The Human Rights Team sponsored the Gift of our Wounds program at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw. Former "skinhead", Arno Michaelis, and Pardeep Kaleka, the son of a Sikh leader who was killed in an attack on his temple in Wisconsin, spent an afternoon with over a hundred members of the Florence, Oregon community sharing their poignant story of healing through love.
Together with the Education Team they presented a showing of the movie, "Delores" at the City Lights Theater to raise human rights awareness in our community as well as raising funds for DACA student's filing fees toward retaining their legal status.
The Human Rights Team launched a nonprofit corporation, Heart of the Coast Housing Alliance, that focuses on much needed housing for low-income residents as well as working with the local schools to provide education in the building trades, addressing both the shortage in housing and the need for people to build them. http://heartofthecoast.org
The Environmental Team is working with Oregon Wild by presenting writing workshops to teach effective means of communicating with legislators and state officials for the protection of wolves, the Elliot Forest, Jordan Cove and similar environmental issues. They have also implemented a program that works alongside SOLVE and records plastic garbage brands, then sends that data to corporations such as Coca Cola to encourage them to reduce plastic waste.
In response to China's rejection of recycled plastics, they have joined with other community members to create new entities to address needs. Precious Plastics, Master Recyclers, and FOR members have completed several plastics round-ups with great success.
They have also joined in sponsoring several functions such as the Forests and Waters program in Yachats, Oregon and the Earth Day Celebration in 2018. The Environment Team also collaborated in the creation of the Siuslaw Climate Alliance who's mission is to educate citizens on the local impact of climate change.
The Education Team's first project was working with the PTA and Band of Brothers to sponsor a drive for the school's emergency food and supplies program at the 2017 Power of Florence. Working with the PTA and other community members, they helped to pass the recent option levy and worked on the school bond.
They joined the Human Rights Team to create a fundraiser for local DACA kids to raise the required filing fee for the paperwork that allows them to retain their legal status.
The Healthcare Team joined the effort to educate the community regarding Measure 101 in January 2018, which resulted in approximately 60% of our community voting "yes". They have also been instrumental in revitalizing the Florence Chapter of Healthcare for All Oregon, which promotes the creation of a public plan for health coverage for all Oregonians, as well as protecting our existing healthcare services when threatened through legislation or ballot measures.
January 16, 2021
This year the national Women's March sponsored a virtual event to share their vision for the future. Here in Florence, families joined at the corners of Highway 101 and 126 wearing costumes, carrying signs and bringing hopeful, positive attitudes.
October 17, 2020
A rally in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsberg was held at City Hall and a reminder to all to go VOTE!
This was followed by a peaceful march down Hwy101
September 22, 2020 was ROCK THE VOTE day in Florence. Voter registration tables were set up in several locations in Florence with a free T-shirt for first time voters. Our message? Vote! Make your choice count!
On September 19, 2020 FOR organized a vigil honoring Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She was a pioneer advocate for women's rights who changed the world for women. She died September 18, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. Vigils will be held all over the country tonight honoring this great women.
On August 26, 2020 FOR celebrated 100 years of Women's Right to Vote with a Parade down Bay St.that ended at the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum. Music, speeches and historic reenactments by the Last Resort Players and the John Quay Heritage Players were followed by a performance by the Dancing Divas. Voter Registration was made available through the League of Women Voters at the Old Town Gazebo Park.
On June 19 & 20, 2020 FOR sponsored a family friendly Juneteenth ( Freedom Day) Celebration at noon followed by a march from 1-2 pm. The next day we held a rally. We came together both days in support of Black Lives across the nation and in remembrance of the end of slavery in our country.
On February 29, 2020 FOR participated in the Siuslaw School District Education Expo with a booth and members dressed as Suffragettes to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Women's Right to Vote.
In January 2019 FOR organized their 3rd annual Women's March down Hwy 101 with an after-party fundraiser to benefit Heart of the Coast Housing Alliance.
On April 20, 2019 the Environment Team held their annual Earth Day event to promote awareness of climate change, the effects of plastic pollution and ways we can help heal our planet.
On July 12, 2019 FOR members participated in the Lights for Liberty vigil to end human detention camps and the abuse of our immigration system that causes inhumane conditions suffered by refugees seeking asylum in our country.
On October 28, 2019 the Human Rights teams's Heart of the Coast sponsored a Halloween Party at the Elk's Lodge to raise funds toward housing solutions for families and seniors living on limited incomes.
On February 15, 2019 the FOR Environmental team joined with Oregon Wild to sponsor a presentation on how fossil fuel development threatens our local coastline and climate and the special role our backyard forests can play.
Watch our "HOME" page Calendar of Events for details of coming events hosted or sponsored by FOR.
Here is what we are planning so far:
April 22, 2020
The 50th Annual international Earth Day event* has been postponed, due to the Corona Virus. Updates will be posted as they become available.
Earth Day would typically be celebrated locally in Florence, sponsored by the FOR Environment team.
(*Please note that due to the Corona virus this event has been postponed until after the health crisis is over.)