(from the November 2008 Newsletter)
For a recent speech I had to give at Portland's City Club (see below), I reflected in these challenging times on 'what is core' for us as humans, Americans, Portlanders, SVP Partners. 'Giving back' is certainly part of our core. So I am thankful for the kindred spirits of SVPP -- our Partners -- who are really giving back. I am grateful to each of you for your ongoing support of our efforts. It keeps us inspired. Happy Thanksgiving!
The Child Care Improvement Project: Helping Children Get a Strong Start
(from the November 2008 Newsletter)
Too many low-income families needing child care find themselves in a Catch-22: Children in disadvantaged homes often need the very best care and educational opportunities available – to get the strongest start – but because of financial pressures, parents rarely are able to choose a setting based on quality.
Instead, they choose based on cost – and they often choose smaller, “family-based” child care options based in someone’s home because these are generally more affordable than “center-based” care options such as KinderCare. Because they do usually charge less, family-based providers too often get by on thin margins, have little access to peers or expert resources, and have limited ability to invest in their capacity and improve their quality.
The Child Care Improvement Project (CCIP) – an investee of Social Venture Partners since 2006 – is uniquely committed to addressing this important gap 
and improving the quality of family child care and the lower-income families these programs serve. To strengthen the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of CCIP, Social Venture Partners Portland’s investment is supporting its growth into new markets and strengthening its infrastructure. Bill Porter is the lead partner. This summer, SVPP Partners rolled up their sleeves to help Oletha, a CCIP provider (pictured above), improve her outdoor play space. Thanks to the SVPP day of service, Oletha was able to get her garden started and now grows fresh vegetables that she serves her children in care and shares with their families.
Currently serving more than 110 providers who are caring for more than 925 children and their families, CCIP offers participating providers early childhood development training, support, resources (including mini-grants) and assistance in business planning and management. It also conducts an annual quality assessment of all providers in its network, measuring the quality of their child care and environment against criteria that represent research-based best practices.
How does CCIP make a difference? Myrna considered herself a “babysitter” when she first joined the network three years ago, charging her few families $1 per hour. A CCIP coordinator guided Myrna on making her space meet the developmental needs of the children and ideas around using play materials and toys to help children learn; her coordinator also connected her to government resources such as food programs and child care subsidies. Myrna now has her program at full capacity and is serving primarily lower-income families. She is making a good income – so her business is stable – and she is working toward an early education certification.
Learn more about the Child Care Investment Project and how you can get involved at www.svpportland.org.
SVPP Engaged: The Shadow Project
(from the November 2008 Newsletter)
SVPP Partners and their families gathered in southeast Portland this November to make blankets for the families of learning challenged students served by The Shadow Project, an SVPP Investee.
1. Evan Porter
2. Megan Leftwich, SVPP Lead Partner for The Shadow Project
3. Marissa Crouch
4. Ameya and Issa Okomoto fringing a blanket
Click here to see more photos of this and past events.
New Strategic Plan for 2009-2011 Ratified by Board
(from the November 2008 Newsletter)
After a six-month process involving many of our partners, community leaders and both former and current investees, the SVPP Board ratified our new Strategic Plan at its November meeting. The plan covers the period from 2009-2011 and outlines a roadmap whereby we can significantly grow our partnership and increase our community impact while creating a more enriching experience for our partners. The plan describes our evolved investment strategy that will establish dual venture philanthropy funds and a broadened investment focus. We're most excited about a new program we'll be rolling out in 2009, SVP Families, which will allow you to include your children in your philanthropic activities.
Details of the plan will be presented at an All Partners' Meeting on January 28, 2009. The location for that meeting will be announced to Partners after the first of the year when they receive a copy of the plan. We hope to see all Partners there so you can understand how you can get involved to help make this bold plan a reality.
SVPP Featured at City Club of Portland
(from the November 2008 Newsletter)
Mark Holloway, SVPP Executive Director, addressed the City Club of Portland on November 21, 2008, on "Giving Back: Stories of Inspiration and Transformation." Mark spoke as the keynote speaker for the annual Willamette Week Skidmore Awards, presented to four young Portlanders making outstanding contributions in the not-for-profit sector.
In his comments, Mark reminded the audience of the need to "live out your inspiration and not your desperation" during the country's challenging economic crisis. There are more challenges for us than ever, he continued, but there is also more hope. "SVPP (and philanthropy in general) sits at the intersection of hope and challenge," he said. Mark also shared his own inspiration and those of the Skidmore Award winners to get involved in 'giving back'.
Click here to listen to the speech.
New Partners: Yassi and Aresh Irajpanah
(from the November 2008 Newsletter)
Yassi Irajpanah and her brother Aresh are our newest SVPP Partners -- our first brother-sister Partner unit.
Yassi is the Community Development Manager at The Commerce Bank of
Oregon. In her role, she leads the corporate responsibility and nonprofit business development efforts of the Bank. She began her career in banking while obtaining her Master of International Management degree at Portland State University. She has worked in human resource management, with an emphasis in employee training, stakeholder engagement and group facilitation. In addition, Yassi continues her efforts as co-chair of the GROW Conference, a conference she launched in 2007 with the aim of connecting the business and nonprofit community. She also serves on the World Affairs Council Young Professionals board, and the Oregon Community Foundation Leadership Council.
Yassi is a Portland native and holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Santa Clara University. When not at home in Portland, Yassi loves to travel. Her fondest memories are from traveling – either with family and friends or solo “enlightenment” trips. Through a variety of academic programs, she has studied in France, China and Japan. Yassi is fluent in Farsi, English, semi-fluent in French and is learning Chinese. Walking is also a favorite pastime. She believes this is a great way to explore the city (either in Portland or while traveling), or just think things through. Yassi also loves to entertain, though she confesses she can’t cook. Says Yassi, “For now, I am doing my part in stimulating the economy by having local restaurants and catering companies on speed dial.”
Aresh Irajpanah recently moved back to Portland this past June to help manage his family business, World Wide Products INC., which specializes in aviation telecommunication distribution. Prior to that, he started his career at Citigroup Smith Barney as a manager in their private wealth division. Aresh received his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Southern California where he was very much involved in leadership and continues his efforts as V.P. of Finance for the Gamma Eta Alumni Association. In his spare time Aresh will be taking flying lessons, learning Mandarin and training for the Los Angeles Marathon, which will take place in May of 2009.
Yassi Irajpanah and her brother Aresh are our newest SVPP Partners -- our first brother-sister Partner unit.
Yassi is the Community Development Manager at The Commerce Bank of
Oregon. In her role, she leads the corporate responsibility and nonprofit business development efforts of the Bank. She began her career in banking while obtaining her Master of International Management degree at Portland State University. She has worked in human resource management, with an emphasis in employee training, stakeholder engagement and group facilitation. In addition, Yassi continues her efforts as co-chair of the GROW Conference, a conference she launched in 2007 with the aim of connecting the business and nonprofit community. She also serves on the World Affairs Council Young Professionals board, and the Oregon Community Foundation Leadership Council.Yassi is a Portland native and holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Santa Clara University. When not at home in Portland, Yassi loves to travel. Her fondest memories are from traveling – either with family and friends or solo “enlightenment” trips. Through a variety of academic programs, she has studied in France, China and Japan. Yassi is fluent in Farsi, English, semi-fluent in French and is learning Chinese. Walking is also a favorite pastime. She believes this is a great way to explore the city (either in Portland or while traveling), or just think things through. Yassi also loves to entertain, though she confesses she can’t cook. Says Yassi, “For now, I am doing my part in stimulating the economy by having local restaurants and catering companies on speed dial.”
Aresh Irajpanah recently moved back to Portland this past June to help manage his family business, World Wide Products INC., which specializes in aviation telecommunication distribution. Prior to that, he started his career at Citigroup Smith Barney as a manager in their private wealth division. Aresh received his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Southern California where he was very much involved in leadership and continues his efforts as V.P. of Finance for the Gamma Eta Alumni Association. In his spare time Aresh will be taking flying lessons, learning Mandarin and training for the Los Angeles Marathon, which will take place in May of 2009.
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