Families In Crisis
Violence in the home exists and is a horrific issue with which to deal. Where can a spouse or child go? Several locations in the Portland Metro area exist including the Rafael House in east Portland, the Clackamas Women’s Service in Oregon City, and our newest partner Family Justice Center of Washington County in Beaverton under the direction of Rachel Schutz. The leaders in these organizations are experts in security, assistance to moms and children, and protection of location.
One beautiful aspect of these organizations is that they have a deep camaraderie between them. They share best practices and emotionally support each other. The work is not always easy as on occasion a client can be badly hurt. The Walters Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of this difficult work. The mission of helping at-risk youth and moms is fulfilled through these great organizations.
Education
SMART Reading
The Walters Foundation understands how reading is important to young children, especially in ages two through six. We are proud to partner with SMART Reading, which attracts hundreds of volunteers in Oregon to read to young kids. Early reading to children has repeated shown to be helpful in better school performance. Many kids who were read to through the SMART program have come back as volunteer readers themselves! The Foundation and SMART have a great relationship of learning together to better the education of our children.
CORNELIUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Cornelius Public Library continues to expand to meet the needs of many people of all ages. Karen Hill is the head librarian and remains passionate not only about books, but the digital media to which so many kids need. The Walters Foundation sponsored the Walters Gallery Wall and the Walters Community Room. New signage will be funded to complete the room. This room seats up to 100 people at a time.
Mental Health
Center for Community Counseling
Suicide, homelessness, depression, and various mental health issues are confronted through many nonprofit organizations, including the Center for Community Counseling in Eugene, Oregon, founded by Dr. Jan Moursund in 1978. Their volunteer counselors provide family and individual therapy to those with need, but have no insurance or funds — all at no charge to those needing help.
The Walters Foundation is proud to partner with the Center for Community Counseling and has conducted visits to provide support and guidance. Center for Community Counseling Executive Director, Debbie Saunders, is taking the organization in a new direction as she contemplates new innovations in fundraising. During our visits, we met several of the board members along with the leadership. We are proud to support the Center as they serve an incredibly important mental health need in Eugene.
Caring for Children
Children’s issues are vital to the mission of the Walters Foundation, and we are aware of a special group of kids – FOSTER children! The impact of being labeled “foster” not only on the kids, but on the foster parents is critical and can be scary. With a 2-hour notice that a set of foster twins is coming can turn a foster home upside down! Help from someone who understands the kids AND the parents is paramount. With Love is such an organization who provides emergency supplies to the homes caring for kids and giving much needed support and care to the wonderful parents. Supplies that come to With Love are cleaned catalogued, organized into bundles especially designed for the children’s care. And if needed, With Love uses their van to deliver these bags of goodies to the foster homes. We especially appreciate the leadership and work of Founder Allie Roth and her team including the volunteer workers.
Partner Testimonials
The Walters Foundation helped…
Laura Queen
The Walters Family foundation understands that helping others is the greatest gift there is – and that compassion is the catalyst for it. Partnerships with outstanding individuals allows us to continue to spark compassion in more youth by giving them the opportunity to see that the world is so much bigger than just themselves. Through these partnerships, which offers both funding and guidance, many organizations inspire and empower more kids to help local children in giving them a reason . . . to look up, look around, and take notice. And reach out to others in their community. The Walters Family Foundation is allowing many organizations, through youth sponsored programs, to literally change thousands of lives.
Laura Queen
Community Outreach Coordinator
Chris Smith
Wilderness Trails, Inc., a Christian faith-based ministry to at-risk/foster young people in Southern Oregon, has been blessed for many years by the Walters Family Foundation involvement. The Foundation has helped sponsor young people to attend our outdoor recreational/camping programs each year since 2010. They were also instrumental in helping us develop a promotional video that has increased our communities’ awareness of our programs and highlighted what we have to offer these young people. Their involvement in our programs has also helped us leverage support from other foundations. We are truly grateful for their support.
Chris Smith
Executive Director, Wilderness Trails
Karen Hill
The Walters Family Foundation has supported us for over a decade with a depth of interest unlike any other foundation. Their genuine concern for our success was flattering and inspiring. Occasional grants, some constructive feedback, and most recently, a very generous investment in our library and community gathering center has helped us achieve an amazing and successful project that is making a difference in our community.
Karen Hill
Cornelius Library Director
Portland Rescue Mission
Shepherd’s Door located in NE Portland, is a safe place for women and their children to rebuild their lives. Our 12-month restoration program is called New Life, because that is what is offered, an opportunity to live a new life after homelessness and addiction. Women who lives have been devastated by addictions and toxic life patterns, participate in recovery programming, counseling, vocational training, and address root issues that led them and their children into homelessness in the first place.
Cliff Walters and Tamberly Couch generously offered their time and the resources to support the life transforming program at Shepherd’s Door. During their visit, we were struck by their engaging conversation, thoughtful and challenging questions. It is a rare and special opportunity to be blessed by the experience and knowledge Cliff has to offer. Before the site visit was over, he was already connecting us with resources and potential partners, we are so thankful the support of the Walters Family Foundation!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Non-Profit Partners
