Organizational Description:
Word of Life Outreach is a 501 (c) (3) organization that was incorporated
in 1987 in The Dalles, Oregon. There is a Board of Directors comprised
of four residents of The Dalles, Oregon area. Documentation to that
effect can be provided upon request.
Financial Request and Explanation:
The needs of an expanding organization such as ours is substantial.
Our current and immediate needs are such that we are searching for
upwards of $250,000.00 toward our general operating budget. In that
regard, we accept private, business and corporate donations in any
denominations or amounts.
Evaluation and Accountability:
Ongoing analysis and oversight of staff, Advisors, and Board of Directors
will determine the progress and effectiveness of Word Of Life Outreach.
Because we are committed to integrity and wisdom in sound judgment,
we are willing to complete any reasonable evaluation measure that one
may request of us.
Budget:
Upon request from a serious giver or someone who expresses a sincere
desire to become involved financially with our project, a detailed Budget
can be furnished. You can be a huge part of our plans. At the same time,
you can be assured that your help and involvement in our plans involves
people who need help. Your involvement in our plans will help us train
hundreds and thousands of men and women in new job skills on an
on-going basis. We are open to any evaluation, input or ideas that you
might be willing to give, and would be excited to work with you toward
an on-going partnership. We are eager to discuss our proposal with you,
and stand ready to provide any additional information that will assist you
in your decision-making.
PROPOSAL
Statement Of The Need:
Throughout The Dalles, Oregon and the numerous other communities
in the Columbia River Gorge basin of Oregon and Washington, there
are thousands of unemployed men and women who have been
dramatically effected because of layoff's, due to closures of several key
and vital industries in this area. In fact, unemployment rates in this area
are the highest in the state of Oregon. Many people have lost their
homes. Many more have been forced to relocated to other cities and/or
states, altogether. While many have chosen to stay, they have been
forced into driving long distances just to find new employment in cities
some 50-85 miles away. Many have been unemployed for several months
now. In most cases, many simply do not have the job skills required for
a new job in another industry, no matter where they find employment.
The bottom line is that many need new training skills in order to qualify
for those other job openings. However, due to the high cost of job skill
training - such as at collegs, vocational schools, or other commercial
training institutions, for an example - a family already struggling
financially normally cannot even consider those options.
Along with those thousands of unemployed in this area, there are hundreds
and thousands of ex-offenders recently released from incarceration or on
parole from the Wasco County Department of Corrections... high school
dropout's... military Veterans... at-risk youth... dislocated workers... single
parents and, of course, an endless stream of homeless people. The needs
of this area is not any greater than in other areas of the U.S., with the
exception of one major factor. Population statistics in the cities and
communities along the Columbia River Gorge basin are generally no more
than 15,000, for the most part, with thousands of people not living anywhere
close to a community to be counted. Therefore, when a vital industry - that
employes hundreds or thousands - of people suddenly closes, that causes a
snowball effect at every economic level of a community. When that occurs,
as it has in this area, then people are forced to take drastic measures they
never thought they would have to take. If they don't have the necessary skills
to find employment in another area, then it means even more drastic
measures or decisions for them. When their finances are already tight or, in
many cases, non-existent, then all the training facilities and institutions in the
world do not mean much to them - unless that training, help and support is,
either, very low-cost or, else, free altogether.
Goals/Measurable Outcomes:
The goal is to see all graduates gainfully employed in the local area.
Our goalis to have an ongoing center of support, and to continue to provide
on-goingwork evaluation from Word Of Life Outreach, the perspective
employers, and any other referring or partnering agencies. The goal of periodic
evaluations, with the graduate and employer alike, would be to ensure that
both the graduate and the employer are working together harmoniously and
beneficially for long-term success.
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