Edward Center “A Lifetime of Hope” Helps Adults with Disabilities

Patricia Reser, board chair of Reser’s Fine Foods, and Dr. Jean Edwards, Edwards Center’s founder and Board President.

Portland, September 25^th, 2013. Edward Center held its “A Lifetime of Hope” luncheon at the Multnomah Athletic Club and Patricia Reser, board chair of Reser’s Fine Foods, and Dr. Jean Edwards, Edwards Center’s founder and Board President helped celebrate the organization’s success. Through sponsorship and donations, the afternoon raised over $200,000 to support Edwards Center’s mission to enhance the lives of adults with developmental disabilities, making it Edwards Center’s most successful fundraising event ever.

Edwards Center has served adults with developmental disabilities since 1972, when there were few services outside of the state institution.

Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten and Edwards Center Executive Director Jessica Leitner

Noted jazz artist and Edwards Center Tom Grant performs for a packed room at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Steve Chambers accepts an award for Edward Enterprises’ “Customer of the Year” from Edwards Center founder Dr. Jean Edwards.

Comcast’s Steve Chambers was on hand to accept an award as Edwards Enterprises’, Edwards Center’s vocational program in Beaverton, “Customer of the Year”.

The crowd of 315 then heard from Dr. Jean Edwards, founder of Edwards Center and professor emerita of Special Education at PSU, about the importance of community in the lives of adults with disabilities. Dr. Edwards explained the dream she and Edwards Center’s founding families had in 1972 for a lifespan of services for people with disabilities, much like the services that Edwards Center offers today.

Three Edwards Center families shared their loved ones’ stories. Dick and Sharon Bech, Judy and Lance Zifka, and Ann Yerke Perrins all had deeply emotional stories of the adversity their families have faced, as well as the hope and joy they’ve experienced as their families became involved with Edwards Center. Edwards Center makes a promise to each of its clients’ families: to care for their loved ones throughout their entire lives, no matter what.

A Lifetime of Hope was made possible through presenting sponsors Vernier Software and Lampros Properties, as well as the support of: Anthro Corporation, Banner Bank, Bonita Pioneer, Beecher Carlson, Pacific Office Automation, Precision Graphics, and Wells Fargo. Additional sponsorships from Garvey, Schubert, Barer Law; CGC Financial; US Bank; Packaging Concepts; and the Craig Reger Group also supported A Lifetime of Hope’s production.

About Edwards Center

Edwards Center began as a day program that served just 6 individuals and in 1975 opened the first group home in Washington County housing disabled adults in the community. Today they provide homes, jobs, and recreational opportunities in 18 locations serving over 300 Oregonians with disabilities in Washington and Clackamas Counties.

Edwards Center’s mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them reach their highest potential through training, education, employment, housing and social opportunities in safe, healthy and stimulating environments.

http://www.edwardscenter.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4vPo3lCRt8

Office: (503) 642-1581 x211

Cell: (503) 314-8142

http://www.edwardscenter.org/

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.