COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TEAMS
Our mission at SLF is to engage people-of-faith and people-of-goodwill to transform the community for good—neighborhood by neighborhood.
Our Community Partnership Teams (CPTs) are a driving force to help us achieve that mission and bring lasting transformation to our neighborhoods. People of all ages benefit from our work with the CPTs, although there’s a special emphasis on the youth of the neighborhoods, who represent future generations. Currently, the CPTs are serving more than 3,000 people per year in the three Salem CPT geographies. More than 450 volunteers provided nearly 10,000 hours of service in 2016… worth more than $200,000! Find out more about Community Partnership teams below.
CPTs inspire and support a broad range of community-led programs and initiatives. They focus on strengthening youth and families, but deploy a ‘whole-neighborhood’ approach. Many of the programs and activities are designed to support family engagement with school, youth development, healthier lifestyles, and cross-cultural relationships. CPTs provide and support:
- After-school programs, parenting classes, seasonal events, community gardens
- Neighborhood watch, crime prevention, strategies for re-entry and addiction recovery
- Block parties, community dinners, health fairs, music concerts, summer feeding programs
- Supports for foster kids and foster families; family strengthening programs
- Adult and child literacy, English classes, GED and education-advancement opportunities
- Outreach to our unsheltered neighbors for housing, employment, recovery, transportation, mental health
Community and Partners of East Salem (CaPES)
Community Partners of East Salem was formed in 2013 and is rapidly growing 
with members who envision connected, supported, cherished neighborhoods within the McKay-area community. CaPES focuses its efforts in three man areas: Activities for kids, neighborhood celebrations, an community gardens.
Neighborhoods: 10, 15,18 and C on map
Lansing, Northgate, ELNA, NOLA, ESSNA neighborhoods; plus the larger McKay High School feeder area.
Goals
- Facilitate community connections
- Support children and families
- Promote a safe, healthy, clean environment in neighborhoods with schools that feed into McKay High school.
Focus
- Little Free Libraries
- School support and resourcing
- Community gardens
- Food insufficiency
Get connected: CaPES meets every third Thursday from 11:00 am -12:30 pm at various community partner locations in East Salem. Contact cpt@salemlf.org for details.
North Neighborhoods – N2
North Neighborhoods (“N-Squared”) has been affecting change since 2001. Their mission is to raise
the voices, identify priorities, develop plans, and engage resources to make a difference and advocate in Salem’s north-central neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods: 5,6,7,8, and 12 on map
Grant, Highland, NEN, Northgate and CaN-DO neighborhoods; plus the larger North Salem High School feeder area (Parrish and Houck communities).
Goals
- Increase people’s skills to function effectively as a family.
- Raise the pride and the image of the neighborhoods.
- Reduce crime and increase the feeling of safety.
- Increase communication throughout the neighborhoods.
- Increase connections throughout the neighborhoods.
Focus
- Neighborhood events
- Community gardens
- School support and resourcing
- Parks and recreation
Get connected: N2 meets every 2nd Wednesday from 11:30 am -1:00 pm via Zoom. Contact cpt@salemlf.org for the meeting link.
South Salem Connect (SSC)
South Salem Connect was formed in the south High School catchment area in 2
002 and has been working toward strengthening families and neighborhood livability though a variety of community partnerships and programs ever since.
Neighborhoods: 1,2,3,4,9,13,14,16 and 17 on map
South Gate, Faye Wright, SCAN, SESNA, NESCA, Morningside, Sunnyslope, SWAN, and SEMCA neighborhoods; plus the larger South Salem High School and Sprague High School feeder area.
Goals
- Support safe environments
- Support educational opportunities
- Expand community involvement to improve livability
- Support the development of fundamental skills in K-12 students
- Encourage positive connections for children, families, and all South Salem residents
Focus
- Community gardens
- School support and resourcing
- Unsheltered community
- Food insecurity
- Community health initiatives
- Connecting and supporting South Salem businesses and non-profits
- Promoting biking, walking routes, and bus transportation
Get connected: SSC meets every 3rd Tuesday from noon – 1:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church (3737 Liberty Rd S). Contact cpt@salemlf.org for more details.
Edgewater Partnership (West Salem)
Neighborhoods: 11 on map
West Salem Neighborhood Association; plus the larger West Salem High School feeder area.
Goals
- Increase community connections
- Cultivate a safe and healthy environment
- Enhance neighborhood pride
Focus
- Monthly walking cruises
- Food insecurity
- School support and resourcing
- West Salem Market
Get connected: Edgewater Partners meets every 4th Thursday from 9:00 am -10:30 am via Zoom. Contact cpt@salemlf.org for the meeting link.
Keizer United (McNary)
The Keizer United Community Partnership Team has been serving the Keizer community for over 25 years. It offers a forum for Keizer residents and leaders to collaborate and gather resources, volunteers, and ideas to strengthen the community within.
Focus
- Community gardens
- School support and resourcing
- Little Free Libraries
- Connecting neighbors to their Neighborhood Association
Get connected: Keizer United meets on the 2nd Monday of each month from noon-1:30 at the Keizer Events Center (930 Chemawa Rod NE). Contact Jenn Palanuk at jennp@salemlf.org for more details.
