From the Deputy Director's Desk:
Happy New Year!
With our 25th anniversary year officially complete, we are looking forward to what 2026 has in store at the Amani Center. We hope that this new year brings you hope and peace, as well as motivation for any New Year’s resolutions, as we all focus on the goals ahead.
But before we turn our attention to the future, we want to celebrate the past year! Some of our highlights from 2025 include:
• 268 children served
• 10,872 services provided
• Our most successful Hullabaloo fundraiser to date
• Expansion of bilingual services
• Launch of Spanish language community parent’s group
• Launch of new programs and services in Prevention & Mental Health
• Strengthening of community partnerships with local schools
• Volunteer support: donations of snacks, blankets, Hullabaloo auction/raffle items, time, energy and more!
We are immensely grateful for everything that we accomplished together last year with help from supporters like you. And now looking ahead to 2026, some upcoming events and goals include:
• Café con Padres parent’s group kicking off again this month
• 18th Annual Race Against Child Abuse on April 25th (be a superhero for kids!)
• Expansion of Prevention Program with community training opportunities
• Anticipated ground-breaking of the new Amani Center building!
We know that with your help, we can achieve these great things! If you’re looking for ways to become involved with the Amani Center, you can donate, volunteer, and spread awareness of our services. You can also partner with is in our Capital Campaign to build a new permanent home for the Center.
As we begin 2026, let’s remember that healing is possible for children who have experienced abuse, and every child’s voice matters. With your support, together we can ensure brighter futures for the children we serve in our community.
With hope and gratitude,
Beth Pulito, Deputy Director
What's New?
January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and we’re spreading the word about resources available to support victims and survivors. You can join us in raising awareness by sharing our posts on social media to help our community recognize what human trafficking actually looks like.
Understanding and recognizing human trafficking is the important first step toward putting an end to it. In reality, trafficking doesn’t look the way that it does in T.V. and movies, where strangers violently snatch victims off the street into an awaiting van. Instead, most victims are exploited by people they already know, trust, or love, such as family members or romantic partners.
Traffickers target their victims because of their vulnerabilities and needs, grooming them to build trust before exploiting them. Because victims can often have a close relationship with their trafficker, many survivors share that they didn’t realize they were in a trafficking situation until after it ended.
You can learn more by visiting the Polaris Project website and find out how to spot potential signs of human trafficking.
If you suspect human trafficking, report it immediately: call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text: 233733.
January Spotlight:
As the new year begins, we’re looking ahead at our exciting lineup of annual events this year and we can’t wait to share them with you! We have so many fun and festive things planned, and we can’t do it all without you, our caring community supporters.
You have the opportunity to be a hero to kids by choosing from any of our upcoming events to serve as an Amani Center Volunteer. Your energy, enthusiasm, and heart for child abuse victims are the fuel that powers our mission all year long. We rely on our dedicated volunteers to make our events a success, which directly raise funds to support our mission to give child abuse victims a voice. Every volunteer hour you give supports local children with concerns of abuse and aides them on the road to recovery and healing.
With events designed for every interest and ability level, you’ll find something that’s just right for you. Whether you love to plan events, run, cheer, craft, bake, fundraise, organize, socialize, or help behind the scenes, we have an essential role waiting for you that aligns with your unique talents and passion!
Here are the annual events we’d love you to consider partnering with us on:
1. Race Against Child Abuse, 04/25/26 – Are you a runner who enjoys the thrill of a race? We need Team Captains to rally their friends, family, and co-workers to participate in our annual run! Racing not for you? No problem! We need enthusiastic cheerleaders to high-five and encourage every participant.
2. .3K Slacker Run, 05/16/26 (21+ event) – Are you more of a slacker? We have the perfect 21+ event for you! The .3K Slacker Run would love your help with registration, course management (it’s short, we promise!), and ensuring everyone enjoys the fun!
3. Teddy Bear Picnic, 07/16/26 – Do you enjoy the country fair atmosphere and working with younger children? Come help at our Teddy Bear Picnic in July at the Columbia County Fairgrounds during fair week!
4. Hullabaloo Dinner/Auction Fundraiser, 9/16/26 (Procurement Committee is forming now!) – Do you love the thrill of a fundraising dinner/auction? Join one of our procurement committees! We need your expertise and connections to help gather amazing auction items for our big fundraiser.
5. Breakfast with Santa, 12/05/26 at the Scappoose High School & Brunch with Santa, 12/06/26 at the Rainier Senior Center – Is the holiday season your favorite time of year? If you love Santa, decorations, and delicious holiday foods, you’ll be a perfect fit for either our Breakfast with Santa in Scappoose or our Brunch with Santa in Rainier events!
Beyond our annual events, we are always looking for smiling faces to represent Amani Center at various local non-profit community events during the summer and fall months. You can join a staff member at our outreach tables to share information about our mission and connect with the public.
Ready to get started? Connect with our Fundraising & Events Coordinator Monica Rush today to sign up and share your interest, or to learn more about specific volunteer roles.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, April 25th – Race Against Child Abuse
Lace up your running shoes and tie on your superhero cape for this year’s Race Against Child Abuse! Join in our fun superhero theme by dressing up in your best and brightest superhero gear to “be a hero for kids” at this year’s race! Invite your friends, family and coworkers to start training now for the 2026 Race Against Child Abuse. Online registration coming soon!