Dale Welcome introduces our speaker.

In introducing our speaker last week, Dale Welcome said Shelly Winterberg was a former co-worker and family friend, as well as the Director of Field Engagement for “Every Child,” an organization offering care and support to both foster children and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).

According to Shelly, “Every Child” has four main objectives:

  1. Radical hospitality
  2.  Provide a counter narrative to negative stories about DHS; tell the hopeful, determined, positive stories
  3. Provide onramps to partnerships
  4. Foster parent recruitment

Shelley Winterberg tells us about “Every Child.”

“Every Child” began in 2012 as “Embrace Oregon” in the Portland area. The first projects were preparing welcome boxes for children entering foster care and offering hospitality at the child welfare offices in the region. The welcome boxes were a huge hit, and offered the kids not only supplies, but a “You Are Special” message.

Then, the organization began to look at DHS caseworkers as first responders.  They looked for ways to support the workers, and started taking them cookies, hosting barbecues and doing other events to recognize their efforts.
The momentum grew in Portland, and Embrace Oregon began to experience unprecedented results. Things like:
  • 14,000 Welcome Boxes delivered
  • 3,550 volunteers engaged
  • 750 tangible needs met
  • 100 businesses and 90 faith communities connected

The next step was offering tours of the DHS offices. As volunteers saw the stark, white rooms, they stepped up to decorate, paint and supply new furniture. As a result, interest began to pour in from other counties in Oregon asking, “How can I start something in my community?”

According to Shelly, “Every Child” is now at the end of the first year of a five-year program. It has expanded to 13 counties, and is now coming to Yamhill County.  Overall, there are approximately 11,000 children in Oregon in the foster care system, and of those, 100 in Yamhill County. The DHS office in the county is in McMinnville.  One project the organization is considering is the possible makeover of the office there.  For more information, go to everychildoregon.org and fill out the “Connect” form.  You can also like and follow the organization of Facebook and Instagram.

GUESTS

Benjamin Cahoon discusses his background.

Two of the four artists working on the concept for our club’s upcoming mural project were introduced by Geoff Gilmore. Benjamin Cahoon, from Florence, is a sophomore at George Fox University (GFU). He is a dual major in Studio Arts and Arts Administration, and works in a variety of mediums. He said he uses “natural, urban and spiritual themes.” His work has been displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Jared Mar.

Jared Mar is a junior at GFU. He was born and raised in San Francisco.  “I grew up in an urban setting,” he said, so graffiti, tattoo and religious art were big influences on his “whimsical, fun and very messy” style. Jared said Rodin, Frank Stella and Vincent van Gogh are among the artists he really admires.  The other two artists will be introduced at this week’s meeting. Geoff also announced the location for the mural. It will be highly visible on the side of the Steve’s Auto Body Shop building on Highway 99W. An application for a city permit is in process now.

Shannon Buckmaster introduced Albert Eschler, who has decided to become a Rotarian. He is currently deciding between the EarlyBirds and our club.

 AUCTION FUN

After all the prep work, lots of Rotarians let their hair down in the photo booth at the annual benefit auction April 28 at the Allison Hotel. Corey Zielsdorf, left, and his wife, and Bob Ficker, right, and his wife were among those acting goofy for the camera.

But not so fun, Auction Chair Denise Bacon is now recovering from pneumonia. Please feel better soon, Denise.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Remember, May 31 is the deadline to get RYLA candidate applications to Aaron Lewis.

Our District Conference is the weekend of May 18-20 at the Salem Convention Center. Still time to register on the District 5100 website.

The Scholarship Committee, led by Dave Parker, is busy reviewing applications. Thanks to all, including Becky Ankeny, Marge O’Connell, Judy Robinson, Beth Pent, and Krissy Lookabill for the time they are donating to this project.

Last Thursday night’s Club Visioning session was well attended and generated lots of ideas for what our club should look like five years from now. Paula Radich sent out a summary, so be sure to look for that in your email. Here are some photos Auggie Gonzales took at the event.

NEXT MEETING

It’s been awhile since we had a Classification Talk as our meeting topic. This week, come to the Cultural Center to learn more about new member Patrick Bancke.