Portland, OR. “Reach for the Stars” was the theme of the 10th Annual De La Salle North Catholic High School Fall Benefit. The popular gala was held at the high school facility on North Fenwick Avenue and raised $522,000. Organizers thanked members of the Class of 2020 who helped serve dinner and the parents, faculty, and staff who volunteered for the October 24th fundraiser. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas)
Phil Silver, Marty Brantley, Cyndy Maletis, Fred Jubitz
VP for Advancement Ashleigh de Villiers, Martha Richards and Alice McCartor pose with the recipients of this year’s Cassin Award, Barb and Steve Spence. HS President Oscar Leong also extends his congratulations.
Senior Juan Larazo addresses the gathering.
Michael Alexander, Board Member Milt Coleman, David Leonard
Founder Matt Powell and Tom Brenneke
Kim Malek (center) of Salt & Straw
Sanda Stein and Cooper DuBois
Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne Nelson, Amy Donohue, HS President Oscar Leong
Werner Nistler of Touchmark
Fred and Gail Jubitz
Brittney Clark and Chris Brooks
Carolyn Murphy raises her paddle.
Alumna Khadjia Bruce (on right) and her family return to support the school.
Here’s a video featuring Khadija Bruce, De La Salle North Catholic High’s Class of 2015, (George Fox Class of 2019.) She shares her journey to become a 5th-grade teacher at Sabin Elementary.
From De La Salle North Catholic High:
Our mission is to provide an affordable, college preparatory, faith-based education to young men and women throughout the Portland metro area with limited financial resources. Over 325 years ago, St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers and their schools, established the practice of providing a Christian education to the young, especially those who are most on the margins of society. Today, along with the support and sponsorship of the De La Salle Christian Brothers (San Francisco New Orleans District), De La Salle North Catholic strives to continue this mission.
Since the school was founded in 2001, our school has continued to grow and develop into a community of dedicated teachers and staff who, along with our many corporate work-study partners and volunteers, provide our unique education to capable, motivated and interested young people.
What is so unique about our school:
Our school turns no one away based on an inability to pay tuition. Even though our tuition is more than $10,000 less than any other private, Catholic high school in our area, most of our families still would find it hard to afford our low tuition.
Every student in our school works five days each month at “real-world” jobs. Not only does the money they earn at these jobs off-set nearly 50% of the cost to educate each student, but the work experience is life-changing for them. We are a founding member of the Cristo Rey Network® of schools which, today, number over 30 and are located in every major urban area throughout the United States.
In that we are a relatively small, faith-based school, we can provide a safe and supportive environment where students truly do “enter to learn and leave to serve” (our school’s motto).
Our students don’t simply graduate high school; over 95% have been accepted to colleges and universities—each and every year. Our students go to college with employable skills which help them pay for their college education, which ultimately, will help them break the cycle of poverty. Their success is a result of a culture of goal setting and achieving high standards by blending rigorous academics, four years of professional work experience and Catholic morals.
So, on behalf of our religious sponsor, the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the Board of Trustees and the entire De La Salle North Catholic community, thank you for your interest and we invite you to come visit our students and experience our unique, innovative, and transformational school! More information at: https://www.delasallenorth.org/
Portland, OR. Edison High School welcomed 350 guests to the Oregon Zoo for its annual Partner with Edison Breakfast. Edison supporters Elizabeth Gewecke and Catherine Bekooy visited with Edison parent Diane Engelhard at the event. Guests heard from junior Grace Penaflor, alumnus Jensen Clarke, and Edison teacher Rachel Hansen about the importance of Edison High School. The benefit on November 1st generated $220,000 to help support financial aid, technology, and professional development. Edison is the only high school of its kind in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with learning differences. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Blake Howells, Steven Klein, and Tyler Kaluza
David Squire, the parent of a current Edison senior, shares his “Edison Story” about the positive impact the school has had on his entire family.
Desiree Baldocchi and Leslie Ganz get up early to support Edison.
Kristen Leonard arriving for the event.
John Russell enjoys the Partner with Edison Breakfast.
From Edison High School:
Our Mission
Edison High School empowers students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth, while preparing them for the future. We are guided by a set of Core Values. Edison is student-centered and characterized by attunement, collaboration, dedication, accesssibility and organization; our students become future-ready. We have a very low student:teacher ratio, an excellent student support program, a unique educational approach and methodologies specific to students with learning differences. Learn more on our General Information tab!
Student Profile
Edison High School is open to students who have learning differences such as Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Visual Perception and Nonverbal Learning Disorders. Students are referred by parents, schools, counselors, tutors and medical professionals. Each student and family is interviewed prior to admission and evaluated by staff to ensure a good fit. We have a close-knit community, a welcoming and safe environment and vibrant student life.
The History of Edison High School
Our school was founded in 1973 as the Tree of Learning. For many years, students were taught in portable classrooms on the Jesuit High School campus. In 1992, we moved into a brand-new building of our own, changing our school’s name to Thomas A. Edison High School in honor of the famed American inventor who had a learning difference. In 2014, we streamlined the school’s name to Edison High School. Students also take classes in a satellite building in the Valley Plaza next door.
Edison High School is accredited through AdvancED (formerly Northwest Association of Accredited Schools).
Portland, OR. Financial Beginnings Oregon and Portland Parks Foundation have been named the Bank of America 2019 Neighborhood Builders winners. The nonprofits are being recognized for providing essential services that benefit the Portland-area community and promote economic and social progress. Financial Beginnings will use the resources to reach an additional 5,000 Oregonians with free financial education. Portland Parks Foundation, a fundraising partner for Portland Parks & Recreation, plans to expand its Summer Free For All Lunch + Play program that brings free, healthy meals to parks with their funds.
Through the Neighborhood Builders program, each nonprofit receives $200,000 in flexible funding, a year of leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader at the organization, a network of peer organizations across the country and volunteering support from BofA.
“We recognize the critical role that local nonprofits play to build pathways to economic progress in the Portland community. Through Neighborhood Builders, we connect nonprofits like Financial Beginnings Oregon and the Portland Parks Foundation to the funding and leadership development resources they need to further scale their impact,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America’s Market President in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Both of these nonprofits do extraordinary work, so I am pleased we are able to bring forward this additional support at a particularly strategic time for them.”
Financial Beginnings Oregon will use its award to establish the “Bank of America Financial Empowerment Fellowship.” With Bank of America’s funds, they will recruit and train a cohort of diverse student leaders each year to serve as Fellows. Fellows will receive leadership and skills training, and will then bring financial education programs back into their own communities. Overall, the organization anticipates the Fellows will provide free financial education to an additional 5,000 Oregonians each year.
“The $200,000 investment will help us reach more Oregonians with critical financial literacy training,” said Kate Benedict, Executive Director of Financial Beginnings Oregon. “We know that communities learn best from a member of their own community. The Bank of America Financial Empowerment Fellowship is our chance to make sure Portland-area communities attain valuable financial teachings from their own student leaders. This program will help us reach significantly more Oregonians than ever with life-changing, free financial education programs.”
The Portland Parks Foundation — Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) nonprofit fundraising partner — will use the funding to significantly expand PP&R’s Summer Free For All Lunch + Play program, which brings free, healthy meals to parks in communities where 50 percent or more of kids under 18 are eligible for free-and-reduced lunches. The program serves as a nutritional bridge during the summer months for kids who rely on school lunches. Additionally, the Neighborhood Builders investment will enable the purchase and design of customized vehicles to deliver needed community services via PP&R’s Mobile Lunch + Play program in neighborhoods without good access to parks.
“Thanks to Bank of America, thousands more Portland children will receive a free, healthy meal,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. “The Neighborhood Builders grant strengthens our long-standing partnership with Bank of America. Thanks to our philanthropic partner the Portland Parks Foundation and to Roger Hinshaw and Monique Barton at Bank of America for their commitment to Portland families.”
Randy Gragg, Portland Parks Foundation’s Executive Director, added: “The Bank of America Neighborhood Builders grant will allow us to bring a lot of the fun of a park directly to kids, right where they live. With our city growing so quickly, Mobile Lunch + Play is a fast, effective and innovative way to better serve more of our city’s children and reach new neighborhoods.”
Monique Barton, senior vice president at Bank of America in Portland, added that both nonprofits have long histories of partnering with Bank of America through traditional foundation grants that span many years. Over that time, both nonprofits consistently demonstrated impact, reach and successful two-way partnership. “We remain impressed by the visions of Financial Beginnings and the Portland Parks Foundation. They are both doing tremendous work to elevate opportunities available to young people in Portland, and we look forward to seeing what more they’re able to achieve with this additional investment,” Barton said. “The programs they are earmarking the funds for, are very worthy causes with the potential to make a real difference in helping local youth and families.”
From Bank of America:
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts.
Financial Beginnings:
Founded in 2005, Financial Beginnings Oregon is a nonprofit organization that provides free financial education programs across the state. Our mission is to empower youth and adults to take control of their financial futures. To accomplish this, we partner with schools and community-based organizations across the state to provide free financial education to the communities they serve, preparing participants of all ages to make important financial decisions wisely and well. Learn more about Financial Beginnings Oregon at www.finbegor.org and connect with us on Twitter at @finbegor.
Portland Parks Foundation:
The Portland Parks Foundation is dedicated to connecting Portlanders to nature and to each other through the city’s parks, public spaces and natural areas. We lead, develop partnerships and raise money to fund new facilities, enhance existing ones, and support programs to put our parks system within reach of all. We are the chief philanthropic partner of Portland Parks & Recreation, which helps Portlanders play by providing the safe places, facilities and programs that promote physical, mental and social activity. Since our founding in 2001, PPF’s impact has stretched across the entire city. For more information on Portland Parks & Recreation’s Mobile Lunch + Play and other Summer Free For All programs, please click here.
Portland, OR. The third annual “#MyRCH: An Evening to Celebrate Kids” drew over 350 supporters and raised $500,000 for Randall Children’s Hospital At Legacy Emanuel. Organizers say the October 17th gala at the Left Bank Annex was a fun and engaging way to support vulnerable children in our community. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas)
Guests at the #MyRCH Gala saw demonstrations from providers at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
Guests had the opportunity to learn about the care provided at Randall Children’s Hospital (RCH) through interactive experiences, and hear patient families share their #MyRCH stories.
From Randall Children’s Hospital:
Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel (RCH) offers the most modern approach to children’s health care – blending the finest in medical services with family-friendly spaces and patient care procedures designed to reduce stress on patients and their families. RCH is a regional leader in the care of infants, children and teens with over 150,000 patient visits per year.
RCH provides care for anyone who walks through our doors regardless of their ability to pay. Your generous support helps enhance patient experiences and high-quality care:
Purchasing new technology
Piloting new approaches to care
Supporting the psychological and emotional needs of children and their families
Oregon City, OR. Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS) raised a historic $125,000 for individuals and families escaping domestic violence at its annual Pathways Gala and Auction at The Abernethy Center in Oregon City on October 17th. More than 250 guests came to support core programming for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including emergency shelter, counseling, confidential advocacy, and children’s programming. Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas; Bill Stewart; Senator Rob Wagner; Laurie Wagner supported the event. (Photo credit, Juliana Patrick)
Catharine Koch; Kristin Schlotterbeck; Ashley McArdle; Chief Deputy District Attorney John Wentworth; Clackamas County Undersheriff Angela Brandenburg; A Safe Place Director Lt. Michael Copenhaver; Clackamas Women’s Services Executive Director Melissa Erlbaum
Executive Director Melissa Erlbaum
Keynote speaker and Cheif Operating Officer of Self Enhancement, Inc. Libra Forde
Libra Forde provided the keynote address, commending the community for its ongoing engagement in breaking the isolation of domestic and sexual violence, and supporting survivors in accessing safety. Guests also heard from a survivor of human trafficking who shared her experience finding safety at The Village, the organization’s emergency shelter. The event is the largest fundraising event of the year for Clackamas Women’s Services and most successful fundraiser in the non-profit’s 34-year history.
Supporters at the event included Senator Rob Wagner, Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts, Tribal Council member Denise Harvey, and Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader. The gala included a Golden Ticket Raffle, Wall of Wine, Wonder Wall, and Live Auction.
Funds raised at the gala will also contribute to several new endeavors the organization launched this year: the Legal Empowerment Accelerator Program (LEAP), a legal incubator program to provide civil legal services for survivors; Communities for Safe Kids, a school-based child sexual abuse prevention program; and the Elder Abuse Program.
Event sponsors included Castparts Employee Federal Credit Union, The Doctors Company, and PCC Structurals.
People experiencing domestic or sexual violence can contact a confidential advocate with Clackamas Women’s Services for help and support through their 24-hour crisis line at 1-888-654-2288. Community members looking to support Clackamas Women’s Services can email [email protected] to become involved.
From Clackamas Women’s Services: Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS) formed in 1985 when community members saw their community impacted by domestic violence and banded together to create a solution. CWS grew out of neighbors opening their homes and sharing what they had in hopes of building a safer community for families. Since that time, CWS has grown beyond shelter to offer a wide range of services for anyone experiencing domestic and sexual violence from initial crisis through to long-term healing. They continue the legacy of working with community members, emergency responders, social services partners, and local businesses to build communities that protect and support survivors. Those interested in working with CWS through volunteer service or financial support can find more information on their website. To learn more, please visit https://www.cwsor.org/. The 24-hour crisis line is 1-888-654-2288.
The annual Pathways Gala will be held again next year on October 8th at The Abernethy Center.
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