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Roeder and Company

An important piece of ShelterCare’s Center for Programs and Services capital campaign came in the form of $545,000 in state tax credits. ShelterCare’s successful participation in the New Market Tax Credits program — which was designed for nonprofit  organizations in urban renewal zones — was the direct result of the agency’s relationship with Roeder & Company, LLC, a community development entity (CDE).  As a CDE, they are certified by the United States Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund as an entity that serves low-income communities as its mission. They primarily do this by advising clients and their investors on tax–‐advantaged transactions. Additionally, Roeder educates social service providers and businesses located in low-income communities about the tax incentives that can be leveraged into investments in their business and community.

With Roeder’s guidance, ShelterCare’s capital campaign was one of the first projects to be approved for funding under the program — and the first in Eugene. “After we were introduced to ShelterCare and its mission in the local community, it was clear that we had to help,” said Reynold Roeder, the company’s chief executive officer. “We recognized there was an opportunity to utilize the newly created Oregon New Markets Tax Credit to facilitate an investment by Wells Fargo into the capital campaign in a manner that would attract or catalyze additional contributions. We worked with our client, Enhanced Capital Partners, and the ShelterCare team to achieve this result.”

Simply put, the family owned company cares about their community, said Sara Pietka, Roeder & Company vice president. “Investments in organizations like ShelterCare create jobs and provide acutely needed services that transform lives and communities,” Pietka said.

Bigfoot Beverages

For some companies, giving back to our community is just part of the corporate culture. One such organization is Bigfoot Beverages in Eugene. Charitable giving is not an exception. it’s the rule for Bigfoot. The company’s community involvement page at their Web site succinctly states: “Giving back is the right thing to do and it’s a part of who we are. We provide refreshing beverages and donations for events benefiting groups that strengthen our community.” Bigfoot has been an important supporter of the ShelterCare mission through a variety of ways.

This includes a $25,000 donation to the agency’s new Center for Programs and Services in the Whiteaker District, and most recently with an in-kind beverage donation at the May 22 agency art benefit, which raised monies for families dealing with homelessness.  “Bigfoot has made a big impact with ShelterCare,” said Lucy Vinis, ShelterCare’s director of development. “And their contributions will be felt for years to come.”

Lane County Medical Alliance 

Trillium Community Health Plan is the Coordinated Care Organization in Lane County and an important partner in fulfilling ShelterCare’s mission. “We provide access to medical, behavioral health and dental services to Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members,” says Debi Farr, the public relations specialist with Trillium. Most agency clients belong to the OHP. “Our partnership with local nonprofit social service support is critical in helping our members with these and other unmet needs that contribute to their overall health.”

In addition to a steadily deepening strategic bond between Trillium and ShelterCare, Trillium has supported ShelterCare with more than $12,000 in grants and financial contributions. Keeping healthcare costs down for ShelterCare clients and the community is a priority, says Farr. “Trillium invests nearly $1 million annually in prevention with a focus on two of the biggest healthcare cost drivers: tobacco and obesity,” she says. “This investment will provide cost savings in the future, but more importantly will improve the quality of life in our community.” Community, she says, is a big reason the organization supports ShelterCare. “Trillium provides access to healthcare to approximately 87,000 Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members in Lane County. Many OHP members rely on the community’s safety net of social services for food, housing, crisis intervention and assistance with other important determinants of health.  Trillium appreciates the work of ShelterCare in providing safe and stable housing to our members who are housing challenged.”

Eco Sleep Solutions

It’s no surprise that sleep is important. Sleep — or a lack of it — can affect the body in myriad ways. Jim Byrd, vice president of ECO Sleep Solutions, Inc. in Eugene, knows this all too well. “ECO Sleep Solutions sells and provides a healthy, good night’s sleep,” said Byrd. And not just for customers. Byrd — with his wife, Donna — opened their store in 2009. As part of their business model, they have made giving back to the community a component of their operations. “One of our roles is to serve as a conduit that matches usable bedding with those who need it most,” Jim said. “We do this through organizations like ShelterCare and St. Vincent de
Paul, both of whom receive our better-­used bedding. We also like to contribute to Eugene by helping to financially support the Pearl Buck Center. We like to give back to the community that supports us.” 

Why ShelterCare? “We support ShelterCare because some of their goals are aligned with ours in terms of providing a good night’s sleep to those who need it most,” he said. “We are in a position to ‘reclaim’ lots of good used bedding and want to use this unique situation to help those in need.”

Rainbow Optics

Locally owned business Rainbow Optics is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to help community members in need. “We try to help shore up gaps where they exist for our community members who might be falling
through the cracks,” said Neva Becker, general manager of the company. In recent years, the business has contributed to addressing the needs of ShelterCare’s client base in very tangible ways. In 2012, Rainbow Optics donated 12 vouchers for comprehensive eye tests and eyeglasses for clients in ShelterCare’s programs. A year later, they upped the contribution to 15 vouchers. And in 2014, 18 ShelterCare clients will receive these vouchers. Becker said the company, “exists to serve our community by providing comprehensive eye exams, contact lenses, unique and diverse frames from around the world, lenses crafted in our own full-service lab and truly outstanding customer service.” However, when considering the full impact of the company’s actions, they do much more. 

“We partner with the White Bird Clinic, The Lions Club, Volunteers in Medicine, school districts, and community outreach programs to offer free or low-cost eye exams and glasses for those who otherwise would be have no choice but to go without proper vision care,” Becker said. “We believe that seeing well is critical to an individual's success.” Soon after getting connected with ShelterCare, the company decided to get involved, Becker said. “We had the opportunity to tour several ShelterCare facilities and were uplifted by the good work and support ShelterCare provides for our community,” she said. “We feel like it's a good partnership and an opportunity for us to help our neighbors in need.”

Kipco, Inc. 

Ending homelessness and developing self-sufficiency starts with opportunity and education says Kevin Knode, president and owner of Kipco, Inc. He believes ShelterCare helps its clients in both of these departments. “The transition back to mainstream is overwhelming and discouraging, and without the support of ShelterCare, many more people would lose the battle,” Knode said. “I view ShelterCare as a means to an end of reducing the people on the downward spiral of homelessness and helplessness.”

ShelterCare certainly couldn’t provide education or opportunities for its clients without the support of organizations such as Kipco. The Eugene-based company has been in business for more than 30 years, and specializes in commercial and residential excavation site work, underground utilities and grading. This past November, the company donated $27,000 of in-kind services and materials to the agency’s capital campaign. This contribution supported
ShelterCare’s new “Center for Programs and Services” at 499 W. 4th Avenue in Eugene. All told, Kipco has donated approximately $45,000 (both monetary and in-kind) to ShelterCare. Why such generous support? Knode believes that issues such as homelessness demand community solutions. “We are a minor player that understands that others need our help. When the opportunity comes about to utilize our skills and abilities, we have chosen to step up,” he said. “I believe ShelterCare’s work is thankless, difficult, discouraging at times and never ending, but growing in value to those that utilize their services and the rest of us in the community.”

Cabelal's

Cabela’s — referred to as the “World’s Foremost Outfitter” — plays an integral role in helping local and regional nonprofits with a variety of services, said Daniel Beraldo, the Springfield store’s retail marketing manager. “Cabela’s works hard at building partnerships with groups sharing the same passion for the outdoors and is focused on getting new beginners experiences they can utilize and share with others,” Beraldo said. “Our outfitters and partners work together with our community to help provide guidance and additional support.” ShelterCare was recently awarded Cabela’s 2013 Outdoor Fund Grant as well as the 2013 Campfire Award. Both will help with a variety of services, including providing outdoor experiences for ShelterCare residents. The Campfire Award consisted of a banquet dinner and auction in October.

Combined, both efforts raised more than $5,000. In early November, the company took five ShelterCare families to Winchester Bay for a coastal crabbing trip. Parents and kids, ages 6-14, attended. Along the way, the group stopped by an elk viewing area, flew kites, cooked hot dogs on the pier, played games and learned how to crab. All of the families went home with cooked crab. “Cabela’s chose ShelterCare because they had an immediate need for outdoor activities for members in their programs,” Beraldo said. “Having the products and expertise to assist, we knew we could provide the support needed to help kickstart a healthy and fun lifestyle enjoying the great outdoors.” The trip was in-line with the company’s mission, Beraldo said. “Whether it’s experiences in the store or off-site, we value our commitment to our community and our goal to provide legendary experiences,” Beraldo said. “As founder Dick Cabela stated, ‘We sell fun.’ We sell fun and we have fun!”