Nonprofit Angels in the Outfield still serving children in need

Posted January 2021

By Daryna Bosyuk

Staff Editor

Angels in the Outfield, a non-profit organization that helps children affected by abuse, crime, and neglect, has been helping children in the community for 12 years that do not have the same opportunities as children from supportive families.

This program aids children up to 18 years old by covering sporting fees, equipment, technology, tutoring, school trips, and many other benefits to help a child recover from domestic violence, parent incarceration, and similar situations. Recipients are in modest-mean circumstances in single parent homes, foster homes, homes with their grandparents, or are even homeless. Children must be referred by an educator or counselor to be approved for service. Each child receives case-by-case services to best fit their needs.

“Our goal is to help children who are hurting to heal and know that they have support in their efforts to overcome the barriers that they face in their long journey of recovery,” states the official website for Angels in the Outfield.

Angels in the Outfield was founded in 2009 by former Clackamas County DA Shannon Kmetic. After prosecuting caseloads of domestic violence and child physical, mental, and sexual abuse cases, Kmetic established this noprofit to deal with the long-term issues regrading victimization and healing that the system simply does not provide. The name for the program came from her memories of her childhood relating to her father coaching her in softball.

“My friend Shannon who started the program is a selfless and caring person who continues to raise money and spend countless hours into the foundation to make it better every year,” said Health teacher Staci Heath.

The program helped fund 1,618 kids with $169,000 of approved funds in 2019. Angels in the Outfield is a volunteer-run organization that relies on donations from the community. To donate, visit https://www.theangelsintheoutfield.org/impact. They accept tax deductible donations by mail, online, and by phone. To volunteer, visit https://www.theangelsintheoutfield.org/volunteer.

“I had referred kids that couldn't play because of sports fees or wanted to go to a camp, or buy the team sweatshirt or equipment needed to play the sport,” said Heath. “It was a ticket for the student to participate when otherwise they would not have been able to participate.”

The program serves children in Oregon and SW Washington. The program works with the David Douglas School District, along with other schools in the community, to provide healing to young victims.

"Shannon and many others who are involved in the organization are bringing a ray of hope into kids and families who have often suffered,” said Heath. “It is a great organization and I hope it continues to serve kids for many years to come.”