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Fifty Percent Sharing Program

THIS SUNDAY, and EVERY Sunday ... when the collection baskets are sent around:

Eastrose is pleased to offer our "50% Sharing Program": each Sunday, 50% all of the loose bills and coins that are collected during our offering are donated to a social service agency -- usually one that serves our local area.  Our Social Justice Committee selects the receiving agency on a month-by-month basis.
*** April's SHARING OUR BOUNTY

Each Sunday, 50% of all the loose bills and coins that are collected during our offering, as well as checks specifically designated “Social Justice Committee” in the memo field, are donated to a social service agency--usually one that serves our local area. Our Social Justice Committee selects the receiving agency on a month-by-month basis.

The recipient of our April donations is the Autistic Children's Activity Program (ACAP) -- a parent-run, not-for-profit, community-based, educational and recreational program designed specifically for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It was founded in 1987 by a group of parents of children with ASD looking for services for their children.

ACAP has 10 classrooms throughout the Portland Metropolitan area and serves children ages 5-21 for eight weeks during the summer. Some of the classrooms are specifically designed for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning autism.

Each day the classrooms go on a field trip. Community activities include swimming, trips to the Zoo, OMSI, the Children’s Museum, tours of businesses throughout the city, attending community events, and playing at local parks. Classrooms make weekly trips to various fast food restaurants to practice ordering and restaurant skills. All activities are planned based on the level and needs of the students in the class and are designed to support IEP goals and facilitate learning. For some, this is the only time they are able to experience these activities because of their disability.

ACAP focuses on providing a program involving life skills training, community integration (including public transportation training), academic and educational skills, and recreational experiences. The program is designed to integrate children with ASD into the community by providing the support and structures as well as teaching necessary community behaviors (waiting in line, community signs, ordering food, etc.) to help the students make positive strides in learning.

For more information, visit http://www.autismwebsite.com/acap/summer.htm.
*** March's SHARING OUR BOUNTY

Each Sunday, 50% of all the loose bills and coins that are collected during our offering, as well as checks specifically designated “Social Justice Committee” in the memo field, are donated to a social service agency--usually one that serves our local area. Our Social Justice Committee selects the receiving agency on a month-by-month basis.

The Gresham-Barlow School District Education Foundation will be the recipient of our March collections. The Foundation was formed in early 1994 by a group of concerned parents, business leaders, Gresham-Barlow School District board members and staff. For the past eleven years, the Foundation has supported educational excellence in the Gresham-Barlow district by purchasing equipment, books and supplies not included in the district's lean operating budget, supporting development of new and innovative curricula, and underwriting creative and innovate projects of students and staff.

Recognizing that one of the ways to promote educational excellence is achievement in basic competencies, in the last two years Foundation board members have increased their support of programs that provide opportunities for students to achieve in science, math, reading and writing. For instance, during a recent three years $44,000 supported a Reading Program in each school for kindergarten to third grade students. Each school can request funds to support such diverse fields as reading, science programs, GPS , geology courses, jogging paths. To learn more, go to www.gbefkids.org.

February 2008 recipient will be the Gateway Project of the Parkrose School District which supports homeless youth in the Parkrose School District. The Project helps them complete their studies and live in a learning environment.  The types of services that the Parkrose School District may offer include:
  • Enrollment in free meal programs
  • School clothing and hygiene supplies
  • School supplies
  • Liaison between student and classroom teachers to ensure equal access and benefit from educational services
  • Referral for tutoring or supplemental instruction and other educational services
  • Coordination with special services such as special education, Title I services, ELL services, before and after school care services, drug and alcohol prevention, domestic violence prevention, etc.
  • Referral to medical, dental, mental or other health services
  • Payment of fees and costs associated with tracking, obtaining and transferring educational records including birth certificates, guardianship records, immunization records, academic records, and evaluation records for determining special services.
  • Transportation to and from school of origin or selected school placement
  • Emergency housing, utility and basic services (including food) in order for the student to enroll and retain school services
  • Referral to adult service agencies including housing and emergency shelters, food stamps, health insurance, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and prevention services, etc.
  • Expedited evaluations for appropriate education services
  • Parent training regarding the rights their children have as homeless individuals and the educational and other resources available to their children.
  • Programs and activities to increase awareness among educators and student services personnel to understand the rights and special needs of children and youth who are homeless
January 2008 Western Washington CSA Relief Fund

 An estimated 50 family farms in Southwest Washington were devastated by the flooding of the Chehalis River in early December 2007.  Thousands of dairy cows, sheep, horses and beef cattle died.

The share of undesignated money from the Eastrose Sunday offeratory in January 2008 will go to a relief fund to specifically help those farms that had CSA operations.

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) describes the direct connection between the growers and the eaters. Individuals or households become members of a particular farm, then each week get a box of freshly harvested produce right off that farm. To learn more about the flooding, see: “Long Recovery Awaits Farmers,  “Farmers Recovering from Flood Shock”,  or “Creamery Loses Sheep, Gains a Few Friends”

December's recipient is Friends of Peace Pilgrim. From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only "Peace Pilgrim" walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to "remain a wanderer until humankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." In the course of her 28-year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America.

In 1982, the year after her death, five of Peace Pilgrim's friends gathered in Santa Fe, New Mexico to work on a book project that became "Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words".  Friends of Peace Pilgrim was a direct outgrowth of that gathering. For over twenty years we have been dedicated to keeping Peace Pilgirm's message of inner and outer peace available to all who ask. An all-volunteer staff and many gifts, mostly small, have made this possible. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world. Find out more about Friends of Peace Pilgrim at www.peacepilgrim.com.
November:   The Wallace Medical Concern. Wallace Medical provides free medical services to uninsured, low income persons in the Portland and Gresham area with volunteer doctors, nurses and other health professionals. For more information go to http://www.wallacemedical.org.

Through Eastrosarians' generosity, our "50% Sharing Program" has resulted in over $2,000 in donations so far this year to local agencies who make a difference to people right here in our own neighborhood! Please keep these worthy organizations in mind as the plate is passed around each Sunday. And thank you for such strong support!