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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2011)
New direction in life points to positive changes for Jenkins, her daughter Interest in working with youth may carry Nicole Jenkins to college; Tribal programs help with needs By Diane Rodriquez “You have to be willing to step out and ask for help.” This statement at the end of an inter view with Nicole Jenkins stands out as the statement that began the current series of changes in her life. Following time in the drug court in Lincoln County (from which she gradu ated in February) and time in a treatment facility, Jenkins is bursting with goals for her life and that of her 2-year-old daugh ter, Nevaeh. The first goal is to complete her GED tests by June 1. She’s already beginning the application process for higher educa tion funding from the Tribe, even though she’s not sure what she wants to study. “There are so many things I want to do,” said Jenkins in the same breath as recognizing that as a single parent, she has the responsibility of making life comfort able for herself and Nevaeh. “I like working with people, espe cially kids and youth. There’s some thing about youth that gets me fired up. They’re amazing people,” said this life long Lincoln County resident who is interested in being a Tribal Prevention Program volunteer. Jenkins credits the Tribal Transitional Living Center (TLC) with being the big gest block on which she is building her new life. “The TLC is the foundation of the beginning of the rest of my life. They’ve done a lot for me and given me the abil ity to take care of my responsibilities,” she said. “They opened my eyes to being open-minded, to be willing to live in a different way. The TLC is a safe place for me and my daughter.” She also credits the Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Fami lies) program for helping to get her life in order because it covers such things as child care expenses. “They never looked down on me,” Jenkins said of the Tribal staff people who have helped her. “They have hope, they have faith. I got lucky.” Although luck may have something to do with it, Jenkins’ enthusiasm for the new direction of her life and the assistance of Tribal programs should carry her and Nevaeh into a positive future. Photo by Diane Rodriquez Nicole Jenkins (right) talks with Becky Bennett, Human Resources generalist at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, about the casino’s Mentor/Protege Program during a job fair at the Siletz Tribal Community Center on April 13. Tribe hosts job fair; suggestions sought for another one planned for June By Diane Rodriquez In an effort to reach more Tribal members and others in the community, the Siletz Tribal Self-Sufficiency Program held a job fair at the Tribal Community Center on April 13. Participating employers included Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Siletz Technologies and a roofer’s apprentice ship program from Grand Ronde. Tribal programs participating included Educa tion, Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP) and the new Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The Oregon Department of Transportation also was there as it’s a partner with SSP in the Workforce Devel opment Program. According to Sharmon Cook-Wright, SSP director, job fairs are a good way to partner with more Tribes in Oregon and connect with other groups that have apprenticeship programs. These other groups could include universities and* unions, which have apprenticeship pro grams for such careers as pipe fitters, electricians and HVAC installers. The next job fair should be in Salem in June, Cook-Wright said. She is inter ested in receiving suggestions from the community on employers, programs and organizations to invite. Contact her at 541 -444-2532 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1213 or 1858; or at sharmonc@ctsi.nsn.us to share your ideas. Tribe, Red Cross team up for blood May 8-14 is Women’s Health Week drive; time to share some of yours National Checkup Day is time for annual exams The Siletz Tribe will host a blood drive at the Siletz Community Health Clinic on May 26. The American Red Cross blood mobile bus will be here and will have scheduled appointment times for those interested in donating blood. The blood donation process takes less than an hour. If you have never given blood before, we will be able to answer all of your questions prior to donating and walk you through the entire process. In general, you must be in good health, age 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and have a valid ID to give blood. Youth age 16 can donate with parental permission. If you have concerns about your medical history, call the Red Cross blood donation eligibility line at 800-737-0902. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. We do not have the ability to make blood in a lab and must rely on donations from other people. Giving blood is safe and easy The entire process takes less than an hour (10 minutes for the actual donation) and you can return to your normal activity following donation. Healthy people have plenty of blood to share and your blood may save someone’s life. For more information or to sign up to donate, please call Lindy Taylor at 503- 390-9494 or e-mail lindyt@ctsi.nsn.us. At least 30 people must sign up in order to have the Red Cross come to Siletz, so please get involved. Be someone’s anonymous hero. This year, Women’s Health Week starts off on Mother’s Day. This week- long observance is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Ser vices, Office on Women’s Health. With a theme of “It’s Your Time,” this national initiative encourages women to take simple steps toward a happier, longer, healthier life. The following five areas of women’s health are the focus: • • • • • Exercise Diet Preventative screenings Risky behavior avoidance Mental health May 9 is Women’s National Checkup Day, so if you have been putting off your annual doctor’s appointment, now is the time to schedule it. Call the Siletz Clinic at 541-444-1030 or 800-648-0449 to schedule your yearly physical and any needed testing, such as EKGs, labs, pap smears and mammograms. In observance of Women’s Health Week, we will hold healthy cooking classes at the Tillicum Fitness Center in Siletz. Times and cooking topics will be posted at the center. In addition, Tribal area offices also will hold healthy cooking demonstrations. Call the community health advocate in your area office for more information. For women who are interested in taking part in the President’s Activity Challenge, please join the Siletz women’s group at www.womenshealth.gov/whw. Please contact Lindy Taylor with any questions, 503-390-9494 or lindyt@ ctsi.nsn.us. Film premiere, con’t from page 1 Newport: Logan Cummings, Scott Cusick, Benjamin Donovan, Mollie Dorna, Kassidy Edgington, Jerry Flores, Morgan Folkers, Domenica Gavin, Odessa Goudy, Reychal Henriksen, Mylz Hernandez, Austin Ligon, Tinta Lio, Conar Mac- coone, Mackenzie Miller, Aaron Norwood, TaylorRae Petrick, Robert Pratt III, Tyler Teich, Bruce Vandyke, Austin Versteeg, Michelle Vinjamuri, Kevyn Wallace and Zach Wood. Teacher - Ollie Richardson Siletz: Kylie Childs, Aislyn Cox, Richard Deanda, Nevin Gilkes, Bo Johnson, Tyler Putman, James Stuart, Sierra Warren, Chayson Metcalf, Jake Westbrook, San Poll Whitehead, Joseph Williams and Savannah Worman. Teacher - Lorrie Syms Taft: John Beck, AJ Mason, Seth Siedling, Brady Wagonar and Dakota Wood. Teacher - Ben Hensley Toledo: Kaitlyn Butcher and Breana Hinkel. Teachers - Trent Edwards and Peter Vince Filmmaker-in-residence: Andy Blubaugh. Program coordinators: Rob Bovett, district attorney; Ben Hensley, Taft High School; Kristin Konsterlie, NW Film Center; and Peter Vince. Com munity organizers: Barbara Dougherty, Lincoln County Commission on Children & Families; and Debra Spoelstra, PA ADA May 2011 • Siletz News • 5
