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OCF Supports The Next Door’s Parenting Hub

May 27, 2011 by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Karen Enns, Program Director, 541-436-0306
Janet Hamada, Executive Director, 541-436-0301

THE NEXT DOOR RECEIVES $90,000
Oregon Community Foundation funds second year of parenting education hub

Friday, May 27, 2011 Hood River, Oregon:
The Oregon Community Foundation Oregon Community Foundation logohas renewed their support of The Next Door’s Regional Parenting Education program for a second year. This grant is part of the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative, a multi-year initiative developed by OCF in partnership with Meyer Memorial Trust, The Ford Family Foundation, the Collins Foundation and Oregon State University.

The Parenting Education program coordinates and delivers a variety of classes for parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Many class series start in the Fall & Spring, while others can be joined anytime. Childcare and dinner are often included, and help with the small registration fee is available.

Families First provides classes in Wasco County and New Parent Services offers them in Hood River County. Both are programs of The Next Door. Community partners also provide classes and additional parenting supports, creating a collaborative, regional, program to reach as many parents as possible.

For more information about parenting classes and other parenting supports and activities, go to www.nextdoorinc.org and download the Parenting in the Gorge Guide.

Filed Under: Families First, New Parent Services, Parenting Education, Press Release, Prevention

“Table of Friends” a Rousing Success

May 25, 2011 by

Families First, a program of The Next Door, had their 2nd annual fund raising event, “Table of Friends” in The Dalles at The Riverenza on April 29th. The event was a complete success, raising twice as much money as last year. There were over 80 supporters in attendance, bringing with them the same kind of warm feeling of friendship and support as last year’s event while everybody got in on the excitement of the “Dessert Auction”.  The food was catered by Paradise Rose Chuck Wagon and was filling and fabulous and Cascade Cliffs Winery and Vineyards provided their amazing wine complementary for guests!

The Dessert Live Auction alone raised over $2,500 dollars! Thirteen different desserts were donated by bakers in our community; Anzac Tea Parlor, Bakitchen, Cousins, Flavor Addictions, Petit Provence, Sweet Melissa’s, Romul’s, Tiffany Kenslow, Jen Mathisen, and Candice Ryan Hendrickson. All the desserts were absolutely amazing, beautiful and delicious! And what a frenzy with Tiffany’s cake going for over $400! The infamous David Griffith, owner of Griffith Motors, was our auctioneer extraordinaire. He really has a way of getting people excited and ready to participate in the fun.

Five Premier Sponsors made the event possible; Casa El Mirador, CenterPointe Community Bank, Gateway Presbyterian Church, Les Schwab Tire Center and Dr. Jeffrey & Jen Mathisen. They were joined by four Name Sponsors; Bob Stone Freeway Autocenter, Columbia Gorge Real Estate, Kenslow and Sisko LLC and Doctors McAllister, Hankins and McCaffrey from Columbia Hills Family Medicine. Because of all these wonderful sponsors we were able to bring the event back this year and raise close to $10,000. Funds will provide home visiting programs that bring support and resources to many families dealing with high levels of stress in The Dalles.

You have heard the saying “it takes a village.” Well we have the most giving village in the Gorge. There were at least 40 items in our Silent Auction, which brought in close to $2,000. Donors responded to the “Ask”, with over $2,000! As anyone can see, all the way around, people came to “Table of Friends” ready to have a fun time and support a great program that makes a huge difference in the lives of many children in our community. Many thanks to you all for your support and the great memories of a super terrific event!

The Next Door is a local nonprofit whose mission is opening doors to new possibilities by strengthening children and families and improving communities. Staff members work with thousands of people in the Columbia Gorge who are struggling; to grow up strong, to stop getting in trouble, to be good enough parents, and even to learn a sustainable way to have enough food. More information is available at www.nextdoorinc.org

Filed Under: Families First, Fundraising, Parenting Education, Press Release

Soroptimist Hosts Sixth Annual Community Baby Shower

May 5, 2011 by

For many expectant mothers in our community, the excitement of having a baby is diminished by serious life stresses. In some cases, a woman has fled domestic violence, which can accelerate during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby. Other times, poverty has made it impossible to prepare for the baby’s arrival.

To make a difference for these families, Soroptimist International of Hood River is holding its sixth annual community baby “shower.” Gifts donated by the community will be given to New Parent Services in Hood River and Families First in The Dalles, programs of The Next Door, whose trained visitors support families expecting their first baby.

This year, there are four ways to help. The entire community is invited to bring unwrapped, new gifts on Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to the Next Door office, 965 Tucker Road in Hood River (the former Encore Video building), and enjoy refreshments and baby shower activities. Also on Saturday in The Dalles, shower gifts may be delivered to the Families First booth at the Children’s Fair at The Dalles City Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition, local businesses and employees are encouraged to sponsor a “shower” at their workplace the week after Mother’s Day, May 9-13. Contact Barbara Young, 541-490-1996, for more information and to have donated items picked up.

Area churches are asked to host a baby item collection on Sunday, May 15th.

Finally, cash or checks (made payable to SIHR) may be taken to CenterPointe Bank or mailed to Soroptimist, P.O. Box 51, Hood River, OR 97031.

New Parent Services/Families First would appreciate the following new, unwrapped, gender-neutral shower gifts: 

Disposable diapers (newborn & larger sizes)  

Baby oil, shampoo, wash, wipes

Q-tips

Pacifiers and teething supplies                                                

Glass feeding bottles                                                   

Diaper rash ointment

Disposable cameras, photo albums

Baby toys, board books

Receiving blankets, quilts                               

Socks, booties, hats                                                                                                    

Pajamas, t-shirts and onesies

 “We hope that by providing several ways for people to participate even more families in need will be helped,” says Stephanie Hartman, Soroptimist Community Baby Shower committee chair.  “These babies deserve to have their basic needs met. I know we can count on the many loving and generous people of our community to help ease the burden on new parents by providing basic items for a great start.”

Soroptimist International of Hood River is a business and professional women’s service organization with the goal of improving the lives of women and girls both locally and around the world. Learn more at soroptimist.org

Filed Under: Families First, New Parent Services, Press Release

Families First “Table of Friends” Returns

April 15, 2011 by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Table of FriendsContact: Julie Ryan, Supervisor 541-296-8118 x210 

Families First “Table of Friends” Returns

Friday, April 15, 2011
The Dalles, Oregon (April 15)

 Families First, a program of The Next Door, is excited to present a second annual “Table of Friends: A Benefit for Families First” event on Friday, April 29, at The Riverenza in The Dalles. Enjoy fine dining, wine and luscious desserts while supporting one of Wasco County’s most important programs for children and families.

“Table of Friends” begins at 6:00 pm and includes a complementary glass of wine, barbecue dinner (good down home food provided by Paradise Rose Chuckwagon), dessert auction and silent auction, and a few surprises.

Every aspect of the event is possible only through generous business and community donations of auction items, sponsorships, discounts, and the giving spirit of many individuals.  This year’s premier wine sponsor is Cascade Cliffs Winery and Vineyards. Other local wines will be available to purchase for your personal wine collection.

The delicious desserts are donated by amazing bakers from the community including BaKitchen, Romuls, Petite Provence, Anzac Tea Parlor, Flavor Addictions, Cousins, Jen Mathisen and Candice Ryan.

Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased from the Families First office at 1005 W. 6th St. in The Dalles or at Klindt’s Booksellers. Tickets are limited and must be purchased by April 24.

Families First has provided support to Wasco County families with young children for the past 16 years. Services include “Welcome Baby Packets” to all first-time parents, home visits, parenting classes, fun family events, and baby clothing and equipment donations. Weekly home visits are offered to vulnerable young families with significant stress in their lives, such as poverty, teen parenting, depression, substance abuse, or other struggles.

As a program of The Next Door, a Gorge-wide non-profit agency, Families First relies heavily on community donations. Fundraising events such as Table of Friends are critical to keeping services going.

Filed Under: Families First, Fundraising, Press Release

The Next Door Hosts Grand Opening

April 10, 2011 by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Non-profit social service agency has opened new doors

Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Hood River, Oregon (April 13): Local social service agency, The Next Door, is thrilled to show off their new building with a Grand Opening, Thursday, April 21, from 5-7 pm. The public is encouraged to drop by and help celebrate.

Renovations are complete and all programs and staff have moved from three buildings to one. This move is saving money and allowing staff of the 39-year-old agency to get more done. The new building is even safer than the old buildings, more comfortable for staff and clients, and more easily accessed. This long-awaited move has already resulted in staff being able to give more to the community.

The Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are facilitating a ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m. A number of employees will be guiding tours and answering questions.

The Next Door encourages representatives of community groups to check out the Conference Room, which is available to the public for meetings.

The Grand Opening is from 5-7 pm, at 965 Tucker Rd.

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Filed Under: General, Press Release
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