1. family and parenting

Immigration Counseling & Advocacy Program (ICAP)
With the support of local businesses, wineries and the
community we have been able to help over 170 individuals
and families during the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
Isabel Alvarez is BIA accredited and began
working with the LCS’s Yamhill County
immigration program when it was founded in
2011, shortly after graduating with honors
from Western Oregon University. Her
personal experience with the immigration
process inspired her to help others navigate
the often confusing task of changing their immigration status.
Lutheran Community Services NW is proud to serve the legal
needs of our immigrant community with respect, dignity and an
understanding of the affect we are having on their lives.
Individuals have become legal permanent residents, US citizens,
obtained legal presence through Deferred Action or obtained Uvisas - in many cases after surviving domestic violence. For many, legal status means they no longer fear being torn from family
here in the United States and are able to visit family back home for the first time in decades.
Our free US Citizenship classes have allowed many more to obtain the knowledge and tools they need to achieve their dream of
finally becoming citizens of the nation where they have flourished – often for decades.
Luis is planning his future—thanks to you!
Luis came to the USA with his family when he was seven
years old. He eventually married his high school sweetheart
and in December 2012, with help from LCS, they filed a
family petition. This past July Luis learned he had to travel
to Ciudad Juarez in Mexico for his
consular interview to complete the
process. If denied, he would not be
able to return to his wife and newborn
daughter in the United States. Trusting
in the paperwork filed, he made the
trip and on July 8th, 2014 his case was
approved. 18 years after arriving in the
USA, Luis finally has his green card
and can plan a future with his family!
Immigration & Citizenship
Year-in-Review
Immigration Clients Served: 297
Citizenship Class Participants: 133
Since 2012 participants have been from Costa
Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Germany, Dominican
Republic, Philippines, El Salvador, Peru & Chile.
Mark your calendar!
12-week Citizenship Class Start Dates:
Dayton - September 8, 2014
Newberg - January 2015
Currently, President Barack Obama is reported to be considering an
executive action to amend our immigration system. A leading
immigration expert estimates the proposed expansion of the DACA
program could “protect 9 million people” currently living in the
United States. Although nothing has been confirmed, such changes
could fulfil the dreams of millions of our neighbors living in shadows
for fear of deportation and have a significant impact on the demand
for services here in Yamhill Co.—making the need for your support
more critical than ever.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Isabel Alvarez
Renew your gift today!

Our Yamhill County office was proud
to open A Family Place Relief Nursery
in October 2013 thanks to tremendous
community support.
In addition to working closely with families enrolled in our programs, A
Family Place strives to meet basic needs unique to all families with small
children through our community diaper banks and clothing closets.
Donations of diapers or gently used children’s clothing can be
dropped off during regularly scheduled Diaper Bank hours (see
right). Thank you!
A Family Place is a member of the Oregon Association of Relief
Nurseries (http://www.oregonreliefnurseries.org/).
Online at lcsnw.ejoinme.org
(Please indicate McMinnville/Yamhill Co.)

By Mail using enclosed envelope

Call 503-472-4020 ext. 218
Monthly donations are the easiest way to provide
reliable support for the children
and families we serve.
A Family Place helps reduce child abuse, neglect and foster placements by
offering free professional home visiting, parent education and specialized
preschool for at-risk families with children ages 0-5—the time research
shows these programs to have the greatest long-term impact on children’s
development.
Be there for families each month.
Become a monthly donor!
Lutheran Community Services NW Tax ID#: 93-0386860
NOW OPEN!
Community Diaper Banks
McMinnville (335 NE 6th St.)
Thursdays 10am-Noon
Newberg (1714 Villa Rd.)
Thursdays 9am-11am
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Our team of clinicians use a variety of approaches to help
families achieve positive change. We work collaboratively
with schools, faith communities and other agencies to
implement personalized plans, and provide medication
management through our licensed medical professional.
FAMILY STABILIZATION
The Family Stabilization Specialist meets with families
weekly to build communication skills and activities,
equipping families to respond to their children in effective
ways that reflect their personal culture, goals and behaviors.
IMMIGRATION COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY
Our federally accredited representative offers low cost
immigration counseling and citizenship classes to assist those
who are interested in changing their current immigration
status. Citizenship classes equip immigrants with the English
and civics they need to pass the citizenship exam.
On behalf of the nearly 300 immigrants served this year, and the
families they represent, thank you for making a conscious decision to
support and stabilize all families in our community.
With appreciation,
Yamhill County Programs
See our work in action!
Informational tours are provided twice a month.
Come learn more about our programs or introduce a
friend to our important work:
McMinnville (A Family Place tour)
First Wednesday of the month
10:30am - First Baptist Church (1st St. entrance)
Newberg
Last Wednesday of the month
10:30am - Mary’s Place (1714 Villa Rd.)
A FAMILY PLACE, RELIEF NURSERY
We provide free home visiting, parent education and
specialized preschool to meet the needs of at-risk families
with children ages 0-5.
PARENT EDUCATION
Our parent educators offer a wide-range of classes designed to
equip parents with the skills and confidence they need to raise
successful children. Classes focus on general parenting
techniques, as well as parenting children who have
experienced trauma, attachment-based parenting and
prevention of postpartum depression. Classes are offered in
English and Spanish.
IN-HOME SAFETY & REUNIFICATION
The In-home Safety and Reunification Services (ISRS)
program is designed to work with families who need intensive
support to meet goals related to the safety of children in their
home or requirements for a child to return after an out-ofhome placement.
VIOLENCE INTERVENTION /
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Our skill-based program provides an accountable and
supportive environment to focus on the consequences of
anger and controlling behaviors, while providing participants
the self-awareness and skills needed to avoid violence and
build healthy relationships.
Keeping Yamhill County
Children Safe and
Families Together
617 NE Davis St.
McMinnville, OR 97128
1714 Villa Rd.
Newberg, OR 97132
Phone: 503-472-4020 / Fax: 503-472-8630
August 2014
Yamhill County
2013-14 Annual Report
McMinnville, OR 97128
617 NE Davis St.
Keeping Yamhill County Children Safe and Families Together
PARENT EDUCATION
“My kids are getting closer to their dad now that he feels equipped to
step in.”
IMMIGRATION COUNSELING & ADVOCACY
“Sergio was able to see his family over the holidays for the first time in
years. He had no problem at the border – other than a long line!”
The Yamhill County Office has been committed to keeping children safe and families together since 1983. Over the past
year your gifts have allowed us to build on our core services and begin providing a new array of services to children ages
0-5. The evidence is overwhelming that by investing early in the life of a child you have the greatest ability to have a
positive effect on a child's life. By supporting young children and families with parenting classes, free specialized
preschool and professional home visiting services we know we are making a long term difference in the life of these
children and the future of our community.
As a therapist for children and families I have seen first hand the long term damage that can be done when children are
not safe and families are torn apart by abuse or even our own immigration system. With our success
in bringing preventative services to our community I have a
Jordan Robinson has served as the
renewed confidence in our ability to make lasting change in
Community Director of the Yamhill Co.
the life of local families. The outpouring of community
support for our efforts is both humbling and validating that office since 2007. Originally from
Minnesota, he holds a masters in social
we are doing the right work with the right families at the
work and lives in McMinnville with his
right time.
wife Megan McCrossin and three children
Thank you for your ongoing support,
Jordan Robinson, MSW
Thank you for supporting our
Yamhill Co. programs during the
2013-14 year!
Yamhill County Quick Facts
 7 programs served over 700 local families
 40 full and part time staff will be employed in 2014-
15, reflecting 25 new jobs created since 2012-13.
FAMILY STABILIZATION
“I’ve learned new ways to just be with my children.”
 Expanded staff in mental health, home visiting and
A FAMILY PLACE, RELIEF NURSERY
 Opened A Family Place, Relief Nursery in Oct. 2013
“I’m finally excited to see my daughter each time she comes home!”
Serving Yamhill County
since 1983.
family stabilization.
Our office experienced a 142% increase
in financial support from the local
community in 2013-14. Thank you!
Molly, Katie and Sam.
Mary’s Place: Newberg
In August 2014 the Yamhill County office was pleased to
expand our services and presence in Yamhill County, by
opening a permanent location in Newberg. Mary's Place,
named for Mary Sandager a long-time Newberg resident
and member of Joyful Servant Lutheran Church who had a
passion for children, will house parent education, play
therapy and office space for staff working with the
Newberg community. It is located at 1714 Villa Rd.
The home historically served as offices and a parish house
for Joyful Servant Lutheran Church. In 2013 the church
voted to finance the
$70,000 remodel
needed to turn the
house into a location
serving at-risk families
and children.
We are honored to be
their partner in service
to the community.