Northwest Family Services is an award winning, leading provider of creative services that reduce

poverty. The MISSION supports child well-being and family stability programs and services.

6200 King Rd. Portland, OR 97222

(503) 546-6377 www.nwfs.org

Join US NWFS hosts community-wide luncheons for anyone interested to learn more

about us.

Next Community Builder: Sept. 17 Time: Noon—1pm

6200 SE King Rd. Portland OR 97222 *No Request Event

Contact us to RSVP: Jordan Turel at 503.546-5072 or jturel@nwfs.org

NWFS Partners We Partner with over 300 organizations. Here are a few: (Alphabetically listed)

American Diabetes Association Archdiocese of Portland City of Portland Clackamas County Gladstone School District Gresham-Barlow School District Leupold & Stevens Foundation Milwaukie Police Department North Clackamas School District Oregon City School District Oregon Health Authority Portland Public School District Reynolds School District Umpqua Bank United Way Univision Portland Wells Fargo Bank

Live Grow Succeed

Northwest Family Services News presented for Fall 2014

Programs Youth Solutions

Health Navigation

Counseling

Jobs / Career Fit

Parenting Inside Out

SymptoPro

Lasting Relationships

And More...

Upcoming Events:

Community Builder

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 17,

Free Luncheon, no request—

Join us and learn about

NWFS

Diversity

Workshop

Sept. 23, 1pm-

3:30pm, @ NWFS

Register at nwfs.org

Chamber Showcase

Sept. 26, 7:30—9AM;

@ NWFS

Join the local Cham-

ber of Commerce at

NWFS. NWFS

Programs will be

featured.

Greetings Everyone,

Working in the non-profit sector is not for the faint of heart. As staff and board

members learned during our Program Return on Investment training, it is no long-

er enough to count numbers to prove the worthiness of a program. Our key stake-

holders, including government, foundations, donors, and volunteers, employees,

and participants, have an expectation that real measurable change will occur

when dollars and time are invested. NWFS is focused and committed in telling our

story and working with all stakeholders to build a sustainable organization.

This year has

been another exciting one. NWFS has been able to secure funding for and even

expand many of our programs. First, suicide prevention has been added and re-

storative justice and gang prevention services expanded in East Multnomah Coun-

ty. Second, AWARE (Vancouver, WA) has dissolved as a non-profit organization

and transferred its intellectual property to NWFS. With that, NWFS is now provid-

ing child sex trafficking prevention services. Third, there are two more family re-

source coordinators and a full-time parent outreach specialist serving in Clacka-

mas County. Fourth, NWFS just learned we were awarded a grant from Health

Share in which NWFS is partnering with NAMI of Clackamas to provide mental

health services to underserved, vulnerable communities. Fifth, several of our staff

have untaken significant training: five staff are certified community health work-

ers, one staff is a certified mental health first aid trainer, a number of staff have

been trained in various evidence-based parent education programs, and three

staff have participated in training to be a certified prevention specialist. Lastly,

NWFS was honored again in 2014 as among the Top 100 Green Oregon Business-

es, 100 Best Oregon Non-Profits to Work For, and one of the Oregonian’s Top

Workplaces! With that said, it is the people we serve well who bring us to work

every day.

Great work everyone!

Rose Fuller

Executive Director

NWFS Expands Programs

Partnering with 23 schools

Middle and High School

Afterschool programs and

mentoring

Developing youth leaders

Summer Programs

School-wide assemblies

Case Coordination

Drug, Alcohol, Sex, Gang, and

other risk prevention education

Serving 15,000+ students

annually

What We Do:

Peer Court acts as a diversion program that is

designed to give youth ages 12-17 with first-time, low

-level law violations a chance to repair harm and

show accountability for their actions without

involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Youth, under the direction of professional attorneys,

work as defense attorney, prosecuting attorney, and

jury. The jury decides what type of accountability fits

for the law violation.

Quick Fact: In 2013, Northwest Family Services (NWFS) graduated 90% of all students who worked with us (graduating high school or advancing to the next grade level) while the entire State of Oregon only graduated 69% of all Oregon High School students.

This program saves Oregon Taxpayers $25,000 each year, per youth. This represents the cost of a person in an Oregon prison. Collectively from over 500 youth who have successfully gone through peer court as participants,

Peer Court has saved Oregon Taxpayers $12.5 million dollars!

Peer Court student attorneys, professional

lawyers, and NWFS staff took a quick picture after

a Peer Court prep. meeting, held in Fairview, Ore-

gon.

Featured Story From An NWFS Youth Educator:

I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of students. I’m

extremely satisfied with the result of this year. 100 % of my seniors have graduated successfully. Of my

seven seniors in case management, four of them have been admitted to four year university including

University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and George Fox University, with

some receiving financial aid and scholarships. The remaining four have applied and will be attending

Clackamas Community College and plan to transfer to a four-year college. Those who are not eligible to

receive financial aid due to the fact that they are undocumented are determined to work and pay for their

classes from their own pocket.

I started this job to help low-income and at-risk youth find purpose in life and see education as a way out. I

wanted to show them that if I could do it so could they. And today, I feel proud and happy knowing that I’ve

inspired and motivated these students to believe in themselves and see education as their ticket to success.

Research is proving that when it comes to teaching your

children about making healthy choices and being responsible

it’s not so much about what is being taught—it’s about what is

being caught.

This Healthy Relationship and Parenting class is designed to

teach parents how to improve the quality of relationships

within the home using the proven parenting techniques of

Active Parenting Now. Active Parenting Now is an education program targeted to parents of 4-12 year olds. The

program teaches parents how to raise a child by using encouragement, building the child’s self-esteem, and

creating a relationship with the child based upon active listening, honest communication, and problem solving.

This class will equip parents with the tools of natural and logical consequences to reduce irresponsible and

unacceptable behaviors, and includes skills parents can use right away. Additional skills to improve the quality

of relationships and communication with other adults in the home, social and workplace environments are

included to support how we as parents model healthy relationships.

Session topics:

Motivating your child to be responsible

Gaining control through choices

Enjoying your role as a parent

Modeling good communication skills

Becoming and encouraging better listeners

What We Do: All programs available in English & Spanish Skill-based couples workshops Money management Parenting techniques Conflict resolution Communication skills Relationship discernment

www.lastingrelationships.org

Serving adults within the child welfare and criminal justice system

Featured Program: Parenting on Purpose

Anna, one of our clients, started the parenting classes very withdrawn and disconnected. She rarely made eye

contact or spoke in class for the first couple of weeks. As the weeks progressed, Anna began to be more

engaged, and share more openly. One month into class she said her birthday was coming up next week on a

class night, and was asked if it was alright if the class sang her happy birthday that evening. She said she

would love to be sung to, as she had spent the last 3 years in prison, and no one had celebrated her birthday in

years. Before the start of class, the other clients signed her birthday card. The class instructor cut and drew a

candle out of a post-it note. The instructor also found an All-American Chocolate Cake at the St. Vincent de

Paul Food Bank, and everything was perfect. Anna walked into her class on her Birthday. The class erupted

upon seeing her with singing, pictures, and tears running down Anna’s face.

This same client had been struggling to find a job with her criminal record, and when she was going to an

interview she was feeling disheartened and discouraged. Everyone in class lifted her up, telling her all of her

positive qualities, and saying she was a shoe-in and asset for any job. Anna left feeling hopeful and confident,

and was very pleased to tell us she got the job immediately after her interview the following class. Her

classmates celebrated with another cake and card, as typical for every celebration in our classes. Anna left the

class buoyant, effervescent, optimistic about her future, and on-track to re-uniting with her daughters. Sadly,

many clients lack a support system, but through small gestures of respect and care, NWFS hopes to encourage

and motivate to positively change families’ lives.

Featured Story:

SymptoPro Fertility Education is dedicated to providing specialized,

ongoing support in helping couples understand their fertility and to

learn how to work with its natural design to achieve or avoid a

pregnancy. Currently, there are 55 active instructors who offer classes

in 20 states. This service is available online as well. NWFS locally

employs four instructors who offer personalized online classes serving

over 1,000 clients each year. NWFS also provides training and

certification for instructors. The materials are available in both English

and Spanish.

Learn more at www.symptopro.org.

NWFS, effective July 1, 2014, absorbed Vancouver based AWARE , a youth prevention non-profit. Following the

acquisition, NWFS re-launched AWARE’s most well-known program, Deceptions, during the summer.

In 2011, AWARE introduced their human trafficking Deceptions program, which was created at the request of

local law enforcement. Piloted at Grant High School in Portland, Oregon, this nationally acclaimed prevention

program has been presented to over 15,000 local youth. In addition, over 300 speakers haven been trained to

use the Deceptions curriculum delivering this message across America to thousands more.

Human trafficking is the 2nd Largest Criminal Trade Worldwide, just below illegal drugs. Sadly, the Portland

Metro Area is amongst the top of Human Trafficking within the US. Costs have been estimated to be $35,000 to

find and rescue a victim, and over $100,000 to rehabilitate a survivor. The work of the Deceptions program helps

to prevent this modern day slavery. Deceptions is an interactive school-based prevention curriculum for youth

in middle and high schools that provides tools and builds awareness in exposing the lures of child sex trafficking

and internet dangers. Overall, it costs $22 for Northwest Family Services to reach one child or $150 for a class-

room to prevent this from ever happening in a community.

NWFS Executive Director, Rose Fuller, says “We are thrilled and excited to be expanding the work of AWARE

through this human trafficking prevention program. The sad truth is that few are aware of the human suffering

inflicted on the youth from our neighborhoods as they are being lured into slavery. Thank you volunteers and

staff of AWARE for your great work in supporting youth and families over the years. Northwest Family Services is

most honored to be expanding AWARE’s work and we welcome continued support of this mission.”

“Youth are five times more likely to graduate if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult.”

NWFS’ Counseling Department provides

professional counseling to individuals, couples, and

families in the areas of: Depression, Anxiety, Grief,

Parenting, Trauma, Eating Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Stress, and Pregnancy Loss.

What We Do:

Clinical Manager, Ruth Hayes-Barba, says,“ Almost

everyone at some point in their life needs a safe place

to sort things out and make sense of what they feel

and what is going on in their life. Counseling

provides the environment where this can happen.”

In 2012, in partnership with Clackamas County, NWFS successfully launched a mentoring program serving

children of incarcerated parents. Since that time, over 60 youth have been served with an intensive

mentoring case management program, served by a part-time coordinator. Sadly, according to a US Senate

Report, youth of incarcerated parents are up to 70% more likely to be involved in the criminal justice

system themselves. NWFS helps to meet this challenge as youth are five times more likely to graduate high

school if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult. This in turn has a direct impact on avoiding future

involvement with the criminal justice system. Recently, NWFS has acquired additional funding and the

mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents will now support a full-time staff member to lead

efforts.

NWFS says Goodbye and Many Thanks to Mrs. Marilyn Grenfell who leaves the

non-profit as her family moves out of town. Mrs. Grenfell has piloted the

program since 2012.

Replacing Grenfell, NWFS welcomes Mrs. Marianne Kirsten who now leads the

mentoring program. Previously, Mrs. Kirsten served as a youth educator

working for NWFS within the North Clackamas School District. Kirsten says, ”I

have an enormous passion and commitment in helping young people overcome

challenges.”

NWFS Counseling Staff:

Mentoring News:

Marianne Kirsten

Case Coordinator Specialist

Helping families stay together instead of children going into foster

care. Supporting families so children go back home to their parents.

“Janet” was a 35-year-old woman who had no job or home to call her own. She had fled with her two teenage

sons, after finding out that her husband had abused one of the sons. She was severely depressed and anxious,

and overwhelmed with trying to decide her next step. Janet felt paralyzed and hopeless about her future. Due

to the abuse, a child welfare case had been opened for Janet’s family. Through a program called Strengthen-

ing, Preserving, and Reunifying Families (SPRF), with which NWFS partners with the Clackamas County Depart-

ment of Human Services, Janet’s caseworker had referred Janet to NWFS for support and help.

NWFS staff worked with Janet to give her support for her mental health needs, and to provide for some of her

immediate practical needs, such as transportation help, cell phone minutes, and getting re-connected with self-

sufficiency services. Staff were able to help her find the counseling and medical help she needed, and worked

closely with her to help her get accepted into a supportive housing program. There, she received support and

case management to help her work toward self-sufficiency. Today, Janet is excited and positive about her fu-

ture, and said, “I am so excited to be given this opportunity. And it’s all because of everyone involved. Thank

you!” Janet’s family, who had been trying to provide support as they could, was also grateful for NWFS’ help.

Janet’s mother said, “Words cannot convey my gratitude for all of the effort, caring, and compassion that you

extended to help my family find a path toward a new life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you

did to make that miracle happen.”

Northwest Family Services is excited to announce, in partnership with Health Share, a Fall Health Fair,

October 25, 9AM—2PM, at Milwaukie High School. This fair is free and open to the public showcasing a

buffet line of all kinds of health-related partners and resources community members may benefit from.

Mental Health

Nutrition

Counseling

Cover Oregon

Oral Health

Case Coordination

Drug, Alcohol, Sex, Gang, and other risk prevention education

And Much More!

Mission: Educating to reduce underage drinking, marijuana and

prescription drug abuse amongst local youth.

Come check us out! FREE lunch included!

When: Every 4th Wednesday each month

Time: 12:30-1:45pm

Where: Northwest Family Services

6200 SE King Rd

Portland, OR 97222

Contact: Tracy Hoffman

thoffman@nwfs.org

503-546-6377 www.vibrantfuture.org

Vibrant Future Sponsors

Tour — October 2, 2014

Northwest Family Services launches a new program this

fall in the Centennial and Reynolds School Districts. Signs

of Suicide (SOS) is a school-based intervention that

includes screening and education. Staff will be present in

the classroom teaching three to four day interactive

sessions. The sessions give young people a "depression

check-up," as well as the knowledge to recognize

depression and respond effectively.

The program highlights the relationship between

depression and suicide, a n d teaches that, most often,

suicide is a fatal response to a treatable disorder:

depression.

Students are screened for depression and suicide risk

and referred for professional help as indicated. Students also participate in guided classroom

discussions about suicide and depression. Students will learn the action steps individuals should take

if they experience the signs of depression or suicide within themselves or encounter these signs in

a friend. The goals of the program are to prevent suicide attempts, increase knowledge about suicide

and depression, and increase help-seeking behavior.

The Oregon jobless problem remains a serious challenge for

Oregonians. In December 2013, the Oregon rate of

unemployment was 7.1%, according to the US Bureau of Labor

Statistics. Northwest Family Services is committed to reducing

the Oregon jobs problem and making big impact upon family

stability. Our Employment Assistance Department, Career Fit,

provides job seekers with readiness skills, one-on-one

coaching, and connections to employers. Also, this program

will not only help people become employed, it enables a family

the opportunity to secure employer paid health insurance.

This work is critical as Oregon cannot afford the cost of $1.67

Billion Dollars paid out in annual unemployment benefits.

The Northwest Family Services’ Jobs program yields massive gains and savings for Oregon— 2013 Impacts :

149 people secured a job thanks to NWFS, representing an approximate $5,766,914 in income per year.

72% of participants were placed in full time jobs and 28% in part time jobs.

Those 149 people who have secured jobs are now saving taxpayers approximately $2,145,600 in

unmade unemployment claims .

Northwest Family Services (NWFS) helps nearly 1,800 Oregonians

get health insurance through paper enrollment despite any

challenges of the online Cover Oregon marketplace portal.

Currently, NWFS has been successfully completing 30 paper

applications weekly, and then has been submitting those

applications for processing to Oregon State officials.

Cover Oregon is a new online marketplace where individuals,

families and small businesses can shop for private health

insurance plans and enroll in the Oregon Health Plan or Healthy Kids. NWFS began its outreach and

enrollment efforts October 1, 2013, as an Oregon Health Authority, on behalf of Cover Oregon, grantee in

helping Oregon individuals and families get health insurance. NWFS is among 30 community organizations

throughout the state that provides outreach and enrollment services to Oregon individuals and families.

NWFS provides opportunities for people to learn and enroll in Cover Oregon. NWFS will reach a variety of

Oregonians throughout urban and rural Clackamas and Marion Counties, including Spanish and Russian

speaking families. Let us help you get signed up today!

Rose Fuller, Executive Director of NWFS, says, “We are thrilled to assist people who might experience

barriers with the opportunity to receive affordable health insurance. As a non-profit organization that focuses

on family stability and child well-being, access to healthcare is a foundation piece that all parents require for

their families.”

NWFS Impacts Economy through Employment Assistance!