Welcoming Week's Culture Jam

September 12th through 21st is the eighth annual celebration of Welcoming Week in Bend. Numerous community partners make Welcoming Week happen. Gillian talked to three of those partners about this Saturday’s event, Culture Jam.

Wesley Heredia is Program Manager at Vámonos Outside. vamonosoutside.org

Kenneth Adams is the Executive Director of The Father’s Group. thefathersgroup.org

huong tran is the Executive Director of Embrace Bend and co-founder of APIC - Asian and Pacific Islanders Collective. www.embracebend.com/apic-

Culture Jam is Saturday September 13th, Noon to 7pm, at Open Space Event Studios in Bend.

huong tran is facilitating the Welcoming Week event Designing Matrilineal Systems Sunday Sept 21st, 2pm the East Bend Library.

You can learn more about all Welcoming Week Events at bendoregon.gov.

Welcoming Week's Culture Jam
Gillian Hodgen

COPY - Central Oregon Project for Youth

Bob Moore, Project Coordinator for COPY (Central Oregon Program for Youth), talked about the program, volunteer opportunities, and the significant role youth mentors play when working with children whose parents are incarcerated. copy@deschutes.org

COPY - Central Oregon Project for Youth
Louise Kaplan and Carolyn Esky

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

The 2025 Great Drake Park Duck Race
Malcom McRae

Saving Grace Development Director Stephanie Miller

Stephanie Miller, Development Director for Saving Grace, shares how the nonprofit helps youths and adults who are dealing with abuse. Their second annual Purple Party is coming up in September.

Saving Grace Development Director Stephanie Miller
Louis Kaplan and Carolyn Clontz

Oregrown in Redmond

Hunter Neubauer, founder of Oregrown Dispensary, shares about the journey of opening cannabis dispensaries in Central Oregon.

Oregrown in Redmond
Louise Kaplan and Carolyn Clontz

Dark Sky Oregon with Chris Hill

Dark Sky Oregon Board Member Chris Hill Shares about the importance of dark skies and programs he is working on with Central Oregon groups.

Dark Sky Oregon with Chris Hill
Louise Kaplan and Carolyn Clontz

Pollinator Pathway Bend with Gwen Bartonek

Gwen Bartonek is President of the Board for Pollinator Pathway Bend. She talks about the importance of creating a pesticide free corridor of native plants in urban settings to build pollinator pathways, to keep the balance of our native plant, insect, and bird world. She offers suggestions on what community members can do in their back yard to create a healthy space for pollinators.

Pollinator Pathway Bend with Gwen Bartonek
Carolyn Esky and Louise Kaplan

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

Mosaic Community Health - Looking Back and Looking Forward
Malcom McRae

Central Oregon's High Desert Music Collective

Claire Merydith sits down with Charlie Utter, founder of Central Oregon's High Desert Music Collective. He tells us about his organization and how they support local artists. He also fills us in on some of our local live music events.

Central Oregon's High Desert Music Collective
Claire Merydith

Noemi Arellano Summer from Central Oregon News Guild

Noemi Arellano Summer - reporter with The Bulletin and bargaining committee member with Central Oregon News Guild - details the issues facing the union representing the staff in negotiations with The Bulletin newspaper.

Noemi Arellano Summer from Central Oregon News Guild
Louise Kaplan and Carolyn Clontz

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

Endless Summer Nights - Heart of Oregon Corps
Malcom McRae

Food Insecurity with Pat Nadon from SAGE and Linda Orcelletto from City Club of Central Oregon

Pat Nadon from SAGE (Senior Advocates for Generational Equity) and Linda Orcelletto (representating City Club of Central Oregon) talk about an upcoming Community Conversation on food insecurity in Central Oregon. SAGE matches individuals and businesses with volunteer opportunities that support personal and professional interests and skills.

Food Insecurity with Pat Nadon from SAGE and Linda Orcelletto from City Club of Central Oregon
Carolyn Esky and Claire Merydith