Sponsored Portland, OR. On Wednesday, February 7th, a circle of artists, storytellers, and supporters will gather at the Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare HEART Reception to address issues of health, healing, and hope and how they impact women’s lives. The reception at The Evergreen PDX, at 618 SE Alder St., in Portland is from 6:00pm-8:00pm. You can learn more about it at https://www.cascadiabhc.org/give-to-cascadia/events/
Tickets are $40/each. If you have questions, email [email protected] or call 503.927.0630. Valet parking will be provided.
Artist who will be featured at the Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare HEART Reception include the following:
The Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare HEART Reception is just one of the activities drawing people to the organization. The nonprofit is also celebrating a successful round of fundraising at its inaugural Gala: Bridging a Culture of Caring and already planning for the next year’s Gala which will take place on April 5th, 2018 at Peter Corvallis Productions Warehouse.
Event organizers for the 2017 gala thanked their supporters saying, “With our heartfelt gratitude, we thank our 360 Gala guests whose generosity made it possible to set an exceptional record for our inaugural Gala – raising nearly $300,000. We are grateful for our sponsors, donors, guests, volunteers, and our community partners for joining us in our goal to open the new Garlington Health & Wellness Center in spring 2018. Our Gala featured an incredible circle of Portland community members, supporters, volunteers, caregivers, artists and musicians who collectively Bridge a Culture of Caring throughout Portland. Thank you for creating a remarkable evening in support of mental health care, wellness and affordable housing for all!”
Arvie Smith was honored at the 2017 Gala: Bridging a Culture of Caring.
Mrs. Yvonne Garlington, Jr.
And also coming up:
Cascadia capital campaign donors, prospective supporters and community members sign up for a:
Hard Hat Construction Preview Tour of the Garlington Campus 4pm to 5pm Thursdays at the Garlington Campus…
2017: November 16, 30; December 7, 14 2018: January 11, 18, 25; February 8, 15, 22 or March 1
Tours begin promptly at 4pm.
Wear closed-toe shoes.
Community Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration of the Garlington Campus is scheduled for May 4, 2018.
503-238-0769
ABOUT CASCADIA BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE: Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is a private, not-for-profit whose mission is to provide healing, homes and hope for people living with mental health and addiction challenges. For information on Cascadia’s comprehensive range of innovative clinical and housing support programs. www.cascadiabhc.org.
As of April 1, 2017, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) and part of a national two-year demonstration project to measure the benefits of expanding the integration of mental, substance use and physical health care. Cascadia’s three CCBHC clinics in Portland will expand this federal designation of services and serve as models for an innovative approach to mental health that treats each patient holistically, leading to improved mental and physical health, lower catastrophic care costs, and reduced stigma surrounding mental health and substance use. This project places Oregon in the national spotlight for health care reform. Oregon was one of just eight states chosen to participate in the two-year program, and Cascadia is one of only 13 organizations selected statewide.
Portland, OR. Ted Austin, board chair for Portland Center Stage at The Armory, announced that Artistic Director Chris Coleman will depart The Armory at the end of the current 2017 – 2018 season to become artistic director of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ (DCPA) Theatre Company. The official announcement was made on November 14th. (Coleman is pictured earlier this fall at the opening night party for “Fun Home” with his husband Rodney Hicks.)
“Chris Coleman’s impact on Portland Center Stage at The Armory for the past 17 years has been transformational,” said Board Chair Ted Austin. “Under his leadership, the theater has grown from a locally respected company producing six plays a year in a rented facility, to a nationally recognized leader in the field, producing eleven plays annually in two theaters in our beautiful home, The Armory. Audiences have more than doubled in size, and our budget has grown from $3 million to more than $10 million. It is no surprise that other theaters would see him as a strong candidate to bring new strength to their company, but it is still with a heavy heart that we wish him the best in his new adventure.”
“It has been the honor of my life to lead Portland Center Stage at The Armory for the past 17 (and a half) years, and one of the hardest parts of this decision was knowing that I would be leaving a city, a company, colleagues and friends that I have come to cherish deeply,” said Coleman.
Mary Boyle, immediate past board chair of the theater, noted that “the national reputation of Portland Center Stage at The Armory can be directly linked to the great work and advocacy of Chris Coleman in his 17 years as artistic director at this great Oregon institution.”
Coleman was the second artistic director at Portland Center Stage, following the company’s evolution to a theater independent from its founding organization, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He came to Portland from Atlanta, where he was the founding artistic director of Actors’ Express Theater. At the time he moved to Portland, Portland Center Stage produced primarily a mix of classic plays and established contemporary pieces. In the years since, Portland Center Stage at The Armory has expanded its repertoire to include both classic and new musicals; numerous world premieres; adaptations of classic and contemporary novels; and experimental fare. In addition, since the move to its new home at The Armory, Portland Center Stage has gained a national reputation in the field for its work in community engagement, serving more than 30,000 people through community programs on top of the more than 125,000 annually who attend the plays.
“We are fortunate that Chris will be with us through the rest of the season, as the board and staff craft a vision and carry out a search for our next artistic leader. He has two more projects to direct this season (Astoria: Part One and Part Two and Major Barbara), several more to produce, and will lead the company through the rest of this season,” noted Austin. “We look forward to spending time with him over the next few months and celebrating with him the continued success of Portland Center Stage at The Armory.”
PORTLAND CENTER STAGE AT THE ARMORY
Portland Center Stage at The Armory is the largest theater company in Portland and among the top 20 regional theaters in the country. Established in 1988 as a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the company became independent in 1994 and has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Chris Coleman since 2000. Around 160,000 visitors attend The Armory annually to enjoy a mix of classical, contemporary and world premiere productions, along with a variety of high quality education and community programs. 11 productions are offered each season, in addition to roughly 400 community events created — in partnership with 170+ local organizations and individuals — to serve the diverse populations in the city. As part of its dedication to new play development, the company has produced 21 world premieres and presents an annual new works festival, JAW: A Playwrights Festival. Home to two theaters, The Armory was the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue, to achieve a LEED Platinum rating.
Portland, OR. The Portraits of Courage fall luncheon at the Sentinel Hotel set a record for the Dougy Center, raising over $98,000 for grieving children and families served by the nonprofit. Dougy Center participant, Amy de Guzman, told supporters about the challenging journey she has been on with her young son since the death of her husband. The purpose of the event was to highlight The Dougy Center’s grief support group program, community trainings and interventions which the nonprofit provides locally, nationally and internationally. (Photo credit, Ilona LaRue Photography)
Betsy Maust, Diana Mitchell and event co-chair Mimi Mello enjoy time together at the Portraits of Courage Fall Luncheon
Bidder paddles raised high as event emcee, Jeff Gianola, KOIN 6 News anchor, starts the paddle raise.\\
The Dougy Center has supported grieving children worldwide for over 35 years, and have provided grief support to over 40,000 grieving children, teens, young adults, and their family members. The Dougy Center does not charge a fee for services nor does it receive government funding or insurance reimbursements.
From The Dougy Center:
The mission of The Dougy Center is to provide support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. Through our Pathways Program we provide a safe place for families facing an advanced serious illness.
The Dougy Center, the first center in the United States to provide peer support groups for grieving children, was founded in 1982. A courageous boy named Dougy Turno died of an inoperable brain tumor at the age of 13. In the two months prior to his death, he was a patient at Oregon Health Sciences University, where Beverly Chappell, at the request of Swiss psychiatrist and pioneer in the field of death, dying and bereavement, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, supported Dougy and his family during his treatment. Bev quickly observed Dougy’s ability to bond with other teens facing serious medical issues, how he intuitively knew he was dying, and how he helped other kids talk about their fears. After his death, Bev envisioned a place where children, teens, and their parents coping with the death of a family member, could share their experience with others who understood, who didn’t tell them to “get over it” or judge how they chose to grieve. The first grief support groups met in Bev’s home and has grown from that grassroots effort to become a sought after resource for children and families who are grieving. It is still the only year-round child-centered program offering peer support groups to grieving families in our community.
Today, The Dougy Center serves around 500 children and their 350 adult family members each month. Our 68 open-ended peer support groups meet every other week and are divided by age, type of death (illness, sudden death, murder, suicide) and who died (parent, sibling). Concurrent adult support groups meet at the same time for the caregiver of the child or teen who is attending group. Since our founding, The Dougy Center has served 40,000 children, teens and their families and has received national and international acclaim for our pioneering peer support model for helping children cope with the death of a family member.
We provide educational materials about children and grief and training opportunities to local and national agencies in need of our expertise. We are widely known for our groundbreaking grief support group model, and our expertise has spread nationally and internationally. Around the world, The Dougy Center’s pioneering model has been replicated through our trainings and the trainings of programs we’ve trained. We now estimate that there are over 500 organizations worldwide that are using our peer support group model and credit the Center with their founding.
The Dougy Center relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations. We receive no government funding and are supported entirely by private donations and professional training fees. We never charge families for our services.
Portland, OR. Ignite 2017, the Black & White Ball, was Oregon’s largest LGBTQ gala and dance party and biggest fundraiser of the year. Nearly 1,000 people attended the November 4th benefit for Basic Right Oregon including COAT Flagging Owner Val Solorazano, Shannon Scott and Morel, Ink Owner Bill Dickey. More than $320,000 was raised at the Black & White Ball to support policy, advocacy and education work statewide to ensure that LGBTQ Oregonians in every community in Oregon experience equality. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Juan Martinez with Oregon House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson and Byron Beck
Oregon Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer
Andrea Valderama, Aimee Wilson and House Speaker Tina Kotek
Diane Goodwin, PCC Board Chair Kali Thorne Ladd and Johnell Bell from Senator Jeff Merkley’s staff
Emcee Poison Waters
From Basic Rights Oregon:
Basic Rights Oregon is the primary policy advocacy organization for LGBTQ Oregonians. As such, we advocate for public policy that meets the needs of a breadth of our LGBTQ communities. Our policies are constructed with a deep understanding of what they will mean to LGBTQ communities of color, transgender communities, LGBTQ youth and LGBTQ people in every corner of the state.
In order to ensure that policy victories meet the most pressing needs of our communities, Basic Rights engages its board, staff and volunteer leaders in an annual issue selection process to inform both our legislative and administrative agenda. This feedback has led to the passage of critical state laws grounded in the needs of the community.
Our policy work is focused on how to improve the lives of LGBTQ Oregonians in concrete ways. We identify policy solutions that help increase access to needed services in healthcare. We work on legislation that improves the experience of LGBTQ students in Oregon schools. We’ve passed non-discrimination policies to protect LGBTQ Oregonians at work. We worked to ensure that all Oregonians can have the freedom to marry.
Statewide supporters play a critical role in moving our LGBTQ policies throughout the state. Telling your story and contacting elected officials in your area is critical to winning concrete victories for our community. Get involved! Volunteers can make a huge difference by:
Participating in phone banks
Writing letters to the editor
Sharing their story through written or in person testimony at hearings
Contacting their legislator
Attending lobby days
Signing petitions
To volunteer for our legislative work, contact us at [email protected]
Portland, OR. The Spotlight Award Ceremony on October 20th honored achievements and milestones in the field of public relations. Sue Van Brocklin, VP of PR at Coates Kokes posed for a photo with Dianne Danowski Smith. Smith was presented with three prestigious awards including: Pacific District PR Practitioner of the year, Paul M. Lund Award for Public Service and the Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award. The Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award honors the outstanding use of public relations to support community improvement and important causes. (Photo credit, Mahoney McKeon)
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is in the midst of a major celebration as it caps off a banner year in the state of Oregon. The nonprofit professional organization dedicated to the growth and advancement of the practice of public relations opted to merge Oregon’s three chapters – Portland, Oregon Capitol and Greater Oregon – into a unified, statewide chapter.
“By merging our chapters from three regional groups into one, statewide organization, it becomes much easier for us to connect and network,” said Colby Reade, APR, PRSA Oregon President. “It also opens up vast opportunities for our organization to offer a much wider range of professional development and skill-building resources to our members.”
The merger is the result of several years of deliberation and collaboration by members from all three chapters. The decision appears to be a success as the organization is enjoying a substantial membership increase year-over-year. The transition was celebrated during the annual the PRSA Spotlight Awards ceremony at the Willamette Valley Country Club.
Additional awards of excellence in the field of public relations including: Taraneh Fultz, APR, Olga M. Haley Mentorship Award. John Mitchell, APR, Fellow, Lifetime Achievement Award. Dianne Danowski Smith and Nicole Early, New Professional Award of Excellence.
CMD captured the most honors of the night for strategic public relations and social media campaigns.
Nicole Early, New Pro award recipient, Mark Mohammadpour, APR, Past President
Celebrating the 2017 Spotlight Awards
Here’s a video about the Ron Schmidt Community Involvement Award:
From PRSA Oregon:
The PRSA Oregon chapter, which serves approximately 300 public relations professionals in Oregon and Southwest Washington, supports lifelong professional development and honors excellence in public relations. More than one-fifth of chapter members have earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), the profession’s only national post-graduate certification program. The Oregon chapter is led by an all-volunteer board of professionals from across the state. Signature events include the annual Spotlight Awards, honoring excellence in public relations, and the Communicator’s Conference, a professional development event held once a year. The Oregon chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is one of 109 PRSA chapters across the country.
Founding Board Members of PRSA Oregon:
President: Colby Reade, APR,
President-Elect: Julie Williams, APR,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer: Dave Thompson, APR,
Secretary and Chief Operations Officer: Tracey Lam, APR,
Portland, OR. 300 Incight supporters decked out in costumes filled Portland’s PureSpace on October 28th for a Halloween bash dedicated to “Unlocking the Potential of People with Disabilities” through education, employment, and independence. Guest included Sarah Heiney, Incight co-founder Scott Hatley, and Meagan Kimball and Meredith Leichty. During the benefit, supporters watched a video honoring the co-founder of Incight. The video shows why Incight was founded and the vision and passion leading it forward.
After the video, Scott took the stage and announced that Incight was kicking off The Scott W. Hatley Endowment to fund Incight’s mission and vision indefinitely and donated $25,000 of his own money. This was the most successful Incight event to date, raising over $250,000.
Don Patterson and Emily Wooten
Dave and Veda Nomura
Jonathan & Mair Blatt
Monica Lindsey learning she won the raffle trip to New York from auctioneer Justin Timm, Benefit Auction 360.
Dan Friess, Emcee
Melissa Berube, Kindel Bonin, and Jamie Gibbs
From Incight: We could not have held this event without the generosity of our presenting sponsors: Safeway Foundation, Wells Fargo, and Immix Law Group. Other sponsors for our event include Arlene Schnitzer, Pac Met, Pacific Power, Bridge City Limo, Educational Excellence, Sage Built Homes, West Coast Event Productions, Mortgage Trust, Canyon Grill, Keen Healthcare, OSU Foundation, Miller Consulting Engineers, and The Boeing Company.From Incight:
Incight is a 501(c) 3 non-profit that has been Unlocking the Potential of People with Disabilities for over a decade. Incight’s services have influenced thousands of students, jobseekers, educators, parents, employers, and community members. The Incight mission has grown into a contagion that invites everyone to think, feel, and behave with more equity and expectancy. Incight celebrates and empowers the fact that “none of us are our costume.” Who we really are is so much greater.
Portland, OR. More than 540 supporters helped Make-A-Wish Oregon raise over $526,000 to bring joy to local children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish Oregon board member Jill Dulcich and her husband Frank Dulcich, president and CEO of Pacific Seafood, were the winning bidders of wish kid Violet’s special artwork titled “Love and Hope.” Presenting sponsors of the Wish Ball on October 13th were Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys and U.S. Bank. (Photo credit, Jeff Hinds, Toto Vo, Eugene Wong)
Wish Ball guest Sara Monterossi and Make-A-Wish Oregon board member Marilyn Brett chat with wish kid Saul before his opening speech at the VIP dinner at the Portland Art Museum.
Make-A-Wish Oregon board member J.P. Perfili, senior vice president and regional manager at U.S. Bank, takes time to have a little fun with wish kids Camden and Rachel.
Wish kid Nathan, who performed a moving rendition of the song “See You Again” on the cajon drum earlier in the evening, got a chance to dance with Wish Ball guests.
For the last 14 years, KATU anchor Debora Knapp has emceed Make-A-Wish Oregon’s gala. This year, wish kid Ella joined her on stage to pick the winner of the Golden Ticket raffle.
From Make-A-Wish Oregon:
Money raised will help the organization reach its goal of granting 258 wishes this coming year. Wish experiences have proven mental and emotional health benefits to children and their families, and is considered an integral part of the treatment plan by doctors. For more information on how you can be part of a wish-come-true, visit oregon.wish.org.
Portland, OR. More than 450 people gathered at the Oregon Convention Center to celebrate life’s silver linings at the annual Hearts & Hands Gala supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Oregon & Southwest Washington. The event, presented by the John L. Scott Foundation, raised over $630,000, making it the most successful fundraising event in RMHC’s history. Current Ronald McDonald House guests, the Moser family, from Central Point, Oregon, spoke about their 23 days at Portland’s Ronald McDonald Houses and the impact it has had on their family while son Dagan was recovering from being hit by a car. Dagan’s parents and two sisters joined him on stage.
The event also recognized RMHC’s 2017 Partner of Distinction – Coca-Cola Company – for its contributions to RMHC. Picture are, Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ann Tousignant, Coca-Cola Company and, Mary Ransome, RMHC Board Emeritus.
“Coca-Cola Company has provided tremendous support and funding for our Oregon Ronald McDonald Houses for more than three decades. They have made a difference in the lives of thousands of seriously ill children and families who come to stay and heal at our Houses,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller. “We are thrilled to recognize Coca-Cola Company as the 2017 Partner of Distinction.”
John L. Scott Foundation was the Presenting Sponsor.
The benefit on October 14th began with a red carpet greeting from Ronald McDonald, followed by a silent and live auction. Top auction items included a trip to Avignon France, private ocean front Kauai home, a trip to Napa Valley on a private jet, and an Oregon-themed “City Slickers” package.
From Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington:
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this year’s Hearts & Hands Gala and the tremendous impact it will have on our families with seriously ill children,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Our Houses provide silver linings for families who must travel far from home to get medical care for their children, and we are beyond grateful for the amazing outpouring of support of our sponsors and attendees.”
With over $630,000, – more than ever before – the impact to the three Oregon Ronald McDonald Houses is substantial. It costs RMHC $150 to host a family for one night, and the Gala’s success allows the organization to provide a loving “home away from home” for families for over 4200 nights. For families who must travel far from home and grapple with the stress and uncertainty of having a sick child, having a homey place to stay and a supportive community is priceless.
The sponsors who made the event possible, included: John L. Scott Foundation (Presenting Sponsor); Coca-Cola Company (Platinum Sponsor); Hoffman Construction Company, McDonald’s Owner/Operators, US Bank (Gold Sponsors); Baird, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Golden State Foods, Portland Trail Blazers, Turner Construction (Silver Sponsors); Kaiser Permanente, Netrush, Northwest Consulting and Marketing, Inc. (Bronze Sponsors); Barran Liebman, LLP, Moss Adam, LLC,
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Health Net, Douglas & Gloria Rumberger Foundation, DDI Benefits (Special Experience Sponsors).
Portland. OR. Oregon Food Bank’s warehouse underwent a glittering transformation for the Oregon Harvest Dinner and by the end of the evening, attendees and sponsors had contributed more than $760,000 to support hunger relief in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Mary Ellen Hannigan and outgoing Oregon Harvest Dinner event chair Syd Hannigan celebrated the record-breaking success of the gala. 500 guests enjoyed silent and live auctions, blues music by Reggie Houston and a seated dinner at the October 21st benefit.
Reggie Houston performing for the silent auction guests.
Guests Beth Quartarolo and Bill Froman bid during the silent auction.
A look at the how Oregon Food Bank’s warehouse is transformed to an elegant dining space.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits contributed to Oregon Harvest Dinner.
Attendees generously supported the Food Bank’s work to end hunger during the special appeal.
Jenny Hansson and Ken Boddie of KOIN 6 emceed the program.
“Your generosity is making our table longer, and stronger, and more bountiful each and every year,” said Oregon Food Bank CEO Susannah Morgan. “Thank you to each and every one of you for joining us at our table.”
The event was also a time to honor the dedication of volunteers and donors who work tirelessly behind the scenes in an effort to alleviate hunger. Sponsored by Pioneer Waterproofing, four Hunger Hero Awards were presented.
Donor of the Year – Safeway Albertsons: For its long term investment in helping people struggling with hunger through food and fund donations.
Food Donor of the Year – Bob’s Red Mill: For its significant and ongoing donations of healthy food to ensure everyone has access to good nutrition.
Jackie Fearing Volunteer Award – Charlie Valentino: For giving more than 2000 hours of service, being willing to take on any volunteer duty and always doing it with enthusiasm.
Jerry Tippins Advocacy Award – Bethlehem House of Bread: For its collaborative efforts to advocate on behalf of and with families and individuals who are facing hunger.
Hunger Hero Awards sponsors Libby and Mike Crawford of Pioneer Waterproofing, Jill McGinnis (Safeway), Charlie Valentino (Oregon Food Bank volunteer), Greg McNiff (Safeway, Portland region President), Bob Moore (Bob’s Red Mill), Pam May (Bethlehem House of Bread), Linda Dove (Bethlehem House of Bread), Susannah Morgan (Oregon Food Bank).
This video highlights the vital work done in our community to alleviate hunger:
Generous support for Oregon Harvest Dinner was provided by Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, Pioneer Waterproofing, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Hampton Affiliates, Safeway Albertsons, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Sysco Portland, Inc.
Oregon Food Bank works to eliminate hunger and its root causes… because no one should be hungry. Oregon Food Bank believes that hunger starves the human spirit, communities thrive when people are nourished, and everyone deserves healthy and fresh food. Oregon Food Bank helps feed the human spirit of more than 700,000 people through a food distribution network of four Oregon Food Bank branches and 17 regional food banks serving Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Oregon Food Bank also leads statewide efforts to increase resources for hungry families and to eliminate the root causes of hunger through public policy, local food systems work, nutrition and garden education, health care screening and innovative programming. Find out how to feed the human spirit at oregonfoodbank.org.
Portland, OR. More than 200 guests convened at the Exchange Ballroom to celebrate Raphael House of Portland’s 40th Anniversary, and commemorate four decades of building a brighter future that’s free from domestic violence. Garry Weil and Raphael House Board Member Theresa Weil visited with Emcee Brenda Braxton of KGW-TV and Jeff Pasquariello. The 40th Anniversary Gala, on October 19th, raised $280,000 to help break the cycle of violence for individuals and families. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)
Kevin Cook, also known as the legendary Poison Waters, Roey Thorpe, and Andrew Tweedie of Wells Fargo were in a celebratory mood during cocktail hour.
Raphael House Board Member Chloé Mason with Andi Bixel of Drip ice Cream and artist Maja Dlugolecki
Samina Ijaz, Raphael House Board Member AJ Ijaz of The Standard and Executive Director Teri Lorenzen
Former Raphael House Board Member Amy Williams, Katrina Wheeler and Mayor Ted Wheeler, and Raphael House Board Member Tracy Curtis of Wells Fargo Bank
Emcee Brenda Braxton of KGW-TV welcomes guests and opens the program.
Raphael House Board Vice President Nicole Frisch of First Tech Federal Credit Union gives generously during the special appeal.
Four pair of rare Air Jordan sneakers donated by Gold Sponsor Jordan Brand and a frock by designer Michelle Lesniak had guests in a bidding frenzy during the auction.
Benefit auctioneer Kelly Russell of Artisan Auctions opens bidding on the first of many live auction packages.
The Dessert Dash featured delicious creations from 15 local bakeries, including this special cake made by Gluten Free Gem and adorned with the Raphael House logo.
Guests celebrate winning their first choice in the Dessert Dash: a beautiful Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake made by local pastry chef Matthew Ives.
Live music from The Bylines entertained guests throughout cocktail hour. Pictured are Marianna Thielen, Dylan Reick, and Reece Marshburn.
Thanks to sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union, guests are treated to a nightcap of fresh treats from Pip’s Mobile Doughnuts and Chai after the event.
The evening’s program included dinner, a live auction featuring 14 packages, and a special appeal. Custom cocktails by Crater Lake Spirits, live music, a dessert dash featuring treats from 15 local bakeries and pastry chefs, and a nightcap of Pip’s Mobile Donuts and Chai created a celebratory atmosphere to mark this milestone anniversary.
The Gala honored 40 years of support, commitment, and transformation, and highlighted the many ways Raphael House empowers survivors to move from shelter into safe housing, and supports them as they move forward and build lives without abuse.
As Executive Director Teri Lorenzen explained, “Portland’s lack of affordable housing has been a persistent and difficult challenge to overcome. The combination of personal obstacles caused by domestic violence and this housing crisis has only increased the need for consistent, ongoing, and trauma-informed support for survivors. That’s why we put an emphasis on housing and long-term advocacy in addition to immediate safety.”
Guest speaker and domestic violence survivor LaVonda bravely shares about her journey, and how connecting with Raphael House has changed her life.
Raphael House is giving survivors the tools they need to shape their own futures and end the cycle of violence. In the words of special guest speaker and survivor LaVonda, who shared about her journey following a short video featuring her story, “Abuse may be a part of my past, but thanks to Raphael House, it will never be a part of my future.” Following LaVonda’s speech, guests raised an incredible $160,000 during the special appeal. LaVonda’s video can be viewed here:
From Raphael House of Portland:
This fundraising effort was made possible thanks to generous supporters and guests. Jordan Brand served as the evening’s Gold Sponsor with additional major support from Silver Sponsors Umpqua Bank and The Standard; Bronze Sponsors Brown & Brown Northwest, Cedar Mountain Advisors, Bill Dickey and Michael Smira, and Wells Fargo Bank; Bid Card Sponsor Wells Fargo Bank; Dessert Dash and Nightcap Sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union; Dinner Wine Sponsor Z’IVO Wines; Signature Cocktail Sponsor Crater Lake Spirits; Wall of Wine Sponsor JD Fulwiler & Company Insurance; Print Sponsor Morel Ink; and Media Sponsor Portland Business Journal. Challenge Match Sponsors included Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, KMR Group Foundation, and Guild Mortgage.
For more information, contact Brenda Kinoshita at [email protected] or (503) 243-5115.
For 40 years Raphael House of Portland has helped domestic violence survivors and their families find safety, hope, and independence. Our emergency shelter serves individuals and families fleeing intimate partner violence, and we proudly provide family-centered, culturally responsive, and gender-inclusive services. In addition to immediate safety and basic needs, survivors have access to ongoing programs and case management designed to help them achieve permanent housing, employment, and stability.
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