on Boys & Girls AidFall 2011focus

Boys & Girls Aid serves children through adoption, foster care and shelter services. But we are also there to give the children we serve every advantage in life. As part of Boys & Girls Aid’s long-term strategic plan, we support children and young people on their path to a stable, safe and successful life with permanent connections to loving and caring adults.

To illustrate why there is such an imperative need to create permanency for these young people, it is important to understand the life circumstances they face if we aren’t there to help. To better explain, we look to national studies and statistics on children and young people who might share similar circumstances to the clients served by Boys & Girls Aid.

The majority of the youth served at Boys & Girls Aid are not in the guardianship of their parents or are likely to end up in foster care. According to Casey Family Services, more than 26,000 youth age out of the foster care system across the United States annually. In the study, The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth, it was found that by the age of 21, nearly one-quarter of the youth surveyed had not earned a high school diploma or GED; only 30 percent had completed any college (compared to the national average of 53 percent); only half were currently employed (of those employed, the median earnings were $5,450; the 2010 US Census found that the poverty threshold is $11,344 for an individual); and 71 percent of the females had been pregnant.

Dr. Cathy Spatz Widom completed a study on the Childhood Victimization and the Derailment of Girls and Women to the Criminal Justice System. She found that, “When compared with girls who have not been abused and neglected during childhood, abused and neglected girls are nearly twice as likely to be arrested as juveniles (20 percent versus 11.4 percent), twice as likely to be arrested as adults (28.5 percent versus 15.9 percent), and 2.4 times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes (8.2 percent versus 3.6 percent).” Widom’s work also found the young women who have been abused and neglected and demonstrate criminal behavior as juveniles are more likely to exhibit escalation in their crimes into adulthood, with 36 percent of the females in the study being arrested as adults.

The National Runaway Switchboard study, The Runaway Youth Longitudinal Study, examined children and young adults who had run away and the long-term impacts of the runaway behavior in adulthood. This 15-year study found that runaway youth have more than three times higher odds as non-runaway youth of attempting suicide as adults. It also found that former runaways are

WHAT’S INSIDE...

2 Letter from the Executive Director Creating Permanency

3 The Path to Permanency Continued From Page 1

4 Agency Spotlight Boys & Girls Aid Happenings

5 Planned Giving Value of Permanency

6 Families Give Back Two Families Provide Support

7 Program Updates Learn What’s New at Boys & Girls Aid

Serving Children on their Path to Permanency

Continued on page 3

Dear Friends,

Boys & Girls Aid serves children in need through our core values. Two of these core values are “Think Critically,” and “Challenge the Status Quo and Change.” These core values guide us on our path to continually better serve the children of our community. In the Fall 2010 issue Focus on Boys & Girls Aid, we introduced attachment theory and the cycles of care, control and trust. We detailed how focusing on ideas born from attachment theory will make a positive impact on the children served at Boys & Girls Aid. In this issue, we are introducing you to another way in which we are thinking critically about how to best serve children.

We are devoting this issue to the need to create permanency for the children and young adults we work with. We strive to help create a community where all of Oregon’s children have permanent connections to aid them in being productive members of our community. You will see statistics about what can happen if the children we serve age out of the foster care system, never finding a permanent adult connection that they can rely on. These statistics are unacceptable to us and we need to think critically about how to change them. In this newsletter issue, we also present you with alternative views of what permanency can mean for young people.

Boys & Girls Aid is committed to providing permanency to children. Our 20-year goal is to have 100% of the children we serve move to permanency. As we work toward this goal, we will continue to share our progress with you. As our friends and supporters, we strive to keep you informed and engage you in our work. Please know that I, along with our Board of Directors and Senior Managers, value your opinion and we encourage you to learn more about the importance of permanency for children and the issues facing the children we serve. Thank you for your continued investment in impacting the lives of children in need.

Warmest Regards,

Michael H. Balter Executive Director

2011-2012 Board of Directors

President B. Gabe Nachand

Executive Committee Kris Gorriaran Kent J. Holce Jim Harbolt

Libby Hartung Tom Szambelan Gaylyn Sher-Jan Michael H. Balter

Board Members Ronald Farnsworth

Deana Freres Everett Jack, Jr.

Jennifer Kinkade Donald Klotter

Dawn McMaster Orlando Medina

Mike Nyland

Emeritus Board Roger Krage, Chair

Pat Becker Chris E. Dussin David G. Grano Jim Homolka

Bruce T. Landrey Daniel L. Larsen

Art Lutz Marge O’Brien

Dr. Ethel Simon-McWilliams John J. Tachouet

Mike P. Thayer

update

core purpose

TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN NEED.

core values

CRITICAL THINKERS We regularly analyze ideas and data new and old to improve our outcomes.

CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO AND CHANGE To be the best in the field, we challenge the status quo for the best possible solutions.

AUTHENTICALLY VALUE OTHERS We interact with people in a manner that authentically demonstrates the high value we place on others.

DO WHAT IT TAKES We do what it takes to serve our children and families, and to support each other.

DESIRE TO EXCEL We do the best possible job with passion and attention to detail.

focus on Boys & Girls Aid Fall 2011 | 3

more than two-and-a-half times more likely to be arrested as adults than individuals who never ran away from home. These are just a small sampling of the negative impacts child homelessness can have on the adult life.

The negative statistics about these young people can seem daunting. But we recognize a very important quality about the youth in our care; while they have experienced some trauma in their young lives, they are not altered beyond healing. The services Boys & Girls Aid provides, coupled with the life-long support of adult connections, can and will impact the lives of the children we serve in a positive way.

Just as we acknowledge that the children in our care have diverse backgrounds, we also know that the permanency plans for the youth in our care must be just as diverse and far-reaching. Boys & Girls Aid is committed to preparing, advocating and finding resources for children and teens that enable them to experience life-long relationships with caring adults. It is time to examine what is currently working for children and what permanent solutions can be created when we think outside of the established child welfare system of care box.

We believe permanency plans must be tailored to fit the individual child. There are the methods for creating permanency most people are familiar with, such as adoption or foster care. These tracks are viable to the youth we are serving; we just have to redefine and expand what they mean. Consider adoption–while the ideal situation is that a child is adopted as early in their life as possible, we need to open ourselves to the possibility of the adoption of 14 to 18-year-olds. The

largest percentage of children in foster care are teens. They deserve a positive family connection just as much as an infant or a four-year-old.

We can also reconsider how we define foster care. If a child does not wish to cease all ties with their birth

family, there can be a possibility of a long-term foster care placement, where the child can remain in touch with his or her birth family, but live with the stable foster family they have come

to know, love and count on. We must also shift our view from

these traditional methods of developing permanency and look at other options. If there are a group of adults who can commit to a teenager, without any formal legal documents, we should support this ‘team’ in their efforts. This collection of caring adults can provide the basic life supports that everyone needs–a call on their birthday; a seat at the Thanksgiving table; a home to return to at school breaks; counsel on buying a car and so much more.

Leaders in children’s services from across the nation are now examining ways in which we can offer the permanency plans like those mentioned above to the thousands of children in care throughout the country. Boys & Girls Aid is on the forefront of this movement in Oregon. No longer should there be a reason why children are aging out of the foster care system; why children are moved from one system of care to another or why young adults should continue to experience homelessness. We believe no child is too

young or old to need and deserve stable, positive adult connections in their life–for a lifetime!

Statistics from The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth.

When a child ages out of foster care:

25% of the youth will not earn a high school diploma or GED.

30% will complete some college (compared to the national average of 53%).

50% will find employment, but a majority will earn $6,000 less than the poverty level.

71% of the girls will become pregnant.

Continued from cover story

Gala of Trees, December 2, 2011, Salem, Oregon

‘Tis the season for Cherry Branch Auxiliary’s signature event. Festive holiday trees will light up the evening at the Salem Conference Center during the annual Gala of Trees event. The night will also feature dinner, and a live and silent auction. The trees, including fabulous gift packages under them, will be up for bid. This year’s Gala of Trees will be held Friday, December 2, at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available at boysandgirlsaid.org/events. The event is generously sponsored by Mountain West Investment Corporation and Drs. William & Selma Pierce. Last year’s event raised more than $80,000 for children in need within our community.

of the season

In October 2011, we completed a new mural at Boys & Girls Aid to honor the amazing commitment of our Boys & Girls Aid Foster Parents. The mural, created by Boys & Girls Aid Media Development Specialist, Keith Carpenter, depicts hand-painted images of children with caring adults. The centerpiece of the mural is a digital photo frame that rotates through photos of our current Boys & Girls Aid foster parents. We believe our foster parents are partners in a vital team to help children and families in our community. Because of the importance of the safe, stable places to stay and the love and attention these positive adult role models offer, Boys & Girls Aid appreciates and recognizes our incredible foster parents and the impact they make on children in need.

foster families

4 | boysandgirlsaid.org

of the season creates permanency

focus on Boys & Girls Aid Fall 2011 | 5

Permanency–it’s what Boys & Girls Aid seeks for every child served. Our goal: “By 2020, ALL of the children served at Boys & Girls Aid will leave our care to permanency.” In order to meet this goal, we must continue to look to the future and consider the greatest needs of Boys & Girls Aid–one of these needs is a strong endowment. The endowment is the financial investments that provide income and security for our future. Building an endowment is one way to ensure Boys & Girls Aid will be able to serve children in 2020 and beyond.

How can you play a part in securing our future? Create a gift annuity or leave a bequest to Boys & Girls Aid in your estate plan or will. You may feel that your estate is too small or your family too large to leave a gift to Boys & Girls Aid, but just over the past five years, Boys & Girls Aid has received more than $1 million through trust and estate gifts–this has made a tremendous impact on the financial stability of Boys & Girls Aid.

Please contact me if you would like more information on creating a charitable gift annuity or adding bequest language to your estate plan.

Suzan L. Huntington, Ed.D. Director of Development at 503.542.2304.

IRS Discount Rate is 3%

These calculations are for the illustration purpose only and should not be considered legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Your actual benefits may vary depending on the timing of the gift.

Two Life Annuity—Ages of Annuitants are 70 & 75

Benefits $10,000 $15,000 $25,000Charitable Deducation $1,591.00 $2,386.00 $3,977.00

Annuity $650.00 $975.00 $1,625.00Tax-free Portion $449.80 $674.70 $1,124.50

Ordinary Income $200.20 $300.30 $500.50

Payment Schedule Quaterly Quaterly Quaterly

After 19.9 year, the full annuity payment becomes ordinary income.

Setting Sail

families At Boys & Girls Aid, we are grateful for all the great people and

groups who support us in our efforts to impact the lives of Oregon’s children. It is with their support we are able to continue serving children and families in our community.

Ocean to Mountains and Back The Hood to Coast Relay is known as “the mother of all relays” for good reason; the race winds its way from Mt. Hood down to the Oregon Coast, on a 200-mile journey. But for Mark Anderson and his eight running buddies, they were looking for a greater

challenge with the 2011 relay. The team decided to start the race early in Seaside and run to Mt. Hood, and then turn around and

participate in the normal relay course. They chose this course so their efforts had a deeper meaning.

The team decided they would each run on behalf of their favorite local organization. Each team member then contacted family and friends,

asking for support through donations to the charities.

Mark chose Boys & Girls Aid. Mark and his wife, Tanya, had adopted their son, Cameron, through Boys & Girls Aid’s infant adoption program 14 years earlier. Boys &

Girls Aid helped start their family and they are forever grateful.

“When I was choosing which non-profit to recognize, this was the first organization that came to mind because it means so much to my family, and I am truly compelled by the work Boys & Girls Aid is doing,” said Mark.

After 50 hours of elevation changes, rain, lightning, sun and adrenaline the team completed their unique version of the Hood to Coast Relay. They not only did something no other relay participants have ever done, they also used their awesome experience to support local non-profit organizations! Thank you, Mark!

Supporting Children with SpiritOn October 7, guests filled the Portland Spirit on a cruise down the Willamette River to help benefit Boys & Girls Aid. The ship’s passengers took in the highlights of the river and danced the afternoon away to the Jacob Merlin Band. A wonderful time was had by all!

This cruise was made possible with the support of Erik Miller and Portland Spirit. Erik and his wife, Lori, became familiar with Boys & Girls Aid as they began the adoption process. It was their hope to adopt a child from foster care.

“We were in a phase in our lives where adopting kids was important to us and Boys & Girls Aid was so instrumental in that,” said Erik.

In May 2009, Erik and Lori were participating in trainings and starting the adoption home study process when Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, Lori passed away before the adoption process was complete.

To honor Lori every year, Erik partners with Portland Spirit (Lori’s former employer) to donate the proceeds from a cruise to a scholarship fund in Lori’s name and the organization of Erik’s choice.

While Erik and Lori never adopted a child from Boys & Girls Aid, they were still deeply touched by the work of the organization.

“I am so glad I had a moment of clarity realizing I could continue supporting children while also honoring Lori.” Thank you, Erik!

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From top left: Mark, Tanya, Cameron, Lauren and Zachary Anderson

focus on Boys & Girls Aid Fall 2011 | 7

Names and pictures in this newsletter have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Oregon Heart Gallery by Boys & Girls AidEvery child needs a loving, supportive and nurturing family. Yet, many Oregon children are still looking for their permanent home; they now live in the state’s foster care system. The Oregon Heart Gallery by Boys & Girls Aid is here to help them.

The mission of the Oregon Heart Gallery is to inspire people to open their hearts and provide permanent loving homes to children in foster care. To accomplish its mission, the Gallery displays professionally photographed portraits that capture the spirit and personality of children awaiting adoption. Professional photographers generously donate their time to take the photos and then Pro Photo Supply in Portland, Oregon, donates the high-quality printed photo displays.

Since its official launch in February 2007, the Gallery has visited more than 15 cities and communities, and has been featured in shopping malls, businesses, government buildings, churches and performing arts centers. In June 2011, Boys & Girls Aid acquired the Oregon Heart Gallery.

The Gallery includes a permanent display of photographs at Pioneer Place in Portland, Oregon, and traveling displays that are showcased throughout the state of Oregon. These displays help us to recruit for each child in a unique way- bettering their opportunity for adoption.

Families Find Connections in OpennessJenny was already a single mom of two children when she found out she was pregnant. With no support from the baby’s birth father and one child with special needs, Jenny knew she could not be the best parent to any of her children if she brought another child into her home. That is when she came to Boys & Girls Aid. After discussions with her adoption clinician and time to process her thoughts, Jenny chose to move forward with an adoption plan. Considering the needs of the three children, Jenny questioned if an open adoption was in her family’s best interest. With this in her mind she began to look at adoptive family profile books. When she saw Terry and Rita’s profile something clicked. Jenny knew instantly that this was the family to parent her baby.

While both the couple and Jenny had the normal apprehension about open adoption, they agreed to meet. Jenny and her two children spent the day with Terry and Rita along with their respective adoption clinicians eating out, going to a museum and getting to know each other. At the end of the day, it was clear that a strong bond was beginning to develop. Both sides recognized that an open adoption would be meaningful and beneficial for everyone.

When little Hannah was born in June, there was a waiting room full of supportive immediate, extended, birth and adoptive family excited to welcome her into the world. Both families have found that the open adoption has created a deep connection they couldn’t imagine not having. And most importantly, this connection will have a positive impact on Hannah’s life.

program

Boys & Girls Aid018 SW Boundary CourtPortland, OR 97239

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