Helensview School wins "Volunteer of the Year" Award from
the Oregon Health Care Association

Helensview Principal Kris Persson is proud to announce that students from the school have won the prestigious "Volunteer of the Year" award from the Oregon Health Care Association for their work at Porthaven Care Center. This award recognizes the best volunteers in Oregon's long term care communities. This award recognizes individuals or groups of volunteers who have made contributions to the emotional, social & psychological well-being and quality of life for resident, family members, or to the working environment for staff.

The school was nominated by Jody Burroughs who is a manager at the Porthaven facility operated by Prestige Care Center. Kris said that the school has received six tickets for students to attend a luncheon on Sept. 18 at the Oregon Convention Center.

Way to go Kris, Helensview staff and students!

Here's a quote from Jodi Burroughs about the value of Helensview's young volunteers:

"I believe intergenerational relationships strengthen communities, families and individuals. They bring together diverse groups and breakdown the stereotypes of old age and youth in society. The Helensview High School students have built caring, respectful and empowering relationships with our residents here at Porthaven Care Center, which not only are benefiting our residents, the students themselves but our society. These students have not stopped at impressing me with their compassion, respect and ability to challenge ideas and possibilities to make things better our residents. I see the difference these students are making in peoples lives."

Here's what one Porthaven resident said about Helensview students;

"These students are hope for the future! When you said teenagers were coming here, I hesitated not knowing what they would be like or how they would treat me... I hear so much negative about kids now days in the news... but what a delight! I look forward to seeing these kids every week! They are wonderful young people, so bright, creative, respectful and kind hearted."