Morrison Child and Family Services Celebrates 5th Annual Silver Linings Luncheon

Morrison Child and Family Services Celebrates 5th Annual Silver Linings Luncheon

Portland, OR. Morrison Child & Family Services hosted its 5th Annual Silver Linings Luncheon at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland. More than 350 friends of Morrison came together to donate $82,590 in support of Morrison’s groundbreaking programs to treat children and families coping with the effects of adversity and trauma. Matching donations were made by Al and Nancy Jubitz.  The March 14th benefit had the largest turnout yet for the nonprofit. Guests included supporters from Slalom Consulting including: Alex Runyan, Arash Saffarzadeh, Elizabeth Cushing, Sam Berger, Kory Kimball, Jeremiah Cathcart, Melissa Bielagus, and Abigail Hoyer. (Photo credit, Tom Cook)

350 guests learn more about Morrison’s SAGE program, which helps youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

The Boeing Company was honored with Morrison’s Goldman Award for the company’s over 30 years of support for Morrison programs through event sponsorship and grants. The Goldman Award is given in memory of Muriel and Marvin Goldman for their lifetime commitment to improving the lives of children in Oregon.

Boeing employees Ryan Azorr, Deanna Haley, and Bill Foster accept Morrison’s Goldman Award.

This year’s keynote speaker was local attorney, victims’ advocate, and policy adviser Joel Shapiro. Joel has extensive sex trafficking policy experience, including serving as Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, where he crafted the first federal legislation focused on child sex trafficking, as a policy adviser to Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel, and as the lobbyist for the “Kids Are Not For Sale in Oregon Coalition.” Joel presently represents victims of sex trafficking and other crimes in civil litigation. Joel also serves on the Oregon Department of Justice’s Trafficking Intervention Advisory Committee and continues to advocate on behalf of sex trafficking victims at the Oregon Legislature.

Keynote speaker, Joel Shapiro, and Drew Henrie-McWilliams, Morrison’s CEO.

Table decorations featured art from youth in the SAGE program.

Morrison’s newest video, featuring the SAGE Youth Residential Program, also premiered at the luncheon. 

Since 1947, Morrison Child & Family Services has delivered specialized services to children, from birth through age 18, and families coping with abuse, neglect, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, and other harmful stress factors. Morrison’s Silver Linings Luncheon is a unique opportunity for business and community leaders to learn more about the positive and necessary impact Morrison has on our community. This event is much more than a fundraiser; it is an opportunity for guests to create stronger alliances with companies, business people and community leaders dedicated to restoring childhood, rebuilding families, and renewing hope.

To learn more, visit www.morrisonkids.org.

Victory Academy Offers Great New Options for local Autism Community

Victory Academy Offers Great New Options for local Autism Community

Portland, April 25th, 2014. Over 300 guests, including Keynote Speaker, Jenny McCarthy and Tony Trunzo, attended a luncheon at the Multnomah Athletic Club to support Victory Academy. The organization is Oregon’s only year-round, accredited school for children with autism. Jenny McCarthy – actress, author, autism advocate, and current co-host of “The View” inspired the crowd and Cathy Marshall from KGW News was the emcee. Donors raised $395,000 for Victory’s “Dream, Build, Thrive” capital campaign to build a new, larger school. (photo credit, Tim Gunther)

Colleen Rundle, Chrissy Treasure, Audrey Anderson

Colleen Rundle, Chrissy Treasure, Audrey Anderson

Tricia Hasbrook, Director of Victory Academy

Tricia Hasbrook, Director of Victory Academy

The Victory Choir

The Victory Choir 

Joyce and Larry Mendelsohn and Heidi and Gary Grenley

Joyce and Larry Mendelsohn and Heidi and Gary Grenley 

JB Handley, Kay Morse, Sarah Mensah

JB Handley, Kay Morse, Sarah Mensah

From Victory Academy:

Victory Academy combines academics with communication, social, and life skills to educate their students to be as independent as possible. Victory currently serves almost 40 students but is having to turn away dozens more each year as they are at capacity in their current location. A new, larger school would allow Victory to serve 95 students and add a high school curriculum. Guests at the luncheon had the chance to learn more about Victory, its program, and successes. The Victory Choir brought down the house with their joyful, enthusiastic performance, and there was not a dry eye in the house after hearing how Victory is transforming the lives of its students and their families. 

On behalf of Victory Academy, we extend a grateful thank you to our Host Committee and to all our guests for their support!