New Partners: Sara Merten

(from the September 2009 Newsletter)

Sara Merten was born Indiana and raised in Massachusetts. She attended DePauw University in Indiana, earning her degree in Sociology/Anthropology. After college she worked as a Vista Volunteer in Indianapolis with the Governor's office. After moving to Oregon, she was the Executive Director with the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force, then as Policy Director for Washington Association of Churches focusing on social justice issues and anti-poverty work. Sara’s consulting firm worked with the Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Center for Public Policy and the Oregon Department of Human Services to develop policies and programs around issues that impact low income Oregonians.

She currently heads the Silver Family Foundation, whose mission is to help youth reach their greatest potential by providing financial support to non-profits that utilize experiential educational opportunities for children. Sara is managing partner of a web marketing company called WeClik.com - doing digital publications, online media distribution and web search phrases. She also runs an online retail shop for eco-friendly local artists called TillyJane.net.

Sara loves gardening, cooking and eating. She lives in Laurelhurst with husband Chris, a maritime engineering superintendent with Alaska Tanker. Chris is nuts about the Red Sox. Son Henry, 8, just started third grade at Laurelhurst and is a sports nut who plays baseball and basketball. Daughter Elizabeth, 5, is a new kindergartner and is big on arts and crafts and adores animals. Weekends find the family outdoors biking, hiking and camping.