Thursday, October 1, 2015

Pass it On

**Youth, Rights & Justice celebrates its 40th Anniversary with a Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza Saturday, Oct. 24th at the World of Speed Museum in Wilsonvillefull access to the museum, wine & chocolate tasting, rides in racing simulators, dinner and dessert dash and silent and live auctions.Buy tickets at 

**Portland Community Media has upgraded its cameras and is selling many of its existing professional-grade HD video cameras and other equipment that might be of interest to nonprofits. Check out PCM’s website here for specific information. 

**The YWCA offers high-quality and engaging social change trainings. 

**Meals 4 Kids, a PCL-funded program through Meals on Wheels People that delivers meals to children and their caregivers throughout Portland, is looking for volunteer drivers. Interested? Contact lynette.vicens@mealsonwheelspeople.org

 In the News:  

**KOIN 6 meteorologist Sally Showman gets a lot out of volunteering for the PCL-funded Meals 4 Kids program. You can see her story here.

**Federal proposals for Head Start could bring changes: read The Oregonian story here.

**Hopeful and heartbreaking stories: refugees from around the world who have immigrated to Portland try to make a better life for themselves and their families with the help of IRCO. Read the Willamette Week story here. 

PCL Programs Making a Difference:
Impact NW Safe & Together

This is the story of how the Impact NW Safe & Together program helped one particular mom overcome extensive trauma she experienced since childhood. After several unsuccessful attempts by the courts and DHS  to engage her in mental health services, Impact’s Parent-Child Specialist helped compile her story so the other systems could better understand her perspective of what was needed and what had already been tried. This is a young mother who was severely abused and neglected prior to and during her time as a foster child; incarcerated as a young adult for attacking her abuser in self-defense; and consequently harmed her first child who was then removed from her care.

After months of establishing trust and giving her time to share her story, it became clear that the mental health services mandated since childhood became associated in her mind with punishment. This was interpreted by DHS and the courts as “non-compliance” with the plan that determined if her child could be returned. The judge overseeing this case requested that Impact and of all the providers involved work together to assist her in increasing stability and building skills so she could safely parent. 

Ultimately this mother had her young son returned to her care and continues to maintain stable housing, employment, transportation and child care. Her story is an example of how parents who are served from a genuinely trauma-informed approach can see improved outcomes for both them and their children.

PCL Allocation Committee meeting news

There are currently no Allocation Committee meetings scheduled. Agendas are sent to the database before the meeting and posted on the PCL website here. Questions? Email marygay.broderick@portlandoregon.gov

In other news, two reports are now available: an audit of PCL completed by the City of Portland Auditor’s Office here and the PCL 2013-14 annual services and outcomes data report here.

“Like” us on our new FB page


The Portland Children’s Levy has a new, more dynamic FB page. Click on the link above to “like” it and please pass along to your colleagues, clients and board members as well.

Check out the new 2015 PCL Progress Report!

Take a look at the PCL 2015 Progress Report featuring “A Day in the Life” for grantees serving Portland’s children! Click here to view the PDF online. Also, hard copies will be available at all Allocation Committee meetings or by contacting

marygay.broderick@portlandoregon.gov   

Contact PCL Staff for the Following Areas

*Director, After School & Hunger grants: 
lisa.pellegrino@portlandoregon.gov
  
*Assistant Director and Early Childhood & Mentoring grants:
meg.mcelroy@portlandoregon.gov
  
*Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention & Foster Care Grants Manager:
lisa.hansell@portlandoregon.gov
  
*Communications Director:
marygay.broderick@portlandoregon.gov
  
*Fiscal Specialist:
john.kelly@portlandoregon.gov
  

Who We Are

The Portland Children’s Levy was created by city voters in 2002 and overwhelmingly renewed by the electorate in Fall 2008 and Spring 2013. Funding for the new five-year Levy began July 1, 2014 and includes hunger relief as a new focus area.

 
The Levy is supported through a property tax paid by City of Portland homeowners that generates $12 million toward investments in proven programs serving 10,000 Portland children and their families in areas of Early Childhood, After School, Mentoring, Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention, Foster Care and Hunger Relief.
 
The Levy is annually audited and administrative costs do not exceed 5 percent. 
Questions? Contact: Call Mary Gay Broderick at 503-823-2947 or e-mailmarygay.broderick@portlandoregon.gov
See our website at www.portlandchildrenslevy.org