2015 summer hotsheet newsletter
DESCRIPTION
Find out what is happening at Northwest Family ServicesTRANSCRIPT
Northwest Family Services is an award winning, leading provider of creative services that reduce
poverty. The MISSION supports child well-being and family stability programs and services.
6200 King Rd. Portland, OR 97222
(503) 546-6377 www.nwfs.org
Join US NWFS hosts community-wide luncheons for anyone interested to learn more
about us.
Next Open Hou:se September 16 Time: Noon—1pm
6200 SE King Rd. Portland OR 97222 *No Request Event
Contact us to RSVP: Jackie Vargas at 503.546-6377 or [email protected]
NWFS Partners We Partner with over 300 organizations. Here are a few: (Alphabetically listed)
AARP Tax Aide
Care Oregon
Clackamas County
Gladstone School District
Gresham Police Department
Health Share of Oregon
Leupold & Stevens Foundation
Milwaukie Police Department
North Clackamas School District
Oregon City School District
Oregon Health Authority
Providence Health & Services
Reynolds School District
Umpqua Bank
Univision Portland
Vancouver School District
Live Grow Succeed
Northwest Family Services News presented for Summer 2015
Programs Youth Solutions
Health Navigation
Counseling
Jobs / Career Fit
Parenting Inside Out
SymptoPro
Lasting Relationships
And More...
What do you think of when you imagine a Jiu Jitsu Black
Belt? A person who is disciplined and confident right?
Well, “even a black belt needs a confidence boost at
times,” says NWFS Employment Specialist Carlos
Torres. In early spring 2015, Scott Isom walks into the
Northwest Family Services’ office after completing his
job readiness workshop. He is a man in his late 20s, and
had never held a formal job in his life. Isom had lived in
his parents’ home since high school and was admittedly
depressed. While he shared that he holds a black belt
in Jiu Jitsu, Scott was not standing tall, and sheepishly
looked down at the ground. Then he sat slumped into a
seat with the NWFS employment specialist.
Torres explained that he spent a couple hours with Scott
just interviewing him and trying to get a better
understanding of his situation and how best he could
help him. Ultimately, “we just talked a lot about build-
ing self-confidence and I gave him a considerable
number of interview tips,” says Torres. Torres then set-
up a follow-up appointment where the two would
create his resume and go after job leads. “After the ini-
tial meeting, I felt it would take a considerable amount
of time for me to be able to secure any kind of employ-
ment for such an introverted and unsure young man,”
said Torres, “he was terrified at the prospect of being
interviewed for a job for the first time in his life.”
Isom missed the follow-up appointment and Carlos Torres wondered what had
happened. “He showed up to the office to apologize for the missed meeting,
but I could hardly recognize the new Scott,” Torres clarified, “he walked in
with so much confidence, his head held high, and a big smile.”
Scott, immediately not wasting any time after talking with Torres and without a
resume, had walked into the local Grocery Outlet Store. He asked for an em-
ployment application, and boldly requested to meet the Store Manager. After
being introduced, the manager interviewed him on the spot! Two
days later, Scott started his new job as a Cashier and Customer Service Clerk.
Isom says, “Northwest Family Services changed my life for the better!” Up-
date: Since working with NWFS and being hired at Grocery Outlet, Scott
Isom has now added to his accomplishments the position of co-teaching mar-
tial arts with his former Jiu Jitsu Sensai. Congratulations on your success, Scott!
Black Belt Regains Confidence
www.lastingrelationships.org
Serving adults within the child welfare and criminal
justice system.
“I had no confidence in myself. In PIO I accomplished
something each week. Those little successes gave me the
confidence to keep going; I was willing to try something
bigger. Now I am part of my children’s lives. I am their
mom.”
I won a year-long custody battle of my autistic 8 year-old son, which left me financially drained and emotionally
beaten. I found myself living in a shelter with my son, excited to be safe as a family, but stressed over what to do
now. Thanks to the shelter’s partnership with NWFS, I had the chance to participate
in a workshop series.
The NWFS facilitator, CarrieAnn, brought a lot of knowledge that I lacked
regarding proper parenting methods. She provided many helpful things that made
me feel energized and excited to put practices into action.
As the classes continued I found myself moving away from my previous, ineffective
methods such as doing things out of habit or instinct. Now, I stop to think how this
will affect my son and his unique needs. Our relationship and connection is
growing stronger by the day. Thank you NWFS!
Studies of families with fathers actively involved in both childcare and household responsibilities, reported
preschoolers who showed increased cognitive competence, increased capacity for empathy, increased self-
control, and a decrease in gender-stereotyped beliefs.
NWFS staff is trained in several evidence-based early childhood development programs. These programs
include: Making Parenting a Pleasure, The Incredible Years, and Nurturing Parenting. All these workshops are
similar in approach, goals and vary in length.
Bruce, 55 year-old father of a special needs child —Shares His Experience:
Featured Program: Early Childhood Development - Parenting Workshops
Partnering with 12 schools
Middle and High School
Afterschool programs and mentoring
Developing youth leaders
Summer Programs
School-wide assemblies
Case Coordination
Drug, Alcohol, Gang, and other risk prevention education
Serving 13,000+ students annually
What We Do:
Peer Court acts as a diversion program that is
designed to give youth ages 12-17 with first-time,
low-level law violations a chance to repair harm
and show accountability for their actions without
involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Youth, under the direction of professional
attorneys, work as defense attorney, prosecuting
attorney, and jury. The jury decides what type of
accountability fits for the law violation.
Quick Fact: In 2014, Northwest Family Services (NWFS) graduated 90% of all students who worked with us
(graduating high school or advancing to the next grade level) while the entire State of Oregon only graduated
72% of all Oregon High School students.
This program saves Oregon Taxpayers a conservative $25,000 each year, per youth. This represents the cost of a person in an Oregon prison. Collectively from over 600 youth who have successfully gone through peer court
as participants, Peer Court has saved Oregon Taxpayers $15 million dollars!
“Youth are five times more likely to graduate if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult.”
NWFS’ Counseling Department provides
professional counseling to individuals, couples, and
families in the areas of: Depression, Anxiety, Grief,
Parenting, Trauma, Eating Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Stress, and Pregnancy Loss.
What We Do:
Clinical Manager, Ruth Hayes-Barba, says,“ Almost
everyone at some point in their life needs a safe place
to sort things out and make sense of what they feel
and what is going on in their life. Counseling
provides the environment where this can happen.”
NWFS Counseling Staff:
In 2012, in partnership with Clackamas County, NWFS successfully launched a middle and high school
mentoring program serving children of incarcerated parents. Since that time, over 60 youth have been
served with an intensive mentoring case management program, served by a full-time coordinator.
Sadly, according to a US Senate Report, youth of incarcerated parents are up to 70% more likely to be
involved in the criminal justice system themselves. NWFS helps to meet this challenge as youth are five
times more likely to graduate high school if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult. This in turn
has a direct impact on avoiding future involvement with the criminal justice system.
Deceptions is a cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind awareness
curriculum for schools that warns local teens about the
growing issue of child sex trafficking in our community.
The overarching goal of the Deceptions program is to
increase adolescents’ awareness about the issue of child sexual exploitation, trafficking and internet
safety through a three-hour, interactive, classroom-based education series. This program also provides
community awareness events periodically through-out the year. Learn more at
What We Do:
Please join us in supporting the Deceptions program and help prevent Slavery
with a donation. Human Trafficking is the 2nd Largest Criminal Trade
Worldwide, just below Drugs. Sadly, the Portland Metro Area is among the
Highest Human Trafficking cities within the US. Since 2011, when the Deceptions
program was created at the request of local law enforcement, over 15,000 local
youth have gone through this nationally acclaimed awareness program. In
addition, Deceptions has trained over 300 speakers delivering this message
across America to thousands more.
HOW Can I Help?
It’s Easy – Text Deceptions to 71777 or sign up @:
http://igfn.us/vf/Deceptions
NWFS Values Diversity Northwest Family Services believes in treating all people
with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Programs
The programs and services of Northwest Family Services
are available to everyone regardless of ethnicity,
nationality, disabilities, religion, gender, sexual orientation
or any other legally protected status. Our programs and
services are appropriate according (e.g., age, geographic
location) to Northwest Family Services’ funding streams.
NWFS has a diversity committee to assist the organization in
improving our cultural responsiveness. The committee works with the Diversity Manager to develop
opportunities to increase the level of cultural competency among our staff. Also, NWFS has contracted
with Diversity Resource Group, as an ongoing consultant in all efforts to introduce and support diversity
work at NWFS.
Employment & Volunteering
Northwest Family Services considers applicants for employment/internships/volunteering without regard
to sex, race, age, religion, national origin, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation or any other legally
protected status. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities when it
would not be an undue hardship.
For More Information Or To Get Involved:
Contact: Abigail Wells: (503) 546-6377 or [email protected]
MISSION: To collaborate with partners of the North
Clackamas Community to apply strategies that
will create community wide change in order to
reduce underage drinking, marijuana, and
prescription drug use.
Vibrant Future Coalition needs YOU to Help Put The UNITY
Back Into Our CommUNITY!
JUNE 29 - JULY 30
SUMMER KAOS Summer Day Camp
Monday through Thursday at Kraxberger Middle
School
Open to incoming 5th—8th Graders
Cost: $25—includes trip to Oaks Park
Registration Limited to 100 students
Summer KAOS is an exciting day-time program filled with
adventure, exploration, and fun opportunities. Each day,
youth will be provided with a snack and a lunch through the
Gladstone free lunch program. Activities will vary daily but
may include chances to participate in soccer, kickball,
basketball, dodge ball, art/crafts, knitting, gardening,
ultimate frisbee, hip hop, capture the flag and much more.
If this sounds like an OPPORTUNITY for your student, please
fill out a registration form and return it to the Gladstone
School District office. Transportation is not provided.
Contact: Kayla Rask—[email protected] or
503-655-3636 ext. 598
NWFS now offers Mammogram Screenings!
Recently, NWFS was awarded a $110,000 grant
from Susan G Komen Foundation to assist Latinas
age 40 and older to obtain mammograms! Latinas
are considerably more likely to be diagnosed
with Stage 3 or 4 cancer. This vital work will allow
NWFS to connect women to services and ultimately save lives. Thank you Susan G. Komen
Foundation! Learn more at nwfs.org .
Community Health Worker Program Now At
Kaiser Permanente Mt. Scott Clinic!
NWFS is expanding its Community Health Worker pilot program now to include Kaiser
Permanente Mt. Scott Clinic beginning May 2015. Community Health Workers (CHW)
build awareness and skills surrounding high blood pressure, diabetes, breast health,
nutrition, exercise, and mental health. Ultimately, the goals and activities of CHWs will
help to decrease the amount of patient time that would otherwise clog up the Kaiser
emergency department rooms. Collectively from all CHWs working together, significant
savings to the Oregon Taxpayer, hospitals, and patients themselves will be gained.
Healthy People 2020 says, “The leading causes of illness and death among adolescents
and young adults are largely preventable.” Annually, $700 billion is spent on costs
directly and indirectly associated with preventable adolescent health problems.
Community Health Workers are frontline public health workers who are trusted
members of and or have an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting
relationship enables a CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the
community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service
delivery. CHW also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-
sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, and
social support and advocacy.
The Oregon jobless problem remains a serious challenge for
Oregonians. In November 2014, the Oregon rate of
unemployment was 7.0%, according to the US Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Northwest Family Services is committed to reducing
the Oregon jobs problem and making big impact upon family
stability. Our Employment Assistance Department, CareerFit,
provides job seekers with readiness skills, one-on-one
coaching, and connections to employers. Also, this program
will not only help people become employed, it enables a family
the opportunity to secure employer paid health insurance.
This work is critical as Oregon cannot afford the cost of $1.67
Billion Dollars paid out in annual unemployment benefits.
The Northwest Family Services’ Jobs program yields massive gains and savings for Oregon— 2014 Impacts :
132 people secured a job thanks to NWFS, representing an approximate $3,200,947 in income per year.
67% of participants were placed in full time jobs and 33% in part time jobs.
Those 132 people who have secured jobs are now saving taxpayers from unmade unemployment claims.
NWFS Impacts Economy through Employment Assistance!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015, from 12pm—1pm
6200 SE King Rd. Portland, OR 97222