ACCESS
(A.C.’s Community Enrichment and Student Support program)
is an outreach program designed to give families with limited
resources access to a safe, quality learning environment that
“inspires children of all ages to learn and grow through
play.”
How
does ACCESS work?
A multifaceted program, ACCESS builds partnerships with Title
I schools and nonprofit organizations that serve primarily
low-income children and families. Each component, outlined
below, combats barriers such as cost, transportation and community
awareness, and provides opportunities for children and families
living in financial hardship to actively participate in the
museum’s exciting learning experiences and classes.
Community
Cooperation Membership | Community
Partners in Education | Shelter
Outreach Program | Transportation
Station
Apples and Art Program | Buddy
Bucks |Group Rates for
Title I Schools | Staff |
Testimonials | Sponsors
ACCESS
Family Membership
To continue our belief that all children should learn through
play, we offer a 1/2 price family membership open to any family
receiving public assistance (CHIP, OHP, TANF, SNAP or WIC).
To acquire this discounted membership please complete an ACCESS
family membership form found on our website in English
and Spanish, or at the Village. Turn this form into the
front desk at the Village along wiht a copy of your proof
of public assistance. Proof is simply a copy of the front
and back of your public assistance card.
For
more information, or if you have any questions about ACCESS
family membership please contact our outreach staff at outreach@acgilbert.org
or call (503) 371-3631.
Community
Cooperation Membership
Offered to non-profits and Title I schools, the CCM (Community
Cooperation Membership) consists of: a one year shared membership
pass (to be checked out and used by any family/client of the
nonprofit or school), a free night at the museum for all families/clients
of the organization or school, and a 30% discount on a series
of educational programming.
Current partners:
Kennedy
Elementary School
Hallman
Elementary School
Highland
Elementary School
Salem-Keizer
Head Start Program
Salem
Family Literacy Program (Even Start)
Farmworker Housing Development
Corporation
Apply
to join the CCM program.
Community
Partners in Education
Through our CPE (Community Partners in Education) component,
partner organizations choose up to 12 classes to be conducted
at the Village or at their site. Programs are offered at half-price.
Current partners:
Salem
Leadership Foundation CaN Centers
Farmworker Housing Development
Corporation
Apply
to join the CPE program.
Shelter
Outreach Program
Our new Shelter Outreach Program will deliver a series of
six classes to families living at two transitional homeless
shelters. Each class will be content-appropriate for children
ages 2-12, but will also be specifically designed to engage
parents and older siblings in the learning process.
Transportation
Station
Transportation Station provides a low-cost transpiration option
to ACCESS partners for use during group visits to the museum.
Apples
and Art Program
In partnership with the Marion-Polk Food Share, Apples and
Art brings free self-enriching activities to children receiving
free lunch at eleven sites throughout Salem-Keizer during
spring break.
Spring
Break 2011 free lunch and activity locations:
Auburn
Elementary School
Cummings
Elementary School
Four
Corners Elementary
Hallman
Elementary School
Highland
Elementary School
Mary
Eyre Elementary School
Miller
Elementary School
Richmond
Elementary School
Salem
Heights Elementary School
Stephens Middle
School
Washington
Elementary School
See
the Marion-Polk
Food Share website, for more information on the No Hungry
Child Free Lunch Program. To volunteer, please contact Kassie
DeMarsh at outreach@acgilbert.org
or 503-371-3631.
Internship
Program
The Village has initiated several new internship opportunities
designed to better serve bilingual families. Interns have
the opportunity to gain hands-on classroom experience, plan
museum activities, explore museum management and operations,
as well as participate in museum outreach events.
Buddy
Bucks
The buddy bucks program offers partial scholarships for Village
workshops, classes, and memberships. The buddy bucks program
is funded through visitor contributions. Please call 503-371-3631
to inquire about receiving a scholarship.
Discounted
Rates for Title I Schools
The
museum is pleased to offer a special group admission rate
for Title I schools and Head Starts of $3.00/child. Required
chaperones (1 adult for every five children) are free. Additional
chaperones must pay the regular $4.00 group rate. Please call
our Education Department at 503-371-3631 for more information
about group visits.
Partner
Testimonial
“Through the many experiences families will have at A.C.
Gilbert’s Discovery Village, parents can see first hand
how important play is in their child’s development. By
making A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village available to
our low income families and educating parents about how important
play is in the development of their children I believe families
will be encouraged to engage their children in fun activities
in order to enhance their child’s overall development.
Together we can make a huge impact on families in the Salem
Keizer Head Start program”
-- Stephanie Whetzel, Salem Keizer Head Start Program Coordinator
Our
Staff
Kassie
DeMarsh
Community Outreach Program Coordinator
outreach@acgilbert.org
503-371-3631
Please
welcome our new AmeriCorps VISTA member, Kathryn "Kassie"
DeMarsh, who assumed responsibility for the ACCESS program
in August 2010. Kassie recently graduated from the University
of Oregon with a BA in Sociology, and a minor in nonprofit
management. In 2008, Kassie studied in Querétaro City,
Mexico, where she developed her Spanish language skills. She
has worked with children in a variety of settings ranging
from a relief nursery, to ski instruction, to tutoring, to
nannying. Kassie has developed several programs, including
a Spring Break Camp to teach water safety to low income families.
This experience included all aspects of program development
such as fundraising, marketing and camp logistics.
Our
Supporters
American
Ballet Academy
James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Salem
Foundation
Salem Hospital Foundation
Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund
Spirit Mountain Community Fund
Individual
Sponsors
Brian Bliss
Mike Butler
Ken Chambers
Mona Hayes
Dr. Heringer
Mary James
Pat Lynch
James Martinez
Sally Morris
Erich Paetsch
Anna Peterson
Denise Puentes
Donna Schindler
Mardi Smith
Sue Smith
Katherine Speckman
Tom Stevens
Mary Vorachek
Ron Wilson
Jacquie Zeller
Joyce Zook
