Compassion in Action Benefits Central City Concern

Compassion in Action Benefits Central City Concern

Portland, November 1st, 2013. More than 520 celebrated success at the Central City Concern  at the nonprofit’s “Compassion in Action” Benefit. Thriving clients Danielle & Jerry were featured in video shown at the event and pictured with CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn. (photo credit, Andie Petkus) The event took place at the Portland Art Museum. Central City Concern serves single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions.

Past staff member Jeanne Rivers with current board member Pauline Anderson.

Past staff member Jeanne Rivers with current board member Pauline
Anderson.

CCC Board member Ben Berry, CCC Board chair Rob Teach and CCC Executive Director Ed Blackburn.

CCC Board member Ben Berry, CCC Board chair Rob Teach and CCC
Executive Director Ed Blackburn.

State treasurer Ted Wheeler talked about his father's addiction history and the importance of housing and support for lasting health.

State treasurer Ted Wheeler talked about his father’s addiction
history and the importance of housing and support for lasting health.

Sam Naito, who helped develop Central City Concern in the late 1970s, with Larry Naito, current CCC board member.

Sam Naito, who helped develop Central City Concern in the late 1970s, with Larry Naito, current CCC board member.

Central City Concern was founded in 1979, the agency has developed a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment. CCC currently has a staff of 600+, an annual operating budget of $41 million and serves more than 13,000 individuals annually.

Friends of the Children’s Benefit Raises Over $1.93 million

Friends of the Children’s Benefit Raises Over $1.93 million

Portland, May 9th, 2013. Friends of the Children’s “Friend Raiser” drew 720 of Portland’s business and community leaders to celebrate 20 years of Mentor Power. Priscilla Bernard Wieden & Dan Wieden, founder of Wieden+Kennedy, made their way through the high-five tunnel. The inspiring event, presented by Key Bank, raised over $1.93 million to continue to transform the lives of Portland’s most vulnerable children. This record-breaking fundraising exceeded the prior year’s total by almost half a million dollars. (photo credit, Phototainment and Studio McDermott)

Terri Sorensen, President, Friends of the Children; Program youth; Craig Robinson, OSU Men's Basketball Coach; and Cindy Campbell, Founder, Friends of the Children.

Terri Sorensen, President, Friends of the Children; Program youth; Craig Robinson, OSU Men’s Basketball Coach; and Cindy Campbell, Founder, Friends of the Children.

Friends of Children exceeded its goal for the Quest Foundation challenge match of $168,000. The funds will support five professional mentors (known as Friends) and 40 youth in the program. Friends of the Children provides our most vulnerable children a stable relationship with a professional mentor for 12 ½ years – from kindergarten to high school graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.

Peter Andrews, board member Maddie Andrews, Courtney Francis Campbell, and Courtney Campbell.

Peter Andrews, board member Maddie Andrews, Courtney Francis Campbell, and Courtney Campbell. 

The Friend Raiser benefit was held at the Friends of the Children offices. The steering committee was led by Cindy Campbell, Diana Hall, Geri Miner, and Pam Strickfaden. It was an uplifting party with gourmet food from some of the best restaurants in town. Thanks to the continued success of this event, Friends of Children has been able to provide professional mentors to more vulnerable children than in the past; currently the nonprofit serves over 400 children in over 100 schools in the Portland metropolitan area.

Board members Andrae Brown and Allyson Harris, supporter Greg Goodwin, Kuni Automotive, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, and board member Ken Thrasher make their way through the high-five tunnel into the tent for the live program.

Board members Andrae Brown and Allyson Harris, supporter Greg Goodwin, Kuni Automotive, State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, and board member Ken Thrasher make their way through the high-five tunnel into the tent for the live program.

Teri Folsom and Jerome Kersey, former Portland Trail Blazers Forward, pause for a smile with a program youth and his mentor/Friend, Chon.

Teri Folsom and Jerome Kersey, former Portland Trail Blazers Forward, pause for a smile with a program youth and his mentor/Friend, Chon.

From Friends of Children:

Mission
To provide our most vulnerable children a nurturing and sustained relationship with a professional mentor who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become a healthy, productive member of the community.

Vision
To provide a Friend to all vulnerable children who need one and to change the way the world views and treats our most vulnerable children.