Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2006)
Smoke Signals 3 AUGUST 15, 2006 Spfiirift Mouimittaoiro CoimiinniMiniotfcy Fiunmd Gives ADnraostt $1 iVH d D fl o o itd FoGf TDneTDDDird Qonairteir Thirty-five large grants and seven small grants continue to fund a better Oregon. By Ron Karten A staffer at Birth To Three in Eugene, a non-profit promoting the well-being of children through parent education and support, con nected with a family newly arrived from Mexico at a Eugene church earlier this year. The family, with three children, were "feeling tentative when the staffer offered them the opportu nity to join our Crecer (to grow up) group, and encouraged them to come," said Birth To Three Manag ing Director Mika Singer. "The family came, still dealing with tremendous amount of isolation," said Singer. "They were new to the community. They were concerned about how they would be received in the community. They were dealing with very limited economic resources, and were concerned about im migration issues, but more important, they were con cerned about their youngest baby not appearing to be doing very well, and they didn't know how to access medical help. ! "At Crecer, they met other families sharing many of the same issues. They gained so cial support and the mom was also able to learn about an organization in town, Centro Latino Americano that helped with immigration questions and referred her to a program called, "Healthy Tomorrows" that provides medical services. They were able to get their baby assessed and relieve the mother's concerns. "They continued in the group and became more and more integrated into the community. One of the things we know about the preven tion of child abuse is dealing with issues of isolation. Helping fami lies deal with stresses of their life. Helping them feel that they have resources and options. "Though we don't know if this family was heading down the path to child abuse, we addressed those risk factors." The Spirit Mountain Community Fund gave Birth To Three's Crecer program $30,761 in the third quar ter this year, which is all that kept the non-profit's doors open, said Singer. The group has received one previous grant of $22,235. In all last month, the Spirit Moun tain Community Fund awarded nearly $1 million in grants for this year's third quarter. More than half, of $488,051, went to education projects, and nearly one-quarter, or $201,500, went to benefit health oriented non-profits. Arts & Culture projects received $90,000, environmental preserva tion projects received $80,000, and public safety projects received $55,000. Tahana Whitecrow, a Native American-focused treatment facility in West Salem, received $2,820. Among the large grants this quarter, ONABEN, the Oregon Native American Business & En trepreneurship Network, received $25,000 for a project called, "Indi anpreneurship: Instructor Resource CD." This is the second grant for ONABEN. In 2000, the group also received $25,000 from the Com munity Fund. The Scio Girls and Boys Club re ceived a $40,000 challenge grant for Grant Appovals by City 1 4 1 17 1 t h 1 1 Albany Corvallis Cottage Grove Dallas Eugene Gresham Lake Oswego Portland Salem Scio Stayton Tlgard Geographically, nearly half, or 17, of 35 major grants awarded went to the Portland area, four went to Eu gene, three to Salem, two to Dallas, and one each went to projects in Scio, Stayton, Tigard, Wilsonville, Albany, Corvallis, Cottage Grove Gresham and Lake Oswego. In addition, the Community Fund made seven small grants to businesses and non-profits with annual budgets under $250,000. These grants, for $5,000 and under, amounted to $29,820. Small grants of $5,000 went to KeizerSalem Area Seniors, Clas sic Greek Theatre, NW Portland Ministries and a non-profit called Nomadic Teacher. The Mt. Angel Community Foun dation received a grant for $4,500. The Software Association of Oregon received a grant for $2,500, and a new facility. The group is the only provider of after school services in this small community. Stand for Children, an advocate for school funding, received $50,000 to improve educational opportuni ties in Oregon. Stand for Children works with local communities to address issues with the educational system. The group has received two prior grants totaling $87,500. The Portland Opera Association received $15,000 for the 200607 Tour of "Hansel and Gretel." This will be an educational version with a 12-week tour beginning in February of 2007. It will include a curriculum for teachers, and aimed at third and fifth graders across the state who are tested annu ally to meet No Child Left Behind standards. Benton Habitat for Humanity in Corvallis received $50,000 to help the group purchase a building to house the Habitat store. People from all perspectives and ages are partnered in meaningful vol unteer tasks to build community and mentor youth in work ethics and creativity. This is the group's first grant from the Community Center. The Oregon Donor Program re ceived $25,000 for a donor registry. The group's mission is to save and enhance lives through the promo tion of organ and tissue donation. This project will help fund the new statewide donor registry program. It acts as a consent for donation (eliminating the need for family consent), and it also will be used as a tool to mo tivate new donors. This is the first Community Fund grant to the group. The Children's Justice Alliance of Portland re ceived $40,000 for a proj ect called, "And How Are The Children." The group is dedicated to improv ing the lives and future outcomes for Oregon chil dren who have at least one parent involved in the criminal justice system. The group offers training and support to community decision makers on how to interact with children of incarcerated parents. The group previously received a grant of $70,000 from the Community Fund. Planned Parenthood of Eugene, Sable House of Dallas, the YWCA of Salem, the Gresham-Barlow Edu cational Foundation, the Stayton Public Library Foundation, and the SW Polk County Rural Fire District also received grants this quarter. 'These grants will help individuals overcome obstacles, help non-profits improve the work they do, and in form decision makers on issues that affect the financial decisions that they make," said Community Fund Director Shelley Hanson.' "We are proud to offer funding to the arts groups, policy shapers and others that received funding this round. We appreciate the work that they do to keep Oregon a vibrant state with healthy citizens." Tribal Housing Building Expansion 1 New An addition was recently constructed on the existing Tribal housing maintenance building. The addition will be used as extra storage for equipment. Watkins Will Move On try Cm fft im mriirfSifii tun NiiiiMiiiiiiiiimnihi iT-A k J Farewell Health & Wellness Director Michael Watkins (second from left) resigned from his Tribal position on Wednesday, July 1 9 to take on a similar position in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shown here is Tribal Council members Kathleen Tom (I to r), Reyn Leno and Wesley "Buddy" West.
