Tag Archive for: Serendipity Center

Portraits of Hope: Isolation becomes Belonging

At Pearls of Hope we unveiled four pairs of charcoal portraits. To celebrate our 40th birthday, Serendipity commissioned local portrait artist Jake Smith to create eight portraits depicting the transformational journey our children experience as they heal. Students often arrive at our school with feelings of aggression, isolation and despair because of trauma and/or difficulties they have experienced.

Each unique pair of portraits visually communicates the emotions our students experience as they move towards healing and transformation and help you to step into the shoes of our students for perhaps the very first time. The first pair of portraits is shown here: Isolation becomes Belonging.

When you support a school like Serendipity, you get to actively participate in transforming children’s lives. Your generosity will support the care and guidance of children who have been severely affected by developmental, psychiatric and neurological issues. With your help, these vulnerable students will have positive life-changing experiences and become valued and productive community members. You enable Serendipity to continue to do this essential work in the lives of young people in critical need of experiencing compassion, belonging, empowerment and especially, hope.

Help Serendipity Students with Fred Meyer Rewards

Are you a Fred Meyer shopper? It’s easy to support the students at Serendipity Center! Fred Meyer donates over $2 million each year to nonprofits and community groups throughout the Pacific Northwest.

All you have to do is link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Serendipity Center. The more you purchase with your card, the more students at Serendipity will be helped.

Read more

Serendipity Center Chess Club

In the fall of 2016 Serendipity Center started it’s first chess club! By partnering with the Chess for Success program Serendipity gained access to a tremendous intervention and educational support resource provided at no cost to families. We have had new players of all ages learning the game together in the morning and afternoon sessions and for many students it has been an awesome breakfast activity to start the day! Read more

Support Serendipity Center on #GivingTuesday

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, it’s time to focus on making a difference in the lives of the children who need your support. This year Serendipity Center is excited to participating in #GivingTuesday a celebration of non-profits we love. This year, your #GivingTuesday gift to Serendipity Center will ensure that the children of Serendipity continue to receive the critical care necessary to fulfill their potential. But we can’t do it without your help.

Here are some things you can do to support Serendipity Center:
1.) Make a donation online today
2.) Link Serendipity Center to your Fred Meyer rewards card
3.) Name Serendipity Center your non-profit on Amazon Smile

Thank you for your continued support and belief in Serendipity’s mission to provide students with the best environment to heal and become educated, productive community members.

gt

ODE Wellness Award & Greenhouse Ribbon Cutting

,

Serendipity Center is excited and proud to announce that we are the recipients of the Oregon School Wellness Award for 2016! As one of only 3 schools in the state of Oregon to receive this amazing accolade it is a testament to the strength and vision of our food services program led by Joey Ogo and Brian Thompsen, as well as the leadership of Nicolas Townsend and the growth of the Growing Minds Garden. Serendipity would like to thank the representatives of Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council, and the Nutrition Council of Oregon for visiting our campus and presenting the award in June – Specifically: Amy Gilroy, Heidi Dupuis, Joyce Dougherty, Suzanne Hidde, Kristin Hall, and Crista Hawkins. We would also like to thank our ex officio and current board members, staff, students, and families for joining us in our special celebration.

The presentation of the ODE School Wellness award coincided with another monumental achievement for our Growing Minds Garden program, the ribbon cutting and unveiling of our new greenhouse. The construction of our greenhouse was made possible by a generous grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Pudget Sound. Thanks to their contribution we will be able to provide our students with valuable instructional time during the more challenging winter months, and also provide our garden with more capacity to grow delicious fruits and veggies!

In Memory of Stephen B. Carter

carter5

Serendipity Center is terribly saddened by the passing of ex-officio board member and former board chair Stephen B. Carter. The longtime vice president of special projects at The Standard served on our board from 2003-2012. Steve was an enduring and stabilizing force for many years and truly connected with the mission of Serendipity Center. During his tenure he was integral in completing our first capital campaign, Building for Success, which ultimately led to the construction of our new upper school and administrative buildings; completed in 2011.

Steve was known to all as an incredibly generous, kind, and caring man who had a natural love of mentorship and service. As stated in his obituary published in The Oregonian, “Steve excelled in business and volunteerism; he was an absolute champion when it came to friendships and having fun. An engaging conversationalist with a good sense of humor, he brightened the lives of all who knew him.”

Today, Stephen Carter’s legacy of service and generosity lives on. Following his passing Steve’s family has announced the Stephen Carter Scholarship Fund of Serendipity Center. This fund will be dedicated to funding scholarships for Serendipity graduates seeking independence. We are honored and grateful for all of Steve’s contributions to Serendipity Center during his many years and the contributions he continues to make. When Steve joined Serendipity’s board of directors in 2003 he wrote on his application that he was “energized by the mission and staff of Serendipity.” Now for many years to come Serendipity’s graduating classes will feel “energized” about their futures thanks to Stephen Carter.

carter3

Serendipity Valentine’s Day Dance

,

On Thursday, February 11th Serendipity Center celebrated Valentine’s Day a few days early with school dance! Students of all ages were able to boogie and have fun dancing with their classmates. Thank you to the Serendipity student council for organizing the event and decorating our cafeteria. Also thank you to all the staff members who worked hard to make sure all students had a fun and safe afternoon before our mini-break.

Serendipity Awarded Grant from Kinsman Foundation!

,

Serendipity Center was recently awarded a $2500.00 grant from the Kinsman Foundation! The local Milwaukie, Oregon non-profit unexpectedly selected Serendipity as a recipient, and we are grateful for their generosity. Kinsman Foundation began awarding grants in 2003 in the areas of historic preservation, arts & culture, and health care policy, and have continued to be a beacon of philanthropy in Oregon. We thank them for their anonymous selection.

Click here for more information about the Kinsman Foundation.

The Summer Harvest Has Begun!

,

Serendipity Center’s ESY program is in full-swing! Going into our second week of the extended school year, Garden Coordinator Nicolas has been taking students into the garden to harvest an abundance of summer veggies. Today students were able to harvest yellow squash, LOTS of delicious green beens, and green chili peppers. Serendipity would like to thank the employees of PGE, Point B, and Capital One for their volunteer efforts in caring for the Growing Minds Garden.  Due in part to the help of volunteers, and the work of all the Serendipity staff and students, the growing minds farm looks to have another bountiful season.

Students Enjoy a Field Trip to the Oregon Zoo

, ,

On Tuesday, June 16th students at Serendipity Center enjoyed an end of the year field trip to the Oregon Zoo! More than 70 students across ages and grade levels were excited to experience the variety zoo exhibits. From California Condors, to Polar Bears, to African Elephants students marveled at all of the amazing animals.

Serendipity Center would like to thank all of the staff and parent volunteers for helping make this field trip an awesome experience for everyone in attendance. A special thank you is in order to Lower School teacher Tyler for organizing the trip. It was a perfect way to end the school year and start summer!