To my friends who reach farther than the rule book suggests I commend you
You have chosen to laugh off no’s and let your desires grow
Knowledge over everything is the drum beating to your life’s direction
Placing you in a state of perpetual development
Others opinions on your dreams fall short because they’re irrelevant
You my friend have found purpose
Each step you take is intentional
Books you read intentional
Words you speak intentional
Bricks being placed in the castle of your potential
The oppression you face is extra weight meant to build strength and put you in the place to strive when all others crumble
When they say “no” accept it as a challenge
Creativity is your comparative advantage
If you want it bad enough you will find a way
To my friends who’ve been displaced by ridiculous sentences absorb this message it’s different than the rest of them
There is hope
But only if you have faith
Accompanied by courage to take what you already have and become something great
Adversity is our biggest asset
And once you understand that
You have taken back your power.
If you are interested in reading more of Noah's poems, he has written his first book of poetry, Morse Code Kisses, available online.
Brenda Ketah of Home Builders Foundation (HBF) likes giving people the opportunity to serve others. As Project Manager of HBF for six years, she does that every day—connecting people to service providers who need help restoring or maintaining their shelters or transitional housing for youth, women and children. HBF has been a Janus partner for many years, leading the Cordero House renovation, the energy retrofit of Buckman House and painting seven of our facilities. We talked to Brenda to find out more about HBF’s work in the community.
180 people enjoyed our annual “end of summer” Dinner in the Vines event at the scenic ArborBrook Vineyards in Newberg’s Chehalem Mountain wine country. Guests savored a Spanish influenced, four-course dinner from Crown Paella, selected wine pourings from ArborBrook Vineyards and live jazz by the Rob Bonenfant Quintent on a perfect summer evening.
Thank you to everyone who came and to our sponsors who helped make the evening a tremendous success: Jazz Sponsor, Greg Bauer; Wine Sponsor, ArborBrook Vineyards and Table Sponsors Magnacorp, Melissa Bauer, Harsch Investment, Home Forward, Kaiser Permanente, Shelly McFarland, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, RBC Wealth Management, Barry Schrimsher, Albina Community Bank and The Standard. Click here to see more pictures.
Take advantage of this limited time special offer to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Employee store! Now through September 17, 2017 you and up to four guests can purchase any items at the Columbia Sportswear Employee store and 10% of your purchase will be donated back to Janus. Call 503-542-4636 to receive a store pass or email pvalenti@gmail.com.