Portland Children's Levy Newsletter
March 2017
Dan Saltzman, Portland City Commissioner | Lisa Pellegrino, Director
 
Pass it On
Standing together 

The Portland community has responded to recent threatening federal actions with messages of inclusivity, tolerance and unity. 

For instance, visitors walking into Madison High School are greeted with these welcoming signs:



Here is a message Portland Public Schools sent out containing a Q/A related to protecting its students should federal agents approach a school. See the info here.
 
Also, PPS sent out a message to parents and families reaffirming its commitment to uphold local and state policies that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression despite federal moves to reduce those protections. See related info here.

Latino Network recently published a Community Resources page to help families prepare for potential deportation or other immigration emergencies. Click here to view and share with others.
And in related news, the City of Portland announced a $50K grant to help immigrants and refugees secure legal assistance. Read the KATU story  here.
Upcoming PCL funding round for new AS programs
 
PCL recently allocated $500,000 to make new grants for after-school programs through a competitive grant process for the 2017-18 and '19 school years. The Allocation Committee will decide on a process and timeline at a March 21st meeting (see meeting details below). The AC is considering a 2-step process involving applicants first submitting a Letter of Interest. Info on this was sent out earlier this week to the PCL database and can be viewed here.
OR Teen Pregnancy Task Force Summit April 18th
This conference is for educators, health personnel, administrators, counselors, social and youth service workers, parents, clergy, teen parent program staff, community members and others who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in addressing adolescent sexuality issues. Emphasis is on covering a wide spectrum of adolescent sexuality topics. To register go here.
Volunteers of America open eastside Relief Nursery

VOA had a grand opening of its East Family Relief Nursery in its new expanded classroom at 2609 SE 136th Ave. in Portland. The nursery serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, offering a holistic, positive approach to working with children and parents. Services are provided at no charge to families. Parent education and monthly home visitation are also included. For more info, call 503-236-8492.

 
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month


Visit the "Pinwheels for Prevention" page to learn more and download the Campaign Manual here.   
Playworks Training for Providers

Playworks can help providers working with children integrate safe, healthy and inclusive student play into existing school activities through a series of thorough and interactive workshops that highlight constructive tools and methods. The trainings are designed for before-, after- and out-of-school program staff.   Go here for more info.
YWCA Social Change Trainings

The YWCA offers high-quality and engaging social change trainings. Training info can be found here. The org is also looking for women of color who want to work with other women of color for racial justice. More info here.
Meals 4 Kids Needs Volunteers

Meals 4 Kids, a PCL-funded program through Meals on Wheels People that delivers meals to children and their caregivers throughout Portland, is looking for volunteer drivers. Interested?  Contact Meals 4 Kids
PCL Helps Nonprofits Recruit Volunteers

I t's never too late to be listed on our Volunteer Opportunities page , so if you are an org that accepts volunteers, please  email us  with: 
  1.  A link: either to your website where volunteer information can be found, or the email and/or phone number of the name of the person responsible for volunteers.
  2. A short blurb about what you are looking for from volunteers.
  3. If you would like to include any specific wording about outreach to older and/or retired potential volunteers.
In the News
Students helping to feed families in New Columbia

Read how the youth involved in the Harvest Share program there are making positive changes in the community in this Oregonian story here.
Roadmap to graduation success: how one district did it

Read how Oregon City got 94 percent of its senior class to graduate. The Oregonian story is  here.
Friends of the Children named No. One by PBJ

For the second year, Friends was named the top admired nonprofit by the Portland Biz Journal. Congrats and read the story here. 
Achievement gaps in kindergarten
 
Stubborn gaps remain between white students and children of color. Read the OPB story here. 
A racial wealth chasm 
 
Two-parent families of color have half the wealth of white single parents. Read the story from  NPR  here.
Programs Making a Difference:
Kúkátónón Children's African Dance Troupe
Photo Credit: Naim Hasan Photography

For more than 30 years, the Kúkátónón dance troupe has been teaching African cultural traditions to hundreds of student performers, and then showcasing those children at artistic drum and dance programs. 

The troupe seeks to preserve the cultures of the people of Africa by transporting audiences and the children who participate.

PCL was an event sponsor for the troupe's recent gala fundraiser which raised money to ensure that the students will continue to be offered tuition-free, after- school classes in African dance, African drumming and ballet fundamentals. 
PCL Updates
screenshot of homepage
New Website, Twitter and Facebook

The Portland Children's Levy  has a whole new look! Let us know what you think. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Follow us on Twitter   Like us on Facebook
Early Childhood Update

Friendly House has openings at its half-day educational preschool program. The program includes play-based curriculum, outside and inside play space, meals, parent-teacher conferences and more. Full scholarships funded by PCL are available and there are also multiple openings for families able to pay tuition on an affordable sliding scale -- monthly payments as low as $260. Any child who has turned 3 is eligible. Visit the preschool webpage here for more information or call 503-228-4391 -- tours are available as well!

Also,  here is an interesting story about "building" your child's brain.
Allocation Committee News

Mark your calendar: the next PCL Allocation Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 21st at 3:30 p.m. in the Portland Building Auditorium (second floor). Please note location change! An agenda will be posted on the PCL website a week before the meeting and sent to the PCL mailing list. 
PCL 2016 Progress Report
Check out the 2016 PCL Progress Report!

Take a look at the PCL 2016 Progress Report and follow the journey of some of our children and families in Levy programs. Hard copies will be available at all Allocation Committee meetings or by contacting us.
PCL Staff Contacts
Director, After School & Hunger grants
Assistant Director and Early Childhood & Mentoring grants: Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention & Foster Care Grants Manager:
Communications Director:
Fiscal Specialist:
Who We Are

The Portland Children's Levy was created by city voters in 2002 and overwhelmingly renewed by the electorate in Fall 2008 and Spring 2013. Funding for the new five-year Levy began July 1, 2014 and includes hunger relief as a new focus area.

The Levy is supported through a property tax paid by City of Portland homeowners that generates $15 million toward investments in proven programs in areas of Early Childhood, After School, Mentoring, Child Abuse Prevention/Intervention, Foster Care and Hunger Relief. The Levy reaches over 8,000 children and their families annually; in addition, Levy-funded hunger relief services provide food to over 11,000 children and 9,167 parents/caregivers annually.

The Levy is annually audited and administrative costs do not exceed 5 percent.
Questions? Contact: Call Mary Gay Broderick at 503-823-2947 or e-mail
See our website at www.portlandchildrenslevy.org