At-Risk Youth Raise Walls and Hope for Albany Family

The dream of home ownership is now a reality for one local family in Albany thanks to the nonprofit group First Story, Community Services Consortium’s YouthBuild program and local builder Hayden Homes. Luppela Sifuentez and her three daughters will raise the walls on their new home on Thursday, October 17 at 11:30 am. The home is located at 2035 Lehigh Way in Albany.

“Our partnership with YouthBuild allows us to build an affordable home while helping to transform the lives of young adults who have struggled and become disconnected from our community,” said Claire Duncan, Executive Director of First Story. “The YouthBuild program helps them discover their strengths and identify their challenges in a supportive environment that emphasizes positive outcomes. The students bring with them varied experiences with school, family and community, but they all have one thing in common: They are ready to learn.”

To qualify for the First Story home, Sifuentez went through a comprehensive interview and assessment process and was required to meet certain income guidelines. Sifuentez will purchase the home through a zero down payment and a zero interest 30-year home loan from First Story.

“First Story has done more for me and my family than give us a roof over our heads. First Story has restored my sense of dignity and my confidence that hard work and perseverance do make a difference,” said Sifuentez.

“We have an amazing opportunity to change the lives of these young people while changing the future for Luppela and her daughters,” said First Story Founder and CEO of Hayden Homes, Hayden Watson. “Hayden Homes remains focused on helping First Story get families like the Sifuentez in safe, stable affordable homes.”

DATE: Thursday, October 17, 2013
TIME: 11:30am to 1:00pm
LOCATION: 2035 Lehigh Way, Albany, OR 97322
ADDITIONAL: Photo opportunities will be available on site

About First Story

In 1998, builder Hayden Homes had a vision: to change lives through home ownership. That vision developed into First Story, a 501(c)(3) public non-profit, which is celebrating 15 years of service in 2013. First Story has served over 10,000 families though home construction, homeownership opportunities and community giving. Its mission is to promote giving and inspire communities through the creation of home ownership opportunities and financial support. For more information visit: www.FirstStory.org

About YouthBuild

Community Services Consortium (CSC) YouthBuild is a comprehensive program designed to provide apprentice-like opportunities for at-risk young adults ages 16 to 24 years old. Learning takes place in both the classroom, where students earn their high school diplomas or GEDs, and in the field, where students gain construction skills and work experience. CSC YouthBuild is a six-month to two-year youth development program.

About Hayden Homes

Hayden Homes has been building homes and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest for more than two decades. Its vision is to provide the highest quality home for the lowest possible cost. The company is among the top 50 builders in the nation with communities in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

CSC Workforce & Education 2012-2013 Report Card Available Now

CSC's Workforce & Education department has released their 2012-2013 report card. The report card outlines the programs we run that provide a solid foundation for employment, enhanced employability, as well as self-sufficient employment. The report also includes key metrics on the success of our programs. To read the report, click here.

Great Turnout for CSC Benefit and “American Winter” Screening

Nearly 600 people turned out for a free screening of the award-winning documentary “American Winter,” which was also a benefit for Community Services Consortium (CSC), on Thursday, October 3 at the OSU’s LaSells Stewart Center.

The documentary, produced and directed by Emmy award-winning filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz, follows the personal stories of eight Oregon families struggling in the aftermath of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Working together with the nonprofit organization 211info in Portland, the filmmakers were given full access to monitor and record calls from distressed families who were calling 211’s emergency hotline in search of help. They then began following the stories of some of these callers in more depth over several months.

CSC program displays were located throughout the lobby, with representatives educating attendees about the work CSC does in the areas of food and nutrition, housing, education, jobs and finances. The CSC Youth Garden even had a full display of jams, jellies, salsa, and sauces for sale.

Linn County Commissioner Will Tucker kicked off the screening. CSC Executive Director Martha Lyon led the panel after the film, which also included OSU Sociology Professor Mark Edwards, Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning, and 211 Agency Relations Coordinator Emily Berndt.

The benefit raised $2100 for CSC’s poverty-fighting programs, which is a great kickoff to the start of CSC’s holiday giving season. A gift catalog will soon be available on the website, allowing donors to designate the meaningful gift of a CSC program donation in the name of a recipient of their choosing.

Many thanks to the generous local businesses that donated snacks and a coffee service for the event, including Starbucks, Safeway, Trader Joe's, Stoker's VitaWorld, and Odwalla. A special thank you to the LaSells Stewart Center staff (especially Deb Weitzman) for helping us to plan the event and donating the space!

Community Services Consortium (CSC) is a state-designated Community Action Agency serving Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties with housing, nutrition, economic stability, and educational assistance programs since 1980.

To support this project or any of CSC’s poverty-fighting programs and services, visit our website at www.communityservices.us. Donations may be made through our website or mailed to our main office: Community Services Consortium, 245 Broadalbin Street, Suite 2A, Albany, OR 97321.

For more CSC news, visit our blog at http://communityservicesblog.blogspot.com.