WEST LINN - The City of West Linn is reaching out to other organizations and groups to partner with on Neighbors Helping Neighbors. In an effort to meet other needs around the community, the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program is growing its network of partners and connection to the community.
Three Rivers Charter School contacted the City of West Linn asking what they could do to help the community during the holiday season; of all the ideas and options presented, Neighbors Helping Neighbors won the hearts of the students and administrators alike. Working with Neighbors Helping Neighbors is an exciting opportunity for the students at Three Rivers Charter School. For years, the school has participated in various community service projects around the Portland metro area. With Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the students are able to help people in their own neighborhoods, bringing the idea of helping others very close to home.
Three Rivers is dedicated to supporting the community through such projects, as it helps develop students to become productive citizens and increases their awareness of the world around them. This November and December, the students will be visiting various households to deliver home baked goods and student-made crafts. These outings are largely organized by 8th grade student leaders. “This was a perfect opportunity to not only help people, but bring joy to the people we are helping,” said Three Rivers student Sophia McFadden.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a program that is transforming the lives of people, young and old alike. The main emphasis of this program has been to help fellow neighbors who are in need and cannot physically or financially care for their own yards:
* Those over 70 years of age;
* People with limited mobility;
* Military spouses with partners currently serving overseas;
* Neighbors with other critical financial or physical needs.
As the program has grown (to dozens of homeowners and hundreds of volunteers) the relationships among those serving and those in need has deepened, and people are wanting to meet other needs for NHN recipients throughout the rest of the year. For example, last December the youthgroups of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints went caroling to all the homeowners and delivered baskets of baked goods.
Most of the recipients of Neighbors Helping Neighbors are widows who live alone. This kind of on-going connection is extremely meaningful to them.
For more information, please contact Bridget Saladino at the City of West Linn, 503.657.0331.