Every summer for 16 years, Through a Child’s Eyes, or TACE, has positively impacted the lives of women inmates at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, as well as their children and families. For two days in July each year, these women are reunited with their children and families for “togetherness time,” holding tight to one another as they play games, make crafts, get pictures taken, read together and share a barbecue lunch, snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy. Smiles are wide, and tears shed in happiness when the children and their caregivers arrive, with each moment cherished and savored by everyone involved.
This past July more than 800 people were involved in the TACE event, including female inmates, their children, caregivers, community volunteers, CCCF staff members, and inmate volunteers. Many members of the Wilsonville Rotary and often their spouses and other family members volunteer each year to run the games, crafts and food booths. We have volunteers from over 31 communities who help maintain positive family relations during a very challenging time for families.
Rotarian John Ludlow founded the TACE program, and John along with Doris Wehler have been running TACE since its inception, volunteering their time and seemingly endless energy to this amazing event. Next year will be a transitioning year for John and Doris. They will be at the TACE event on July 13-14, 2019, but the new Chair of TACE will be Rotarian Kyle Bunch who will be running it going forward, with help from Rotarian Brad Hansen.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville and all who have volunteered over the years, as well as everyone who has benefitted from it, owe our gratitude to John and Doris for their selfless efforts, love of these children and families, and the legacy of hope and inspiration they have left in our community. From all of us, thank you John and Doris! You exemplify the Gandhi quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in this world.”
For a great visual summary of this last event, see the KPTV segment which recently aired. Interested in volunteering next year? Contact Doris at dawehler@gmail.com; or see more details and a contact form in our programs area.