This is the text of Jess Martin's speech at Friendly House's 2001 fund-raising event, "2001: A Friendly Odyssey."

Good evening and thank you all for coming. I was asked to come up here tonight and talk a little about my experiences with Friendly House. I would like to start by saying it is an honor it is to represent Friendly House on this important occasion and a great chance to address so many distinguished members of our community.

To give you just a little personal background, I was born and raised here in Portland and actually grew up just a few blocks from here on 27th and Raleigh. I attended MLC during my early school years, and graduated from Lincoln High School. I then spent two years at the U of O, and am currently studying Business Management at PSU.

My family connection with Friendly House can be traced back to the early seventies, when my mom was a secretary here, and my older brother attended preschool. Friendly House has been a part of my life for over 20 years. My first personal experience was way back in 1980, when I enrolled in the preschool program.

I was lucky enough to be a part of this program for two of the 30 wonderful years Glenda Croes spent as the Friendly House preschool teacher. I will always remember Glenda as a caring and fun-loving teacher who was our fearless leader on many trips to the zoo and the pumpkin patch. I also spent many summers at the Friendly Chaps summer camps. These camps gave ma a chance to visit numerous Portland parks, and to go swimming out at Sauvie Island. Best of all, we planned and put on our own penny carnival, where we set up games and activities for the rest of the neighborhood kids.

Since that time, I have spent countless afternoons refining my ping-pong and pool games, and learning to play basketball and chess at the Youth Program next door. And now, as a member of the Community Center, I can be found at least two or three days a week playing noon hoops or working out in the weight room.

But above all, Friendly House has shown me the importance of becoming a part of my community. I have had the opportunity to get involved in many community projects and volunteer efforts put together by Friendly House. This has included teaching baseball to kids at Wallace Park, and sitting on the committee that helped create the plans for the building in which we sit tonight.

I also served as a member of the Youth Advisory Committee, a liaison to the Friendly House Board that gave young adults like myself a voice about issues important to the kids at Friendly House. More recently, my work as a house painter with M & M Painting has led to some volunteer painting projects here at the Community Center.

My time spent with Friendly House has taught me many valuable life lessons. I have learned to be responsible for myself and the decisions I make. I have learned to look out not only for my own well being, but the well being of my community as a whole. I have gained invaluable leadership and team?building skills. And, most importantly, I have become a more caring and understanding person.

I must also mention some of the many wonderful people I have met through Friendly House. The first person that comes to mind is Bob Calhoun, who ran the Youth Program for many years. Bob was one of my most important role models growing up. He taught me how to play ping pong and basketball and helped me build my self?confidence. Bob taught me the importance of respecting others and was instrumental in the growth of my community stewardship.

Vaune Albanese is another Friendly House person that comes to mind. Vaune is currently the Assistant Director of Friendly House as well as the Community Center director. She has been a wonderful contact and a good friend. I have also maintained contact with many neighborhood kids I met during my time at the preschool and youth programs. And there are countless other examples of wonderful caring and friendly people who work here.

Friendly House has given me so much. It has helped me to grow as an individual and as a member of my community. I am proud to be associated with this important community resource. And each and every one of you should be proud as well for supporting Friendly House; because without your support there would be no Friendly House, there would be no programs, and there would be no success stories like mine. So I commend you on your dedication to this community and urge you to continue to support Friendly House and the community in which we live.

Today Friendly House offers many preschoolers, youth and adults a wide range of services and programs. Many of the same important values I learned here are strongly evident in these programs. Caring, respect, hard work, and community involvement have been and continue to be a vital part of the Friendly House mission.

I would like to end tonight by thanking Friendly House for all it has done for me, and thanking all of you for helping to make experiences like mine possible. Remember your contributions tonight will benefit all of us and will help to keep our community strong and healthy. Thank you.