Ed. 1 Vol. 1
We’re excited to bring you the very first edition of The Garten Connection, our new bi-monthly newsletter. This will be your one-stop place for program highlights and upcoming events to staff stories, community impact, and important announcements.

Our goal is to keep you informed and connected to everything happening across our organization and help you stay engaged with the work we do together to empower people of all abilities.

Sip & Stroll Salem 2025

Rain or shine, our amazing community showed up for Sip & Stroll Salem, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Despite the weather, more than 600 supporters and 80 businesses came together to celebrate inclusion and help further our mission.

Your participation in this annual event creates meaningful opportunities for hundreds of individuals with disabilities right here in our community. Every sponsorship, donation, and ticket sold makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.

A heartfelt thank you to ARG Industrial and our generous sponsors, downtown business hosts, vendors, volunteers, staff, and our dedicated fundraising committee, who spent months thoughtfully planning every detail to make this evening a success.

We are so grateful for your support in making the 2025 Sip & Stroll Salem an unforgettable celebration of community, inclusion, and hope. Take a look at some of the great moments from the event. 

Welcome to Our New Board Members

We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan Tribbett and Gabby Northrop to Garten’s Board of Directors!

Our Board is made up of dedicated community and local leaders with expertise spanning mental health, advocacy, education, finance, law, sustainability, and business management. They meet monthly and play a crucial role in ensuring Garten’s strategic direction and financial health remain strong.

Ryan and Gabby bring valuable experience and fresh perspectives to our mission of empowering people of all abilities. We are excited to have them join us in shaping the future of Garten.

Ryan Tribbett

Ryan Tribbett is president of a public affairs firm named PacWest Lobby Group, where he leads a team that blends lobbying, strategic communications, and coalition building to influence outcomes in the state capital and beyond.

Over 20 years as a lobbyist, Ryan built a reputation for effective bipartisan collaboration. In the four and a half years since becoming a business owner, he has become known for his commitment to his employees—their personal safety net, professional development, and strong team culture.

Ryan serves on the boards of directors for Shangri-La, Cascade Capital, Salem City Club, and the Salem Chamber’s McLaran Foundation, but his civic involvement extends beyond board service to active support of nonprofits like Punx with Purpose, David’s Chair, Toys for Tots, and Believe in Your Community.

Gabby Northrop

Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Gabby is a proud Corban University alum with a passion for community and service. After earning her master’s degree, she married her husband Ben, a high school history teacher and baseball coach. They welcomed their son, Mac, in April 2024.

Gabby works as a financial advisor/investment manager at Three Pines Wealth Advisors and committed to using her expertise to support meaningful causes. She’s excited to contribute to Garten’s mission, offering strategic financial insight to help ensure the organization’s sustainability and growth. Inspired by Garten’s impact, Gabby is honored to be part of its vision for a stronger community.

Gabby mentors with AGAPE Families of Oregon, supporting youth affected by incarceration. She also serves as an ambassador for the Salem Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Leaders team, is a board member at Canyonview Camp/Bible Teaching Inc., and coaches middle school girls’ soccer in the Salem-Keizer and Cascade school districts.

Outside of work, Gabby enjoys family time on her grandparents’ farm, riding Space Mountain at Disneyland, and rooting for the Seattle Mariners.

GEARS Moving Sale – One Day Only!

Our GEARS store is moving soon, and we need your help to clear out our inventory. For one day only, you can shop incredible deals and support inclusive employment opportunities at the same time.

You’ll find everything from desktop computers and laptops to network equipment, hard drives, audio and video gear, cables, and adapters. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your setup or stock up on spare parts, this is the perfect opportunity.

Join us on Friday, July 25, from 11 AM to 3 PM at 3334 Industrial Way NE in Salem to browse a wide selection of items. We’re offering 20% off everything, and monitors are just $10 each.

Come early for the best selection. We can’t wait to see you there!

Celebrating 35 Years of the ADA

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – legislation that transformed millions of lives and our communities for the better.

At Garten, the ADA represents our shared commitment to creating environments where everyone feels welcome, included, and empowered to thrive.

As we celebrate this milestone, we encourage businesses and community partners to consider these three impactful ways to improve accessibility for employees, customers, and visitors of all abilities:

Ensure Building Accessibility Standards

Create spaces everyone can use by installing ramps and automatic door openers, providing accessible parking, modifying bathrooms to be ADA-compliant, and installing visual fire alarms for those with hearing challenges. These aren’t just upgrades – they’re investments in inclusion and safety.

Implement Technological Accessibility Tools

Provide screen readers or magnification software, ensure your website and online platforms are accessible, add closed captions to virtual meetings, and offer alternative formats like large print materials or audio descriptions. Accessible technology allows everyone to contribute fully.

Listen to Employees

Accessibility goes beyond physical and technological changes. Build a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing their needs, ideas, and concerns. When employees feel safe and heard, they’re more engaged, productive, and likely to stay with your company.

While the ADA has helped remove many barriers, Disability Pride Month reminds us that accessibility and inclusion are about embracing disability as a natural part of human diversity. It’s a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of people with disabilities in every aspect of society. Here’s to 35 years of progress, and to a future where inclusion is the standard in every workplace and community.

Until Next Time

That’s all for this edition of The Garten Connection! Thank you for staying connected with us and for being part of the amazing Garten community.

We hope you have a wonderful couple of weeks ahead. Stay kind, stay curious, and remember, inclusion starts with each of us.

Until next time, keep growing with us!