Their school is closing. Help them say goodbye.
Donation protected
We are the high school teachers/advisors of Trillium Charter School in Portland, Oregon. Sadly, after 17 years, our little school-in-a-warehouse is closing in June due to budgetary concerns. Our goal is to provide our students with a final year that is celebratory and memorable.
Trillium serves 51 high school students, most of whom are low-income. Many identify as LGBTQ+ and many have special needs. They are a group that has found sanctuary in this community. They sacrifice reliable technology, AP classes, and extensive extracurricular opportunities to be part of our inclusive community. They are used to their quirky school, and they are always pitching in and taking initiative to raise funds, set up events, clean, etc. They work hard to make our school a happy and supportive environment.
In February, the Portland Public Schools board voted to revoke our school's charter. It's been an emotionally turbulent few months, with students worrying how they will fit in to new school communities. We work with incredible kids, and we'd like to send them off with the best memories as they say goodbye to this school they've all loved.
Unfortunately, this year we do not have the funds for many end-of-the-year traditions they cherish. We are asking for $5,500 to cover this loss.
What the money is for:
Senior Project Night - $100 (May 10 - annual event open to the public)
~snacks and printing programs
Prom - $1000 (May 18)
~decorations, food, a shuttle from public transit, extra prom attire for students who can't afford their own, printing tickets/flyers
Annual Field Trip to the Oregon Coast - $2000 (May 29)
~renting a charter bus, snacks & water
Internship Celebration Dinner - $300 (June 4)
~a dinner in the rooftop garden to celebrate the success of the juniors' internships and thank all of their mentors and host organizations
(Two Trillium juniors at their internships with Kaiser Permanente)
Senior Dinner - $600 (June 6)
~a night out to present the seniors with superlatives, say our weepy appreciations and goodbyes, and reflect on their high school experiences
Graduation - $800 (June 8)
~snacks/coffee (& cake!), printing diplomas & programs, tassels, flowers, TISSUES
High School Breakfast - $200 (June 10)
~an all-high-school breakfast picnic
General supply - $500
~The budget is tight and it's realistic that we will run out of some basic supplies (poster board, pencils, etc.) before the end of the year
The sooner we can receive funding, the better. Some events aren't until June (like graduation), but having the money up front helps us plan ahead. Any money that is leftover from events or is raised beyond our requested amount will be used to help our low-income students buy yearbooks and to provide our kids with goodbye gifts.
All of our students would be incredibly grateful for your help – and we would love to see you on Senior Project Night! Thank you so much for your support!
Lauryl, Eva, Jeff, & Annely (High School Advisors)
Trillium serves 51 high school students, most of whom are low-income. Many identify as LGBTQ+ and many have special needs. They are a group that has found sanctuary in this community. They sacrifice reliable technology, AP classes, and extensive extracurricular opportunities to be part of our inclusive community. They are used to their quirky school, and they are always pitching in and taking initiative to raise funds, set up events, clean, etc. They work hard to make our school a happy and supportive environment.
In February, the Portland Public Schools board voted to revoke our school's charter. It's been an emotionally turbulent few months, with students worrying how they will fit in to new school communities. We work with incredible kids, and we'd like to send them off with the best memories as they say goodbye to this school they've all loved.
Unfortunately, this year we do not have the funds for many end-of-the-year traditions they cherish. We are asking for $5,500 to cover this loss.
What the money is for:
Senior Project Night - $100 (May 10 - annual event open to the public)
~snacks and printing programs
Prom - $1000 (May 18)
~decorations, food, a shuttle from public transit, extra prom attire for students who can't afford their own, printing tickets/flyers
Annual Field Trip to the Oregon Coast - $2000 (May 29)
~renting a charter bus, snacks & water
Internship Celebration Dinner - $300 (June 4)
~a dinner in the rooftop garden to celebrate the success of the juniors' internships and thank all of their mentors and host organizations
(Two Trillium juniors at their internships with Kaiser Permanente)Senior Dinner - $600 (June 6)
~a night out to present the seniors with superlatives, say our weepy appreciations and goodbyes, and reflect on their high school experiences
Graduation - $800 (June 8)
~snacks/coffee (& cake!), printing diplomas & programs, tassels, flowers, TISSUES
High School Breakfast - $200 (June 10)
~an all-high-school breakfast picnic
General supply - $500
~The budget is tight and it's realistic that we will run out of some basic supplies (poster board, pencils, etc.) before the end of the year
The sooner we can receive funding, the better. Some events aren't until June (like graduation), but having the money up front helps us plan ahead. Any money that is leftover from events or is raised beyond our requested amount will be used to help our low-income students buy yearbooks and to provide our kids with goodbye gifts.
All of our students would be incredibly grateful for your help – and we would love to see you on Senior Project Night! Thank you so much for your support!
Lauryl, Eva, Jeff, & Annely (High School Advisors)
Co-organizers (4)
Lauryl Grimes
Organizer
Portland, OR
Jeff VanVickle
Co-organizer
Annely Pereira
Co-organizer
Eva María
Co-organizer