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@TheOregonCF
Oregon Community Foundation Awards More Than $1 Million for Summer
Programs for Parents and Their Young Children (Birth to Age 5)
Portland, OR – Wednesday, June 23, 2021 – Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced today that it has approved 43 grants totaling $1.1 million to support organizations throughout Oregon offering group-based summer learning and fun, enriching activities for parents and their young children (birth to age 5), with an emphasis on programs reaching families and communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“OCF has invested in programs for young children and their families for more than two decades, knowing that experiences in the early years are critically important for children’s healthy development,” said Mary Louise McClintock, Senior Education Strategy and Policy Advisor, Oregon Community Foundation. “We’re thrilled to partner with the State of Oregon to make resources available in communities all over the state for activities and classes that bring families together after months of stress and isolation. This funding supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher, providing play and learning opportunities that build healthy young brains.”
Since late April, OCF has been administering $40 million in state-funded grants for community organizations to provide summer enrichment activities.
“Nurturely’s new Babywearing y Bailando program is a free community dance class by and for the Latinx community for parents and babies. It provides critical social support for expectant and new parents after a very isolating year” said Emily Little, PhD, Executive Director of Nurturely. “This program offers time in nature, healthy movement, and safe infant carrying practices, all evidence-based strategies to prevent postpartum depression and promote bonding with baby. We’re so grateful to Oregon Community Foundation.”
Following is a snapshot of just a few of the community-based organizations that OCF is supporting through its state-funded Early Childhood Summer Support grant program:
Greater St. Helens Aquatic District $10,000 [Photo Attached]
to support free Parent/TOT swim lessons for children ages 3 months to 3 years and their families.
“Oregon Community Foundation’s support of the Eisenschmidt Pool means we’ll be able to offer daily Parent/TOT swimming classes, throughout the summer,” said Anne Collson, Finance Manager, Greater St. Helens Aquatic District. “Staff will train and provide water safety knowledge to parents/tots in a fun, safe water environment at no cost to our community members.”
Impact NW $46,000 [Photo Attached]
to support interactive programming and group activities for children 0-5 and their families through the Healthy Families, Parent Child Development Services, and Safe & Together programs in the Portland area.
Nurturely $30,000 [Photo Attached]
to support Babywearing y Bailando, a 2-day/week outdoor parent-infant bonding program created by and for Latinx families in Lane County.
Salem Islamic Center $30,000
to support summer parent-child workshops for children K-5 and their families.
“Over the past years at Salem Islamic Center, families have struggled to find summer learning activities for their children,” said Nagia Elzaidi, Educational Director, Salem Islamic Center. “With Oregon Community Foundation’s support, we can now offer parent-child playgroups to help children birth to age 5 develop self-esteem and a positive attitude towards learning. This is an opportunity for children and families to connect, socialize and be in community once again.”
The Family Nurturing Center $43,000
for weekly summer Parent-Baby groups for parents and their children 0-3 in Jackson and Josephine counties.
About Oregon’s Summer Learning and Child Care Package for Kids
The State of Oregon has invested in summer learning programs to support children and families over summer months, in the critical time between the end of this school year and the beginning of the next.
More information about summer academic and enrichment program grants can be found in OCF’s online Press Room.
About Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Community Foundation puts donated money to work in Oregon — more than $100 million in grants and scholarships annually. Since 1973, OCF grantmaking, research, advocacy and community-advised solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds to improve lives for all Oregonians. Impactful giving — time, talent, and resources from many generous Oregonians — creates measurable change. Throughout 2020, OCF responded quickly and urgently — distributing a record-setting $220 million in charitable dollars to more than 3,000 nonprofits throughout Oregon working to address urgent needs, stabilize communities and prepare for long-term recovery in Oregon. OCF donors responded to the magnitude of need, as reflected in a 44% increase in donor advised fund grantmaking from the previous year. For more information, please visit: oregoncf.org.
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EDITOR NOTES:
> Please find complete list of grantees attached: By Region Early Childhood Summer Support Approved Grant List - 6.17
> Mary Louise McClintock, Senior Education Strategy and Policy Advisor, Oregon Community Foundation, is available for interview. Interested media should email: mlmcclintock@oregoncf.org and mkenney@oregoncf.org.