Interracial couple moving to Salem (Keizer, Silverton: hotel, live in, garden)

[yowsa1999]

My husband (black) and I (white) will be moving to Salem at the end of the summer. We will be looking for a church that has a mixed congregation. If anyone has suggestions or other info that might be helpful to us, it would be much appreciated.
We live in Boise now so hope Salem won't be too much different.

[Silverfall]

I'm not sure what things are like in Boise, but we don't have a large African-American population here. At the 2000 census it was 1.3%. We have a larger Hispanic community here (14% at the 2000 census) but Salem is not ethically diverse.

That's not to say you won't be welcomed here, but you just need to know that coming in. If you say what religion you are looking for folks might be able to help you better.

[yowsa1999]

Thanks, Silverfall. My husband belongs to a Baptist church here in Boise. Any Protestant denomination or Christian-based church would be fine.
Boise hardly has a large African American population but it is larger than Salem. The two times we have visited Salem together everyone seemed very nice and friendly. We are looking forward to our move.
I found a Salem-Keizer chapter of the NAACP so we will contact them for information as well. Would still love to hear from people on this forum.

[mamh]

Hi
One of my favorite places in the valley to visit is Oregon Gardens in Silverton..Great place for a walk and your fur kids on are welcome too..
Your going to like the Salem area..
Oh and the soft ice cream cones at the state fair are a must eat...

[yowsa1999]

Thanks so much for the info. I think we will like Salem, too.
We do have a dog so we will definitely check out the Oregon Gardens.
The state fair will be a "must do" as I LOVE ice cream.
I appreciate your reply.

[mamh]

When your ready to come to the garden send me a dm and I would love to show you around..I'm a hort volunteer out there and my cockers love the going there..
Have a safe move.
melanie

[yowsa1999]

Thank you Melanie. Volunteering there must be fun. I'll definitely send you a dm when we get to Salem.
Jeanine

[Smiled]

Hopefully the Oregon Garden is doing OK financially. I always love to visit it, and I know it's always struggling to stay afloat. Another place to volunteer when I get to quit work some day

[mamh]

A side note to welcoming this nice couple to our fair community even if its raining sideways tonight..Oregon gardens is doing good...The hotel is open and we see lots of people at our events and visiting the gardens..I sometimes do tours they are keeping volunteers busy do tours.
come see the gardens some time again soon...

[rebesider]

Hi,
I am the mother of an interracial family (black and white), and we moved from California to Salem a year-and-a-half ago. We tried several churches in town, and settled on Journey Church. I don't know what type of worship you like, but this suited our needs the best. What we found, was that as is many places, there is still not much diversity in church. Most people were very welcoming at all of the churches we visited. Youth group for jr/senior high has been challenging, but it doesn't sound like that would be an issue for you right now. Good luck.