Who We Are Click here for Winter/Spring 2008 Newsletter (pdf format) Silverton Together, Inc. is guided by the Board of Directors and it's programs and events are carried out by Staff. Silverton Together began in April, 1993 as a group trained by a statewide program called Oregon Together designed to help communities assess their own risk factors for adolescent problem behavior and to develop prevention strategies to address those risk factors .In March, 1995 Silverton Together was designated the Community Progress Team for the Silverton area by the Marion County Children & Families Commission, a "community progress team" being defined as "a group of local citizens who take ownership of a geographic area and champion efforts in their community to strengthen and support families." As Silverton Together has evolved, we have broadened our vision to encompass a total community approach to well being. We recognize that we are all "Silverton Together," that Silverton can be a place where all generations, from infant to seniors, feel they belong, and where all can receive the help and support they need. What Does Silverton Together Do? Information Sharing Three times each year, we distribute between 3,500 to 3,700 copies of our Calendar of Events and Community Resource Guide. The quality of this 34 page publication improves with each edition as we gain experience. The Calendar/Resource Guides are distributed to all elementary school students in the Silver Falls District and are also distributed to local businesses, the Silver Falls Library, the Chamber of Commerce, and a variety of agencies, churches, and other schools for a total of 43 sites. We publish and distribute a variety of resource guides including the Silverton/Mt. Angel Social Services Guide, Youth Links, Domestic Violence Assistance Guide, Silverton Area Childcare Resources, and the Silverton Area Donation Guide. SCAN TV continues to be a viable communications tool for the community. It is now being managed by Silver Falls School District. Contact Gary Marshall for more information or go to SCAN TV. Prevention Education Part of our vision encompasses fostering appropriate adolescent behaviors in our community and reducing the risk factors that lead to substance abuse, truancy, delinquency, violence, school drop-out, and teen pregnancy. To that end, we established an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Prevention (ATOD) working group in March, 2005, comprised of 20+ participants who represent schools, service agencies, private business, law enforcement and treatment programs. This working group's most recent focus has been on reducing the incidents of underage drinking in our community. Two well-attended Town Halls were held in 2006 and a follow-up Town Hall meeting is planned for the Spring of 2008. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Free Events Each  April, we sponsor a Celebration of Cultures event, most recently held in conjunction with Silverton's First Friday.  Community members are invited to share their heritage with music,  traditional clothing, art, and food. Our goal is to raise awareness of the diversity that lies not only within our own community but the global community as well, and to celebrate that diversity. Partners include the Silverton Art Association, Silverton Hospital, "Hands are Not for Hurting," the Silver Falls School District, the Silverton Merchants Association, local civic and service clubs, the City of Silverton and many others. Approximately 1,000 members of the community attend this event each year. June brings Free Fish Day,  a collaboration with the Izaak Walton League, Silverton Kiwanis Club, and the City of Silverton. Buses bring participants to the Silverton Reservoir where free fishing equipment, bait, food and beverages are provided to community children and their families to enjoy a date of recreation "together." In August we sponsor an annual "Celebrate Families" Community Picnic at the Coolidge-McClaine Park in Silverton. Participants enjoy music, food, games, crafts and other entertainment. Our partners include the Silverton Kiwanis who serve the picnic dinner, the Silverton Area Seniors who run the Bingo game, the Salem/Keizer Community Band who provide the music, and the Silver Falls YMCA who provide free swimming at the Municipal Pool for children and families. Various other groups participate each year by hosting team games and craft tables. The annual "Celebrate Families" Holiday Festival," in partnership with the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce, is held in December. Over 1,000 community members utilize 21 craft tables to make holiday gifts, have their picture taken with Santa and vote on 25-30 decorated trees which are donated to needy families. Additional undecorated trees are also made available. Gift bags are handed out to children. Over eighty volunteers and sixty businesses and organizations collaborate on the Holiday Festival each year by donating their time and money, making this event a huge success and a lot of fun for the entire community. Community Connector Program Silverton Together provides formats for agencies, businesses, churches, clubs and non-profits to discuss community needs and find corresponding resources. Affiliations include: Services Coordinating Committee Safety Net Silverton Women Together School Assisted Facilitation of Resources (SAFR) Somos Hispanas Unidas Migrant Forum Emergency Housing Network English Language Learner Coalition Domestic Violence Council In addition to providing information on area resources, the program coordinator serves as a liaison for other organizations, providing applications for eye glasses, car seats, holiday programs, housing assistance and food stamps. Outreach is provided at eight area schools, granting access to resources for parents and school personnel. Parent Education Program   Why seek out training for your job as parent? Because it's the most important work you'll ever do! Our core beliefs about parenting include: There are many positive ways to parent. Parents are their child's most important teacher. Parents are the experts on their own children. Parenting is the most challenging and important job there is. Coming to a parenting class is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family Our Parent Education Program offers a continuum of curricula that are either evidence-based or research-based, for families with children 0-17. We offer "tech support" for parents...because children don't come with instructions. Operation Starfish Mentor Program A school-based Mentor program that elicits involvement from schools, businesses, churches, and individuals who are willing to make a difference by spending time with a child each week. Our mission is to guide youth (4th through 8th grade students of the Silver Falls School District) through one-on-one relationships with positive role models from the community. Our mentors provide friendship and support in order to enhance self esteem, promote resiliency and a healthy lifestyle. Our mentors interact on an individual basis with a child or youth through conversation, scholastic,  and/or recreational activities. Mentors must be at least 18 years of age, possess a desire to promote positive growth in a child or youth, have the ability to maintain confidentiality, and have good interpersonal skills, perseverance, flexibility, and patience. A mentor's commitment to working with a student is for a minimum of one hour each week during the school year. Indoor Park A park for ages infant to 5 years old, operated as a parent cooperative and designed to provide an environment for young children to develop social skills as well as large motor skills. Toys are provided that cover the developmental stages from about one month through four years of age. Along with the physical stimulation, the park provides a social network for both the child and the parent. Friendships are formed between children and parents benefit from the interaction and support of other parents.
503-873-0405 - PO Box 114 - 421 S. Water Street - Silverton, Oregon 97381