisel School (503) 429-3521 VHS Councilor Exec. Board Dr. Ken Cox Media (503) 429-5891 VSD Superintendent Exec. Board Sgt. Shaun Carnahan Police (503) 429-4232 COV Police Faith (503) 961-5281 Vernonia Comm. Church Board Member Ashley Swanson Prevention (503) 396-2074 Public Health Foun- dation of Columbia County Board Member Heidi Brown Business (503) 429-2787 Grey Dawn Gallery Board Member Gina Fields Parent (503) 429-6306 Parent Board Member Mark Brown Board Member Lee Anne Kraus e Youth Serving (503) 816-9810 Kiwanis Board Member O.S.S.O.M. Youth (503) 429-3521 VSD 47J Board Member George Tice Civic Org. (503) 880-1627 Lions Club Board Member Health Serv. Heather Lewis Contractor Seeking Representation (503) 429-4677 Resource Coord. VPC Mission: To develop safe and healthy neighborhoods through collaborative planning, community action, policy advocacy and enforcement.
