About the Organization
Founded in 1987, CARES Northwest is a community-based medical program for the assessment, treatment, and prevention of child abuse A collaboration of four of the region's leading health systems—Kaiser Permanente, Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Providence Health and Services—the program provides assessments of children, from birth to age 17, for whom there are concerns about sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect or exposure to domestic violence. Physical examinations and interviews are conducted in a comfortable, child-friendly environment to help children feel safe.
CARES Northwest was the first program in Oregon to pair physicians and nurse practitioners with child interviewers in a medical setting to provide child abuse evaluations. Coordinating experts in medicine, mental health, child protective services and law enforcement, CARES Northwest ensures that children obtain needed professional services in one child-friendly location. This approach to intervention increases effectiveness, which minimizes trauma to children, sets them on the road to healing and helps prevent future abuse.
Statistics related to the incidence of child abuse can be overwhelming. Child abuse is a national epidemic. Studies estimate that as many as one in three girls and one in six boys will experience some form of child abuse by the time they reach the age of 18.
How You Can Help
Donations
Here are the types of donated items CARES Northwest needs on a daily basis:
- Toiletries: Travel size shampoo, conditioner, lotions, soaps and deodorant, combs, brushes, chapstick, toothpaste & toothbrushes, hair clips or hair bands, washcloths.
- New clothing for children of all sizes: sweatpants, hoodies, socks, and underwear for boys and girls of all sizes. More urgent need for gender-neutral tees, shirts and sweatpants/sweatshirts in both child and adult sizes.
- Gift cards: For local stores, to buy prescriptions, food, clothing, and toiletries.
- Quilts, blankets, and stuffed animals: Provide new quilts, blankets or stuffed animals for children seen at CARES Northwest.
- Waiting Room Toys/Games: Candyland, Guess Who? Uno, dollhouse, art sets, plastic food for the play kitchen.
For more information, contact Jared Perkins at 503-276-9016 or via email at [email protected]
Volunteer
- Child/Family Support Volunteer — Entertain, supervise and keep children company in the waiting area and assist the family with the completion of forms, as needed.
- Special Projects — Use your special talents or skills to help CARES Northwest. Opportunities include website design, database development, and various one-time office projects. Do you have a special skill or interest? Let us know and we’ll try to match you up with our list of special project needs.
For more information regarding volunteering at CARES Northwest, please contact Debby Kernan, Volunteer Coordinator, at 503-276-9054 or [email protected]
