Speaker

Hilly Alexander, a member of the Rotary Club of Wilsonville, will discuss Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that provides free, high-quality books to children younger than 5. She will highlight the program’s growth, resulting in over 247 million books gifted worldwide, and its local impact, fostering a love of reading among children in our community.

Rick Kemmer, Executive Director of Strong Harvest International, presents Unlocking Sustainable Change, offering a fresh perspective on poverty and the factors that keep people trapped in its cycle. He explores sustainable solutions that promote dignity and empower individuals, families, and communities for long-term growth.

The presentation will take place at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), Oregon's multi-custody prison housing all the state’s female adults in custody (AICs). During lunch at the facility, a couple of AICs will share their personal stories, followed by a tour led by Polly Rowland and Josie O'Leary. The tour will cover both sides of the facility, offering insight into programs that support rehabilitation and reintegration. Rotary will provide lunch, and attendees must complete a Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) form by January 1, 2025, to attend the presentation. Request a LEDS form by emailing info@wilsonvillerotary.com

Amanda Guile-Hinman and Jenny Tomka, co-executive directors of Reason to Run, will present their nonprofit organization’s running program, which has been operating at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility since 2015. The program offers an 8-week training course for adults in custody, culminating in a 5K race held inside the prison. Participants receive race bibs, post-race treats, and certificates to celebrate their achievements, and upon release, they are provided with a care package, including running shoes, socks, and a sports bra to support their continued wellness journey. To date, over 900 individuals have participated in the program, and more than 280 post-release care packages have been distributed.

‼️Please note: We have canceled this meeting and will try our best to reschedule the guest presentation for a later date.‼️

Chris Reavis will explore the neuroscience of stress and how it affects both employee and family engagement. He will introduce empathy-driven strategies to diffuse fight/flight responses and activate new neural pathways, empowering individuals to better handle future stressors. Chris is the bestselling author of Boost Your BS Resilience At Work and Unleashed: What a Child with Autism Can Teach You.

Lane Thompson, Student Loan Ombudsman from the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, will discuss navigating student loan repayment options, the role of a student loan ombudsman, and resources available to help Oregonians manage the second-largest form of consumer debt nationwide.

Kaylee Chrystal, the Community Engagement Coordinator for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Oregon, is focused on expanding the program to every county in the state. The Imagination Library sends a free, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth until age five, regardless of family income. In her presentation, “Expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Across Oregon,” Kaylee will share updates on the program’s growth and how community members can help bring books to children across Oregon, nurturing a love for reading from an early age.

Rotarian Ron Herring will share the inspiring story of Project Flourish, a Rotary global grant initiative led by the Lake Oswego Rotary Club in 2022-23. This project supported MAIA, an Indigenous-run high school in Guatemala, by developing a gap year program to prepare graduates for higher education and workplace success. The program has yielded outstanding results, with all 80 participants passing university entrance exams, and many securing scholarships, jobs, or international opportunities. Ron will highlight the program’s impact and future opportunities for Rotary clubs to support this transformative work.