Black Parent Initiative Inaugural ‘Circle of Hope’ Dinner a Big Success

Black Parent Initiative Inaugural ‘Circle of Hope’ Dinner a Big Success

Portland, OR. Empowering families to find health, healing, happiness, and wholeness was the theme of the Black Parent Initiative first ever ‘Circle of Hope’ Dinner. Nichole & Ezell Watson attended the benefit on February 22nd at Hilton Portland Downtown. The heart-warming display of support for Black parents had a live auction and exciting program to celebrate the work and progress of black families.

First Circle of Hope dinner and live auction, contribution’s went directly to support the critical work of three programs: Parent University, Together We Can (TWC), and Black Family Resource Center. All programs are built upon three core values: culturally specific programming, empowerment, and family health and well-being. (Photo credit, Naim Hasan)

Valarie Pearce

Wienta Mebrahtu, Kimberly Porter

Chuck Smith

Kelly Russell, Chabre Vickers

Parent University, including the annual Parent Symposium, provides classes and community experiences for families to strengthen home-based literacy support, culturally specific parent skill development, and parent advocacy on behalf of their children. TWC provides relationship-based intensive home visiting and group services for families with young children focused on safety, stability, parenting, social connections, and personal growth and consciousness. The Black Family Resource Center is a space for parents to find culturally specific information, resources, books, and personal growth opportunities to improve the lives of their families and children.

From Black Parent Initiative:

Thank you to our staff, our volunteers and speakers. Thank you to Chabre Vickers for acting as an incredible emcee and Alonzo Chadwick for sharing your family’s story and your musical talents. Thank you to Asia Greene for ending the night with an incredible powerful spoken word piece.

And of course, thank you to our sponsors, Uber, Coca-Cola, Multnomah County Health Department, Pepsi, Providence Health & Services, The Standard and all of our Table Hosts.

We couldn’t do what we do without you. All of you. Thank you for joining our circle of hope. There is a bright future ahead for BPI, and we’re grateful to have your partnership.

About The Black Parent Initiative:

The Black Parent Initiative (BPI) was established in 2006 to help families achieve financial, educational and spiritual success. BPI was founded and organized on  a large body of educational research that demonstrates the importance of parental and family engagement in attaining educational success for children.

The original premise was to engage Black parents and caregivers utilizing historically predominant Black churches as the organizing place, based on the notion that the missing link was Black families’ absence from conversations around education reform. Through community feedback, research, and experience, BPI’s approach has evolved to its current state. BPI is currently the only culturally specific organization in Portland focused solely on supporting low/moderate income parents as a vehicle for enhancing the lives of Black youth. Our programs- Together We Can (TWC), Parent University, and Black Family Resource Center- are based in a large body of research that shows children are more likely to succeed in learning, life, and realizing their dreams when supported by stable, and engaged adults.

Our unique approach is to improve the lives of Portland’s Black and multi-ethnic children by focusing on optimal health, cultural identity development, parent education, and ensuring parents and caregivers have the resources to ensure children succeed. We provide a range of services including parent coaching, parent training, and education. We have a history of working with parents of young children seeking reunification from foster care, preventing their child’s removal from the home, or navigating a moderate crisis in the home. BPI strategically partners with parents to improve parents’ job prospects, secure stable housing, access health care, enhance parenting success, and promote family stability.

OVERVIEW

BPI provides culturally specific programming to transform the lives of families and children.  Parents and children who have a strong sense of identity can achieve their dreams.  We assist parents and caregivers in strengthening their involvement in the lives of their children so their dreams can be realized.

Culturally Specific Programming

Program designs and services that are explicitly built upon, and connected to the cultural values and traditions of Black and African people. Programming that is designed to preserve and instill historical values that contribute to optimal health and well-being, and reorder, change, or greatly modify behaviors or practices that are harmful/detrimental.  The structure and design of the program illuminates and promotes the positive cultural and racial identity of Black people. (adapted from Madeleine Leininger’s definition of Culturally Specific Interventions, 2002)

Parent University

Experience – promoting parent engagement in education and literacy

Educate – home-based support for improved child reading and comprehension

Equip – cultivating parent advocates

Empower – mobilizing parent advocates

Together We Can

Intensive Home Visiting- relationship-based; focus on safety, stability, and personal growth

Home Visiting with Group Services (Ubuntu)- personal growth, consciousness, and connection

Home Visiting with Community Engagement- optimal health promotion and community connection

Black Family Resource Center

Providing information, direct support, materials, educational experiences, and community connections to promote optimal health.

  • Intellectual

  • Emotional

  • Physical

  • Spiritual

  • Socio-Economic

  • Relationship

“To step back to tradition is the first step forward.”
Mali Proverb

Hong Bao Gala – Year of the Horse Benefits Northwest Chinese Academy

Hong Bao Gala – Year of the Horse Benefits Northwest Chinese Academy

Beaverton, January 25th, 2014. Over 150 supporters kicked up their heels as Northwest Chinese Academy (NWCA) held its annual auction, the Hong Bao Gala – Year of the Horse. KGW’s Emcee, Drew Carney, Event Co-chairs, Joel Simon and Lisa Snyder and Auctioneer, Kelly Russell enjoyed the evening. The benefit celebrated Chinese New Year and the tradition of giving money in red envelopes, Hong Bao, to wish people good luck in the new year.

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Donna Laoshi, speaking to guests about her experiences at NWCA

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, Donna Laoshi, speaking to guests about her experiences at NWCA

Event guests included Sate Representative Dennis Richardson, City of Forest Grove and North Plains city officials, community members, parents, family and friends. Guests celebrated special student achievements, exquisite student art projects and bid on a variety of silent and live auction items. The school is thankful for the overwhelming support of donors that helped raise $85,000 to maintain Northwest Chinese Academy’s high educational standards. The proceeds allow NWCA to deliver an outstanding Mandarin immersion education unlike any other in the Portland Metro area.

Auction Co-chairs, Lisa Snyder and Joel Simon

Auction Co-chairs, Lisa Snyder and Joel Simon

 

Lisa Snyder and Joel Simon Co-Chairs - extended caption: Auction Co-chairs, Lisa Snyder and Joel Simon

Lisa Snyder and Joel Simon Co-Chairs – extended caption:
Auction Co-chairs, Lisa Snyder and Joel Simon

NWCA's 4th Grade, Preschool and 3rd Grade Chinese Teachers

NWCA’s 4th Grade, Preschool and 3rd Grade Chinese Teachers

 

 

Dream Big Gala a Big hit for “I Have a Dream” Oregon

Dream Big Gala a Big hit for “I Have a Dream” Oregon

Portland, October 13th. 475 guests joined forces to support “I Have a Dream” Oregon at the Nines Hotel. The annual “Dream Big” auction raised $285,000, a 20% increase over last year. Abbey Gibb of KGW was the host for the evening and Timber Joey came out to help. The “I Have a Dream” Oregon program serves over 1,200 Dreamers in Oregon, from pre-K through college.  Advocates works collaboratively with other local organizations to provide mentors, access to social and academic wraparound services, and create a “culture of college and career” within schools and Dreamer families.

Dreamers from the “I Have a Dream” Oregon Dreamer School in Reynolds School District before going on-stage at Dream Big 2012

Dreamers from the “I Have a Dream” Oregon Dreamer School in Reynolds School District before going on-stage at Dream Big 2012

Sara Caldwell-Kan, Class 9’s College Access Coordinator with Class Sponsors Julie & Robb Ball and President & CEO Mark Langseth

Sara Caldwell-Kan, Class 9’s College Access Coordinator with Class Sponsors Julie & Robb Ball and President & CEO Mark Langseth

 

Board Member Kay Hall with her husband Dan Hall and “I Have a Dream” President & CEO Mark Langseth smile for the camera in front of art from famed artist Tom Cramer during the social hour

Board Member Kay Hall with her husband Dan Hall and “I Have a Dream” President & CEO Mark Langseth smile for the camera in front of art from famed artist Tom Cramer during the social hour

Dreamer School Dreamers help show off the live auction artwork handcrafted with the support of “I Have a Dream” Oregon’s friend Polly Spencer and Alder Elementary Dreamers.

Dreamer School Dreamers help show off the live auction artwork handcrafted with the support of “I Have a Dream” Oregon’s friend Polly Spencer and Alder Elementary Dreamers.

Class 9 Dreamer, Arthur Jackson, delivers a heart-felt special appeal speech about how the Dreamer Program has made all the difference in his life as he approaches high school graduation. Arthur received a standing ovation.

Class 9 Dreamer, Arthur Jackson, delivers a heart-felt special appeal speech about how the Dreamer Program has made all the difference in his life as he approaches high school graduation. Arthur received a standing ovation.

special guest Timber Joey!

Special guest Timber Joey!

From “I Have a Dream”  Oregon:

We believe that, with the right supports, low-income students can overcome barriers to a great education. For over 20 years, we have been helping Dreamer students with three proven core services: long-term relationships with caring adult mentors; access to wraparound services; and creating a “culture of college and career” within schools and Dreamer families.

While our service delivery model has changed, our mission remains the same: to help low-income students succeed in school, college and career.

National: In 27 cities across 17 states – over 14,000 student “Dreamers”

Oregon: Nearly 900 student Dreamers served since the first student class was ‘adopted’ in 1990, with 655 additional Dreamers being served at the Dreamer School at Alder Elementary.

Classes: 7 in Portland and 3 in Forest Grove/Cornelius

Schools: The first Dreamer School was launched in 2011 at Alder Elementary

According to a study completed by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory in 2009, Dreamers that have participated in “I Have a Dream”  Oregon programs have benefited from:

Increased high school graduation/GED rates: In 2011, 94% of our Dreamers graduated from high school – nearly 3x the rate for students with their backgrounds.

Increased college attendance

Increased high school completion rates of teen mothers and decreased discipline problems for all Dreamers, including suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to the judicial system.

 Where they are in 2012:

– Dreamers from Class 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are enrolled in colleges and universities around the nation

– Class 9 Dreamers are 12th graders with our programming based out of Benson High School

– Class 10 Dreamers are 8th graders with our programming based out of Vernon Elementary

– The 2011 – 2012 year signaled the first year of implementation for the Dreamer School at Alder Elementary

Support Dreamer Programs by making a gift, applying to be a volunteer, or spreading the word now!

Here’s a look at “I Have a Dream” Oregon’s new video: