Summer Fun!

 We have been having a great summer here at HOME! Here are some pictures of our highlights!

Ami and Dan getting ready to cook for the BBQ in Wallace Park.

Bowling at Towne and Country in Keizer!

Nerf gun war at the park!

Our piano from the Play Me, I'm Yours project was located in front of the Capitol building. Youth painted and decorated the piano and it was open for all of the public to enjoy.

Water balloon fight!

Play Me, I'm Yours - It really works!

Last Thursday I got to experience first-hand the great impact Play Me, I’m Yours has on our community! After the great fun the youth at HOME had while painting and decorating the piano, we decided to be the first visitors and musicians to its installation site near the capitol fountain. With nine youth and two staff including myself, we made our way down to the Capitol on one of the hottest afternoons of the year.  After finding their decorations and hand-prints and giving their piano skills a whirl, many of the teens’ eyes quickly fell onto the cool fountain in the distance. Before we knew it, everyone was cooling off, fully-clothed, in the fountains in front of the Capitol! After playing in and enjoying the water and sun we slowly made our way back to HOME. One 11-year old boy turned to me on the walk back and said with a huge smile on his face: “This was the most epic day at the drop-in ever!” All I could think about was how effective Play Me, I’m Yours had been for our organization. Without our piano, the trip to the Capitol might not have happened and although our journey involved more running through water with our clothes on than actual music making, it was a perfect example of how Play Me, I’m Yours enables people to “engage with and take ownership of their urban environment.”

Play Me, I'm Yours

What have the youth been up to at HOME for the last week? Painting a piano of course! As part of the Play Me, I'm Yours street piano project, HOME was given a piano to paint and personalize. This project was created by British artist Luke Jerram in 2008 and was designed in order to encourage citizens to "engage with, activate and take ownership of their urban environment."  (You can find more information here: http://www.streetpianos.com/ )

Salem was chosen as one of the participating cities this year and HOME Youth and Resource Center was one of 10 non-profit organization in the Salem area selected to receive and decorate a piano. We had so much fun with this project! Below are some pictures of the piano before, during and after the painting. For the best view, head over to the Capitol Mall by the fountain: our piano will be there for the next two weeks just waiting to be played and appreciated! 

Thank you Salem Academy!

In yet another example of extraordinary caring and consideration by youth in our community, Salem Academy recently delivered bags of donated clothing for the clothing closets here at HOME. Ms. Outslay’s small group of 16 middle school girls learned more about HOME during their Community Reach Out (CRO) day on April 24^th 2012. After feeling especially passionate about helping their peers, the small group quickly arranged a school-wide clothing drive. In a short amount of time these students were able to communicate the need to their fellow students at Salem Academy and spearhead a successful clothes drive. The fact that these 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade girls were able to identify a need and respond so quickly and efficiently is truly inspirational. The small group from Salem Academy even came to HOME personally to drop off their donation. We are thankful for their generous help! We very much appreciate your time and dedication!

Salem Academy’s small group dropping off the clothing-drive donations at HOME. Thank you girls!

Community 101

HOME recently received three Community 101 grants! Community 101 is a program run through many local area high schools which enables students at these high schools to “learn about our [their] community through volunteering and grant making.” With funds provided by the PGE Foundation and local businesses, high school students invite local non-profit organizations to apply for grants ranging from $500- $2,000. During this process the students learn practical skills in grant management, grant selection and participate in the interview process for applicants.

HOME was invited to submit Community 101 grants for three high schools and was awarded grants for all three! McKay High School awarded the Runaway and Homeless Youth program $1,500 to reduce barriers to employment by providing identification documents and employment certifications. Robert Ferrell School awarded $200 to HOME to be used toward incentives in the summer youth work-experience project. Youth will earn gift certificates to Subway and Jamba Juice by job shadowing and helping at local area businesses. McNary High School awarded HOME $1,000 with which youth at HOME will purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the Wednesday Farmers market in downtown Salem. The fruits and vegetables will be served during dinner and snack time at HOME.  

 McNary students on the Community 101 grant selection committee.

We are so excited to start with these projects with the help from the students involved in Community 101 at McKay, McNary and Robert Ferrell. Yet another example of some of the outstanding youth in the Salem community!

Youth Junk 2 Fashion Funk 2012

HOME has been the grateful recipient of some wonderful youth initiated and coordinated donation efforts lately! We are so thankful for such conscientious and considerate youth who are reaching out to their peers in the Salem community. You really are making a difference!

The second annual Youth Junk to Fashion Funk fashion show took place on April 22^nd 2012. This spectacular fundraiser began last year on the initiative of three young women who were touched by the mission of HOME and wanted to combine their passions with their service project for Blanchet High School. Lauren Eliason, Daniell Tea-Pelley and Sarah Darst began the project as juniors and had such success that they generously decided to organize another fashion show this year. Just as last year, the fashion show was a great and fun event!

Using a room in the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, student volunteers successfully created a true fashion show environment including a runway, hoppin’ music, great decorations and delicious snacks.  Over 50 students from area high schools volunteered as models. In the first act, models wore clothing donated for the show which was recently delivered to the clothing closets at HOME. In act two, the teen models donned clothing designed by student fashion designers from Oregon State University and the Art Institute of Portland.

Last week, Lauren, Daniell and Sarah dropped off the fruits of their labor: bag after bag of donated clothing and checks totaling more than $3,600!! They also took the opportunity to say good-bye, for now, to HOME. All three will be attending college in the fall and undoubtedly have bright futures ahead of them. 

We are so impressed and thankful for Youth Junk 2 Fashion Funk and everyone who made it possible.

Here is a picture of Sarah, Lauren, Daniell and Peggy taken during the donation drop-off last week!

Party Like a Volunteer!!!

HandsOn, the volunteer action center for Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, recently provided an opportunity for nonprofits to thank their volunteers. Held at the Ike Box downtown, there were craft tables, food from Venti’s and lots of awards. Plus it was a way for volunteers from around the community to be honored for their hard work, generosity and commitment.


HOME was very well represented.  About 30 or our past and present volunteers received a leis and little goodie bags. Our own CREW was honored to receive the very first “CREW Award” which will become an annual award to a group.  Very cool to have an award named after your group!

Since HandsOn is also a program of Community Action Agency, Teresa Cox, the Executive Director of Community Action was there to open up the event. Here’s a picture of Teresa speaking and another of CREW getting their award.