A Year of Strength in the Face of Hardship

Copy of Clothes for each occasion

As we reflect on all that’s happened this year, we can’t help but be impressed with all that our staff and community accomplished, and the strength and resiliency survivors showed us. In March, when families went into stay-at-home orders, communities worldwide faced an increase in domestic violence incidents and a decrease in child abuse reporting. Our staff quickly shifted to offer services remotely. By early April, we were offering a new confidential text and chat line, counseling via telehealth, providing support and legal advice for survivors virtually, sheltering survivors in individual safe housing, and making sure people who were isolated had the food and supplies they needed.

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With each change we made in how we offered services, we saw increased access for survivors. On our crisis line, which continued operation without interruption, we were able to offer much-needed support and information for people experiencing houselessness who were cut off from internet access and couldn’t reach other live call-takers. We first offered information about COVID-19 health and safety, then about wildfires and evacuation zones to those callers. Advocates across the agency took more calls from elders in our community who were isolated, grieving, and feeling lonely. Survivors stuck at home with the people who were harming them and people with disabilities could more easily and safely connect with an advocate through our confidential text and chat line. Families and other survivors could access telehealth and support groups without needing to navigate transportation and childcare. During the recent surge in COVID cases, our urban and rural Promotoras helped share important public health information and resources with the Latino community.

  • 1,304 messages received July-December on our text and chat line
  • School-based parenting group at times tripled in capacity

Housing and Basic Needs

We quickly shifted survivors staying in shelter into alternative housing, at first doubling in capacity. Quarantine and financial hardship meant our staff delivered meals, medications, and hygiene supplies to survivors. Beyond our typical shelter and housing services, we connected with survivors who’d lost wages due to the pandemic and offered rental assistance. During the Clackamas County wildfires, we called survivors to offer emotional support and ensure they were able to evacuate safely. Most recently, we supported Clackamas County Public Health by helping people exposed to COVID be able to quarantine by paying costs of rent, utilities, and food.

  • 160 adults and 117 children offered safe shelter
  • 74 adults and 152 kids provided with COVID rent relief
  • 25 households (~ 70 adults and kids) in November and December received financial help with quarantine costs after COVID exposure

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When the pandemic first began, we collaborated with local officials to ensure survivors’ safety needs were considered. We advocated for Measure 26-210, which will provide much-needed funding for homelessness services in the tri-county area. This fall, in collaboration with the Safe Kids Coalition, we campaigned for the Children’s Safety Levy, which would have provided much-needed funding for services for kids experiencing child abuse and neglect, trafficking, and family violence. Most recently, our advocates provided public testimony in support of extending the statewide eviction moratorium until June 2021.

Community Collaboration

Through all this, we witnessed incredible acts that inspired us and moved our hearts. We saw partnering organizations leverage the resources they had to care for those most vulnerable in our community. We saw people reach out to check on one another, make sure they were well, and ask if help was needed. We saw schools place a new emphasis on access to resources—knowing they might be the only connection outside the home for some families. We saw people giving generously, through new partnerships, hybrid events, or by sewing masks, donating extra produce, or stimulus checks. We saw neighbors step in to pay survivors’ rent, deliver groceries, or open their homes for people evacuating wildfires.

Survivors shared with us that though things were scary and uncertain, they had faced fear and uncertainty before, and in some ways, they felt stronger and better able to navigate the challenges in front of them.

It is in the spirit of that communal strength and resiliency that we greet 2021.

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Yesterday evening, alongside many partnering social service providers, CWS staff advocated for the passage of LC 18 (legislative concept 18) which would extend the eviction moratorium currently set to expire on Dec. 31. The eviction moratorium has ensured that families experiencing job loss and financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic are not subject to the further trauma and instability of eviction. LC 18 would extend the moratorium through June 2021, providing families an opportunity for recovery, and not leaving families houseless during a currently raging pandemic.

Emilie Azorr, one of our advocates co-located at the Department of Human Services, provided testimony in support of LC 18 on behalf of survivors. Her testimony shared so vividly the experience of survivors, their strength and resiliency, and the critical need for additional resources, that we wanted everyone to have the opportunity to read it.

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Emilie Azorr written testimony:

Co-Chairs President Courtney & Speaker Tina Kotek, Co-Vice Chairs Sen. Girod and Rep. Drazen, and members of the committee,

Re: Support for LC 18, extending eviction moratorium and the rental assistance program.

For the record, my name is Emilie Azorr and I am here on behalf of Clackamas Women’s Services. Clackamas Women’s Services serves survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Clackamas County, providing support to hundreds of survivors and their families each year. I’m a direct service advocate, which means I have the privilege of working with survivors and their families one-on-one. I support survivors with plans to keep them safe, I work with our wonderful community partners in Clackamas County to get survivors connected to wrap-around services, and I have the joy of making someone’s world feel a little bit bigger when the violence they’ve experienced makes it feel so small. I am here today because I know firsthand how important it is for our legislature to extend the eviction moratorium to support all domestic and sexual violence survivors in the State of Oregon.

I’ve been honored to serve survivors for the last 3 years, but right now it’s hard for me to remember what it was like to be an advocate before the pandemic hit. It’s hard for me to imagine a time when the survivors I serve were not calling our agency wondering how they were going to pay their rent. It’s hard to remember a time when I was not focused on keeping survivors safe from abuse and safe from an inevitable eviction. So many survivors I’ve worked with have finally found safety in their living situations after years of harm and their home is not only a symbol of independence and self-sufficiency but a symbol of freedom from abuse. The joy that survivors have experienced from securing safe and stable housing with the help of our agency is now gone, replaced by the fear of eviction and loss of safety. If survivors are evicted from their safe and stable housing, their only option may be to return to their abuser, who can provide them with shelter and financial safety during an uncertain crisis. We know that if a survivor returns to an abuser, their chances of leaving again go down, and the risk factor for leaving goes up. It is essential that we keep survivors in their safe and stable living situations by extending the eviction moratorium to ensure they are able to continue their lives free from abuse.

Our agency also supports survivors who are still in their relationships or situations where they may be experiencing harm. These survivors are facing particularly complex circumstances as a result of the pandemic. Survivors who are still in their abusive relationships may be experiencing more episodes of harm, increased risk of lethal harm, and the resources and harm reduction techniques that they’ve used in the past may not be available anymore. These survivors may also be experiencing financial abuse from their partner and there may be consequences for them if the moratorium is not extended. Abusers may force the survivor to put leases in their names, making them financially liable for all expenses. These survivors may not have the financial resources to have stayed up to date on rent as they may be the only financial provider. Other survivors may share a lease with an abuser, but an abuser is not allowing them to pay any rent or they are not allowed to find work or financial resources. If an abusive partner has not been paying rent and has refused to allow a survivor to contribute, the survivor may end up being liable for thousands of dollars at the end of the moratorium in back owed rent. Our advocates need more time to work with these incredibly resilient survivors to come up with a plan to keep them safe and explore what options they have to not be financially liable for their abuser’s harm. This may be coming up with a plan to leave or exploring ways to safely remain in a relationship and pay off any back owed rent. But we cannot do this if the moratorium ends on December 31st.

Our State has incredibly domestic and sexual violence advocates working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to support survivors of abuse. Clackamas Women’s Services is one of many agencies doing vital work across the State to keep survivors housed in this pandemic and I am humbled to be a witness to the resilience and strength I see in our survivors every day. I am grateful to you all for taking up this bill because it is essential to the safety of our survivors throughout the State. COVID has been devastating to families everywhere, and our survivors aren’t immune from this. As someone who is working silently and fiercely to support survivors, I urge you to please support this bill. Your advocates and domestic and sexual violence agencies are depending on all of you to voice your support for survivors by passing this bill.

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Clackamas County Children need reliable and sustainable help and support. Just last year, over 2,000 children were reported to have experienced some form of abuse and neglect in our county, and 495 children spent at least 1 day in foster care according to the Oregon Department of Human Services. Traumatic experiences take a tremendous toll on the health and well-being of children in our community, and successful prevention and intervention measures have a cost.

For 10 years Safe Kids Clackamas has worked to ensure critical services remain available for all children who need them in our community, through a local-option levy which would create steady funding for services for years to come. Spearheading this effort is a collaborative team of nonprofits and public service agencies who serve our most vulnerable youth and witness the impact violence has on their lives. The Steering Committee, comprised of leaders from Parrot Creek, CWS, Children’s Center, Northwest Family Services, and CASA, have been working diligently on this effort.

In December 2019, the Board of County Commissioners committed to funding a comprehensive poll to assess the viability of putting a Children’s Safety Levy on the November 2020 ballot. Conducted in June, the poll verified strong support among Clackamas County residents. The poll affirmed what we have seen over the years–Clackamas County voters are willing to support a levy that provides core safety services for children and youth. On August 13, Clackamas County Commissioners voted unanimously to refer the measure to the November ballot.

The ballot measure comes at a time when the pandemic has laid bare existing gaps in our protective systems and the needs of vulnerable populations in our community. Reports have shown a continued decline in child abuse reporting due to children having limited interactions with safe adults in the community while at home under stay-at-home orders. While many families are struggling with the impact that disruptions in schooling will have on young people, children experiencing abuse and neglect without adequate intervention will disproportionately experience the harmful impacts for many years to come.

This is why we are so excited to see the Clackamas County community prioritize the needs of these children. The Children’s Safety Levy would support local children’s safety prevention and intervention services delivered by nonprofits and will be used only within Clackamas County. According to the Yes for Clackamas Kids website, “The average homeowner will pay just $3.78 per month on a home with an average assessed value of $302,000.” For less than the cost of a coffee each month, Clackamas County voters can build a strong foundation for the future of our children.

With the November election less than 60 days away, we need your help to ensure the levy passes. Follow and share the Clackamas Kids Facebook, or Instagram posts to help spread the word. You can also make a donation to the campaign, sign up to volunteer, and learn more on their website. And vote yes on Measure 3-564!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 4th, 2020 2013 Small
CONTACT Brenda Kinoshita,
Cell: (971) 235-4203;
Email: brendak@cwsor.org

Portland, OR (May 12, 2020) — Principal, a local insurance and investment firm, announced a financial sponsorship today at the Portland Mercado during the pickup of fresh meals for domestic violence survivors. Their sponsorship is the first in an innovative new partnership between Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS), Hacienda Community Development Corp. (CDC), and Portland Mercado vendors.

With domestic violence increasing due to stay-at-home orders, domestic and sexual violence response agencies like CWS are working creatively to meet the changing needs of survivors. CWS is now sheltering twice as many survivors as usual–many in safe spaces without kitchen access. Through a partnership with Hacienda CDC, survivors and their families are now receiving meals made fresh by Portland Mercado vendors.

Today, two Portland Mercado vendors, Fernando’s Alegria and QuĂ© Bacano, prepared a total of 44 meals, which will be delivered to survivors by CWS staff to maintain survivor safety and confidentiality. This is the first of two pickup and deliveries this week, totaling almost 100 meals for survivors and their families. Through a very generous donation, PrincipalÂź is sponsoring this week’s meals.

“Principal is proud to be part of #thegivingchain by supporting our local businesses and giving back to our community during this uncertain time.  We hope other companies will be inspired to join The Giving Chain, too,” said Tom Fink, Principal.

The project grew from a small pilot project. Portland Mercado vendors were struggling with decreased business, while domestic violence survivors were limited to bland microwave and canned meals, due to lack of full kitchen access. Both CWS and Hacienda CDC want to grow the partnership to support other vulnerable populations CWS serves with vibrant, nutritious meals.  Survivors receiving tele-health counseling and survivors attending parenting groups may be homebound, without much opportunity to safely access food.

“Clackamas Women’s Services appreciates Principal’s support of this innovative project, which partners nonprofit agencies with local businesses, for the good of the community,” said Brenda Kinoshita, Director of Development and Communications, Clackamas Women’s Services.

CWS seeks additional support for the project, which will help ensure its financial sustainability until stay-at-home orders are lifted. To support the venture, visit https://cwsor.ejoinme.org/support. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, child or elder abuse, help is available through CWS’ 24-hour support line 1-888-654-2288 and M-F 9:30 am-4 pm through confidential chat: resourceconnect.com/cws/chat

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About Clackamas Women’s Services

Clackamas Women’s Services began in 1985 when community members saw women and children in their community impacted by domestic violence and banded together to create a solution. CWS grew out of neighbors opening their homes and sharing what they had in hopes of building a safer community for families. Since that time, CWS has grown beyond shelter to offer a wide range of services for anyone experiencing domestic and sexual violence from initial crisis through to long-term healing. We continue the legacy of working with community members, emergency responders, partnering social services, and for-profit businesses to build communities that protect and support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Those interested in working with us to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence through volunteer service or financial support can find more information on our website, https://www.cwsor.org/. The 24-hour support line is 1-888-654-2288.

About Hacienda CDC

Hacienda CDC is a Latino Community Development Corporation that strengthens families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement and educational opportunities. Hacienda CDC was formed in 1992 to provide necessary housing and supportive services in a low-income, predominantly Latino community. Today, we provide safe, stable homes for over 1,500 individuals each year, and over half of those individuals are children. Hacienda embraces a holistic approach to development and serving Latinos throughout the region with programs in Community Economic Development, Homeownership Support, and Youth & Family Support Services. We have grown to become Oregon’s largest Latino-led, Latino-serving housing organization and remain a trusted name in the Latino population. www.haciendacdc.org

About PrincipalÂź

Principal (Nasdaq: PFG) helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals—offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 4th, 2020 2013 Small
CONTACT Brenda Kinoshita,
Phone: (503) 557-5820;
Email: brendak@cwsor.org

Oregon City, OR (May 4th, 2020) — Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS), a local domestic and sexual violence response agency, is partnering with Hacienda Community Development Corp. (CDC), owners of the Portland Mercado, and Mercado vendors, to provide warm meals for domestic and sexual violence survivors during the pandemic. The partnership serves a dual purpose: supporting culturally-specific local businesses and caring for domestic violence survivors and their families currently receiving shelter.

The project began several weeks ago as a small pilot, with food cart vendors at Portland Mercado cooking fresh, packaged meals which Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS) staff delivered to survivors sheltered safely in confidential locations in Clackamas County. The organization delivered 42 meals the first week and is now expanding to deliver nearly 100 fresh meals weekly. Four small businesses have participated so far: La Arepa, Fernando’s Alegria, Kaah Market, and QuĂ© Bacano! These businesses are part of the Portland Mercado, a Latino Market and economic development initiative of Hacienda CDC, which supports 19 small businesses and brings together diverse cultures through food, art, and entertainment.

“The comfort of meals prepared by Mercado vendors is much appreciated by the survivors receiving them. Some participants look out their windows when they hear the footsteps of our staff delivering a box of necessities, including the Mercado meals.  They see the face of someone who cares, and the fresh meals show survivors that the community cares about them as well,” said Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director of Clackamas Women’s Services.

The partnership is an innovative response to the ongoing challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. Though effective at slowing the spread of the COVID-19, the recent stay-at-home orders have had an immediate and deep impact on local restaurants. The timing is even more challenging for many businesses as spring is usually the time that business picks up. Instead, it feels as if winter has not ended. Meanwhile, domestic violence response agencies are managing an increase in the need for services, particularly safe shelter. CWS is now housing twice as many survivors as usual to accommodate the need without the convenience of a central shelter kitchen for families to prepare meals in.

Domestic violence survivors currently being sheltered have limited access to fresh food. CWS serves many survivors from vulnerable populations including seniors, people with disabilities or with ongoing health conditions, and those reliant on public transportation which makes safely traveling to grocery stores difficult. Additionally, to maintain appropriate social distancing, many survivors are sheltered in spaces without access to full kitchens. While many people are spending their extra time at home baking bread, this is just not an option for many survivors who are subsisting on microwave and canned meals.

“Thank you to Clackamas Women’s Services for thinking about our hard-working small business community. This is just one of the many examples of our community coming together in crisis to support one another. Juntos we are stronger.”  Ernesto Fonseca, CEO -Hacienda CDC

“This partnership gave us a financial relief during the difficult times we are all going through; it also gave us the opportunity to support members of our community providing them a tasty meal,” Fernando Rodrigues, Fernando’s Alegria.

Portland Mercado vendors have adapted, offering online and to-go orders. Along with partnerships like this, Mercado businesses are able to provide the community with authentic flavors and remain in operation, and domestic violence survivors receive the much-needed comfort a fresh meal can bring,  as well as assurances that their community cares.

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About Clackamas Women’s Services

Clackamas Women’s Services began in 1985 when community members saw women and children in their community impacted by domestic violence and banded together to create a solution. CWS grew out of neighbors opening their homes and sharing what they had in hopes of building a safer community for families. Since that time, CWS has grown beyond shelter to offer a wide range of services for anyone experiencing domestic and sexual violence from initial crisis through to long-term healing. We continue the legacy of working with community members, emergency responders, partnering social services, and for-profit businesses to build communities that protect and support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Those interested in working with us to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence through volunteer service or financial support can find more information on our website, https://www.cwsor.org/. The 24-hour support line is 1-888-654-2288.

About Hacienda CDC

Hacienda CDC is a Latino Community Development Corporation that strengthens families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement and educational opportunities. Hacienda CDC was formed in 1992 to provide necessary housing and supportive services in a low-income, predominantly Latino community. Today, we provide safe, stable homes for over 1,500 individuals each year, and over half of those individuals are children. Hacienda embraces a holistic approach to development and serving Latinos throughout the region with programs in Community Economic Development, Homeownership Support, and Youth & Family Support Services. We have grown to become Oregon’s largest Latino-led, Latino-serving housing organization and remain a trusted name in the Latino population. www.haciendacdc.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 17, 2020
CONTACT: Brenda Kinoshita, (503) 557-5820, brendak@cwsor.org

Statement of Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director at Clackamas Women’s Services, On A Safe Place Family Justice Center Closure to the Public

Today the decision was made to close A Safe Place Family Justice Center to the public effective tomorrow, March 18th, during the current health crisis. This decision was made after lengthy deliberation and we support the measures Clackamas County and our FJC partners are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe. We will update the community as soon as we know the reopen date.   

We continue to be as present and available to the community as ever, while also working wisely to limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further impact on vulnerable populations.  We understand that domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse do not stop during this critical time; if anything, external stressors and lack of resources can exacerbate violence that is already happening. Our staff continues to work during this time and will continue to provide vital services to the community.   

Our movement began over 50 years ago with the formation of crisis lines— to both offer and receive support and connection without meeting face to face. It remains a core service through which we can provide safety planning, information about community resources and protections, and emotional support. And it’s a space we’re comfortable and confident continuing to provide support in now. Our advocates continue to shelter and provide those resources to the community at large. 

And we are learning to grow, adapt, and expand the way we serve the community. Our advocates continue to shelter and provide ongoing case management to survivors. We are exploring ways to deliver much-needed food and supplies to survivors and families in need. Counselors are providing mental health therapy online or over the phone. We continue to connect people with protective orders and our LEAP program is conducting intakes, meetings, and providing legal advice by phone or video-conference. Our children’s program is preparing a way to conduct support groups virtually and art-based therapy groups. We’re using all our time-tested crisis response skills and outside-of-the-box thinking and putting them to good use during this crisis.   

Please reach out to us for help and support.  We’re here for you. We know this time is challenging for everyone, but it only reaffirms what we have always known: the way to get through tough times is together.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 12, 2020
CONTACT: Brenda Kinoshita, (503) 557-5820, brendak@cwsor.org

 

Statement of Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director at Clackamas Women’s Services, Regarding Ongoing COVID-19 Developments

Like everyone, we are closely monitoring the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and are working closely with public health officials to follow their recommended guidelines for safety and care of the community.

I wanted to assure you that we are, as always, committed to our mission to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse.

We know that for domestic and sexual violence survivors isolation, lack of supportive contact, and gaps in the social safety net are dangerous and can increase traumatic responses. We understand that we provide essential services within the fabric of this social safety net for the community.

We are committed to continuing these essential services for survivors and other vulnerable populations. We have worked closely with public health officials to put plans in place to maintain shelter operations and community-based advocacy services with survivors’ and staff’s health and safety in mind. We have options in place to offer supportive services through phone and video-conferencing if needed. As always, our Crisis and Support line is available 24/7 at (503) 654-2288 for people in need.

Of course, as this situation develops we will continue to respond adaptively and will update the community of any changes.

We firmly believe the way to overcome trying times is by working together, supporting one another, and remembering our well-being is more connected to each other’s well-being than we think.

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Position: Camp Counselor – Volunteer

Length of Position: One year (training dates, one to two weeks of on-site camp, one camper introduction event, and intermittent post-camp events)

Reports to: Children’s Program Coordinator

A Safe Place Family Justice Center is looking for dedicated individuals to fill the role of Camp Counselor at Camp HOPE America – Oregon. Camp HOPE America – Oregon provides a week-long camp experience for youth who have experienced family violence. During the summer of 2020, Camp HOPE America — Oregon will hold 2 sessions of camp. Session 1 will be for ages 7-11 and Session 2 will be for ages 11-16.

Camp Counselors are positive role models who build relationships with our campers and create safe, supportive spaces for them to have fun! Camp Counselors provide youth with unconditional positive regard and emotional support, all while participating in a variety of outdoor and indoor relationship-building activities. Camp Counselors are also expected to attend activities and events throughout the year before and after camp as part of Camp HOPE America – Oregon’s Pathways Program.

Responsibilities of a Camp Counselor:

  • Complete 9 hours of web-series training
  • Attend 16 hours of Camp Counselor Training, held locally in Clackamas, OR (provided by A Safe Place staff)
  • Attend a three day Leadership Retreat at Camp Arrah Wanna in Welches, OR
  • Assist with Pathways Program events—activity facilitation, set up and take down of event spaces, and camper family engagement
  • Supervision of youth, ages 7-16
  • Model healthy boundaries with youth and other staff
  • Create a fun, enthusiastic, and empowering atmosphere for youth
  • Encourage youth involvement in activities and events
  • Utilize healthy relationship skills, such as clear communication and boundary setting, to build positive rapport with youth, Camp Counselors, and staff

Qualifications:

  • 17 to 25 years old by June 19th, 2020
  • Experience working with youth, ages 7-16
  • Able to commit to one year mentoring/volunteering role (intermittent events/activities)
  • Able to pass background check
  • Bi-lingual encouraged to apply
  • Past camp experience a plus
  • This position requires individuals to stand for long periods of time
  • This position requires individuals to be able to lift 40lbs safely
  • This position operates primarily outdoors
  • Camp Counselors will engage in ranges of movement that include pulling, pushing, kneeling, and running

 Training and Camp Dates:

  • Training: Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 (all day)
  • Camp HOPE Meet & Greet: Tuesday, June 9th, 2020
  • Leadership Retreat/Training: Friday, June 19th through Monday, June 22nd, 2020
  • Camp Week 1: Monday, June 22nd through Friday, June 26th, 2020
  • Camp Week 2: Monday, June 29th through Saturday, July 4th, 2020

2020-2021 Pathways Program events (subject to change):

  • 30 Day Reunion: Saturday, August 8th, 2020
  • Pathways Pumpkin Patch: Saturday, October 17th, 2020
  • Cookies with Santa: Wednesday, December 9th, 2020
  • Pathways Program Winter Event: Week of January 24th, 2021
  • Camp Counselor Appreciation, February 20th, 2021
  • Final Pathways Program Event: March 7th, 2021

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Position: Camp Counselor Cabin Lead – Volunteer

Length of Position: One year (training dates, one to two weeks of on-site camp, one camper introduction event, and intermittent Pathways Program events)

Reports to: Children’s Program Coordinator

A Safe Place Family Justice Center is looking for dedicated individuals with strong leadership skills to assist Camp HOPE America – Oregon Staff in facilitating camp activities, supporting Camp Counselors and campers, and filling in other needs as they arise. Camp HOPE America – Oregon provides a week-long camp experience for youth who have experienced domestic violence. During the summer of 2020, Camp HOPE America — Oregon will hold 2 sessions of camp. Session 1 will be for ages 7-11 and Session 2 will be for ages 11-16.

Camp Counselor Cabin Leads are vital to the creation of a supportive and safe environment. They provide youth with unconditional positive regard and emotional support, all while participating in a variety of outdoor and indoor relationship-building activities. Camp Counselor Cabin Leads are peer-leaders who use their experience and expertise to provide other Camp Counselors with support and guidance as needed. Camp Counselor Cabin Leads are expected to attend activities and events throughout the year before and after camp as part of Camp HOPE America – Oregon’s Pathways Program.

Responsibilities of a Camp Counselor Cabin Lead:

  • Attend 16 hours of Camp Counselor Training, held locally in Clackamas, OR (provided by A Safe Place staff)
  • Attend a three day Leadership Retreat at Camp Arrah Wanna in Welches, OR
  • Assist in communication between Camp Staff, Camp Counselors, and Volunteers
  • Offer support to Camp Counselors
  • Assist with Pathways Program events—activity facilitation, set up and take down of event spaces, and camper family engagement
  • Supervision of youth, ages 7-16
  • Create a fun, enthusiastic, and empowering atmosphere for youth
  • Encourage youth and Camp Counselor involvement in activities and events
  • Utilize healthy relationship skills, such as clear communication and boundary setting, to build positive rapport with youth, Camp Counselors, and staff

Qualifications:

  • At least one year Camp HOPE Camp Counselor experience
  • 18 to 25 years old by June 19th, 2020
  • Experience working with youth, ages 7-16
  • Able to commit to a one year mentoring/volunteering role (intermittent events/activities)
  • Able to pass background check
  • Bi-lingual encouraged to apply
  • This position requires individuals to stand for long periods of time
  • This position requires individuals to be able to lift 40lbs safely
  • This position operates primarily outdoors
  • Camp Counselor Cabin Leads will engage in ranges of movement that include pulling, pushing, kneeling, and running

Training and Camp Dates:

  • Training: Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 (all day)
  • Camp HOPE Meet & Greet: Tuesday, June 9th, 2020
  • Leadership Retreat/Training: Friday, June 19th through Monday, June 22nd, 2020
  • Camp Week 1: Monday, June 22nd through Friday, June 26th, 2020
  • Camp Week 2: Monday, June 29th through Saturday, July 4th, 2020

2020-2021 Pathways Program events (subject to change):

  • 30 Day Reunion: Saturday, August 8th, 2020
  • Pathways Pumpkin Patch: Saturday, October 17th, 2020
  • Cookies with Santa: Wednesday, December 9th, 2020
  • Pathways Program Winter Event: Week of January 24th, 2021
  • Camp Counselor Appreciation, February 20th, 2021
  • Final Pathways Program Event: March 7th, 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, November 27, 2019 CWS
CONTACT Brenda Kinoshita, Cell 971-235-4203;
Email: brendak@cwsor.org

 

Oregon City, OR (November 27, 2019) —This holiday season, The Angels in the Outfield will host a Holiday Store for domestic and sexual violence survivors, and children impacted by crime. Holiday Store is an annual tradition offered to survivors and their children during the holiday season. Historically provided by Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS), The Angels in the Outfield and CWS are collaborating for a second year to support even more families.

Holiday Store provides new gifts for survivors at no cost. The holidays can be difficult for survivors of violence, many of whom are struggling to find safety and shelter, navigating court systems and challenging family dynamics, all while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and holiday spirit for their children. Holiday Store takes the stress and financial burden off of survivors and allows them to provide gifts for their children. Unlike other types of holiday giving, Holiday Store allows parents themselves to select from among donated gifts, giving survivors a renewed sense of empowerment and ownership that reaffirms their role as provider within their family.

“Holiday Store helps during the holidays because it allows survivors to be normal parents again and enjoy the holidays, which they may have not had the opportunity to do for a very long time. Often finances can be tight after people flee an abusive relationship and Holiday Store can really relieve that pressure of choosing whether to pay a utility bill or buy a holiday gift,” Angie Drake, CWS Shelter and Housing Program Manager, said, “Survivors experience so much isolation and Holiday Store is a way we can communicate to survivors that they have a whole big community of people behind them cheering for them and supporting them.”

Clackamas Women’s Services first reached out to The Angels in the Outfield about the project because of shared missions to help vulnerable populations in Clackamas County. Through their combined efforts, Holiday Store helped 173 families, with 440 children receiving gifts from the store last December. This partnership not only increased the number of families served, it has also rallied local civic groups and businesses to come together to support children affected by domestic violence, crime, and child abuse.

“Words can’t adequately express the gratitude we feel for this community and the support they provide for our kids. These children, through no fault of their own, are victims of unimaginable circumstances. The Holiday Store donations provide hope, joy and encouragement for their futures in the form of a Christmas book, a fun toy or a new winter coat. It takes a village of givers and volunteers, and Angels in the Outfield has certainly got one!” said Julie Peters, Angels in the Outfield Treasurer.

To bring joy to families this holiday season, your organization, family, or group can collect new toys to be given to families in need at Holiday Store. Information on how to make a donation and volunteer can be found on The Angels in the Outfield website www.theangelsintheoutfield.org. Donations can be dropped off at any of The Angels in the Outfield drop off locations before December 14th.

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About Clackamas Women’s Services

The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. CWS was incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s first shelter for women and children escaping family violence and domestic abuse. CWS’ service delivery framework is built on trauma-informed best practices that promote safety and self-determination. Participants in their programs receive no-cost services by highly trained staff with advanced expertise. The 24-hour crisis line is 1-888-654-2288. To learn more, please visit https://www.cwsor.org/.

About The Angels in the Outfield

The Angels in the Outfield is a non-profit organization seeking to brighten the lives of children who have been impacted by crime or child abuse. Their mission is to promote healing, happiness, and safety of children through the generosity of their contributors. Services provided to each child are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on each child’s specific needs. To learn more, please visit https://www.theangelsintheoutfield.org/.

 

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