FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Contacts:        Karen Shawcross                                 Vanessa Ward            

                        Executive Director                               The Ulum Group

                        kshawcross@hdcnwo.org                    vward@ulum.com

                        (503) 693-2937, Ext. 104                     (541) 434-7037

        Cell: (503) 330-1717                           

 

Website:          www.bienestar-or.org

 

                 Bienestar Awarded $25,000 Grant From the Wal-Mart Foundation

 

Bienestar, a nonprofit based in Hillsboro, Ore., has been awarded a $25,000 grant from

the Wal-Mart Foundation. In awarding the grant to Bienestar, Karianne Fallow, Wal-Mart

senior manager, public affairs and government relations, said, "We believe Bienestar is

doing important work in the communities you serve, and we're proud to support your

efforts. Thank you for your work to create opportunities so people can live better."

 

Bienestar is a nonprofit community development corporation providing affordable

housing and resident services for 458 low-income families in the Oregon communities of

Aloha, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Scappoose.   Resident services programs

are offered onsite for adult and youth residents in community rooms at the 10 Bienestar

apartment properties. Bienestar's mission is to build housing, hope and future for

the well-being of working families.

 

"We will put this award to work right away to support our resident services programs,"

says Bienestar Executive Director Karen Shawcross. "We help the working poor families

for whom we provide affordable housing get the tools and resources they need to move toward

self-sufficiency. We are very grateful to the Wal-Mart Foundation for this

investment in our work."

 

Bienestar programs for adult residents include English language, GED, computer and

financial literacy classes; community gardens; Job Club; free income tax preparation; and mental

health counseling. Children who live at Bienestar properties are offered

homework clubs, science clubs, summer lunches, art and music programs, Summer

Reading Safari, Explorador Nature Camp, Girl Scouts, and special events.  

 

Bienestar accomplishes its work with a staff of six, and with a unique program called Promotores.

Promotores are residents selected for their potential as peer leaders. Last

year a group of 15 Promotores received special training on outreach, information and

referrals. Each one then made at least 40 home visits with their neighbors determining

families' needs and then helping to connect them with resources at Bienestar or in the community.

Shawcross notes, "The Promotores help us realize our vision for

communities where residents find dignity, hope, confidence, skills and courage to pursue

their dreams as we work to unleash the potential of people to improve the quality of life

for themselves, their children, their families and the community."

 

While the current economic crisis continues to affect communities around the globe,

Wal-Mart Foundation stepped up charitable giving in countries around the world. In

2009, the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $ 429,500 to nonprofits in Oregon alone. The company's

long-term commitment to giving back locally has positioned the retailer as a

trusted source of funding for community programs, especially those that address hunger,

homelessness, education, job training and other basic needs.   For more information about

the Wal-Mart Foundation and its grantees, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

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