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Together: Canby Center News May 2025
- The Canby Center
- May 1
- 4 min read
Updated: May 14
Together At The Center
Every day at The Canby Center, something remarkable happens. A teenager finds a mentor. A family picks up fresh groceries for the week. A parent learns new skills to build a better future. We’re here to inspire learning and renew dignity — and the word is getting out.
Recently we had the honor of representing The Canby Center’s work to key decision-makers in Salem. Speaking before members of the State of Oregon Ways and Means Committee, we highlighted how a generous, faith-motivated approach that prioritizes personal responsibility is making a real difference for families in Canby, Aurora, and Hubbard.
We brought stories, statistics, and most importantly, a vision:
Every family deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Last year alone, our team:
Delivered over 35,000 essential services
Distributed more than 700,000 pounds of food
Provided life-skills education to 400+ families and youth
Through close partnership with the Canby School District, we:
Sent home 10,000 weekend food packs through Backpack Buddies
Facilitated nearly 4,000 one-on-one mentoring and tutoring sessions
These are more than just numbers — they represent real people, real progress, and real hope.
And the need keeps growing. With 6,000 new residents projected in our region over the next 20 years—900 of them likely living below the poverty line—we’ve chosen not to stand still.
Instead, we’re building. Literally. We’re nearing the finish line on an expansion that grows our useable floorspace from 5,000 to 18,000 square feet. That means:
More families fed
More space for job readiness and life skills
More students supported on their path to success
This isn’t just a construction project - it’s a community movement. And each step is made possible with support from our connected community. Thank you! Thanks for standing with us as we stretch, grow, and dream bigger for the people we serve.
Together, we’re working so every family - wherever they are on the economic spectrum - has a real opportunity to thrive.
A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out
In Canby we're seeing the impact of Quest mentoring in real time. “I had the best moment looking out from my office this afternoon,” one school administrator shared. “I watched three mentors and three mentees come out from the library and start throwing a football around. Each of those kids faces social challenges. I looked up their grades—there wasn’t one grade below a C.”
Moments like this reflect something deeper. Academic improvement signals more than classroom success—it’s a sign of growing self-respect, stability, and connection. Quest gives students a place to belong through weekly mentoring and monthly family engagement at The Canby Center.
To reach more students through Quest, more mentors are needed. There’s a waitlist of students, chosen by teachers and administrators, who are ready and eager to participate.
What you can do:
Apply to be a Mentor: Prayerfully consider whether if Quest mentoring is an opportunity God is calling you to explore. Your presence could be the beginning of lasting change—for a student, and for you.
Support: People like you help us cover costs of art project supplies, snacks, special family outings, and training mentors. Make a donation today. Every gift matters.
In Step With Staff
We recently welcomed Brook Rodrigues, Development Specialist, to our staff team.
Brook believes in the power of stories to build connection, inspire change, and strengthen communities. She holds a Master’s in Global Development & Justice from Multnomah University and has worked with nonprofits locally and abroad, including in Rwanda and Jordan with Africa New Life and Mercy Corps–Syria. At TCC Brook uses grant writing and communications to connect people to our mission. She lives in Redland with her husband and two cats, and enjoys backpacking, travel, and violin. Welcome, Brook!
We’re In This Together
On a beautiful evening in April, over 160 guests gathered for Seeds of Hope — a special fundraising dinner in support of The Canby Center.
Guests were treated to live entertainment by Portland-area radio personality Georgine Rice, her sister on vocals, and Dan Rice on keys. The keynote speaker for the evening was Steve Nelson, The Canby Center’s Director of Development. In a heartfelt and personal moment, Steve announced his upcoming retirement later this year and shared reflections from his time of service.
He spoke of wildflowers—how their strength, resilience, and connectedness mirror the spirit of our community—and how a seed of hope changes everything.
“When I was in college,” Steve said, “I had a lot of anxiety about making ends meet financially. Occasionally, my grandmother would visit me and press a $10 bill into my hand. More often than not, it was that single bill—that seed of hope—that kept me going.”
Executive Director Ray Keen followed with a powerful message showing the real-world impact of donors’ support.
“Every dollar given to The Canby Center, we return two dollars in services — doubling the value through meals, utilities and rent assistance, mentoring, food, clothing, and more.”
Ray revealed the event’s fundraising goal of $200,000—half of which had already been secured through matching commitments from generous community partners, businesses, and individual donors. That means $200,000 raised could have a $400,000 impact!
Event attendees responded with incredible generosity. Many attendees committed to becoming monthly supporters—our lifeblood and most consistent partners in transforming lives.
We are thrilled to announce that Seeds of Hope was a tremendous success, raising $201,000 to support our mission:
to renew dignity and inspire learning for youth and families, all in God’s love. Thank you for helping us plant seeds that will grow into a brighter future.
In the words of Steve Nelson, “Don’t let this moment fade. Carry it with you as a reminder that your dreams matter, and so does your ability to empower others. Imagine the community we could build if each of us dedicated ourselves to the well-being of those around us.”
Join the generosity!
Give today: whether you give regularly or not, consider adding your seed of generosity so that hope can bloom!
Friends of Canby: At the Seeds of Hope event, 10 households joined a growing number of monthly supporters giving at the $100 or more level. Join their ranks today and receive an engraved YETI mug as our way to say, “Thanks, Friend!”
Building For Tomorrow
Enjoy this time-lapse video to see the incredible progress so far!
What is the building expansion for? When will it be completed? How big is it? You can learn more through the frequently asked questions on our website.