🌱 Salem Teacher Wellness Spaces + ARCHES Shelter Ribbon Cutting

Hi all. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Salem Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 59 Low: 38.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High: 58 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories in Salem today:

1. Salem-Keizer School District officials are planning to create "employee wellness spaces" in response to a survey of teachers that was conducted last fall. The survey found that one out of five teachers "almost always" feel overwhelmed at work and about half felt they were effective at their job. Chris Moore, the district's director of social-emotional learning and mental health, said, "We know that our employees are struggling in much of the same ways our students are struggling." Backed by a health care grant, district officials will create a retreat for teachers to de-stress and connect to other adults in school. (Subscription: Salem Reporter)
2. On Apr. 12, Salem Mayor Chris Hoy cut the ribbon and celebrated the opening of the ARCHES Lodge shelter in Salem. The homeless shelter is one of the first created by a $50 million investment by the Oregon Legislature and will have rooms for about 100 people. The building is a former hotel in northeast Salem and will give people a temporary place to stay while looking for stable housing. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)
3. The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is hosting the Awesome 3000 to benefit the Salem-Keizer School Fund! The race will take place on Apr. 29 at Willamette McCulloch Stadium at Bush Pasture Park. Register or volunteer for the race at the link. (United Way)

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Today and tomorrow in Salem:

Friday, April 14

• The Great Junk Hunt At Jackman-Long Building (4:00 PM)

Saturday, April 15

• HFMA Saturday Gallery Talk With Dr. Ann M. Nicgorski At Hallie Ford Museum Of Art Lobby (1:00 PM)
• Luis Angel El Flaco, El Mimoso, Y Mas At The Pavilion (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Salem's Riverfront Carousel is expecting "visitors from a galaxy far, far away!" On Saturday, Apr. 15 from 1-2:00 p.m., Carousel has partnered with Cloud City Garrison and Star Wars Oregon for a meet and greet. (Salem's Riverfront Carousel via Facebook)
• Starting May 2023, Salem Community Markets will partner with Double Up Food Bucks! Double Up is a program that “matches” SNAP benefits spent at participating farmers' markets. For every $2 of SNAP benefits you choose to spend at the market, you'll get a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $20 in Double Up that you can spend on fruits and vegetables. (Salem Saturday Market via Facebook)
• Salem’s Navigation Center will be holding an open house on Apr. 24 at 8:00 a.m.! The Center will open in May and provide 75 low-barrier shelter beds. Click here for more information. (City of Salem via Twitter)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you around!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!