This week, U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, became the most prominent and highest-ranking elected official in the state to endorse the Clackamas Children’s Safety Levy.
The Congressman lent his support to the measure during a virtual phone bank for the Yes for Clackamas Kids campaign with 20-plus volunteers who asked questions about his support of the measure. After the Q&A, volunteers called voters to discuss the safety levy and ask for their support in the upcoming election.
Rep. Schrader said he supports the levy “because I know many kids in this county are going through tough times.”
“In the wake of a global pandemic and devastating wildfires, the need for quality local social services for Clackamas County’s vulnerable children and youth couldn’t be greater,” he said. “By passing this measure we can show every kid in our communities that we care about their future.”
The Congressman had a chance to speak to campaign volunteers and virtually present a campaign donation to Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director of Clackamas Women’s Services.
Clackamas Women’s Services is working alongside over 180 organizations, service providers, business leaders, elected officials, advocates and faith communities as well as victims of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and trauma to pass the Clackamas Children’s Safety Levy.
“Our growing coalition is honored to have Congressman Schrader’s support in this campaign,” said Erlbaum. “This measure is the result of 10 years of hard work by community members throughout the county that care deeply about our kids.”
The measure has also garnered the support of Canby Police Chief Bret Smith — a former child abuse detective for the Portland Police Bureau.
If passed, the Clackamas Children’s Safety Levy will raise an estimated $8 million per year for five years.
All dollars will go to local nonprofit organizations working to provide support for Clackamas County’s children, youth, and families—including children impacted by abuse and neglect, domestic and family violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and homelessness.
The Clackamas Child’s Safety Levy, ballot measure 3-564, is supported by a number of other local officials, including Canby School Board members Angi Dilkes and Mike Zagyva, as well as parents and survivors of child abuse. Find their statements in the Clackamas County Voters’ Pamphlet (no arguments were submitted in opposition).
More information is also available on the website of Yes On 3-564, yesforclackamaskids.org.
Congressman Schrader’s complete remarks on the measure can be found in the video below:
