239 Clients Served in Tax Season 2013

A total of 239 clients have had their taxes filed in Tax Season 2013.  Thank you NWFS and community partner AARP Foundation Tax-Aide.  This service provided FREE Tax Return Services to low – to moderate income taxpayers. This is individualized help with no strings attached.  This program represents NWFS’ continued holistic approach for families in the local area.  Big Thanks Again to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide!

Fathers and Daughters Enjoy a Date Night

          Recently, NWFS held a Father-Daughter Date Night event for 60 Dads and Daughters at Eastridge Church in Happy Valley.

         It was a phenomenal event that encouraged dads and their daughters to connect while building a story they’ll treasure for years.  Building a stronger bond (something that only one can take away) with one’s daughter and showing he cares by going the extra mile to dress up, get photos, and flowers is vital!  The Father Daughter Date Night is providing dads the priceless opportunity for one-on-one time with their daughter(s) – at any age!  NWFS hopes that this may be the first of many, many, dates to come where he opens the door for her, showers her with flowers, pays for her dinner and showers her with the honor she deserves. Eventually, they may live miles apart at some time, be on other sides of the ocean, or be too old to eat that slice of cake together, yet they’ll always cherish that memory of their special date with their dad for years to come.

          Thank you Dads, Daughters, volunteers, and Eastridge Church for making this event a success!

HATS OFF – $52,000 Raised at Annual Auction Event

Thank You Generous Donors!

Northwest Family Services raised $52,000 at its annual dinner and auction, recently held April 6, 2013. Thank you to all who donated, volunteered, and participated at this year event! A live and silent auction produced a wide selection of great items, a wine wall (each bottle was a minimum value of $25), and a special golden ticket drawing. The winning golden ticket allowed the guest to select any of the live auction items to pull out. Tickets were only $100 each with a minimum of 50 tickets sold. The 2013 golden ticket winner selected a 5 Day and 4 Nights stay at a Fully Remolded Rockaway Beach House on the Oregon Coast. This year’s theme was HAT’s OFF in honor of 30 years of Northwest Family Services helping families. The evening ended with a 100+ person conga line led by NWFS Founder, Msgr. Richard Huneger, which finished with a large dance including a variety of disco music.

Rose Fuller, NWFS Founder and Executive Director, says, “Our annual dinner auction is a great opportunity to bring together supporters to celebrate our efforts to build strong families and resilient youth. More and more foundations and government grantors expect non-profits to bring dollars to the table. The proceeds from this year’s event allows NWFS to provide critical service to more youth and families.”

Join us for next year’s auction – February 28, 2014 – SAVE THE DATE! Donor recognition will be provided on our auction website, in our catalog and within the PowerPoint presentation during the event. If you would like to volunteer, donate, or have questions, please contact the NWFS Development Department at (503) 546-5072 or jturel@nwfs.org.

Rod Sager, second year attendee of the auction, said “Great items to bid on, I bought several wonderful items and had a great time while supporting a great organization that helps families in need.”

Peggy Kays, also a second year attendee, says “Well organized, great food, and friendly people – all for a great cause! A great success!”

100 BEST GREEN Companies to Work For in Oregon

Northwest Family Services has been named one of the 2013 100 Best Green Companies to Work For in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine.  Yeah! 

Oregon Business Magazine shares that this ranking reflects that NWFS is a workplace that has implemented a variety of green policies, and that employees place a high value on sustainable practices and believe NWFS’ commitment to them is exceptional.

CAREERFIT JOB READINESS PROGRAM for YOUTH. Assisting Youth to Obtain Employment

By Iliana Fontal

Northwest Family Services was very excited to start offering in 2012 a Summer Employment Program open to all YTP students in the North Clackamas School District.

The workshops were held at the Sabin Schellenberg Professional Technical Center thanks to a partnership with the North Clackamas School District Youth Transition Program (YTP). The YTP counselors from Clackamas High School, Rex Putnam High School, and Milwaukie High School brought a group of 10 students who were ready to seek employment.

Students were first introduced to the concepts of maintaining a positive attitude, listening skills, personal appearance, and body language which are key in order to get and keep a job. Also the students learned to create or update current resumes, practiced interviewing skills, accurately completed their master application and came to the class dressing the interview outfits.

The Transition Specialists believe the subjects covered helped lead this group of students to success, reason why during the month of April 2013 CareerFit classes will be offered again during the school hours at Rex Putnam High School.

Thanks to North Clackamas School District and the especial education team for allowing this wonderful opportunity to their students. The CareerFit team at NWFS is happy and excited to start the program for the senior students this year!

For more information call 503-546-6377.

Cake Decorating

Nancy’s future seemed dark and uncertain when in 2011 a medical condition prevented her from  doing the work she loved.  Like so many participants of the Northwest Family Services’ CareerFit program, Nancy had been looking for employment for over six months before enrollment.  Unsuccessful, she was struggling with unemployment, no health care or ability to purchase the medication needed.  During the next four months, Nancy attended NWFS classes on how to develop a resume, interviewing skills and job retention.  She also attended weekly employment counseling meetings with an NWFS Career Specialist.

Nancy now works as a cake decorator thanks to the support of the NWFS Employment Assistance Department.  Congrats Nancy!

Parenting Class Makes Impact

By Marci Husby

Aaron and his partner had a serious disagreement during her pregnancy with their first child. Aaron was arrested and had a no-contact order with his partner. He was unable to be with her during the delivery of their first child.

When Aaron first came to Northwest Family Services, he was enthusiastic and committed to learning parenting and relationship skills. Once he began taking the Parenting Inside Out class, he was able to have contact with his baby daughter through supervised visits with a mediator present. Aaron was very open to learning new information on parenting and relationships. He was especially eager to become an emotionally healthy adult and be a good parent to his baby daughter.

Aaron was able to learn new skills and see the results of his work to help his daughter be emotionally and physically healthy.