header_1 header_2 header_3 header_4 header_5
Annual Report FY 2010/2011 Edition December 2011
Another year is in the books for Partnerships in Community Living, Inc, and in an effort to be a better steward of our resources, this year, we're trying something a little different.  Normally, our end of year annual report would be printed, copied, and mailed out to the PCL family.  By producing it and posting it online, we're not only being a good steward of our financial resources (one of our board directives), but we're also being good environmental stewards as well!  Welcome to what promises to be the first, of many, online newsletters!  

Living the Mission

PCL’s Southern Oregon Division, based in Grants Pass, Oregon, is a relatively new addition to PCL’s family but one that has very quickly become a strong community partner as well as quickly developing a dedicated corps of volunteers. Dick, one of these volunteers, enjoys spending his time by helping enhance the life of one of the people supported by PCL, one of the key tenets of our mission, and in doing so, has started to build a wonderful friendship!

Dick met Scott at church, shortly after Scott started attending services. (Church attendance is one of the many great ways that the people we support come together with non-paid community members). They got to know
each other by chatting during social hour. From there, the two spent more time together, going to church and out to dinner, with staff in attendance. As the friendship progressed, Dick decided that he needed to take the necessary steps so that he and Scott could have outings without staff and that is just what he did. After going through PCL’s fairly rigorous volunteer background check, Dick and Scott are now able to go out and just be friends, without staff tagging along. This is definitely “enhancing the lives of those we support” in the best possible way. How is it working? Happily, it is an unqualified success and we look forward to adding more volunteers like Dick to the PCL family.

Donor Cultivation

With the reduction of state funding, it has become most important to find ways to fill the gaps so that PCL can continue to provide high quality supports. One way of doing this is Donor Cultivation. The Fund Development Department is doing this through the Annual Summer Solstice Benefit Auction and through Open Door tours. With both activities, what we do at PCL is showcased in order to better educate community members. This is done with videos, presentations and question and answer sessions. At the Summer Solstice two years ago, one donor
committed to a 5 year pledge of $50.00 a month. This year, ten people committed to 5 year pledges and a number of other guests donated over $9,000 on a 1 time basis.

The Open Door Tours are geared to bringing the business community into our sphere of influence by inviting them to a one hour lunch where information on PCL is provided. These events bring not only donations but also contacts for providing community based jobs for the people who are supported by the Employment Department. Currently, Kevin Priest of the PR Department is working with Chemeketa Community College to have an Open Door Tour at their location in Salem. He is also discussing job development with them and a possible collaboration with the Art Department.

PCL Gives Back

• PCL’s Employment department won 1st place for their float and great recognition for the organization, as part of the 4th of July Parade. Employment repeated their winning ways with a win for their float in the Holiday Parade during the Hometown Holidays Festival in Monmouth.

• PCL was asked to be part of a city sponsored “yard sale” in the Monmouth Park when the Western Oregon University students returned to campus, where we helped provide food for the shoppers.

• Halloween brought the opportunity to be part of the
Monmouth community celebration at the Monmouth Library, again providing food and drink for the revelers.

• PCL’s Human Resources team orchestrated a Holiday Crafts Bazaar on December 3rd that provided vendors with a chance to sell their wares to the community, as well as an opportunity to showcase the talented people both employed and supported by PCL.

• The Salem Resource Center continues to give back to the community by volunteering by painting parking lots and at a local animal shelter.

• PCL’s Quality Assurance Department once again sponsored an Angel Tree in order to provide Christmas for needy children and families.

• SPARC is collecting food and gifts for needy families as well. The members of the SPARC organization have made this their yearly mission.

• Remember the DownTown Café in Monmouth? The newly owned and operated Day Break Café continues to be a part of the PCL family as the new owners provide employment opportunities for two people supported by PCL.

• The Human Resources Department continues to organize Community Blood Drives with the Red Cross.

• Several PCL employees continue to be active participants in groups and committees that work to improve society whether it is at a State Level Committee or the local Habitat for Humanity activities.

• Several staff members and people supported by PCL have established PCL’s version of the “Red Hat Society”. PCL's "Elite Ladies" can be seen about town at various outings in their red hats! (Pictured here at a softball outing)

Annual Report from the Board

Happy Holidays to all and a resounding thank you so very much for your support! With 25 years of experience, PCL continues to focus a state and national spotlight on the gifts and talents of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Oregon. It is my privilege as the current Board President to be a part of an organization that doesn’t stand still but keeps striving for growth and improvement. Although the people we support are sometimes forgotten by society and can be without a voice, it is with great pride that I acknowledge and
applaud the human impact I have seen personally through PCL’s presence. Because of PCL and other organizations like it that selflessly serve, the State of Oregon is a much better place not only for the marginalized people served but for everyone else as well. The right example is being set for all to see.

PCL is an inspired organization founded on principals of Justice, not Charity. Your financial contributions are vital. We cannot do what we do without the wonderful assistance of our supporters. Because of that support, people are able to live in their own homes, are offered opportunities for employment, enjoy community outings, going to church, taking trips and being a part of their community. SPARC (Self-Protection, Advocacy and Rights Council) teaches classes on human rights and the importance of voting as well as signing up voters. Their meetings are run by self advocates and they are very politically active. PCL is proud to facilitate the growth of self advocacy on all fronts.

We, the Board, are excited about the future of PCL while continuing to be cognizant of the challenges of the current economic times and the ever present need to be wise in our leadership of PCL. While PCL is a historically strong organization financially, it is always our intention to better steward resources to accomplish more. Unfortunately this has meant that cuts have to be made without impacting services to people. To that end, wages have been frozen, cost of living wage increases canceled, employee benefits have been reduced, and new positions have been suspended and consolidated. Grants Pass has experienced similar steps. Additionally, new financial initiatives have been put in place that are saving us tens of thousands of dollars a year in operational expense. All throughout this, our resolve remains strong and our dedicated workforce continues to be passionately mission focused.

A question that all Donors want answered is “where is my money going?” and it is an important question. According to the Accounting Department, $.87 of every dollar that comes into PCL goes to direct support of the people PCL serves. Specifically, here are some examples of where the fundraising money goes:

• Leg braces were purchased for a person who’s insurance did not cover the purchase. Her old braces impeded her standing and movement. We are happy to report that she is thrilled and shows her braces to anyone.
• Insurance did not fully cover medication for a gentleman’s skin condition and he was running out while experiencing serious discomfort. Your donations were allocated to make sure he received the medication he needed on a timely basis.
• Your donations are used to purchase Christmas presents for all of the people we support.
• Provide training to people we support in the employment areas
• Your donations are used to replace household supplies, linens and furniture that are worn out in people's homes.
• Other items of medical equipment that aren’t covered by insurance are funded.
• At times, your donations are used to provide training to staff to ensure that the people supported by PCL are getting the best supports possible.

In the spirit of watching our money, PCL’s new and growing granting writing program is generating revenue to offset new program, operations and facility costs. To date, we have received $7,650. While it is a drop in the bucket to what we need and are asking for, it is a start and we are most grateful to our growing list of Foundation, municipal, and community partners.

And so we look forward to the challenges and rewards that 2012 will bring. We at PCL appreciate all that you, our supporters do for us. Thank you! May the New Year bring all of us peace, prosperity, and joy.

PCL Board of Directors

Suzanne Young, Board Chair Person
Jan Burks, Board Vice Chair Person
Dottie Hart, Board Secretary
Bryan Laughlin, Board Treasurer
Rico Bocala
Janet Combs
Jodi Huffman
Chris Harris
Alan Smith
Jennifer Watkins
donate_now