August Change for Good Partner: Community Works
August's Change for Good Partner is
Founded in 1996, Community Works is the only domestic and sexual violence resource center serving Jackson County, Oregon. Community Works was created as a merger between three community organizations that had been providing crisis intervention in Southern Oregon since the mid-1970s. As a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, Community Works is funded by government and private grants, the United Way, and the generosity of our community. All of their services are free and confidential.
Community Works is here to bring hope, support, and empowerment to those impacted by violence.
They provide crisis support, safe housing, and are in the community to help whenever needed.
Community works operates their programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal and nondiscrimination laws.
All genders are welcome.
All services are free and confidential.
Community Works Programs and Services
Housing Services
Dunn House Shelter
Since 1977, Dunn House Shelter has provided emergency housing for those fleeing abuse. This Dunn House Shelter size allows us to provide a safe home for up to 35 beating hearts who are escaping domestic violence, dating violence sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking. Forty-percent of those staying with us have children. We serve all genders. Each person, or person and their children, has their own bedroom, and there are four large common spaces, as well as green spaces and gardens, all with attention to being calm, trauma-informed, and to offer a place of respite for those escaping abuse. The Dunn House Shelter is the only emergency shelter in Jackson County, Oregon for those fleeing violence, and it is staffed 24/7 with advocates. There are English and Spanish-speaking advocates who provide emotional support, safety planning, action planning, and support survivors in obtaining safe housing after they leave the emergency shelter. Because the Shelter is always staffed, these services can be offered every hour of every day. Approximately 1% of those who stay at the Dunn House are earning a living wage when they arrive. While the model of the Dunn House is a 30-day stay, due to the affordable housing crisis in Jackson County, Oregon, many residents are staying far beyond that amount of time. There has been a 50% increase in the number of days someone is staying at the Dunn House over the past five years. Ninety-percent of Dunn House residents move into stable housing.
Transitional Living Program
For the past two decades, Community Works has been providing transitional housing to survivors ages 16-24 who are homeless. They are able to live rent-free for up to two years in one of the transitional living units of which Community Works has an ongoing relationship with the landlord. While they are living in one of these units, they receive ongoing supportive services through case management, life skills classes, and support in becoming employed and completing their education. Eighty-six percent of those who complete the program enter into permanent housing. Many of those who are in the program have young children of their own.
Mobile Advocacy
Co-Located Advocates
Our agency recognizes the need and importance for our advocates to be in the community supporting victims/survivors. We have a proactive approach to provide services by having staff in the community in order to literally meet survivors where they are, and to be accessible for survivors to access our services. Our mobile advocacy team has grown 180% over the last five years because of the success of reaching survivors, as well as partnering with other systems. We serve nearly 2,000 survivors annually by being out in the community. We partner with 20 different locations in Jackson County, and we have advocates who are out-stationed and embedded within the following locations in our community: the Jackson County Circuit Court; the Department of Human Services Child Welfare and Self-Sufficiency offices in both rural and urban areas of our county; health care providers in both rural and urban areas in our county; and, three different law enforcement agencies.
Lethality Assessment Program
In addition, we have the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) that since its inception in 2015 has seen major success. This program coordinates the efforts of all law enforcement agencies in our county with Community Works’ advocacy services. The LAP process begins when law enforcement arrives on the scene of a domestic violence call. Using an evidence-based assessment tool, all high lethality survivors are connected immediately, via phone, to Community Works’ advocates on a designated line that is answered 24/7. This call allows survivors to enter into our Dunn House Shelter if they choose. Additionally, they are connected with law enforcement advocates for ongoing supportive services. Last fiscal year, this program provided crisis intervention services to nearly 400 survivors. Ninety-six percent of those screened in were met with services by our advocates; these services might otherwise have never been offered or known to a survivor, and a survivor who is in a very dangerous situation. Instead of law enforcement repeatedly responding to the same home, survivors are met with advocates and supportive safety services. Instead of the nearly dozen people who had been murdered because of domestic violence the year prior to implementing this program, the number of people who are killed has been dramatically reduced.
Support Groups
Our advocates also provide weekly support groups in our community. The groups use the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model curriculum. They are offered in English and Spanish. We have certain groups that are culturally specific or trauma specific based on the needs of our community
Crisis Intervention
HelpLine
We offer a crisis line, HelpLine, that has been in Jackson County for nearly 50 years. This crisis line is answered every hour of every day by advocates. Those who need support regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking may access our services 24/7.
Sexual Assault Hospital Response
We also have sexual assault advocates who are immediately called out to a hospital in Jackson County, in conjunction with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, to provide emotional immediate, and then ongoing, support to a survivor obtaining a forensic exam after a sexual assault. All survivors of sexual assault receive follow-up supportive services.
Sex Trafficking
We have a sex trafficking intervention program. This includes an advocate who specializes in providing sex trafficking survivors advocacy support. Our agency initiated the multidisciplinary Jackson County Coalition against Sex Trafficking Team, that is run by our Sex Trafficking Intervention Coordinator. This team has been certified by Oregon’s Department of Justice. Its work includes coordinated efforts to respond to survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide community awareness and education.
Schools
Since 1996, Community Works has been providing support groups for children in the local school district who have experienced domestic or sexual violence. These are weekly intervention and prevention groups that teach pro-social skills, healthy relationships, and the belief system that everyone deserves to be safe and it is never okay to exert power and control over someone else.
To learn more about this local nonprofit and the work they are doing in our community please visit
https://www.community-works.org/
The AFC Gives committee focuses on ways that the Co-op community can support local organizations and groups doing important work in the Rogue Valley.
2020 was the first year of Change for Good, a register round-up program to benefit a slate of ten organizations, voted on by Co-op owners, through the cumulative donations of shoppers choosing to round-up their shopping total to the nearest dollar.
From one cent to 99 cents, it all adds up to feeling good about supporting the community.
More Co-op News
Looking to Save Money at the Co-op?
By Laura Pfister, Media Coordinator
We hear from time to time that people feel the Co-op is higher priced than other stores. In the past, we may have earned this perception. But not anymore. We took a long, hard look at ourselves and we talked with other Co-ops across the country. Together, we are pooling our resources to bring you organic, household staples at everyday competitive, low prices. Welcome to Co+op Basics.
45 Years Strong
On Valentine’s Day, the Ashland Food Co-op turns 45 years old.
It’s hard to imagine we’ve been providing healthy, organic food to the Rogue Valley for almost half a century. From our humble beginnings as the Ashland Community Food Store to now a thriving Co-op with over 10,000 owners, it has been an honor to serve this community.
Let’s take a brief stroll down memory lane and see how far we’ve come in 45 years.
Saving Paper One Coupon at a Time
To further our sustainability efforts and to serve you better, we began offering Electronic Owner Coupons this month at the register.
No more forgetting to bring your owner coupons. No more waiting for your newsletter to arrive. Cashiers will simply ask if you want to use your owner coupons when you check out.
A few key points to remember:
Thank YOU For a Wonderful Year!
2016 had many notable moments. We hosted many successful family friendly events, added 150 more solar panels to our roof, and earned 25% of our sales for local products. We proudly donated over $24,000 to area nonprofits through our Community Grants program. We welcomed 482 new owners and averaged 3,500 daily transactions.
Whew! And that is just a small sample.
Give Local
The food holiday season has finally arrived. This time of year is by far our most favorite. We’ve been dreaming of gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, turkey (or tofurky if that’s your fancy) and eggnog for months.
But beyond the holiday feasts, we love this time of year for another reason. It’s the season of giving. Amidst the shopping frenzies, family gatherings, and parties, giving back often becomes an afterthought.
Happy Thanks-chicken!
We know, we know, November is all about turkey. But let us not forget the other, other white meat this holiday season. Chicken. This poultry meat often gets the spotlight, but during the month of November it is well deserved. Why? Because all month long, every time you purchase a Smart Chicken® product at the Co-op you help feed a hungry family in the Rogue Valley.
Here’s how it works:
Co-ops Grow Communities
Co-ops around the world share a set of guiding principles including “cooperation among cooperatives,” and “concern for community.” We take these principles to heart.
When you shop at the Co-op, you aren’t just buying groceries. You are supporting a business that cares about people and contributes to a livable, sustainable Rogue Valley.
Did you know?
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In 2015, we donated over $24,000 to area nonprofits.
Feed an (Italian) army with Co+op Basics
My Italian Grandmother’s heart swells every time she sees my well-stocked pantry. I am prepared to feed an army at a moment’s notice, and sometimes that actually happens with my big family. But what my Grandma doesn’t know is how much I save by stocking my pantry with Co+op Basics products.
We Love Local
We take pride in supporting local farmers, producers, vendors and vintners. When we say local, we mean local. At some grocery stores, the word local gets thrown around like the word “natural,” ambiguously and with a broad definition.
But local means something to us. A definition we take meticulous pride in.
Local adjective
Any food or product grown, produced or made within 200 miles.
Let’s use it in a sentence. The Ashland Food Co-op supports an average of 250 local companies.
Wanted: Wormy Apples, Fallen Plums & Over Ripe Pears
Urban fruit is copious this time of year in the Rogue Valley. It’s hard, dare we say impossible, to make enough pies, cobblers, and salads to keep up with the backyard abundance.
So what do you do with all that unpicked fruit?
Instead of letting your pears, plums and apples go to waste, or to feed the deer, bring them to the Co-op for collection.
Apple Outlaw Cider, in collaboration with the local community, is setting out to create a one of a kind hard cider, dubbed “Apple Outlaw Community Cider”.
Fire Up The Grill
Break out of your dinner rut with something fast and juicy. The Meat Department staff share their go-to favorites to throw on the grill. Flame on, baby!
Brian Swift
Flat Iron is my favorite steak. So simple to cook. Just add salt, pepper, garlic, and cook it on a super hot grill. 5 minutes later you have an amazing steak.
Sam Roberts
TriTip marinated in our Kinders barbeque sauce, seared on both sides with a little pink in the middle, is what I really enjoy the most.
Summer Picnic Guide
Everyone loves a picnic. But some are better at organizing one than others. Make planning the perfect picnic a breeze with our easy picnic guide.
A Party for YOU
Each year we hold an Annual Meeting and Owner Picnic. This is our chance to catch up over a delightful picnic and most importantly update you on the recent year’s events and financials.
This year, we are changing things up a bit. The Annual Meeting and Owner Picnic will be more family friendly than ever before. We have a new menu designed to appeal to busy little (and big!) hands so you and your kiddos have time to enjoy one of our many family friendly activities.
6 Reasons to Buy in Bulk
Bulk bins have been a staple at the Ashland Food Co-op since we opened our doors in 1972. For good reason too, buying in bulk is better. Better for your pocket book, better for the environment, and better for your belly. Here’s why.
6 Reasons to Buy in Bulk
Co-op + Community = A Perfect Match
At the Co-op, we are all about community. After all, YOU are why we are here and providing healthy, organic food to the Rogue Valley.
As a cooperative enterprise, there are seven principles we follow. We use them as guidlines to put our values into practice. Principle 7, Concern for Community, affords us the opportunity to give back to local nonprofits that do so much good in this beautiful place we call home.