🌷 Empowered Connections: April 2025 Events & Resources for Oregon’s IDD Community

Empowered Services | April 2025

This April 2025, Resources, Empowered Services continues our heartfelt mission to uplift individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families across Oregon. We’re honored to walk alongside you—offering inclusive events, vital resources, and meaningful moments of connection.

Whether you’re looking for support, celebration, or community, this month’s calendar is filled with opportunities to engage, grow, and thrive together. Let’s make April a month of empowerment, joy, and belonging.

🎳 Empowered Services Bowling Events

Let the good times roll! Our weekly bowling events continue this April — bringing fun, friendships, and community connection. Everyone is invited to join the fun whether you’re new to bowling or a regular!

Bowling Locations & Times:

📍 Wilsonville Bullwinkles – $5 per session
Every Wednesday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

📍 Sherwood Langers – $4 per session
Every Tuesday, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

📍 Salem TheRec – $4 per session
Every Friday, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Come for the laughs, cheers, and connections — and let’s make April a month of strikes and smiles! 🎉

🔗 For more information, visit: www.empowered-services.org

 

Easter Egg Hunt:

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Emergency Preparedness: Resources and Strategies for Families:

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April Empowered Newsletter – A Month of Hope, Celebration & Community! 🌸✨

April 2025 Resources is a season of renewal, joy, and empowerment! This month’s Empowered Newsletter is packed with inspiration, recognition, and exciting updates you won’t want to miss!

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🌍 Happy Autism Awareness Day
🧩 April 2, 2025

Today—and every day—we celebrate April 2025 Resources, the beautiful diversity of minds, and the incredible strength, creativity, and spirit of those on the autism spectrum.

Let us move beyond awareness into understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
Let us listen with open hearts, advocate compassionately, and create spaces where every person feels safe, seen, and supported.

💙 Together, we can build a world where neurodiversity is not just recognized but celebrated.

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What’s Inside This Month’s Newsletter?

🌿 The History of Easter—Dive into the powerful story of resurrection, hope, and new beginnings, reminding us all that no matter the challenge, renewal is possible.

🎉 Sandi’s Birthday Celebration—Join us as we celebrate Sandi, a cherished part of our community, and reflect on the joy and impact she brings to those around her.

⭐ Star of the Month: Betty Aflleje – This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Betty, an extraordinary individual making a difference. Get to know her story, her journey, and why she’s an inspiration to us all!

📆 Exciting Events & Resources – From community gatherings to must-have resources, we’ve got everything you need to stay informed, engaged, and empowered this season.

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💙 Your Compassion Can Change a Life.

Every smile, every breakthrough, every moment of joy—you can be part of it.
At Empowered Services, we believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated. As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you won’t just be doing a job—you’ll be making a difference that lasts a lifetime.

✨ If you have a heart for service and a passion for uplifting others, we want YOU on our team.

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Activities and Events

Oregon City Inclusive Egg Hunt in partnership with Autism Society of Oregon – April 19^th – below is the link to register now!

Egg Hunt Registration

2025 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

March 22nd – May 5th
33814 S. Meridian Rd. Woodburn

https://www.canbyoregon.gov/tourism/page/annual-wooden-shoe-tulip-festival

Did you know that your library card gets you FREE admission to several local venues and experiences? Libraries in Clackamas County are pleased to offer passes through our Cultural Pass Express program! These passes are for cardholders in good standing over the age of 18. https://culturalpassexpress.quipugroup.net/

LINCC librarians from the Equity Committee have put together reading lists representing the diverse people and communities that we serve. Find fiction and non-fiction books for kids, teens, and adults.

CCC hosts Accessible All-Stars event to celebrate and connect the disability community | CCC

Events for April 2025 – Autism Society of Oregon

 

Resources—If you have any questions or are in need of other resources that aren’t listed below please reach out.

Mental Health Resources:

Clackamas County Crisis Line: 503-655-8585

Crisis Text Line—Text HOME to 741741—24/7 line.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline—provides 24/7, free, and confidential support. Military veterans may press ‘1’ for specialized care. 800-273-TALK

The Trevor Project Suicide Prevention Line—for LGBTQ+ youth. 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or text START to 678-678

Lifeline-—call/text 988- At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

Senior Loneliness Line call 1-800-282-7035 – Feeling alone or disconnected? Make meaningful connections and enjoy uplifting conversations with our friendly team. We’re ready to listen, chat, and connect with you today! 5:30am–11:30pm Daily | Free | Confidential | For Anyone in Oregon | Age 60+

Veterans Crisis Line– dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255

Housing Resources:

Coordinated Housing Access (CHA): https://www.clackamas.us/communitydevelopment/cccha

Emergency Preparedness:

 

How prepared are you?  Learn what to pack in an emergency kit for your home or vehicle: https://www.ready.gov/kit

Food Resources:

Oregon Food Bank:  Find free food in your community. Our network of food pantries and meal sites is here to provide free groceries, fresh produce and nutritious meals for all. https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/find-support

Other Resources:

      https://www.211info.org/

 

PTA Clothes Closet of Clackamas County: https://www.ocsd62.org/pta-clothes-closet-clackamas-county

 

Portland Accessibility Places and Activities: https://www.travelportland.com/plan/accessible-portland/

https://factoregon.org/moneyskills

Ver en español

Money Skills, No Limits

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FOR

YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

This 6-session training series helps young people with disabilities, along with their families, learn how to manage and make smart choices about money. We encourage youth (ages 14-26) and their families to attend together.

Youth will learn:

 Why it’s important for youth to make their own decisions about money.

 About bank accounts, digital wallets, and mobile payments.

 How to be safe with money.

 How to set goals, create budgets, and spend wisely.

 How credit – or borrowing money – works.

 How can having a job affect SSI/SSDI benefits?

 Financial resources are available to get more help.

 

Training will be provided in English with Spanish interpretation. Please request other language support at least 14 days before the event. We will do our best to accommodate

🔗 https://empoweredservices.bamboohr.com/careers

Together, let’s empower possibilities.

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📖 Read or download the full newsletter now!

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With love,
Empowered Services
Inspiration. Opportunity. Support.