Blog
Latino Network Creatively Serves Community Through COVID-19
For so many organizations across the country, coronavirus has shifted business as usual. But “business as usual” takes on a different meaning when you’re serving the families and communities in which you belong. That was the case for SVP Portland’s (SVP) Community Partner, Latino Network, which works to positively transform the lives of Latinx youth, families, and communities.
The Remarkable Story of Adelante Mujeres’ Growth
Almost five years after our investment with Adelante Mujeres ended, we are thrilled to announce the opening of their new Early Childhood Education classrooms in Forest Grove! Their early childhood education program has more than doubled in size and the organization itself has grown significantly. Adelante is providing direct services to more than 9,000 people, serving close to 10% of the Latinx population in Washington County.
Partners Provide Support for Child Care Businesses
During these challenging times, it is neighbor helping neighbor that uplifts our spirits and makes Oregon communities stronger. A group of Partners from SVP Portland, working in collaboration with early childhood advocates, has done just that, helping Oregon's struggling child care providers with the creation of the Oregon Child Care Provider Relief Guide.
Meet Our Newest Community Partner: Portland Children’s Museum
Through this new partnership, SVP will help Portland Children's Museum expand its capacity to become part of the solution for ensuring that all children in the Portland metro area have access to high-quality, culturally-responsive, and affordable preschool.
SVP Portland Responds to Community Needs
We are living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 is creating an evolving situation with short- and long-term ramifications for our community. Circumstances are rapidly changing and, fortunately, SVP is a highly nimble, responsive, and collaborative organization. Our proximity to leaders on the front lines serving children and families in need uniquely positions us as a trusted resource to help them navigate this crisis.
Center for Equity & Inclusion and SVP Partnership
SVP launched a unique partnership with the Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI) in 2019, and we are excited to build upon accomplishments we’ve made over the past year, through newly established goals for continued impact in 2020.
The Leaders Among Us
SVP Partner Larry Fox explains why the Lead Partner role is the linchpin of success. Lead Partners are the primary contact with our Community Partners. Their job is to bring together a team of Partners to create mutually-shared goals with the Community Partner, to ensure that resource needs are communicated to SVP staff, to monitor progress, and to suggest adjustments as necessary… but the role is so much more.
SVP Portland's Executive Director Update: March 2020
On February 25, Partners gathered to learn about and discuss our 2019 impact and 2020 strategy. In case you missed it, here is a recap of the conversation. You can also read more about our 2019 impact in our Year in Review, listen to the Partnership Meeting, or see the presentation.
Where Are They Now: Children’s Book Bank
In honor of our 20th anniversary, we are taking a look back at our past investments to see where they are now. When we first partnered with The Children’s Book Bank (CBB) in 2014, they were a five-year-old organization dedicated to closing the “book gap” that exists between low-income neighborhoods and middle- and upper-income communities. From 2014 to 2017, over ten SVP Partners and four Encore Fellows engaged with CBB to build their organizational capacity.
2019 Year in Review
We had a historic year of impact in 2019, from scaling Latino Network’s Juntos Aprendemos early learning program state-wide and passage of the $20M Equity Fund, to publication of the Preschool for All initiative’s comprehensive plan and significantly strengthening SVP’s own capacity.Read our Year in Review for a full look at the what else our Partnership accomplished!
Community Education Workers: A Model That Can Change the World
SVP Portland had the chance to be counted in more deeply when we partnered with CEW in 2014 to evaluate their programs and identify opportunities for capacity building and growth. CEW’s belief that it shouldn’t be acceptable that children have different access to early childhood education based on income level, skin color, or immigration or refugee status, aligned well with SVP Portland’s mission and initiatives.
Partner of the Month: Andrew Becvar
We are thrilled to welcome in September by honoring Andrew Becvar as SVP Portland’s Partner to the Month! Andrew is a Certified Financial Planner™ who joined the SVP Partnership in 2018 and has brought his expertise in financial management directly to our Partnership ever since.
Five Years Later: Project Impact Then and Now
The fact that MFS and Adelante have continued to build upon their learnings from the Project Impact cohort and expanded the evaluation strategies to multiple programs demonstrates how a small SVP Portland investment can result in significant, sustained return.
Please Welcome Our New Director of Community Impact
As venture philanthropists, capacity building is the core of what we do. With Lauren Johnson, our former Senior Vice President for Community Impact, stepping into the role of Executive Director, we needed a strong leader to guide the strategic direction and oversight of the capacity building we do with our Community Partners as we continue work on our “Preschool for All” goal. After a thorough search process, which included SVP staff, the Board, Investor Partners, and Community Partners, we are thrilled to announce that Rose Rezai is our new Director of Community Impact!
Scaling for Impact: Juntos Aprendemos affiliate pilot project
Six years after our original investment, Latino Network has built its capacity to scale Juntos and is launching an affiliate pilot with two schools in Central Oregon. Director of Children, Family & Community Service Division, Sadie Feibel Holmes, shares her gratitude to SVP, with a note to the team of twelve SVP Partners and staff who worked closely with the Juntos team over the past several years.
Encore Fellows Spotlight: Molly Olson
Molly Olson recently retired from Intel with over 35 years leading strategic programs and managing technical design and operations teams in the semiconductor and electrical equipment industries. She is a certified New Ventures leadership coach and focuses her consulting and coaching on strategic planning, implementation planning, program management and leadership development.
Pull Up a Chair...Early Childhood Updates
As capacity builders, SVP is known for being a leader behind the public leader. This is why we have been invited to seats at early childhood decision-making tables, where we play a role in driving a cohesive strategy and alignment in. Together, across sectors, we are building the capacity of our community to ensure that all children have access to high quality, culturally relevant early learning experiences. Please read on for a snapshot of important conversations in which SVP is participating at the State and local levels.
Bolder and Brighter: New Faces With a New Vision for Portland
On Friday, June 15, our Partnership convened with Portland Public Schools Superintendent, Guadalupe Guerrero; and Oregon’s Early Learning Council Chair, Sue Miller, for an armchair discussion surrounding Portland’s progressive vision for education in Portland, and how that will take place in the years to come. John Branam, SVP Investor Partner and Board Member moderated. Here’s what we took away:
Renewing our Partnership with IRCO: $45,000 to Put the Pedal to the Metal
This year, we’re making a strategic investment in IRCO to help build their policy and advocacy infrastructure. Our capacity enhancement grant will help them take their communities’ voices to the next level, and assisting them in addressing the disparities their children face through legislative action.