This month we celebrate our incredible volunteers, join Fiona Watkins-Corrigan in fighting food waste, and celebrate Head Start Awareness Month with an inspiring trip to Washington D.C.

We were so pleased to host a Volunteer Appreciation event in September at our future home on Barbur Blvd. Our community thrives because of volunteer efforts, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment.

Volunteers are the unsung heroes of Neighborhood House. Their dedication is truly the foundation of our success, and we cannot say thank you enough for their invaluable contributions. 

During the event, attendees had the opportunity to tour our new building, getting an exciting preview of what’s to come. If you’re interested in joining this amazing group of volunteers and making a difference in your community, learn more or apply on our website.

Fiona Watkins-Corrigan plays a crucial role at Neighborhood House in nurturing both the community and the environment. In her role in the Head Start Nutrition Department, Fiona prepares three healthy meals for the students every day. But her impact goes beyond the kitchen.

Fiona has started two initiatives around food education and food waste. The first is a student learning garden at the Stephens Creek Crossing Children's Center. Working in the garden helps teach young children that “food comes from plants,” Fiona said.

“The garden feels good, and it makes me happy,” she said. The children love it too, digging up vegetables like carrots and watching the squash grow.

Beyond her work cooking and gardening, Fiona also helps ensure that no food goes to waste.

"We figured out a way to not throw away any food, which is great,” she said. “All of our extra food goes to support the houseless community here in SW because our staff and parents are strongly against wasting food."

At the end of each week, excess food is either taken to the Free Food Market for distribution or donated to Southwest Outreach, a mutual aid organization that works out of Riversgate Church.

Fiona’s favorite aspects of her job are managing the garden and donating food. “The relationships we have with other nonprofits make me feel good, and we all really enjoy working with each other.”

Fiona has a lot of energy and enthusiasm for her work, but she has also been juggling full time college studies. She is about to complete her undergraduate degree in December.

Reflecting on her time at Neighborhood House, she said, “Taking care of the foundational needs of families in the community so that they can live fulfilling and enriching lives makes me proud to be a part of Neighborhood House.”

Fiona’s work embodies the spirit of Neighborhood House, contributing to a healthier, more sustainable community for all.

Neighborhood House is a proud member of the Southwest Corridor Equity Coalition (SWEC), a non-profit organization working to advance racial equity and justice throughout our SW community.

SWEC is seeking applications of neighbors to fill a new Community Leadership Cohort designed to empower Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, and Refugees in the SW Corridor.

The program will focus on tackling urgent issues like racial disparities, economic inequity, and displacement risks. Participants will receive training in transportation advocacy, affordable housing, and anti-displacement efforts, ensuring their voices are heard in critical community development projects such as the upcoming Light Rail MAX extension.

The Community Leadership program offers interpretation, child care, and paid stipends, making it accessible to all. Participants will meet on four Saturdays in November to enhance their leadership, organizing, and advocacy skills.

If you live, work, play, or pray in the SW Corridor and want to contribute to equitable development, apply now!

Neighborhood House's Head Start delegation included Director of Education Jessica Nguyen (left) and Mental Health & Inclusion Manager Kenzie Joly.

The Head Start team sent a delegation to Washington DC this month to meet with several members of Congress to share our achievements and advocate for support on upcoming legislation. The team spent time with Senator Ron Wyden as well as staff for Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici.

They shared messages from parents in our program about the positive impact Head Start has on Oregon families. They stressed the crucial role Head Start plays in early childhood education and the lasting positive effects we have on communities.

Most importantly, they asked for lawmakers’ support on a $251 million funding measure to comply with new rules and rising costs. In particular, “Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming,” is a new rule intended to strengthen the Head Start program as well as address wage and benefit gaps. But it needs $251 million in funding to meet the rule’s requirements.

Our hope is lawmakers will agree.

In addition to meeting with lawmakers, the team had meaningful discussions with Head Start leaders from across the country. By sharing ideas and challenges, we explored how to make policies work better for everyone.

These meetings and conversations strengthened our commitment to ensuring that Head Start continues to thrive and serve families here at Neighborhood House and nationwide.

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