Listen to Kids has been selected by a team of Partners as our newest investment in the Portland community. Established in 1983, Listen to Kids pioneered a
classroom model for age-appropriate instruction to prevent physical, sexual and emotional abuse or to get help if abuse occurs. It also teaches the adults in the kids’ lives to prevent, detect and deal with abuse. This Kids Can™ program currently serves approximately 5,000 kids. In 2006, Listen to Kids also began serving non-abusive parents fleeing domestic violence to support their children in recovering from the stress and trauma of domestic abuse. This Parent Child Involvement Project has been supported by the Portland Children's Investment Fund and is one of 15 sites chosen nationally to participate in a SafeStart research project conducted by RAND. Long term, Listen to Kids expects to support programs around the state and nation to replicate the model in their communities.
Through SVPP’s Capacity Building Fund investment, Listen to Kids is poised for further growth and development. In addition to a $5,000 grant, Listen to Kids will engage in a capacity assessment and outcomes measurement at the outset and work on their marketing, fund diversification and leadership and Board development.
Join SVPP in supporting Listen to Kids. Click here to donate now.
SVPP Invests in Child Abuse Prevention
SVPP Seeking to Make Additional Investment in Reading
In addition to SVPP's Capacity Building Fund investment in Listen to Kids, the Partners recommended our 
investment in Portland Reading Foundation. This important program identifies children most at risk of failing to read and intervenes with evidence-based, multi-sensory reading instruction to ensure that each child has the opportunity to enjoy what you are doing right now. In this work, they have piloted a new program model of training and compensating parent tutors to perform the literacy training in schools. SVPP could play a critical role in developing this innovative, cost-efficient, “win-win” model into a sustainable, replicable solution for any economically disadvantaged child in the Portland area who could benefit from proven literacy instruction.
As our initial budget for the Capacity Building Fund made provision for only one investment, we are seeking additional funding from our Partners and friends. Help us make in this important investment. We have achieved half of our $15,000 goal already so help us close the gap. Click here to donate now.
Learning from Bono and Bill Gates at the Annual Partners Meeting
Trevor Neilson, President of the Global Philanthropy Group will serve as the keynote speak of our Annual Partners Meeting on May 14. Trevor is the advisor to some of the world's leading philanthropists and celebrities, including Bill Gates, Brad Pitt, Shakira and President Bill Clinton. He will join us for remarks and conversation on the topic, "Turning Passion Into Promise: What Bono, Gates, Angelina and Everyone Can Do to Change the World." Trevor brings a wealth of experience leveraging valuable assets to change the lives of people in need and shift the paradigms of giving around the world.
The Annual Partners Meeting offers Partners and guests the chance to socialize and network as well as get updates or more information on our community investments. We will also reveal the latest community investment of our Capacity Building Fund, introduce our newest Board members and present the President's Award to a Partner who made an outstanding contribution in the previous year. Partners and guests will also enjoy the beautifully refurbished surroundings and art shows of the Olympic Mills Commerce Center.
For more information on this and other upcoming events, see our website events page here.
