ExtensionAlly-ty Collection

Announcing ORPARC's new "ExtensionAlly-ty Collection" ...coming soon!

ORPARC Library's new ExtensionAlly-ty Collection was created to "extend" the previous Culture Connection Collection to spotlight and ally with the intersectionality of kids in care. Whether of color, Indigenous, neurodiverse or LGBTQIA+, all of a child or youth's identities are uniquely important and matter.

Once more, ORPARC is honored to collaborate with talented Oregon Cultural Consultants. We are partnering with seasoned ExtensionAlly-ty Cultural Consultants plus a professional Indigenous artist, junior Cultural Consultants and lived experienced youth, all from a spectacular array of intersectional identities and experiences. Together, with the support of bibliotherapy training through international bibliotherapist Bijal Shah they inform a collection that fully embraces not just the diversity among our children, youth and families, but within them.

en español

Please Celebrate Our ExtensionAlly-ty Consultants!

Senior Consultants

• Brian & Josie Parker of Believe In Wonder
• Jessie Kaleikau (Tsmshian), MA, LPC
• Amerissa Kaymabi, BSW, MAdEd
• Steph Littlebird (Grande Ronde), artist

Junior Consultants

• Andy Alvarez, Youth Care Specialist - lived experience expert
• Lisa MM Butler, The Adoptee Clown Diaries - lived experience expert
• Tyria Heath (Stockbridge - Munsee Mohican/Menominee), M.S., OHSU M.D. class of 2027, Northwest Native American Center of Excellence Wy'east Scholar
• Erinn Russell, MSW student - lived experience expert

Youth Consultants

• Brayden Boyce (Otomí), student & 2024 FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader - lived experience expert
• Jacob Fields (Cherokee), pre med college student - lived experience expert

Thank you State Library of Oregon for your support!