Northwest Family Services is an award winning, leading provider of creative services that reduce

poverty. The MISSION supports child well-being and family stability programs and services.

6200 King Rd. Portland, OR 97222

(503) 546-6377 www.nwfs.org

Join US NWFS hosts community-wide luncheons for anyone interested to learn more

about us.

Next Open Hou:se September 16 Time: Noon—1pm

6200 SE King Rd. Portland OR 97222 *No Request Event

Contact us to RSVP: Jackie Vargas at 503.546-6377 or jvargas@nwfs.org

NWFS Partners We Partner with over 300 organizations. Here are a few: (Alphabetically listed)

AARP Tax Aide

Care Oregon

Clackamas County

Gladstone School District

Gresham Police Department

Health Share of Oregon

Leupold & Stevens Foundation

Milwaukie Police Department

North Clackamas School District

Oregon City School District

Oregon Health Authority

Providence Health & Services

Reynolds School District

Umpqua Bank

Univision Portland

Vancouver School District

Live Grow Succeed

Northwest Family Services News presented for Summer 2015

Programs Youth Solutions

Health Navigation

Counseling

Jobs / Career Fit

Parenting Inside Out

SymptoPro

Lasting Relationships

And More...

What do you think of when you imagine a Jiu Jitsu Black

Belt? A person who is disciplined and confident right?

Well, “even a black belt needs a confidence boost at

times,” says NWFS Employment Specialist Carlos

Torres. In early spring 2015, Scott Isom walks into the

Northwest Family Services’ office after completing his

job readiness workshop. He is a man in his late 20s, and

had never held a formal job in his life. Isom had lived in

his parents’ home since high school and was admittedly

depressed. While he shared that he holds a black belt

in Jiu Jitsu, Scott was not standing tall, and sheepishly

looked down at the ground. Then he sat slumped into a

seat with the NWFS employment specialist.

Torres explained that he spent a couple hours with Scott

just interviewing him and trying to get a better

understanding of his situation and how best he could

help him. Ultimately, “we just talked a lot about build-

ing self-confidence and I gave him a considerable

number of interview tips,” says Torres. Torres then set-

up a follow-up appointment where the two would

create his resume and go after job leads. “After the ini-

tial meeting, I felt it would take a considerable amount

of time for me to be able to secure any kind of employ-

ment for such an introverted and unsure young man,”

said Torres, “he was terrified at the prospect of being

interviewed for a job for the first time in his life.”

Isom missed the follow-up appointment and Carlos Torres wondered what had

happened. “He showed up to the office to apologize for the missed meeting,

but I could hardly recognize the new Scott,” Torres clarified, “he walked in

with so much confidence, his head held high, and a big smile.”

Scott, immediately not wasting any time after talking with Torres and without a

resume, had walked into the local Grocery Outlet Store. He asked for an em-

ployment application, and boldly requested to meet the Store Manager. After

being introduced, the manager interviewed him on the spot! Two

days later, Scott started his new job as a Cashier and Customer Service Clerk.

Isom says, “Northwest Family Services changed my life for the better!” Up-

date: Since working with NWFS and being hired at Grocery Outlet, Scott

Isom has now added to his accomplishments the position of co-teaching mar-

tial arts with his former Jiu Jitsu Sensai. Congratulations on your success, Scott!

Black Belt Regains Confidence

www.lastingrelationships.org

Serving adults within the child welfare and criminal

justice system.

“I had no confidence in myself. In PIO I accomplished

something each week. Those little successes gave me the

confidence to keep going; I was willing to try something

bigger. Now I am part of my children’s lives. I am their

mom.”

I won a year-long custody battle of my autistic 8 year-old son, which left me financially drained and emotionally

beaten. I found myself living in a shelter with my son, excited to be safe as a family, but stressed over what to do

now. Thanks to the shelter’s partnership with NWFS, I had the chance to participate

in a workshop series.

The NWFS facilitator, CarrieAnn, brought a lot of knowledge that I lacked

regarding proper parenting methods. She provided many helpful things that made

me feel energized and excited to put practices into action.

As the classes continued I found myself moving away from my previous, ineffective

methods such as doing things out of habit or instinct. Now, I stop to think how this

will affect my son and his unique needs. Our relationship and connection is

growing stronger by the day. Thank you NWFS!

Studies of families with fathers actively involved in both childcare and household responsibilities, reported

preschoolers who showed increased cognitive competence, increased capacity for empathy, increased self-

control, and a decrease in gender-stereotyped beliefs.

NWFS staff is trained in several evidence-based early childhood development programs. These programs

include: Making Parenting a Pleasure, The Incredible Years, and Nurturing Parenting. All these workshops are

similar in approach, goals and vary in length.

Bruce, 55 year-old father of a special needs child —Shares His Experience:

Featured Program: Early Childhood Development - Parenting Workshops

Partnering with 12 schools

Middle and High School

Afterschool programs and mentoring

Developing youth leaders

Summer Programs

School-wide assemblies

Case Coordination

Drug, Alcohol, Gang, and other risk prevention education

Serving 13,000+ students annually

What We Do:

Peer Court acts as a diversion program that is

designed to give youth ages 12-17 with first-time,

low-level law violations a chance to repair harm

and show accountability for their actions without

involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Youth, under the direction of professional

attorneys, work as defense attorney, prosecuting

attorney, and jury. The jury decides what type of

accountability fits for the law violation.

Quick Fact: In 2014, Northwest Family Services (NWFS) graduated 90% of all students who worked with us

(graduating high school or advancing to the next grade level) while the entire State of Oregon only graduated

72% of all Oregon High School students.

This program saves Oregon Taxpayers a conservative $25,000 each year, per youth. This represents the cost of a person in an Oregon prison. Collectively from over 600 youth who have successfully gone through peer court

as participants, Peer Court has saved Oregon Taxpayers $15 million dollars!

“Youth are five times more likely to graduate if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult.”

NWFS’ Counseling Department provides

professional counseling to individuals, couples, and

families in the areas of: Depression, Anxiety, Grief,

Parenting, Trauma, Eating Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Stress, and Pregnancy Loss.

What We Do:

Clinical Manager, Ruth Hayes-Barba, says,“ Almost

everyone at some point in their life needs a safe place

to sort things out and make sense of what they feel

and what is going on in their life. Counseling

provides the environment where this can happen.”

NWFS Counseling Staff:

In 2012, in partnership with Clackamas County, NWFS successfully launched a middle and high school

mentoring program serving children of incarcerated parents. Since that time, over 60 youth have been

served with an intensive mentoring case management program, served by a full-time coordinator.

Sadly, according to a US Senate Report, youth of incarcerated parents are up to 70% more likely to be

involved in the criminal justice system themselves. NWFS helps to meet this challenge as youth are five

times more likely to graduate high school if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult. This in turn

has a direct impact on avoiding future involvement with the criminal justice system.

Deceptions is a cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind awareness

curriculum for schools that warns local teens about the

growing issue of child sex trafficking in our community.

The overarching goal of the Deceptions program is to

increase adolescents’ awareness about the issue of child sexual exploitation, trafficking and internet

safety through a three-hour, interactive, classroom-based education series. This program also provides

community awareness events periodically through-out the year. Learn more at

What We Do:

Please join us in supporting the Deceptions program and help prevent Slavery

with a donation. Human Trafficking is the 2nd Largest Criminal Trade

Worldwide, just below Drugs. Sadly, the Portland Metro Area is among the

Highest Human Trafficking cities within the US. Since 2011, when the Deceptions

program was created at the request of local law enforcement, over 15,000 local

youth have gone through this nationally acclaimed awareness program. In

addition, Deceptions has trained over 300 speakers delivering this message

across America to thousands more.

HOW Can I Help?

It’s Easy – Text Deceptions to 71777 or sign up @:

http://igfn.us/vf/Deceptions

NWFS Values Diversity Northwest Family Services believes in treating all people

with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Programs

The programs and services of Northwest Family Services

are available to everyone regardless of ethnicity,

nationality, disabilities, religion, gender, sexual orientation

or any other legally protected status. Our programs and

services are appropriate according (e.g., age, geographic

location) to Northwest Family Services’ funding streams.

NWFS has a diversity committee to assist the organization in

improving our cultural responsiveness. The committee works with the Diversity Manager to develop

opportunities to increase the level of cultural competency among our staff. Also, NWFS has contracted

with Diversity Resource Group, as an ongoing consultant in all efforts to introduce and support diversity

work at NWFS.

Employment & Volunteering

Northwest Family Services considers applicants for employment/internships/volunteering without regard

to sex, race, age, religion, national origin, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation or any other legally

protected status. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities when it

would not be an undue hardship.

For More Information Or To Get Involved:

Contact: Abigail Wells: (503) 546-6377 or awells@nwfs.org

MISSION: To collaborate with partners of the North

Clackamas Community to apply strategies that

will create community wide change in order to

reduce underage drinking, marijuana, and

prescription drug use.

Vibrant Future Coalition needs YOU to Help Put The UNITY

Back Into Our CommUNITY!

JUNE 29 - JULY 30

SUMMER KAOS Summer Day Camp

Monday through Thursday at Kraxberger Middle

School

Open to incoming 5th—8th Graders

Cost: $25—includes trip to Oaks Park

Registration Limited to 100 students

Summer KAOS is an exciting day-time program filled with

adventure, exploration, and fun opportunities. Each day,

youth will be provided with a snack and a lunch through the

Gladstone free lunch program. Activities will vary daily but

may include chances to participate in soccer, kickball,

basketball, dodge ball, art/crafts, knitting, gardening,

ultimate frisbee, hip hop, capture the flag and much more.

If this sounds like an OPPORTUNITY for your student, please

fill out a registration form and return it to the Gladstone

School District office. Transportation is not provided.

Contact: Kayla Rask—raskk@gladstone.k12.or.us or

503-655-3636 ext. 598

NWFS now offers Mammogram Screenings!

Recently, NWFS was awarded a $110,000 grant

from Susan G Komen Foundation to assist Latinas

age 40 and older to obtain mammograms! Latinas

are considerably more likely to be diagnosed

with Stage 3 or 4 cancer. This vital work will allow

NWFS to connect women to services and ultimately save lives. Thank you Susan G. Komen

Foundation! Learn more at nwfs.org .

Community Health Worker Program Now At

Kaiser Permanente Mt. Scott Clinic!

NWFS is expanding its Community Health Worker pilot program now to include Kaiser

Permanente Mt. Scott Clinic beginning May 2015. Community Health Workers (CHW)

build awareness and skills surrounding high blood pressure, diabetes, breast health,

nutrition, exercise, and mental health. Ultimately, the goals and activities of CHWs will

help to decrease the amount of patient time that would otherwise clog up the Kaiser

emergency department rooms. Collectively from all CHWs working together, significant

savings to the Oregon Taxpayer, hospitals, and patients themselves will be gained.

Healthy People 2020 says, “The leading causes of illness and death among adolescents

and young adults are largely preventable.” Annually, $700 billion is spent on costs

directly and indirectly associated with preventable adolescent health problems.

Community Health Workers are frontline public health workers who are trusted

members of and or have an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting

relationship enables a CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the

community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service

delivery. CHW also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-

sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, and

social support and advocacy.

The Oregon jobless problem remains a serious challenge for

Oregonians. In November 2014, the Oregon rate of

unemployment was 7.0%, according to the US Bureau of Labor

Statistics. Northwest Family Services is committed to reducing

the Oregon jobs problem and making big impact upon family

stability. Our Employment Assistance Department, CareerFit,

provides job seekers with readiness skills, one-on-one

coaching, and connections to employers. Also, this program

will not only help people become employed, it enables a family

the opportunity to secure employer paid health insurance.

This work is critical as Oregon cannot afford the cost of $1.67

Billion Dollars paid out in annual unemployment benefits.

The Northwest Family Services’ Jobs program yields massive gains and savings for Oregon— 2014 Impacts :

132 people secured a job thanks to NWFS, representing an approximate $3,200,947 in income per year.

67% of participants were placed in full time jobs and 33% in part time jobs.

Those 132 people who have secured jobs are now saving taxpayers from unmade unemployment claims.

NWFS Impacts Economy through Employment Assistance!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015, from 12pm—1pm

6200 SE King Rd. Portland, OR 97222