Region 5 (Willamette Valley) Support Groups
ASO Region 5
Serving Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties
Chapter Representatives:
Kathleen Allen-Howard (503) 267-8842 (Yamhill County)
Cassidy Weisz (971) 237-7013 (Yamhill County)
If you have a question, comment, or concern that you'd like to share with your Region 5 Reps, please GIVE US A CALL or use the form at the bottom of this page to send us an email.
ASO Sponsored Support Groups:
NEW! - Parent Support Group in Polk County, held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 320 Fir Villa Road, Dallas, OR 97338. To register, or for more information, call Shaun Blaylock at 503-831-5969 x2372 or click here to email. (Sponsored by Polk County DD Services ASO & The Arc-Polk County).
NEW LOCATION! Kids and Teen Game Club, held on the last Friday of the month, from 6-9 pm, at the IKE Box- 299 Cottage St. NE Salem, OR 97301. For ages 6 -19. To register, or for more information, call Jamie at (503) 585-4292. $3 donation requested. (Co-sponsored by GEM Children's Foundation, IKE Box and Emerging Leaders Northwest.)
Sensory Integration Play Group, held on the 3rd Saturday of the month, from 9 am-12 noon, at the GEM Children's Center, 2475 Lancaster Dr. NE Bldg B. Suite 1, Salem, OR 97308. For children with special needs, ages 18 months to 5 years. For more information, cContact Jamie Peterson at 503 585-4292 or Jamie@gemchildren.org for more information. (Co-sponsored by the GEM Children's Foundation, ASO and the Swindells Center.)
Disability Support Group for Parents/Caregivers of Special Needs Children, meets the 2nd and LAST Wednesdays of every month at the McMinnville Community Center, from 7-9 pm. "For families in Yamhill County, Oregon (or close by if you want to drive on over!). Are you a parent/caregiver of a special needs child? Do you feel like you are the only one going through the difficulties of raising a special needs child? You are not alone!!! Come join our group and find out just how many people in the community are dealing with issues just like yours." For more information, contact Kathleen at (503) 267-8842 or click here for Facebook page.
Other Support Groups & Activities:
NEW! Adults with Asperger’s Support Group. Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 7- 8 pm at Faith Annex, Salem Alliance Church, 555 Gaines St. NE (5th St and Gaines), Salem OR 97301. Share encouragement and “tools” for everyday life. For adults with Asperger’s and supportive family members. For more information, please contact Uli R. at (503) 362-1810 or click here to email.
Moms of Hope (Salem)- meets Thursdays from 9:15-11:00am at Salem Alliance Church, 555 Gaines St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Meetings are held during the school year only, and are for mothers of any special needs child. For more information, contact Melody Swift at 503-836-1044 or swift1235@comcast.net
Native American- Support Group for parents and caretakers of Special Needs Native American children, Nah Sikhs, Nesika and Grand Ronde. The groups meet at various times. Please contact Donna Lewis for locations and meeting times: lewis.dm@comcast.net or call (503) 566-3093.
Parent Resource Group sponsored by the GEM Children's Foundation & the Swindells Child Center in Salem. Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month, 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. Located at 2475 Lancaster Dr. NE Suite B-1 Salem, 97306. Contact Dee Tafolla at (503) 585-4262 for more info.
Special Blessings (Salem)- meets the 1st Mnday of each month (except September will be on the 2nd Monday) from 6:30-8:00pm at Salem Evangelical Church, 455 Locust St NE, Salem, OR on the 2nd floor of the Children's Center (park on 4th St, in the lot next to the main church building). "A faith-based community support group for parents of Special Needs Children of all ages and disabilities." Children are welcome and childcare is provided. For more information, contact Mandy Straus at 503-884-9597 or MandyStraus@aol.com
Support group for families with a child with ASD (up through 8th grade). Hosted by the HEART Institute, it will be held the first Wednesday of the month, from 7 - 8:30 pm. Child care can be provided upon request. For more information, please contact Sarah Weber at heartinstitewest@gmail.com for more information.
Contact Form Region 5
If you have a question, comment, or concern that you'd like to share with ASO Region 5 Reps, please use the form below to send us an e-mail. Or, contact individually by phone.