This conversation with Executive Director Cassie MacQueen, from the Deschutes Childrens Foundation focuses on the impact of federal reductions in needed funds to care for those in need in Central Oregon. The Deschutes Children Foundation partners with many other non-profits to serve community members including FAN (Family Access Network), local Food Banks including NeighborImpact, and THRIVE.
Serenity Lane - Levels of Care using a medical model for alcohol and substance use disorders
Glenn Deveney, Regional Director of Outpatient Services for the Bend office of Serenity Lane, discusses the prevalence of alcohol and substance use disorders, the toll on the individual / families / employers & coworkers, levels of care focused on the whole person, and Serenity Lane's ongoing supports in conjuntion with an individual's support system,
Camp Fire Central Oregon - The Autumn Faire - Celebrating Youth and Families
Kecia Kubota, Executive Director for Camp Fire Central Oregon, reviews the status of its programs across Central Oregon, summer participation numbers, the upcoming 4th Annual Autumn Family Faire - and the vital element of Spark in the lives of youth. campfireco.org
Think Wild 2025 - A year of Newsworthy Events
Sally Compton, Executive Director for Think Wild, goes over rescues, rehabs, and releases back to the wild for a variety of wildlife and looks ahead to the Chili Cookoff Fundraiser. www.thinkwildco.org
Partners In Care - Light Up A Life and A Year To Live
Morgan Sartin, Philanthropy Manager for Partners In Care, talks about their award-winning programs including hospice and palliative care, grief and veterans support, and their events calendar including Light Up A Life and A Year To Live. www.PartnersBend.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters - 28th Annual Comedy For Kids' Sake
Jenn Davis, Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, talks about the benefits of mentoring and their recruitment campaigns. She also talks about the 28th Annual Comedy For Kids' Sake. www.BBBSCO.org
Healing Reins - Diamonds and Dust
Healing Reins Executive Director Polly Cohen and Development Director Darrion Cotroneo talk about recent growth that's providing greater access to their equine assisted mental and physical services - and their 26th anniversary celebration, Diamonds & Dust. www.HealingReins.org
CASA of Central Oregon - 20 years of Court Appointed Special Advocates
Heather Dion, Executive Director, explains how Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) represent a child's best interests when courts are making decisions about a child's short and long-term interests - especially when that child's home placement is being made. www.CASAofCentralOregon.org
The 2025 Great Drake Park Duck Race
Steve McDonald, Chair of the 2025 Great Drake Park Duck Race, talks about the three Bend Rotary Clubs' process of choosing nonprofit beneficiaries, obtaining the permits and organizing the 36th renewal of this colorful fundraiser. www.TheDuckRace.com
Deschutes Children's Foundation and The Great Drake Park Duck Race
Cassi MacQueen, executive director for the Deschutes Children's Foundation, talks about providing office space for child-related services on four community campus locations, the threat federal funding cuts could have on those services, and the Great Drake Park Duck Race. www.DeschutesChildrensFoundation.org
Seed to Table (Sisters) Central Oregon Vegetable Farming in August
Audrey Tehan, founder and executive director for Seed to Table in Sisters, talks about productive Central Oregon vegetable farming from the middle of August into November and looking forward to the return of school kids from local elementary schools. www.SeedtoTableOregon.org
Every Kid Sports partners with Disney Jr. for the Let's Play campaign
Eleana Fanaika, Executive Director for Every Kid Sports, talks about the last year of growth, a new partnership with Disney Jr. called Let's Play, and the Born in Bend campaign. www.EveryKidSports.org
Mosaic Community Health - Looking Back and Looking Forward
Emily Boynton, Senior Development Officer for Mosaic Community Health, talks about the history of community health centers dating back 60 years to the Civil Rights Era, the founding of the Ochoco Clinic in Prineville (predecessor to Mosaic Community Health), and the mission, services, and reach of Mosaic in Central Oregon today. www.MosaicCH.org
Endless Summer Nights - Heart of Oregon Corps
Leanna Williams, Development Director for the Heart of Oregon Corps, discusses the impactful projects completed by the 16-24 year old program participants to mitigate wildfire risks, improve waste reduction as they learn life- and career-skills in a paid environment, their 25th anniversary celebration, and graduate reunions. www.HeartOfOregon.org
Birdies 4 Babies - Mt. Star Family Relief Nursery
Staley Micken, Development Director for the Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery, provides an overview of Mt. Star's role in the education of community and parents to prevent the abuse of children ages 0-5 years. www.MtStar.org
Radio Tour of the High Desert Museum with Heidi Hagemeier
Heidi Hagemeier, Director of Communications and Visitor Experience for the High Desert Museum, takes you on a radio tour of the biggest best kept secret in Central Oregon. www.highdesertmuseum.org
Kids Center's Annual Cork & Barrel Fundraiser
Rachel Visser (Program Education Manager) and Dru Ross (Fundraising Events Coordinator) for Kids Center discuss protective services for abused and neglected children in Central Oregon just ahead of their largest annual fundraiser, Cork and Barrel. www.CorkandBarrel.org and www.KidsCenter.org
J Bar J Youth Services - Seven Unique Programs
Alesha Josue, Community Engagement Coordinator for J Bar J Youth Services, explains each of the programs working to improve outcomes for Central Oregon youth and the pause of their biggest fundraiser - The Oregon High Desert Classic. www.jbarj.org
Nourish Your Neighbor with Isabel Kiefert and Russell Simpson from Around the Bend Farms
Isabel Kiefert and Russell Simpson share the story of Around The Bend Farms - www.AroundTheBendFarms.org - and their Nourish Your Neighbor campaign including the addition of four acres in Culver that will grow to provide more fresh vegetables to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, local farmers markets and food pantries.
The High Desert Horticultural Center's First Annual Native Plant Garden Tour
Ben Snyder, Nursery Manager for WinterCreek Nursery and Community Outreach for the High Desert Horticultural Center explains the First Annual Native Plant Garden Tour, and the benefits of adding native plants to any yard space.