SALEM LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION

THE CHURCHES AS NEIGHBORHOOD (CAN) CENTERS PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF CHURCHES TO SERVE THEIR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS. BUILDINGS, CLASSROOMS AND GYMS THAT ONCE SAT DARK AND UNUSED, ARE NOW VIBRANT PROVIDERS OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, GED AND ENGLISH CLASSES, DRUG-AND-ALCOHOL RECOVERY, FOOD AND CLOTHING BANKS, JOB TRAINING, COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND HOMELESS OUTREACH. THERE ARE NOW 26 SITES THAT SLF HAS CONTRACTED WITH AND ANOTHER 30-35 WHO HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO SERVE ON THEIR OWN, BASED ON THE PROGRAMMATIC TEMPLATE. MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE ARE SERVED EACH YEAR.THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TEAMS (CPTS) ARE GROUPS OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT MEET MONTHLY TO ASSESS NEEDS AND PLAN PROGRAMS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. CPTS ARE ORGANIZED AROUND THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE HIGH-SCHOOL FEEDER DISTRICT, AND SLF CURRENTLY STEWARDS THREE CPTS: NORTH NEIGHBORHOODS, SOUTH SALEM CONNECT, AND CAPES (MCKAY AREA). EACH CPT CONNECTS WITH 15-25 PARTNERS AND HELPS RAISE RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEERS FOR 6-10 PROGRAMS EACH YEAR, NOT TO MENTION SEASONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS THAT BUILD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSETS AND EFFICACY. EACH CPT IMPACTS 1,000+ YOUTH AND FAMILIES PER YEAR AND LEVERAGES RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER TIME WORTH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.SALEM FOR REFUGEES IS A NETWORK OF PEOPLE, PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS ESTABLISHED TO SERVE 'OUR NEW NEIGHBORS' WHO ARE ARRIVING FROM 13 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES DUE TO FAMINE, WAR, PERSECUTION AND DISASTER. DOZENS OF FAMILIES ARE RESETTLED AND SUPPORTED EACH YEAR WITH HOUSING, JOBS, SCHOOL PLACEMENTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.CHURCH AT THE PARK SEEKS: 1.TO RESTORE DIGNITY AND RELIEVE HUNGER THROUGH SHARED MEALS.2.TO INTENTIONALLY LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WHILE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO AFFIRM ASSETS AND MOTIVATION.3.TO ASK THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS ABOUT CURRENT GOALS AND PRAY FOR EVERY NEED WE CAN.4.TO MEET CRITICAL NEEDS OF SHELTER AND CLOTHING THROUGH RELATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.5.TO INCREASE OUR ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND LOVE FOR THE HOMELESS IN SALEM.6.TO INVITE ALL WHO JOIN US TO SERVANTHOOD AND LEADERSHIP.7.TO SAY NO TO VIOLENCE, AND YES TO MAKING PEACE AS A COMMUNITY.