About Seashore

Seashore Family Literacy promotes education, community, health — and life literacy — through numerous programs, including youth and adult tutoring, parenting classes, after-school activities, summer camps, a clothing bank, free meals and more. 

All programs are free and take place at the DaNoble House. Seashore operates almost entirely with volunteer efforts. 

History
Seashore began in 1992 as a valiant effort by Senitila McKinley — a South Pacific immigrant to Oregon, learning English while raising two young children — who felt a need to reach, engage and serve her community. With no funding and no meeting place, Senitila packed her car full of books and scrambled to find places to hold programs. Steadily she created an organization serving thousands of disadvantaged youth and families.

Need
Over 50 percent of this area's youth are economically disadvantaged, and within the school district there are over 400 homeless students (defined as living with relatives or friends, awaiting foster care, or living in an emergency shelter, motel, campground, car or park).

While Seashore’s primary focus is on change through education, we have found it critical to first meet the most basic needs of food and clothing. To that end, Seashore provides free Saturday Breakfasts, Family Dinners, a Summer Food Program, after-school snacks, and free clothing for all ages. These programs serve hundreds of individuals each week.

Once basic needs are met, Seashore hosts and supports a variety of free, education-based, community-focused programs.

Want to know more? Click to download the Seashore Fact Sheet and the Seashore Programs Overview.