Another great year for the Salem Imprint Program!

Do you remember “Animal Farm”, “Anthem”,  “Children of the River”, “Lord of the Flies”, “Of Mice and Men”, and “To Kill a Mocking Bird”?  Well, 31 local volunteers recently read one or two of those books with a North Salem High School student through the Imprint Program, a program that matches an attorney with a student so that they can form a one-on-one relationship over a semester through reading a book and exchanging letters about the book.  The Imprint Program provides the student an opportunity to interact with a positive adult role model and encourages the student’s interest in learning.

Each of the students who participated in the program is involved in AVID (Advanced Via Individual Determination) at North Salem High School.  AVID students have the intellectual capacity to attain college entrance, but tend to have barriers, such as economic or language barriers or the lack of a support system, that may prevent them from going to college.  AVID helps students develop the critical thinking and organizational skills they'll need to attend college, acquaints them with the college environment and advanced courses, and assists them with college and scholarship applications.  

Most students sailed through the semester and the Imprint Program.  Other students faced challenges: an unanticipated mid-semester move out of the country, dropping out of the ninth grade, and truancy.  The volunteers answered the call and remained committed, dedicated, and flexible throughout the semester.  

The highlight of the program occurred in May when the students and volunteers met face to face at North Salem High School for a party.  For fifty minutes room 219 was filled with happy chatter.  Many letters and doughnuts later, all participants had grown a bit from sharing themselves with one another.  

We extend a special thank you to the Marion County Bar Association, Mary Leonard Law Society, and Willamette University College of Law for funding the spring program. 

-Co-coordinators Shannon Reel and Heather Vogelsong

 

 Photo (from left to right):  Heather Vogelsong, Aireanne Chapman, and Shannon Reel

Mary Leonard Goes to Monte Carlo

A first for the Mary Leonard Law Society, this year’s spring charity event was a Monte Carlo Casino Night.  With the generous support of Entertainment Sponsor, Saalfeld Griggs, PC, the support and ongoing partnership of the Marion County Bar Association, and the support of table sponsors Hetzel Williams law firm and Dean L. Allen, CPA of Pacific Valuation and Forensics, the fourth annual MLLS spring fundraising soiree, held on the beautiful and summer-like evening of May 11, was successful once again.

In addition to raising thousands of dollars for the worthy causes of Liberty House and Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service, the event was very well received by its guests. They enjoyed the lovely setting of the Creekside Golf Course for casino games, hors d’oeuvres, and wonderful local wines and micro-brews; they also embraced the evening’s theme by appearing in attire worthy of any Bond film. Additionally, both the raffle and silent auction were popular, with a wide variety of items available for bid or chance, from celebrity swag and beauty treatments, to weekend getaways and athletic event tickets. Spirited rivalries even erupted over some of the more sought-after items!

Although the casino night was an evening of entertainment and glamour, MLLS was proud to host an event that was, at its heart, one to benefit worthy organizations that support women and children who have endured trauma.  Liberty House has been Marion County’s child abuse assessment center since 1999, providing compassionate and skilled assessment of children who may have suffered from many types of abuse or neglect. Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service provides shelter and a variety of support programs for women and children survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.  For those who were unable to attend Monte Carlo Casino Night but are interested in becoming involved with these charities, as well as for event guests who would like to establish an ongoing sponsor or volunteer relationship with them, please call Liberty House at 503-540-0288 or click on http://www.libertyhousecenter.org/help.php; please call Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service call 503-378-1572, email Volunteer@mvwcs.com, or click on http://www.mvwcs.com/community/index.html for their “wish list” of items for the women and children they serve. 5