Bienestar Newsletter
An audience of 500 gathered in Portland for the Oregon Opportunity Network’s Annual Awards Gala applauded Bienestar as recipient of the first Thrive and Shine award. This award is presented to honor an outstanding resident services program that effectively addresses the needs of low-income families or individuals through stabilizing housing, supporting innovative solutions to family or neighborhood problems, developing programs for children and youth, reaching un– or under-served populations, or implementing creative solutions to other community needs.
Karen Shawcross & Gracie
Garcia accepting the
Thrive & Shine award.
Bienestar Receives OON’s Thrive & Shine Award
September, 2011
Jorge Tello Named Star Player
Bienestar’s Office Manager/Program Coordinator Jorge Tello was named a 2011 Star Player at the Oregon Opportunity Network Awards Gala. Jorge’s award reads in part: “Jorge has become a professional juggler—he juggles two jobs at Bienestar, two bosses, and excels at both. Whatever it is, Jorge is pitching in: helping with summer lunches, barbecuing 1200 hot dogs for resident meetings, troubleshooting staff IT issues, picking up donated toys, setting up new computer labs, ironing decals on aprons to sell, getting us hip with social media….Kudos to Jorge.”
Jorge Tello accepting Star Player Award at OON
Awards Gala
On a rainy Saturday 235 volunteers from the Hillsboro Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showed up at Sunset Gardens Apartments in Hillsboro ready to work. The week before 37 volunteers had dug holes, cut lumber in preparation for this day. The volunteers—men , women and children of all ages built 60 patio dividers, painted an enormous concrete wall, spread mulch, and planted newly donated plants they had obtained. “In a few hours, the property was truly transformed” said Manager Sarah Villanueva. Volunteers had been working for weeks ahead to build patio dividers, set posts and coordinate donations for the project. Bienestar residents were also invited to a free garage sale where they were able to get clothing, bedding and household items for free.
Plan to join us for the 30th Anniversary Celebration on
March 10, 2012
Walters Art Center, Hillsboro
Sponsorships still available:
go to www.bienestar-or.org
SAVE THE DATE!
Sunset Gardens Transformed by Church Volunteers
Bienestar serves 5,000 Summer Lunches
Every weekday from June-August Bienestar served lunches to children at Sunset Gardens and Montebello Apartments. Children from the apartments and the neighborhood under the age of 18 received nutritious meals, thanks to our partnership with the Hillsboro School District and a grant from Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. Staff and volunteers also provided an hour of structured activity at each site after lunch with a different theme each day—sports, games, reading, art, crafts, culture.
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Questions or comments? E-mail us at jtello@hdcnwo.org or call 503.693.2937.
Bienestar Welcomes New Staff
September was a busy month as we welcomed two new full-time staff members and our Jesuit, VISTA, and AmeriCorps volunteers. Aleksi Merilainen, last year’s VISTA volunteer, was hired as our new Development Coordinator. Jessie Turner joins the staff as Program Services Manager under Gracie Garcia, Program Services Director. We were also pleased to welcome our new Jesuit volunteer Raine Dalton, our new VISTA volunteer Samantha Dillman, and our first ever AmeriCorps volunteer Rebecca Mijares.
Aleksi Merilainen
Jessie Turner
