DORIS'S PLACE PLAYGROUNDS ARE OPEN!

The children at Doris’s Place - Family Building Blocks have been breaking in the new and natural-feeling playscapes over the past month! Designed with the same thoughtful attention as our classrooms, our two play yards prioritize natural materials and play experiences that balance safety with the sense of freedom that comes from exploring the wild beauty of the canyon.

Children dig moats in the sand and fill them with water from an old-fashioned pump. They pick flowers from garden beds and carry them to the play kitchen to create potions. They ride trikes along a looping two-lane road that winds through the large yard. Our infants and younger children have space to follow their natural gross motor development by crawling through grass, pulling to stand at low platforms, exploring water tables, or simply watching tree branches and colorful fabrics sway gently in the breeze.

THANK YOU to the JTMF Foundation for their support with building our playgrounds! We value their partnership in creating this beautiful, inclusive, and nature-based space for children and families in the Santiam Canyon. Read more about the JTMF Foundation's partnership here.

THANK YOU to Stayton Mayor Brian Quigley for his recent generous donation of five brand-new trikes for our playground. Watching the children gather around and eagerly open the boxes was so special. These new trikes will bring so much joy!

We are so grateful for our community's support of children and families. Thank you for "Keeping Children Safe and Families Together" with Family Building Blocks.

THANK YOU JESSICA!

Throughout this spring, we have been honored to share about Jessica, her family, and their partnership with Family Building Blocks. Jessica is a devoted mom of three who has faced multiple stressors throughout her parenting journey, including postpartum issues after her third child while also caring for her other young children. Jessica and her family partner with Teacher Mara and Family Building Blocks at our Gracie's Place location in West Salem.

Jessica's journey with Family Building Blocks illustrates how compassionate, consistent support can make a meaningful impact on children and families. Her story shows how our programs, including Therapeutic Early Childhood Classrooms and Home Visiting, wrap around the entire family to strengthen relationships and build connections, creating home and classroom environments where both she and her children have been able to thrive!

Thank you, Jessica, for sharing part of your parenting journey with us! We are honored to share this video with our community.

Video of a Family Building Blocks partnering family, thumbnail shows Jessica and her daughter Sophia

THANK YOU KELLER WILLIAMS CREW!

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible volunteer crew from Keller Williams for recently spending the day with us at our Family Building Blocks Helen's Place location! This team supported with sorting diapers for families in need, organizing and stocking our food pantry, and helping us prepare for our annual Uncorked event.

We are so grateful for your time, energy, and commitment to supporting children and families in our community! Community partnerships are deeply appreciated at Family Building Blocks.

Interested in volunteering or providing a work crew of volunteers? Connect with Gaby at gestrada@familybuildingblocks.org or 503-566-2132.

THANK YOU ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

A heartfelt THANK YOU to OnPoint Community Credit Union for awarding us a generous $5,000 grant in support of our mission of "Keeping Children Safe and Families Together."

We’re so grateful for partners like OnPoint Community Credit Union who believe in the power of local community and invest in making change with Family Building Blocks. Special thanks to Branch Manager Michael Savoy for visiting our Chelsea's Place location and connecting with our team. THANK YOU!

🖤🤍 THANK YOU UNCORKED 🖤🤍

Thank you for all the community support for our 19th Annual Uncorked Live and Revelry at beautiful Bryn Mawr Vineyards. Uncorked 2026 was truly beautiful!

Because of supporters like YOU, Uncorked has raised more than $7 million since its inception to support Family Building Blocks, our community’s Relief Nursery dedicated to “Keeping Children Safe and Families Together.” Every dollar raised directly supports children and families in our community.

We are deeply grateful for your attendance, your donations, your bids, and so many generous contributions. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages for more photos!

Save the dates for Uncorked 2027 - Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5.

CAPITAL CITY LIVE! JOIN US JULY 31!

It's almost Pardi time in Salem! Jon Pardi is coming to the L.B. Day Amphitheater on July 31st and we couldn't be more excited! This show is presented by Capital City Live and Presenting Sponsor Bonaventure Senior Living, with proceeds benefiting Family Building Blocks. Get your tickets today and join us for a night of country music and community!

When you buy a ticket to see Jon Pardi on July 31, you're not just getting a world-class concert experience. You're backing our community and showing up for families who need it most. We also have volunteer opportunities available for the event. Volunteers will receive free admission to the concert, whether that means returning after your shift or enjoying the music while you're on shift. Please note: Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older. All positions will require working outdoors on concrete and the ability to be mobile for the duration of your shift.

About the artist: Jon Pardi has racked up 6 #1 hits, 9.3 billion streams, and a reputation for putting on high-energy, honky-tonk shows. His hits include: "Head Over Boots," "Dirt on My Boots,"

and "Heartache Medication."

Plus, he's bringing his new album, Honkytonk Hollywood, to life right here in Salem at Capital City Live. 🎸🎶

Buy Tickets Now

Volunteer at Capital City Live

YOUNG LEADERS CORNHOLE TOURNEY AT TOPWIRE!

Join the Family Building Blocks Young Leaders Council for a fun afternoon at their first-ever Cornhole Tournament on Sunday, June 28 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at TopWire in Woodburn!

Teams of two can register for $20 and compete in a round robin tournament, making it perfect for players of all skill levels. This event is held in partnership with TopWire’s Hop Project, and all proceeds will benefit Family Building Blocks. If you would like to attend but not play, Topwire will also be donating a portion of beverage sales to Family Building Blocks. We would love to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE

RIVERFRONT FAMILY FEST

Riverfront Family Fest will be held at Salem's Riverfront Park on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Riverfront Family Fest is one of the largest child-friendly community events in Salem with 4,000 parents and children attending each year. This health and safety resource fair is FREE to attend. Share the Facebook event here.

With a range of family-friendly activities, Riverfront Park provides a safe and fun place for families to spend time with each other and to build new relationships with other community members. Make plans to join us!

Interested in sponsoring this event? Connect with Tayler at therman@familybuildingblocks.org.