Community Foundation names
Olivas Philanthropists of Year

Steve and Jan Oliva have been named 2009 Philanthropists of the Year by the Community Foundation. The Olivas and Brot Bishop Jr., who was named 2009 Friend of the Foundation, will be honored during an 11:30 a.m. luncheon, Tuesday, May 12, in the Hilton Vancouver Washington.

The luncheon also celebrates the foundation’s 25th year, according to foundation president Rick Melching.

The Olivas, who have lived in Clark County since 1963, support a broad range of organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, Clark College, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, the Confluence Project, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, Humane Society for Southwest Washington, Southwest Washington Medical Center, Vancouver Downtown Association, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver School District Foundation, and YWCA Clark County.

Bishop has lent his expertise and talents to the Community Foundation for more than a decade. As chairman of the Community Foundation’s Board and a long-time Investment Committee member, Bishop has helped the Community Foundation to keep pace with the changing times while assuring that the most important community issues are addressed.

Bishop’s commitment to community also resulted in his leadership of the public-private-Community Foundation partnership that built the Jack, Will & Rob Center. Bishop and his wife, Kelley, support a wide range of community causes including Kings Way Christian School, Southwest Washington Medical Center, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Mercy Corps, Share, the Portland Metro Boys and Girls Club, and the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington.

Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at www.cfsww.org or by calling 694-2550. Sponsorship packages are also available.

Barbe West named Free
Clinic executive director

Barbe West has been appointed executive director of the Free Clinic of SW Washington, reports Karey Schoenfeld, board president of the Free Clinic.

West will join the organization on May 4, 2009.

Since 2002, West has been executive director of Community Choices, a local non-profit advocacy organization that serves as a catalyst for a healthy, livable Clark County.

According to John Wiesman, Community Choices board chairman, Community Choices board is identifying an interim leadership plan while it recruits for a new executive director.

The mission of the Free Clinic is to provide and facilitate access to free, compassionate, quality health care for children and adults who are otherwise unable to access such services.

West has extensive experience and leadership in health care. She worked at Kaiser Permanente for 28 years in the Northwest and California Regions, and held the position of president of the Northwest Region during her last 5 years with the organization.  

Volcanoes season opens Saturday
against the Seattle Mountaineers

The Vancouver Volcanoes basketball team has waived admission fees during the 2009 season and will instead accept cash donations at the door, according to Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation spokespersons.

The Volcanoes season opens against the Seattle Mountaineers at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in the Clark College O’Connell Sports Center.

 Seating is limited to the first 1800 fans, so arrive early to get good seats at the Clark College O'Connell Sports Center, 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd. Doors open at 6; games start at 7 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds from the opening game will be donated to the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Sunday Fun Day program at the Marshall Center. Part of the donations to the second game, Friday, May 8, against the China Shanxi Kylins will be contributed to the Parks Foundation of Clark County.

YW Housing to take Second Step

YW Housing, originally affiliated with YWCA Clark County and currently under the same roof, is changing its name, updating its mission and moving.

The organization will become Second Step Housing. It will provide women and families with up to two years of safe housing paired with structured education programs. Case managers are assigned to help individuals achieve their goals, whether it’s reuniting with family, earning an education or securing a living-wage job.

“You take the first step; we will help you with the second,” notes Debby Dover, interim executive director.  Second Step Housing offers a strong program including case management, life skills training and volunteer mentoring.

The organization currently manages 36 permanent units in 11 houses, serving more than 400 women a year who would otherwise be homeless or in danger in their homes.

The move is planned for Friday, April 24, when the new address becomes 2500 Main Street, Suite 120.

People

Randy Martin, an Air Force veteran and a 17-year public school teacher, has been named the Hazel Dell Wal-Mart store’s Teacher of the Year. With the honor, announced Wednesday, goes $1,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation for the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Prairie High School.

Calendar

The Vancouver Design Review Committee meets at 4 p.m. today in conference room 3A at 4400 NE 77th Avenue. <> Plans for the Kate and Clarence LaLonde Neighborhood Park will be discussed at 7 p.m. this evening in the cafeteria in the Gaiser Middle School 3000 NE 99th Street.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar