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Spring 2006 Newsletter |
A TALE OF TWO PARK PROGRAMS
At the Portland Parks Foundation (PPF), we're often asked about our mission. The bottom line is that the mission of PPF is, in a word, "accessibility" ─ to parks and to park programs. That means supporting programs like
Project Inclusion, which works to bring the magic of parks to children and youth from low-income families. In the last three years, the Portland Parks Foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships and grants for programs
designed to let more low-income youth take part in Portland Parks & Recreation programs.
CANOEING: Campers enjoyed trips up and down the Columbia Slough.
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WALK LIKE A FOX, FLOAT LIKE A FROG
It sounds like the grand prize on a game show: Canoe trips. Sunshine. Fresh air. Cuisines from throughout the world. But this dream came true last summer, right here in Portland. And for students from Clarendon Elementary School, the
price was right, thanks to Project Inclusion and the Portland Parks Foundation.
Thirty-six children from the North Portland school, aged 6-11, got to spend four invigorating days at Multicultural Nature Camp, held at the
Whitaker Ponds Natural Area just south of Portland International Airport. Under the guidance of an eight-person staff, they explored the park, climbed trees and learned about birds and bugs.
On the first two days, the campers ─ most of them children of minority groups ─ were simply introduced to the park and its inhabitants. They spent mornings trying to pet some of the animals … a duck, perhaps, or a robin that
had settled down. But even when the staff taught them how to Fox Walk ─ moving very, very slowly, without making a sound ─ the animals were too quick to be captured. You could tell the campers were learning and applying their
knowledge, though. "If I can Fox Walk and sneak up on squirrels on the land," asked one girl, "can I Turtle Swim and sneak up on the frogs?"
On Day 3, the campers climbed into canoes for trips up and down the Columbia Slough. Once again, the kids learned the value of stealth as they approached herons and nutria. And each day found the kids being fueled by foods from different
countries that were served for lunch ─ a menu that ran the gamut from pizza to pad thai.
For most of the kids, Multicultural Nature Camp was indeed a grand prize. As one 11-year-old said, "One day at home is a lot longer than this whole week at camp."
OUT ON A LIMB: Climbing trees was just one of many activities students from Clarendon Elementary School enjoyed at camp.
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KEEPING IDLE HANDS BUSY … AND SAFE
The mission and work of Project Inclusion goes on year-round. A good example of that is in the Anti-Gang Involvement Program, now winding down its third year.
Coordinated through the
Montavilla Community Center (MCC), the Anti-Gang Involvement Program began as a summer program focused on youth living in the Cully neighborhood of Northeast Portland. The program came together under the direction of Abbe McFarlane,
recreation supervisor at MCC.
In its first year, the Anti-Gang Involvement Program definitely seemed to connect with the 6- to 12-year olds the program worked with. So in 2004, McFarlane and her staff obtained a Project Inclusion grant through PPF that helped convert
the summer program into a set of after-school activities aimed at keeping kids busy and away from the influences of gangs.
"The Foundation money has helped us to continue the program, and expand it to two sites," McFarlane says.
Kids had access to computers and physical activities such as soccer and swimming. But surprisingly, one of the most popular features was the homework assistance provided by the 26 volunteers. "A lot of the parents aren't English
speakers," McFarlane explains. "So some kids from Madison High School have kind of stepped up and become mentors."
In fact, 40 percent of the kids who filled out a survey about the program said that Homework Club was one of their favorite things.
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To learn more about the Portland Parks Foundation, visit our web site at
www.portlandparksfoundation.org, or call us at 503.802.5757.
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KICKOFF TIME: FIRST-AND-10 FOR "10 FOR 10" |
If you're reading this, consider yourself invited to join us April 19 when Columbia Sportswear is honored at City Hall.
As part of that morning's City Council session, Columbia Sportswear president Tim Boyle will be recognized for that company's gift of $1 million for maintenance and improvements to Sellwood Park. Working in partnership with
PPF and Portland Parks & Recreation, Columbia Sportswear will provide $100,000 annually for 10 years.
At the same time, PPF Chairman David Fuks will be announcing the Foundation's new stewardship campaign, called "10 for 10." Our goal is to find other businesses that will step up and follow Columbia Sportswear's generous lead.
Working together, we can get started on a $67 million backlog of Portland parks maintenance needs.
"10 for 10" is the most recent example of PPF's continuing effort to find innovative ways for companies to become partners in parks. A great example is Nike's $2 million gift that provided new surfaces ─ made from
recycled athletic shoes ─ for all 90 outdoor basketball courts in the Portland parks system.
We hope that you can join us at City Hall on Wednesday, April 19, and show your support.
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