Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter for April 29, 2020

“ROTARY CONNECTS THE WORLD!”

Diane Noriega, our District Governor*, has had an interesting Rotary Year to say the least!  CHALLENGING is more like it!  Do her…yourself…and ROTARY…a favor…read her District Newsletter that comes to all of us via e-mail.  Of particular interest to me this time are the letters from several of the Exchange Students from around the District.  ALSO….there are LOTS of Rotary activities….a variety of service projects, etc. happening during this “quarantine period”….as we Rotarians are not ones to “sit still” when there are things to be done!  THEN….read your The Rotarian Magazine issue[s]…as finding out what other Rotarians are doing throughout the world can be quite inspirational in fostering new project ideas, either at home or internationally.  DG Noriega will be our Presenter next week, May 6.

Thanks again to Mike Caruso for allowing us of his ZOOM account for our on-line meeting today!

With great appreciation also to Paula for meeting notes…and Auggie for the photos!

Rotary Club of Newberg Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Call to Order

President Corey Zielsdorf welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Rotarians and Friends of Rotary

Zoom meeting participants: Mike, Corey, Paula, Gene, Ann, Dale, Stan, Shannon B., Laura, Brandy, Kathie, Lynn, Denise, Jim, Joe, Curt, Paul, Auggie, Geoff, Michelle, Matthew, Judy

Flag Salute

Dr. Stan Kern led participants in the Flag Salute—replete with a “very large” American Flag!

Guests

Emily Garrick-Steenson, Joi Bailey, Rachael Kubik—A Family Place

Rotary Moments

Mike participated in April 28^th’s E-Club for World Peace. The speaker was Rotary International President Mark Maloney. Given our current COVID-19 environment, here are Rotary International updates:

• RI is considering a virtual Rotary International Convention.

• All RI meetings through December 31, 2021 will be conducted virtually.

• President Maloney affirmed that the 2021 RI Convention will be held in June in Taiwan dependent on the status of COVID-19 at that time.

• Bill and Melinda Gates, who have partnered with Rotary International over the years to eradicate polio in our world announced that they will put all their resources into the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• Global Grant Applications are going forward.

• There will be no change in the Peace Fellows Program at this time.

Laura announced that she received notice from Rotarian Bishnu Subedi in Nepal. The timeline for our Global Grant “Violence Against Women Prevention” is December 2020.

Zoom Backgrounds

Participants in Zoom meetings can adjust their backgrounds to create interest and/or accent a special event or program. These Rotarians shared interesting backgrounds:

Lynn: The Cliffs of Insanity in Ireland from the Princess Bride.

Auggie: A Rotary banner depicting the Guatemala Dental Project.

Geoff: A vista of the planet Mars. Stan says, “Those Mars craters look like what’s happened to our economy!”

What’s New?

Brandy and the New Physical Education

Brandy called her children to come in the house to begin their altered “school day”. Her children merrily bouncing on the trampoline—getting soaking wet from the hose that bounced along with them, pronounced the trampoline activity “the new PE.”

Denise and Newberg High School Interact

Denise reports the Newberg High School Interact Club was recently notified that Providence Newberg Medical Center accepted the club’s plan for a Community Garden. Spirits are rising as students adjust to the unknown. Students are continuing on and “thinking outside the box.”

Kathie and First Federal Grants to Non-Profits

First Federal is reaching out to non-profits and asking how they are doing during this challenging time. Many non-profits were forced to cancel revenue generating activities due to COVID-19. First Federal Savings and Loan sponsors a grant program for non-profits–earmarking a fund up to $3,000 for seven Yamhill non-profits who are current customers of First Federal.

The announcement of the grants was made April 22^nd. By the end of the day First Federal received 26 applications. Kathie reports, while non-profit revenues are down, the need for services is growing. Please help our non-profits get the help they need during this time.

Geoff—Mural Update

The Mural Project was granted provisional permission to show initial mural concepts for community feedback at a virtual meeting.

Joe– Friday Emergency Packs

Newberg School District Food Service staff and volunteers began a Friday Emergency pack for children and families for the weekend—serving 1,000 meals. To date, the district served over 32,000 meals.

Jim–the Changing Work Landscape

Without sports some student athletes found new jobs–working in family orchards, fields and vineyards and gaining a new appreciation for our agriculture workers.

Shannon–Status of Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce

Shannon described the challenges of navigating unemployment forms and applications. The initial application will go through but will take time. The updated application form is quicker. The State of Oregon’s Employment Office increased staff by 600 employees so that applications can be reviewed in a timely manner.

The Governor’s Office provided guidelines for re-opening retail, childcare, restaurant, video lottery, parks and outdoor recreation, transportation and personal care businesses. As of May 4, 2020, Oregonians can return to non-essential healthcare services.

The Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce held a virtual political forum for Yamhill County candidates. The Chamber produced a video is available for use by other community groups.

Judy reports The Mask Force is making masks for the Farmer’s Market. There is a need for masks for all customers. Mennonite Group Homes also need assistance. Judy reports receiving calls from doctor offices in need of masks for patients. To date, The Mask Force sewists completed 2763 masks. Judy acknowledged Will, Rotarian and Newberg Public Library Director who manages the library and has staff preparing kits. “The man is busy all day long! Huge kudos to Will!”

Today’s Program—A Family Place—Joi Bailey

……WELCOME to A FAMILY PLACE!

Joi Bailey, Community Engagement Manager

Rachel Kubi, Volunteer Coordinator

Emily Garrick-Steenson, Events and Marketing Specialist

What is A Family Place?

“We imagined a place that would stabilize families, improve the quality of parent-child interactions, support positive child development, and stop child abuse and neglect in Yamhill County.

Many communities in Oregon have pioneered a Relief Nursery model – a non-profit child abuse and neglect prevention agency proven to strengthen high-risk families and keep young children safe. 

Nationally recognized, the Relief Nursery stops the cycle of child abuse and neglect with its blend of therapeutic early childhood services and comprehensive family support, including alcohol and drug recovery support services. Services are built on research-based principles with proven outcomes.

Concerned community members took action in 2011.Our group decided that building a local Relief Nursery to empower families, strengthen children and preserve communities would be the best way to address these issues in Yamhill County. We have named our relief nursery A Family Place. With the help of many community members, we opened our doors October 14, 2013. We are excited to offer proven, effective services to strengthen Yamhill County families.”

Trajectory for Victims of Child Abuse

There is an alarming trajectory for victims of Child Abuse:

• They are more likely to be arrested for juvenile crimes
• They are 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.

Cost of Caring for Victims of Child Abuse

Youth Correctional Facility $110,000

Foster Care $28,000

A Child’s Place $7,500

Ages 0 – 5

90% of a child’s brain develops before the age of five. Children under five are at the highest risk. A Family Place focuses their efforts on children ages 0-5.

The non-profit provides Respite Care, Parent Education, Mental Health and Basic Needs for Parents. More than 3,000 of Oregon’s most vulnerable families participate in A Family Place programs—including Relief Nurseries. Relief nurseries are often the last and best hope for these families. State-wide, 99% of children enrolled in A Family Place programs are able to remain with their parents.

100% of children enrolled in A Family Place program remain successful—no abuse, no neglect, and no foster care.

The generosity of local Yamhill County communities allows A Family Place to operate relief nurseries in Newberg and McMinnville and extend services to rural communities in Yamhill County.

Partnerships

A Family Place is building capacity for the future. The new Newberg location is a partnership between A Family Place and the Newberg School District. The Newberg School District recently offered A Family Place the use of two portable buildings on the Renne Middle School campus—close to the center of town.

Services in the Time of COVID-19

Yamhill County families continue to have unmet basic needs e.g., food and diapers. The COVID-19 environment creates increased family stressors placing children at heightened risk for abuse. A Family Place transitioned services to a “drive in” model. The first two weeks of the “Stay at Home” order, A Family Place volunteers delivered 7,000 diapers to local doors.

Current Needs

Diapers and non-perishable food items are the greatest need at this time. Programs are reliant on community support. Donations can be dropped off at Joyful Servant Lutheran Church.

The successful Diaper Drive is but one example of volunteer assistance to the needy in the community:

Financial support and volunteers are needed to support and continue the work. Please click on the link below to access A Family Place volunteer service or to ask questions:

http://www.familyplacerelief.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Friend of Rotary, Ann Dolan serves on A Family Place Board of Directors. Ann began as a classroom volunteer and was impressed by the work of the teachers. Ann said, “Children learn teamwork, respect and compassion.” Ann is inspired by the work of A Family Place and encourages Rotary to partner with the organization.

May 6^th Rotary Program

Join us next week, May 6^th! Meet Rotary 5100 District Governor, Dr. Diane Noriega!

Diane was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. Educated at the University of California Santa Barbara and Davis Campuses, Diane earned a Ph.D. in Education with a Cross Cultural Emphasis. Diane spent over 25 years in higher education serving as a professor of Education, Dean of Education, Provost and ultimately interim President before retiring in 2009. Diane and her husband Carlos built a home in Oregon in 2005 to be close to grandson, River. Sadly, Carlos passed away April 4, 2018. They each have one son; Christopher and Marco.

Carlos sponsored Diane to join Rotary in 2005. When they moved to Oregon, first on their list was to find the nearest Rotary Club. Diane and Carlos Joined The Rotary Club of Gresham in 2009. Diane devoted her career in education to serving historically underserved, diverse populations. Rotary reflects the values that align with Diane’s lifetime passion of serving others.

Diane served as Gresham Rotary President, first in 2011-12 and again in 2016-17. For the years 2014-17, she served District 5100 as Membership Chair. Currently, Diane is working on a Leadership Academy for the District and an Emerging Young Professionals Summit. She and Carlos are both Paul Harris Society members and major donors to The Rotary Foundation.

Respectfully submitted, Rick Kaufman, Newsletter Editor

This week’s “thoughts”….gleaned from the Internet….