Santiam Service Integration

SIT Surfboard Award – Daniela Sorrick

From the rolling hills of Newberg and Dayton to the forests and rivers of the Santiam Canyon, Daniela Sorrick’s story is rooted in family, hard work, and community connection.

After spending her early years in the Newberg and Dayton area, she moved to the Santiam Canyon in seventh grade with her mother and stepfather. She also spent time with her dad and credits her parents with providing a strong foundation of love, support, and encouragement throughout her childhood.

“My parents did a wonderful job teaching us to be independent and strong individuals with a positive work ethic,” Daniela said. “They always wanted better for us than what they had experienced.”

Those lessons followed Daniela into adulthood. Before earning her BA in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon, she worked jobs that taught her perseverance and service. From forestry work crews and fish hatchery jobs to restaurants and eight years at Rosie’s Mountain Coffee House, each experience strengthened her connection to the community she now serves.

After college, Daniela joined Santiam Elementary, where she worked in the Life Skills program and stepped into a teaching role when the need arose. She later became a preschool teacher with Strengthening Rural Families before returning in 2023 as the organization’s first Santiam Canyon Community Coordinator.

In her current role, Daniela helps connect families to parenting programs, community resources, and early childhood services throughout the canyon. She enjoys building relationships with families and community partners.

“One of the biggest things I love is how many connections I get to make,” Daniela said. “I get to meet people from all walks of life and learn from their experiences.”

Her work expanded further when she joined the Santiam Canyon Service Integration Team. What began as a way to connect with other service providers became one of the most valuable parts of her role.

“I cannot imagine doing my job without Service Integration,” Daniela said. “It has helped me make connections with community partners, learn about resources available in our area, and build relationships that help families access support more easily.”

When she is not working, Daniela enjoys thrifting, coffee dates, and learning about herbal remedies. Most of all, she treasures time with her family.

“My kids and my husband bring me joy every day,” she said.

Whether she is supporting local families or spending time with her own, Daniela is driven by connection, community, and service to the place she proudly calls home.