May fundraiser toasts Family Building Blocks
June 4, 2013 | Mary Louise VanNatta, Statesman Journal
May 18 was an evening to remember with limos, glamor and wine as guests gathered to be wildly generous with donations to Family Building Blocks...
Volunteers, including Jen Columbus and Tanya Hamilton, dressed in togas and wearing gold makeup, sold raffle tickets...
Celebrity emcee Russ Lewis from KGW and auctioneer Steve Talbot helped the organization raise thousands of dollars during the oral auction.
Home visiting programs are preschool in its earliest form
May 20, 2013, The Washington Post
The brain develops more in the first few years than at any other time in life, and studies have identified an achievement gap as early as nine months into a child's life, separating those from rich households and those from poor households...
Home visiting programs have proliferated in the past few decades...studies have shown a wide rage of social and health benefits, all of which are also related to later school performance, including fewer low-birth-weight babies, less isolation and depression for new moms, and fewer cases of child abuse and neglect. Many programs also help parents pursue additional education or better jobs.
Early Childhood: Our Region's Best Economic Investment
Winter 2013 Enterprise Magazine | Patrice Altenhofen (with special thanks to Linda Craven, Director of Early Childhood Education Programs)
I love my job. Seeing a child read his first word, build his first block tower, and make his first friend are compelling and fulfilling reasons to come to work every day. It turns out that working with our smallest citizens also provides a real, long-term economic return to Oregon.
There aren't many places where one can get a 17:1 return on investment these days -- and it is hard to believe that this return is related to children under the age of six! However, research over the past two decades by renowned economists like James Heckman and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has shown such a staggering result.
What is the connection? By helping young children get off to a positive start in life, communities experience increased high school graduation rates, higher employee productivity, improved lifelong health and reduced crime. These outcomes result in huge savings for the public sector and increased investment opportunities for the private sector.
Research on the developing brain shows that early childhood experiences build the foundation for a skilled workforce, a responsible community and a thriving economy. Oregon's leaders agree that our State's long-term economic strength and fiscal sustainability depend on having a well-educated citizenry and a strong workforce. Cognitive and social abilities underpin a productive employee, and gaps that develop early in life are difficult and costly to change.
We must start at the beginning.
Relief Nurseries start at the very beginning. Family Building Blocks, the Relief Nursery serving Marion and Polk counties, actively supports Oregon's efforts to have children ready to learn when they enter school and reading when they enter 3rd grade. Family environments also influence employment-related skills, such as motivation, persistence and self-control. By offering services for children under the age of six and their families, Family Building Blocks has a long track record of keeping families together, keeping children out of foster care and successfully preparing some of Oregon's highest risk children for success in school.
- To GAIN a capable, productive and valuable workforce for generations to come:
- INVEST in resources for disadvantaged families to provide access to successful early development.
- DEVELOP cognitive and social skills, and physical well- being in children from birth to age five, when it matters most.
- SUSTAIN early development with effective education through to adulthood.
Family Building Blocks interns work toward future careers
Feb. 2, 2013 | Capi Lynn, Statesman Journal
A 13-month-old named Galileah, with her big brown eyes and pint-sized pigtails, snuggles her head into Carrie DiCarlo's shoulder.
Galileah is new to the infant-toddler classroom at Family Building Blocks, and she misses her mom. She wants to be held most of the time, and DiCarlo is more than happy to oblige.
read more, watch the video | PDF version of the article
Family Building Blocks expands to East Valley
Jan. 22, 2013 | Dee Moore, Statesman Journal
The Family Building Blocks program will be expanding its services to the East Valley thanks to a grant the program recently received.
The agency which provides home visitation services to at-risk families will be able to add 30 Canyon area families to their program. The agency offers assistance to families that face poverty, isolation, lack of transportation, mental illness and drug and or alcohol addictions.
The non-profit program provides these families with educational support and strategies to help keep children safe and families together.
According to spokeswoman Julie Hilty the organization "works to break the intergenerational cycle of child abuse and neglect by providing services for high-risk families that have children six weeks to five years old. In 2011, 99% of the children who were involved in FBB's core prevention programs were able to live safely with their parents, thus avoiding abuse, neglect, and foster care."
"Family Building Blocks is excited to immerse ourselves in Stayton and the surrounding areas," said Hilty.
The program will be holding an open house from 8 to 10 a.m. in conjunction with the Chamber Greeters at Doris's Place, 383 N. Third Ave, Stayton. The program portion of the event will start at 8:30 am. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
For more information, call Julie Hilty at 503-769-1120 or email jhilty@familybuildingblocks.org
Leadership change comes at critical time for Family Building Blocks
Oct. 23, 2012 | Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal
Patrice Altenhofen stood tall at the podium, looking into the faces of nearly 900 supporters of Family Building Blocks, as the organization's brand-new leader.
Almost four weeks into the job as executive director, she was making her debut at the nonprofit's main fundraiser luncheon Thursday.
Right away, she showed the crowd her vulnerability.
"I feel unsure as a mom every single day," she confessed to her audience.
The mother of two teen daughters used her own experience to relay that children learn to be parents from their own mothers and fathers — how while most parents have a desire to be good parents, sometimes, circumstances impede their capacity to do so.
That's where Family Building Blocks comes in with its therapeutic classes for infants and toddlers, home visits for parents and other supports that keep families together and children safe.
Altenhofen seemed comfortable during her speech ...
Read the full article— StatesmanJournal.com | or PDF
Patrice Altenhofen will head Family Building Blocks
July 29, 2012 | Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal
Patrice Altenhofen has always admired Sue Miller.
As a Family Building Blocks volunteer and supporter, she has long watched Miller leading the nonprofit relief nursery and rallying the community around Salem's most vulnerable children with grace and determination.
Come October, Altenhofen will get to fill Miller's shoes.
Miller founded Family Building Blocks in 1997 and served as its executive director for 11 years. She submitted her letter of resignation to the board June 4, saying she planned to work part-time, focusing on fundraising and donor relations.
Family Building Blocks announced earlier this month that Altenhofen will be taking her place. Miller said Altenhofen was an attractive candidate because of her passion for the organization's mission and her experience in management.
Altenhofen has been the president of Cascade Employers Association for six years, having climbed the ranks for 19 years since starting as an intern.
The new job will be a big change for her.
First, she'll be managing 70 employees at Family Building Blocks, compared with her current staff of 17.
Instead of employers and managers, the beneficiary of her services will be at-risk children and families.
She has an MBA, a law degree and lots of knowledge in management but she has little formal training or experience in early childhood and family services.
Perhaps the most important experience that prepared her for this job has been raising her two teenage daughters.
Altenhofen says she generally has had advantageous circumstances in life and a positive upbringing. Still, there have been difficult times when her confidence as a parent was threatened. She's passionate about helping other parents build their confidence.
"Being a parent is the best thing in my life," Altenhofen said.
And she knows that what Family Building Blocks does works. As a volunteer, she has watched clients growing as parents, she said.
Altenhofen will start at Family Building Blocks in September and begin the leadership transition. In October, she'll officially become the executive director.
The circumstances could put the organization on a nice trajectory — Miller's focus on fundraising could expand its capacity to serve more families, and her experience and wisdom will be retained.
"It's a true blessing to have someone of her caliber in development," Altenhofen said. "I look forward to her mentorship."
For Miller, the hiring decision is making her decision to step down after 11 years more real.
"I am so thrilled that this is the job that Patrice wants because she's going to do an excellent job," Miller said. "If I weren't as excited about Patrice I wouldn't feel nearly as good about making this change."
syoo@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6673 or follow at Twitter.com/syoo
We are excited to announce the selection of
Patrice Altenhofen as Family Building Blocks'
new Executive Director
"Patrice is a dynamic, positive, and personable leader with a big heart for little kids. We are thrilled to find a person of her caliber and reputation for this critically important work in our community. Under her leadership, Cascade Employers Assn. has been named a 'Best Place to Work in Oregon' for 12 consecutive years. Patrice's education, training and demonstrated skills in developing a positive workplace culture, providing sound financial management and developing strong community relations will enable Family Building Blocks to continue to build on the foundation of excellence provided by Sue Miller."
–Pamela Abernethy, FBB Board President
Patrice has been the President of the Cascade Employers Association since 2006. She is an active volunteer for Family Building Blocks and currently serves on the following boards: Blanchet Catholic Schools; Job Growers Incorporated; and the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. She is the former Board President for Habitat for Humanity. Altenhofen has graduate degrees in both Law and Business Administration from Willamette University.
Miller to resign as director of Family Building Blocks
She wants to focus on volunteering, spend more time with family
June 4, 2012 | Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal
Sue Miller plans to step down from her role as executive director of Family Building Blocks and work part time in the development office, she said Monday. She submitted her letter of resignation to the board at its monthly meeting.
Miller said she hopes to spend more time with her grandchildren and focus on her volunteer work serving on the board of the Oregon Community Foundation.
Miller founded Family Building Blocks in 1997 and has been its executive director for 11 years. The nonprofit relief nursery and child abuse prevention agency is a strong organization with healthy community support and a talented staff and board, Miller said.
In 2011, Family Building Blocks served more than 858 children through its therapeutic classes, outreach services, dependency treatment court and supervised visitation programs. Its services are focused on at-risk children 6 weeks to 5 years old.
“It’s the perfect time to make a change,” she said.
But the move isn’t with retirement plans in mind.
“I’m not on that track yet,” she said.
Miller will continue to lead Family Building Blocks until a new executive director is hired, then plans to help in the transition process. The job will be posted by Wednesday on the Family Building Blocks and other websites.
Former Marion County judge Pamela Abernethy has known Miller since the 1990s and has served on the Family Building Blocks board since about 2001. As the newly elected board president, she will lead the search for a replacement.
The board plans to end the recruitment period June 22 and hopes to start the interview process in September, Abernethy said.
Miller’s effect on the organization has been profound, Abernethy said.
Miller has excelled in leading and mentoring employees, reaching out and collaborating with partners and building support in the community, Abernethy said. Not only did Miller work hands-on with program directors to ensure quality service, she also was a visionary.
“The board probably collectively wanted Sue to stay there forever,” Abernethy said.
The new executive director should be excited about the mission of Family Building Blocks: to understand the importance of early childhood services and be capable of building relationships and raising revenue, Abernethy said.
“We hope that the person is in our community,” she said.
Once Miller steps down, she’ll stay involved as a part-time employee in the development office, which focuses on fundraising. She hopes to help expand Family Building Blocks’ capacity to serve more children. About 100 children are on the organization’s waiting list, she said. She also looks forward to spending time with donors.
syoo@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6673 or follow at Twitter.com/syoo
Salem's changing of the guard
June 10, 2012 | Bill Church, Statesman Journal
Generous. Genuine. Strategic. Sensitive.
You could check off other adjectives from a list of positive leadership traits and build a complete profile of Sue Miller.
Sue is one of the outstanding leaders in Salem. Supportive yet comfortable being out front, she’s been a fixture for decades — as mayor, a go-to community advocate, and lately executive director of Family Building Blocks.
Family Building Blocks is more than a relief nursery; it focuses on at-risk children by creating stronger family ties. Sue is credited with founding and later building Family Building Blocks into one of our community’s strongest organizations.
Sue’s decision last week to eventually step down as executive director was, well, so Sue. She could have immediately retired, and no one would have criticized her.
She’s staying until a new director is selected. After that, Sue will move into a part-time role, helping to raise money and ensuring Family Building Blocks serves its important clients, i.e. children and families.
Her timing is symbolic since thousands of high school seniors also went through a transition last week. High school graduations are the seminal rite of passage in Mid-Valley communities, a surreal mix of familial nostalgia and new realities.
High school seniors aren’t the only ones changing course. Salem, too, is graduating.
The sense of stability that the community felt in recent years — thanks to the leadership of former Mayor Janet Taylor and former Salem Area Chamber CEO Mike McLaran — strengthened infrastructure, brought in jobs and overcame economic challenges.
Salem now is in transition.
Salem Area Chamber CEO Jason Brandt is in his first year and dealing with staff changes. Salem Mayor Anna Peterson’s perpetual optimism can’t placate those questioning why West Salem’s fire station is closing, library hours are being trimmed and home values continue to slide.
Nonprofits such as United Way of the Mid Willamette Valley and A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village are in need of executive directors for varying reasons. ArtSmart, once a well-regarded alliance of arts organization, is struggling financially.
Salem proudly rallied to fight meth. The community’s battle cry for the latest killer — heroin — is more of a whisper (despite deaths, arrests and extensive media coverage).
Still, it’s too early to convert the community’s bumps into sinkholes.
Even the brightest high school grads go through periods of self-doubt and setbacks. Future doctors, lawyers and CEOs usually get there by learning how to flip burgers and mop floors for minimum wages. Some even get fired before finding their way.
There’s no doubt that Jason and Anna will succeed.
Organizations such as Hallie Ford Museum of Art and the Oregon Symphony Association in Salem have hired managers with contagious optimism. Listen to Mike DeRochier, interim director of the United Way, and you’ll come away invigorated about our community’s potential to help itself.
So, yes, we’ll miss Sue’s leadership when she eventually steps down. Her style is unique and irreplaceable.
But Family Building Blocks will continue its mission — and perform well —because Sue and other great leaders recognize that transitions happen for a reason.
Few success stories start with success. The win always comes at the end.
Sue Miller accepts White Rose Award from March of Dimes
May 21, 2012 | Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal
Sue Miller, executive director of Family Building Blocks, accepted a White Rose Award from the Greater Oregon Chapter of March of Dimes today.
She was among six honorees at the luncheon in Portland. Former Gov. Barbara Roberts was the keynote speaker at the event. About 200 people attended.
The White Rose Award is given to women who make extraordinary contributions to their community.
Event invests in Family Building Blocks
May 19, 2012 | Mary Louise VanNatta, Statesman Journal
The event is only five years old, but it already has established itself as a hit with attendees.
The Family Building Blocks “Uncorked” dinner and auction has a way of bringing out the best in its guests and showing the generosity of the community in the process.
I enjoyed seeing the spring dresses and sandals that the 80-plus-degree weather brought us at Zenith Vineyards on May 12.
Woman's efforts make a huge difference
May 12, 2012 | Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal
It’s fitting to run a column about Sue Miller on Mother’s Day, because Sue is the mother of disadvantaged children in Marion County and Oregon.
As founder and executive director of Family Building Blocks, she helps children born into difficult life circumstances grow up to be successful in school and beyond. The nonprofit relief nursery also works with their families to provide home visits and parenting support that prevent child abuse and neglect.
Sue is also a leader in early childhood services in Oregon. She was appointed to Gov. John Kitzhaber’s Early Learning Design Team last year as part of the overhaul of the zero-to-20 education system.
And her Mother’s Day gift will be as big and special as her contributions to the community.
On May 21, Sue will accept one of six White Rose Awards being granted by the Greater Oregon Chapter of March of Dimes.
What you can do during Child Abuse Prevention Month
Salem Business Journal | April 2012
Each of us can play a role in nurturing families and preventing child abuse and neglect. Businesses, faith-based organizations, service clubs and neighbors must step forward to promote the health of children and the success of families. I urge you to:
- Offer a helping hand or kind word to parents showing signs of stress and those you see losing patience with their children. Being a parent isn’t easy.
- Develop the kind of relationships with parenting neighbors, parenting friends and parenting families that allow them to come to you for help and support.
- Develop and maintain welcoming spaces that engage the children of parenting adults who frequent your business.
- Provide financial or volunteer support to an organization working with families, children and youth.
- Advocate for programs that help at-risk families and children. Contact your local legislative and congressional representatives expressing your support. www.leg.state.or.us
The most powerful antidote for those losing hope during these tough times is you. I urge you to find a way to help a parent, to be there for a child, to mentor a youth.
We all have a role to play
Mar. 31, 2012 | Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal
Sometimes, it’s any combination of these. And if parents don’t get help, their children are in risk of neglect or abuse.
It’d be nice if they could hit a pause button from being parents so that their children don’t have to grow up in toxic environments when life happens or they make mistakes. But since that isn’t an option, local leaders have another idea.
Many people have natural supports — they’re connected to their church, their kids’ schools, neighbors and extended family. But what about the others?
For Jamie Glinski, 28, there was Family Building Blocks, a nonprofit relief nursery and child abuse prevention agency... read more | PDF
Child Abuse Costs US a Staggering $124 Billion
Feb 1, 2012 | MyHealthNewsDaily
Pass it on: The financial burden of child abuse on the nation is comparable to that of other costly health diseases.
The child abuse that takes place in one year in the United States will cost the nation $124 billion over the victims' lifetimes, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings reveal the financial burden of child abuse is just as high or higher than that of costly health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes.
The cost of health care, child welfare and other services for each victim who survived their abuse will be $210,012 over the average victim's lifetime, which is higher than the lifetime cost of stroke ($159,846 per person) and Type 2 diabetes (between $181,000 and $253,000 per person). The costs of each death due to abuse are even higher, according to the report.
"No child should ever be the victim of abuse or neglect — nor do they have to be. The human and financial costs can be prevented through prevention of child maltreatment," said Linda C. Degutis, director of CDC′s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
In 2008, there were 1,740 confirmed cases of fatal child abuse, and 579,000 nonfatal cases of child maltreatment, which include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and neglect, according to the report.
The cost of health care, child welfare and other services for each victim who survived their abuse will be $210,012 over the average victim's lifetime, which is higher than the lifetime cost of stroke ($159,846 per person) and Type 2 diabetes (between $181,000 and $253,000 per person). The costs of each death due to abuse are even higher, according to the report.
Child maltreatment has been shown to have many negative effects on survivors, including poorer health, social and emotional difficulties, and decreased economic productivity. These negative effects over a survivor’s lifetime generate many costs that deleteriously affect the nation's health care, education, criminal justice and welfare systems.
The estimated average lifetime cost per victim of nonfatal child maltreatment includes:
- $32,648 in childhood health care costs
- $10,530 in adult medical costs
- $144,360 in productivity losses
- $7,728 in child welfare costs
- $6,747 in criminal justice costs
- $7,999 in special education costs
The estimated average lifetime cost per death includes:
- $14,100 in medical costs
- $1,258,800 in productivity losses
The emotional and behavioral problems associated with child maltreatment include aggression, conduct disorder, antisocial behavior, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, teenage pregnancy, anxiety, depression and suicide, according to the report.
Better solutions to prevent childhood maltreatment must be found, the CDC said. A parent's or caregiver's behavior is influenced by a range of inter-related factors, such as how they were raised, their parenting skills, the level of stress in their life, and the living conditions in their community.
"Federal, state and local public health agencies as well as policymakers must advance the awareness of the lifetime economic impact of child maltreatment and take immediate action with the same momentum and intensity dedicated to other high-profile public health problems in order to save lives, protect the public's health, and save money,” Degutis said.
Sweeping changes to Oregon's early childhood programs would start with small steps
February 06, 2012 | Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian
Gov. John Kitzhaber wants sweeping changes in early childhood programs in Oregon to make them better coordinated, easier for the neediest families to access and more focused on preparing youngsters for kindergarten.
Every year, 42,000 children start kindergarten in Oregon. The state's high child poverty rate leads officials to believe as many as 15,000 arrive unprepared to dive in and learn fast enough. Children unready for kindergarten take extra money to educate and are likely to drop out of high school -- a huge problem in a state where the on-time graduation rate is 67 percent.
As is true in his own field of medicine, the governor believes that preventing and solving education deficits early will be cheaper and more effective than waiting until kindergarten.
CASA and Relief Nursery are leaders in abuse preventionCASA and Relief Nursery are leaders in abuse prevention
We have come to a collective realization: For all of the amazing work being done by these organizations, the problem of child abuse and neglect continues to grow in Oregon. Does that mean these programs aren’t doing their job? No. They do heroic work every day.
So is it a lack of public funding? Not entirely. Lack of funding is certainly part of the problem, but the public pie will never be big enough to give everyone as big a slice as they want or need.
The solution is twofold:
Disorder doesn’t defeat Corban senior
January 26, 2012 | Corban University Website
As a young boy, Corban University senior Craig Johnson didn’t know he was different from the rest of the children in school...Although the signs were there, it wasn’t until Johnson turned 12 that he was formally diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a condition related to autism.
Already his experience living with Asperger Syndrome has made Johnson a valuable addition as an intern at Family Building Blocks in Salem.
“He has been an amazing resource to work with,” said Kaye Cepeda, Family Services Supervisor at the non-profit social services agency. “I’ve seen him expand his role and opportunities so much in the time that he has been with us.”
His duties include training new interns in various tasks, such as developing a newsletter that will reach 300 or more families each month. He also scours the Family Building Block waiting list to identify families with children who may be eligible for Head Start Services.
Additionally, he schedules tours of Family Building Blocks and works to connect families to Family Building Block resources including playgroups.
“That’s his forte, his gift,” Cepeda said. “He sends out the most lost contact letters we’ve ever seen. He’s very thorough and efficient in his work.”
Investing in Early Child Development Improves Health Outcomes
Family Building Blocks works to prevents cycle of child abuse and neglect while improving public health
Joanne Scharer, The Lund Report, January 24, 2012
Jamie had a physically abusive mother, a situation that led to her living with an aunt to escape the violence at home. Even there, Jamie wasn't safe; her uncle sexually abused her in the very place she went to find refuge. Eventually, Jamie found support from another family member and was able to graduate from high school.
Family Building Blocks, which serves Marion and Polk counties, is one of 15 relief nurseries in Oregon working to prevent the cycle of child abuse and neglect, thereby preventing the public health consequences that can result from poor early child development... read more
Gingerbread Gala: Out and about ... with Mary Louise VanNatta
Mary Louise VanNatta, Statesman Journal, Jan. 1, 2012
What a more festive way to end 2011 then with my final "gala" of the year. The first-ever Gingerbread Gala was co-hosted by the Young Leaders Council of Family Building Blocks and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals. The event showed off the gingerbread construction skills of many of our local nonprofits... read more
How to predict future criminals in Oregon
Dick Hughes' Blog, Statesman Journal, Oct 27, 2011
Here’s a quiz to tax your brain. It did mine.
1. How much of a human’s brain is developed at birth?
2. How much of a human’s brain is developed by age 3?
3. What statistics do criminal justice authorities use to predict future needs for prison beds?
The quiz was distributed at a recent Family Building Blocks fundraising luncheon in Salem. Here’s a hint to the answers: The early years are critical to a child’s development.
Family Building Blocks, if you’re not familiar with it, is a tremendous organization in Salem. It’s called a relief nursery, but what FBB does is help at-risk families end their generational cycle of child abuse and neglect. FBB teaches parents how to be parents. It also connects them with services to overcome addictions and other obstacles... read more
Family Building Blocks is proud to be included in the 2011 list ofthe “100 Best Non-Profits to Work For in Oregon”
Oregon Business Magazine, October, 2011
Almost 5,500 nonprofit employees from more than 170 organizations around the state participated in the third annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey.
Read more from Oregon Business Magazine
More than one-quarter of people younger than 18 struggle to get by
Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal, Sep 23, 2011
For single mother Sandy Campos, tears flow more easily than words when she thinks of her struggles the past four years.
Divorce, custody issues and unemployment all have weighed heavily on the Woodburn resident.
"It's been really bad," she said Thursday through tears.
She's trying to go to school full time — she's studying at Chemeketa Community College to become a dental assistant. But that's not easy with an 8-month-old daughter, Trinity.
"Really, I just live day by day," said Campos, 32, a client at Family Building Blocks, a nonprofit relief nursery and child abuse prevention agency.
Family Building Blocks focuses on nurturing early childhood development and preventing maltreatment of children growing up in stressful environments.
By providing social and parenting support, the organization aims to ease the impacts of risk factors such as poverty, substance abuse and unemployment... continue reading
Poverty's newest victims: Children
Census: Recession takes toll on job prospects for young adults
Hope Yen, The Associated Press, Sep 23, 2011
Young adults are the recession's lost generation. In record numbers, they're struggling to find
work, shunning long-distance moves to live with mom and dad, delaying marriage and raising
children out of wedlock, if they're becoming parents at all. The unemployment rate for them is
the highest since World War II and risk living in poverty more than others... continue reading
Family Night was featured in this article- see a slideshow
Nonprofit to aid families in region
Family Building Blocks expands anti-abuse work
Denise Ruttan, The Stayton Mail, Aug. 23, 2011
Family Building Blocks, a Salem-based nonprofit crisis relief nursery, has expanded its child-abuse prevention services into Stayton, Mehama and Lyons.
The Doris J. Wipper Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation awarded the organization a $64,891 grant to support a new home visiting program for the three communities. Family Building Blocks has been accepting new clients since Aug. 1.
The nonprofit estimates that there are more than 200 families in the southeast Marion County area who would qualify for services. These families face such challenges as poverty, isolation, lack of transportation, mental illness and drug and/or alcohol addictions.
"Family Building Blocks has wanted to expand into these communities for a long time. Because of the distance, it's been difficult," program director Ginger Bensman said.
But one of the organization's strongest advocates is a canyon-area resident.
Deana Freres, who lives in the Stayton area and is part of the family who owns Freres Lumber in Lyons, volunteered with Family Building Blocks when the organization started and now serves as a board member... continue reading
Governors past and present honor Salem's Dick Withnell
Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal, August 15, 2011
Oregon's governors have selected Salem auto dealer Dick Withnell as the recipient of this year's Al and Pat Reser Civic Leadership Award, and all he can do is spout off names of others worthy of the honor.
"It's really humbling because there's so many people doing a lot of great things," he said.
Family Building Blocks dedicates upgraded playground
Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal, June 21, 2011
Family Building Blocks on Tuesday unveiled its new and upgraded playground to key donors, volunteers, staff, board members and of course, its children.
It’s the nonprofit relief nursery and child abuse prevention agency’s first playground upgrade since 2000, executive director Sue Miller said.
She’s most excited about the cover over the entire structure, which will provide shade in the summer and protection from the rain the rest of the year. It’s also much larger to accommodate all the children.
The children were the most excited, as they slid, banged, jumped and crawled around their new playground.
The upgrade was made possible by the Larry and Jeanette Epping Fund of the Salem Foundation and donations from Marge and Jerry Walling, whom Sue thanked at the dedication. The Family Building Blocks Auxiliary purchased the shade structure.
FBB's Uncorked builds on its success
MVDP Oregon, June 4, 2011
"Like a fine wine, Uncorked gets better with age." That's what the Uncorked website says, and there's no argument about it. To what does Uncorked owe its success?
"It's all about our supporters and our mission," said Brooke Gries, FBB event coordinator. "Our community is passionate about helping children," she said. "Our guests believe in what we do, and this prompts them to give."
"We have a niche. The wine industry in Salem is growing, and people enjoy the opportunity to meet winemakers. Guests have fun, buy great auction items, and it's all for a great cause!"
Uncorked Wine Auction
Out and about ... with Mary Louise VanNatta
Statesman Journal, May 26, 2011
The blustery day didn’t keep wildly generous donors away from Zenith Vineyards for the Family Building Blocks fourth annual Uncorked Wine Auction.
This event was a time for dressing up and donating to the mission of Family Building Blocks: to provide services to young children in high-risk families.
The overwhelming generosity displayed at the live auction and during the appeal was truly staggering. It was fun to tweet the progress as it happened. A trip for six to the 2012 Kentucky Derby sold for $43,000, while 52 weeks of French wine earned $16,000 for the nonprofit.
Life-changing judge ready for her own change
Stacey Barchenger, Statesman Journal, April 10, 2011
Changing the lives of children growing up in rough circumstances has been a focus of Abernethy's judicial career. She will resign from the Marion County bench June 30 after 18 years.
Abernethy chose to preside over juvenile court from 2001-09. It's where she found her niche and arguably became one of the county's most prominent advocates for early-childhood programs and family support.
Conference aims to break cycles of child abuse
400 attend the Family Building Blocks luncheon
Saerom Yoo, Statesman Journal, March 9, 2011
Child abuse prevention and nurturing healthy brain development for infants up to children 3 years old are critical investments that could bring significant returns to the community, Family Building Blocks executive director Sue Miller said Wednesday.
Family Building Blocks leaders shared success stories of the nonprofit's programs with about 400 attendees at the West Salem Foursquare Church at the Gracie's Place Dream Builders' Luncheon.
One of the stories the organization shared was that of Rachel Gilliland, 21, a South Salem High School graduate who was pregnant by age 17. Having grown up as a neglected child herself, Gilliland went to Family Building Blocks to help break that cycle for her own daughter by learning how to be a parent and maintain a healthy relationship with her child.
"I probably would've done what I was taught: put my kid last," she said. "But there is another option."
Foundation awards grants to local social services
Gifts to nonprofits equal last year's level despite recession
Elida S. Perez, Statesman Journal, November 16, 2010
Local organizations got a boost from Oregon Community Foundation grants to continue providing critical services to the community.
Organizations such as Family Building Blocks received $25,000 to work in conjunction with Salem-Keizer School District to implement the Teen Parent Child Development Program. The grant will help pay teacher salaries and to operate the center, said Sue Miller, executive director.
FBB was ranked #10 in the list of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon
Oregon Business Magazine,
October, 2010
Almost 5,000 nonprofit employees from more than 150 organizations around the state participated in the second annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey.
Read more from Oregon Business Magazine
Read an article from the Statesman Journal
Families find fun in Riverfront Park festival
Ashley Reis, Statesman Journal, August 8, 2010
Hundreds of children and their parents came to enjoy activities and lunch hosted by Family Building Blocks. Kid's Zumba — part salsa dance, part aerobic workout — seemed to be the favorite at the event. While some people boogied, others ventured to the Create a Memory activity booth, which allowed participants to paint their own pottery and make their own hand prints on tile.
"It's a good opportunity to bring families together," Said Sarah Martin, 30, a teacher and volunteer for Family Building Blocks. "It's nice to see that everyone is connecting and having a good time."
read the article
view the photo gallery
Uncorked
Mary Louise VanNatta, Statesman Journal, June 13, 2010
'Uncorked" unleashed Salem's generosity at Zenith Vineyard with a lavish experience of wine, food and fundraising. It was a warm night on May 15, a signal to bring out the spring attire and to think about outdoor dining. read more
Mrs. Runkle's Reads
Kobbi R. Blair, Statesman Journal
June 9, 2010
Mrs. Joene Runkle's first grade class and parents at Abiqua School honored her at Family Building Blocks with a large handmade book case and library, which will help entertain families as they wait for services. View the photo gallery
Reruns for Kids voted
Best Children's Clothing Store of the Mid-Valley
May 10, 2010, Statesman Journal
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for helping Reruns to be voted Best Children's Clothing Store in the Mid-Valley! We couldn't do it without you!
A new report makes the case for more prevention programs
Bill Graves, The Oregonian
April 8, 2010
Stephanie Yao/The Oregonian
Teacher Heather Mains holds a child in the infant and toddler room at Gracie’s Place, a relief nursery in Salem for children whose families are in crisis. Teachers also make home visits to help parents with their skills. The relief nursery puts an emphasis on emotional development: trust, stability and security, qualities that help form the base for learning in young children.
Oregon offers promising programs to support the social and emotional health of infants and toddlers in the critical first years of life, but those efforts reach only a fraction of the kids who need them, a child advocacy group reported today.
By not investing more in "upstream" prevention programs for infants and toddlers, "Oregon will continue to flood its downstream mental health treatment programs, its alcohol and drug addiction services, and its criminal justice system," writes the Children's Institute of Portland in its report, "From Risk to Resilience: Building the Social and Emotional Health of Oregon's Most Vulnerable Young Children."
But when children do not get enough adult support and interaction, the report says, they become distracted or disengaged, impulsive, insecure and prone to emotional outbursts and fights with classmates. Factors that jeopardize healthy social and emotional development include parents with depression or drug and alcohol problems, poverty, exposure to violence, neglect, abuse and loss of a parent.
Many Oregon programs reduce risk factors and aid healthy social and emotional development in young children, the institute reports. One is Healthy Start, a family support and education program. Relief nurseries provide quality preschools, parent coaching and other services. Early Head Start, which the Legislature in February expanded by $1 million, helps parents develop healthy relationships with their infants and toddlers.
But those and other programs reach only a small share of children in need of support, the institute reports. Healthy Start screens 10,000 families with a first-born child each year and provides home visits from a professional for about 2,500 to 3,000 of them. Relief Nurseries serve 954 children in 11 Oregon communities. Early Head Start reaches about 1,700 children and their families –- less than 6 percent of those eligible.
"A chasm remains between what Oregon is doing and what we should be doing," the report says.
Early Head Start grant is awarded to Family Building Blocks
February 9, 2010
We are thrilled to announce that we will be able to serve an additional 60 young children and their families. Family Building Blocks has been selected to provide Early Head Start services for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Early Head Start promotes healthy families by providing education, home-visits, activities for families, child care services and more. Read more in the Statesman Journal article, "Federal funds to give babies a head start."
FBB’s expanded services will create 20 new job positions.
Family Building Blocks was voted one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon
October, 2009
Oregon Business surveyed more than 6,700 employees from over 200 nonprofits and not-for-profits organizations around the state. read more
Service clubs court younger demographic
Ruth Liao, Statesman Journal
October 1, 2009
At 35, Michael Lopez is the Salem Downtown Kiwanis' youngest president in recent memory — his full head of black hair tends to stand out in the sea of white-haired members.
Nonprofits are finding it harder to attract leaders such as Lopez, as well as donors and volunteers in his generation.
"They're out there, and they want to help..." read more
Oregon nurseries give parents, kids a sanctuary in tough times
by Paige Parker, The Oregonian
"You have to deal with your kids when you've just been told no on an interview," says Bonneau, who is separated from her husband. "When you've just been told 'No, we can't help you with your apartment.' You just want to sit down and bawl, and you've got to keep acting like you've still got it together for your kids."
Even in the best of times, raising children can challenge the most stable of parents.
But the worst of times -- times like these -- can leave stressed-out adults unfit to parent just when their children need them most. Under the pressure, some can crack.
Not if Oregon's 11 relief nurseries have anything to say about it... read more
Reruns for Kids Voted Local Favorite for Best Children's Clothing Store
April 26, 2009
Family Building Blocks Parent Receives Award
By Jillian Daley, Statesman Journal
March 15, 2009
The Soroptimist of Keizer's Fifth Annual Awards Banquet will be Thursday. At 6 p.m. at MiNa's at the McNary Golf Course, the Soroptimists will give Sophia Macaitis their Women's Opportunity Award and Laura Kelder their Violet Richardson Award, said Soroptimist member Jennifer Wilson.
Macaitis, a mother of two, is working on a bachelor's degree in social services at Portland State University. After her June 2010 graduation, she plans to work with at-risk youths. Her award will be $1,000.
Kelder, a McNary High School senior, volunteers at Salem Hospital two hours per week. Teens 14 to 17 engaged in volunteer activity for their schools or communities usually are eligible for the award. Kelder will receive $100, and Salem Hospital will receive $100 through the award.
Women's Opportunity Awards are intended to provide resources to a woman who wants to improve her education, skills or job prospects and who is the primary source of financial support for her family.
Director of Family Building Blocks wins ATHENA service award
By Capi Lynn, Statesman Journal
January 21, 2009
"Sitting on Sue Miller's desk at Family Building Blocks is a small sign with a quotation from anthropologist Margaret Mead.
'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,' the sign reads.
Miller shared that message Tuesday during a luncheon at Salem Conference Center after receiving the ATHENA Award, which honors individuals for professional excellence, community service and leadership..."
'She always found ways to help'
ATHENA Award recipient Sue Miller's family sings her praises
By Capi Lynn, Statesman Journal
January 22, 2009
Sue Miller loves to talk about her work, her passion. As executive director of Family Building Blocks, which provides intervention services to high-risk children and families, she gets to make a difference.
But try to get her to talk about herself, her personal accomplishments, and she all but cringes.
Like this week, for example, when she received the ATHENA Award for professional excellence, community service and leadership. She was chosen from among 10 nominees, all women with impressive credentials.
"This is somewhere between humbling and embarrassing," Sue told me when I first congratulated her by phone....
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