1. What is the vision or purpose of your Organization?
The mission of the Children’s Center is to support and medically assess children who are suspected victims of abuse or neglect.

2. Why are you involved with this non-profit or start this non-profit?
The Children’s Center fills a very real need in the community – to support kids and families who have faced the trauma and pain of physical and sexual abuse.  It’s extremely important work that we do, and I’m thankful that I can help play a role in a child’s healing process.

3. What problem does your organization solve?
When a report is made of suspected abuse, neglect, drug endangerment and/or exposure to violence, law enforcement, parents, and supportive caregivers can call us.  We provide head to toe physical exams, forensic child interviews, and family support services to non-offending caregivers. The Children’s Center is the sole service provider in Clackamas County.  While we don’t prevent the abuse before it starts, the Children’s Center is a key player in breaking the cycle of abuse in a child’s life.

4. Personal story of how your organization has helped the population that it serves?
Earlier this year, Logan* stopped by the Children’s Center with his mother. It was three years ago when Logan and his mom first came to the Center. Both were barely surviving the abuse of one man in their home. A man who had manipulated, threatened and bred fear in both of them. In addition to a forensic medical exam and interview with our trained professional staff, Logan received a cozy, handmade blanket, like all children do when they leave the Children’s Center.
Family support staff at the Children’s Center stayed in touch with Logan’s mom to make sure both were getting the support and services they needed. Three years after Logan first talked about the abuse in his life and began his healing process, he decided he was ready to let go of the blanket he had received at the Center. Now safe and secure, he wanted to donate his blanket back so the healing he received could be true for another child.

5. Major fundraising events associated with your organization?
The Center puts on two major fundraising events each year – the Hope and Healing Breakfast in September and the Champions for Children Women’s Luncheon in May.

6. What is your connection to Chicks Connect?
Julie Muller attended our Hope and Healing Breakfast this September

7. How can people find you?  
www.childrenscenter.cc

8. What are the best ways for people to support you and what you are up to in the world?
Our primary need is always for funding, so we can increase our capacity to serve more children who need us.  For the first time in our history, we’ve kicked off a thriving volunteer program here at the Center.  Volunteers can be utilized in administrative roles, at events, gardening, plus more!  We are also always accepting donations of new and unused children’s blankets and stuffed animals, so kids like Logan can receive a “blanket and a friend” at the end of their assessment.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your passion for helping others.  Please feel free to list or comment or add anything that is in your heart.

Julie

When asked, “Why are you doing this?”, I think to myself, “Why are we not doing more?” I am a wife, mother and cosmetologist at Shear Creations Hair Salon in Lake Oswego, OR. I grew up in a dysfunctional family in which I often took the role as the parent. I missed many of the experiences that I believe children should have. Yet, while a healthier situation was possible, I was not helped. My passion for this cause stems from my own experiences that have been muffled by daily life -- raising a family, work, completing a degree, housework -- a seemingly endless collage of activities. In the routine of our lives, we often forget to look beyond our own fence. Beyond that fence are millions in desperate need of assistance.

We enjoy a functional society protected by the rule of law. While we live in safety, millions are subjected to brutal and unprovoked attacks in their homes and villages. More shocking is that these atrocities are supported by the governments in these regions. This is unacceptable to us as free peoples. We must do more to act.

I started this journey by donating haircut proceeds from my business. Funds are set aside one day per month (my “Last Fridays” program) and are given to Jewish World Watch. In the first nine months of the program, $758 have been donated. One day, after hearing about the atrocities, my twelve-year-old daughter, Anna, professed, “Mom, we have to do something.” I was motivated to act. I have never organized an event like this one before. I have been encouraged to see how the desire to help is contagious! It has been an amazing experience to see how many people are coming together so quickly.

Startled by a recent report about the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which stated that four women and girls are raped every five minutes, I was emotionally upset and compelled to help. I contacted two organizations involved in this cause, Jewish World Watch and Never Again Coalition, to help organize Pamper for a Purpose -- a grassroots event that will raise awareness and desperately needed funds. The event is taking place on Sunday, August 28th from 3pm-6pm at Millennium Park Plaza in Lake Oswego, OR. Over forty local businesses are participating in the event. Event attendees will enjoy a multitude of activities including, manicures, haircuts, massage, speakers, live music, art activities, silent action, raffle, solar cooker demonstrations and more.

Admission to the event is free with a suggested donation of $20 per service. It is our hope that many people will be moved to attend the event, become educated, enjoy themselves and make a difference at the same time.

If you have a skill or would like to donate a gift for the raffle please e-mail Denise Wetherell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What can you do to make a difference? Simple: start acting. Begin by attending the Pamper for a Purpose event on Sunday, August 28th, 3pm- 6pm in LO Millennium Park. Not able to attend? You can still show your support by purchasing these AMAZING flowers by Anna.

www.lefleurbyanna.com

What is the vision or purpose of your Organization?
To provide accessible, preventative screenings to confirm the well being of children and, or to identify and refer concerns in the areas of health, development, and behavior at no cost to families.  Mission: Healthy Beginnings believes that all children should enter kindergarten healthy and prepared to learn. Our work fosters healthy, nurtured children, families and communities by bringing accessible physical, developmental and behavioral screenings to children from birth through age five.