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Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency Media Contacts:
Asley Hamilton, Program Director, The ARCHES Project, MWVCAA
ashley.hamilton@mwvcaa.org | (503) 399-9080
Jimmy Jones, Executive Director, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) jimmy.jones@mwvcaa.org | (503) 399-9080
Oregon Community Foundation Media Contact:
Maureen Kenney, Public Relations Manager, Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency Welcomes Fire Survivors
The ARCHES Inn Hosts Grand Opening TODAY, Tuesday, December 7, 2021
MEDIA ADVISORY
Salem, Ore. – December 7, 2021 – Mid-Willamette Community Action Agency is poised to welcome fire survivors back to the community following the official opening of The Arches Inn (Project Turnkey-Mid-Willamette Valley) today, Tuesday, December 7, 2021.
“Project Turnkey is a deeply collaborative initiative that leveraged the strengths of government, nonprofit and philanthropy partners to take bold action and quickly increase Oregon’s shelter capacity by 20%,” said Max Williams, CEO, Oregon Community Foundation. “We are grateful to nonprofit partners like Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency who work so hard to support the most vulnerable members of our communities. This is a great day for Willamette Valley.”
[Max Williams and Megan Loeb from Oregon Community Foundation will be on site for this event and are available for interviews.]
WHO: MWVCAA and OCF representatives, invited guests, public officials ¾ including Oregon State Governor Kate Brown, Oregon State Senator Deb Patterson and Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett, and local media
WHAT: Grand Opening Ceremony for The Arches Inn (Project Turnkey-Mid-Willamette Valley)
WHEN: Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 12:00-Noon
WHERE: 1288 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97301
“We are really excited about expanding our ability to serve our broader community with much needed transitional housing, including services for medically fragile unsheltered individuals,” said Jimmy Jones, Executive Director, Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA).
About The ARCHES INN operated by MWVCAA (Project Turnkey-Mid-Willamette Valley)
The ARCHES Inn supports fire survivors from the Santiam Canyon. The shelter – operated by The ARCHES Project, a division of MWVCAA – provides connections to many supportive services throughout the broader community.
“Our world changed after the wildfires struck Santiam Canyon. We experienced the loss of housing and community as well as a sense of belonging and security,” said Ashley Hamilton, Program Director, the ARCHES, a project of MWVCAA. “We can now offer a safe place for people, access services for daily living and achieve long term housing and stability.”
The ARCHES Inn operated by MWVCAA (Project Turnkey-Mid-Willamette Valley) offers:
- Safe accommodation and support for fire survivors from the Santiam Canyon
- The ability for the facility into transform to an emergency shelter for medically fragile unsheltered individuals, post-wildfire recovery.
- Provision of essentials such as food boxes, clothing, showers, hygiene items, etc.
- Help to move fire survivors from crisis to stability.
- Inclusive, supportive services including:
- On-site case management
- Health care, including mental health services
- Resource navigation
- Linkages to permanent housing solutions.
“Our world changed after the wildfires struck Santiam Canyon. We experienced the loss of housing and community as well as a sense of belonging and security,” said Ashley Hamilton, Program Director, the ARCHES, a project of MWVCAA. “The ARCHES Inn now offers a safe place for people, access services for daily living and achieve long term housing and stability.”
Oregon Community Foundation’s administration of Project Turnkey is one example of an innovative, collaborative approach to help more Oregonians find stable, affordable housing.
About Project Turnkey
The Oregon Legislature allocated a total of $65 million for Project Turnkey for the purpose of acquiring motels/hotels for use as non-congregate shelter for people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness. Two discrete funds were provided by the state: one totaling $30 million to be awarded in counties and tribal communities impacted by the 2020 wildfires; and one totaling $35 million for the remaining 28 counties in the state. Oregon Community Foundation administered both funds through an application and selection process, with guidance from an Advisory Committee of state, local, and community stakeholders.
Number Graphic: https://oregoncf.org/assets/Press-Resources/Project-Turnkey-graphic-7-21.png
Map Graphic: https://oregoncf.org/assets/Press-Resources/Project-Turnkey-Map-7-7-21.png
Project Turnkey References
- Oregon’s Project Turnkey: Bold Action and Collaboration » Oregon Community Foundation (oregoncf.org)
- Oregon’s Project Turnkey Report to the Oregon State Legislature » Oregon Community Foundation (oregoncf.org)
- Report to the Oregon Legislature: https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/project-turnkey-report.pdf
- Final News Release: https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/News-Releases/Project-Turnkey_Final-Wrap-Up-News-Release_07-08-2021.pdf
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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