Doris’s New Place Builds Stronger Future for Children and Families

Family Building Blocks - Stayton, OR

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Family Building Blocks (FBB) is a leading nonprofit serving children and families
across Marion and Polk counties with a mission to “Keep Children Safe and Families Together.” Through high quality, voluntary, and no-cost services, FBB supports families facing overwhelming life circumstances, including poverty, housing instability, and social isolation. In the past year alone, FBB reached over 1,500 children and 800 families across nine sites, using trauma-informed approaches to prevent child abuse and neglect while strengthening family stability.

Building on nearly three decades of service in the Santiam Canyon, FBB recently opened Doris’s New Place in January 2026 in Stayton. This new, permanent facility represents a major milestone after years of operating in temporary, leased locations that limited the organization’s ability to expand services. Developed in partnership with community stakeholders, Doris’s New Place will provide a centralized hub for comprehensive early childhood and family support services in a region where appropriate facilities have been scarce.

The new center is designed to meet both immediate and long-term community needs. It will
include therapeutic early childhood classrooms, a dedicated play therapy space, and flexible-use rooms for program expansion and community partnerships. Families will also have access to essential resources such as a food pantry, clothing closet, diaper bank, and parenting education programs. These services are complemented by home visiting and playgroups that promote healthy parent-child relationships.

A critical final component of this project is the development of two age-appropriate playgrounds, which will serve children from infancy through preschool age. These nature-inspired playgrounds are intentionally designed to support whole child development through sensory rich, hands-on experiences. By incorporating elements such as sand and water, the outdoor spaces will foster creativity, physical activity, and emotional regulation.

Doris’s New Place will directly serve dozens of children and families annually. FBB aims to
reduce risk factors for abuse and neglect, improve school readiness, and empower parents with the skills and confidence needed to build stable, self- sufficient lives.

The JTMF Foundation is proud to support Family Building Blocks in bringing Doris’s New Place to life in Stayton, helping create an inclusive, nature-based outdoor playgrounds that fosters healing, connection, and opportunity for children and families in the Santiam Canyon.

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