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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeart of Oregon Corps LtrOctober 19, 2011 Board of Coun Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200· Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570· Fax (541) 385-3202 wwvv .co . deschutes. or. us board@co.deschutes.or.us Tammy Baney Anthony DeBone To the 2013 Gala at The Riverhouse Committee: Alan Unger The Deschutes County Commissioners are pleased to support Heart of Oregon Corps' application to the 2013 Gala at The Riverhouse to be considered as a beneficiary recipient. Heart of Oregon Corps is a private non-profit based in Bend and has been in service to the Central Oregon region for the past 10 years. Heart of Oregon Corps is dedicated to operating a youth training and employment program that provides an avenue to reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth and maintain the natural environment. The Deschutes County Commissioners support Heart of Oregon Corps' vision to improve economic and social vitality while increasing pathways out of poverty. Their mission to empower and inspire positive change for young adults through education, stewardship and jobs has produced amazing outcomes in Deschutes County. Heart of Oregon Corps improves the natural environment, local economies, skilled work forces, leadership development, self sufficiency, job growth, employment, green energy and social entrepeurship. Heart of Oregon Corps is a key long-term partner to helping address the needs of disconnected young adults in Deschutes County and providing them with opportunities to acquire job skills and be productive members of our society . We support Heart of Oregon Corps' plans to embark on a capital improvement project to increase capacity of its' operations center and core programming offerings. The expansion includes the construction of a Heart of Oregon Corps Life Skills Center designed to extend services to a broader population of young adults. The Life Skills Center will ultimately build an incredible community asset with a long future in Deschutes County. The Life Skills Center will be the largest cooperative effort of its kind in our region and a major social service and economic force in Deschutes County. We encourage you to choose Heart of Oregon Corps' to be beneficiary of the 2013 Gala at the Riverhouse . Sincerely, The Deschutes County Commissioners Tammy Baney, Chair Tony DeBone, Vice Chair Alan Unger, Commissioner Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost-Effective Manner Page | 1 Heart of Oregon Corps Life Skills Center Capital Improvement Project Heart of Oregon Corps is planning a capital improvement project to increase capacity of its operations center and core programming offerings. The expansion includes the construction of a Life Skills Center designed to extend services to a broader population of young adults. The Life Skills Center will be situated on a parcel of land owned by HOC adjacent to the Marshall High School campus at 5th and Marshall in Bend, OR. The mixed-use building will be comprised of classrooms, home-like learning laboratories, supervised apartments for low-income young adults and office space utilized by HOC and community partners. Renderings for a three-story multi-use building have been completed. Key Partners Bend LaPine, Redmond, Sisters and Jefferson County School Districts, Deschutes County, University of Oregon, USFS, BLM, Oregon Youth Authority, Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, Deschutes County and Jefferson County Juvenille and Adult Community Justice, State and City Vocation Rehabilitation Services, MCM Fund. Timeline: Fall/Winter 2011-2012 – Planning & Partnership Development Phase Spring/Summer 2012 – Planning, Fundraising & Program Development Phase Fall/Winter 2012-2013 - Fundraising & Program Development Phase Spring/Summer 2013 – Continued Fundraising Phase Fall/Winter 2013-2014 – Continued Fundraising Phase Spring/Summer 2014 – Ground Breaking & Construction Phase Heart of Oregon Corps Life Skills Program Program Summary The Heart of Oregon Corps Life Skills Program is designed to integrate and teach students, ages 18-24 years of age with mild cognitive or developmental disabilities the skills necessary to be prepared and productive in today’s workforce and to achieve independent living. This innovative program blends three core components: (1) Classroom Learning, (2) Workplace Experience and (3) Transitional Living, all designed to build skills that lead to high functioning independent living. www.heartoforegon.org • PO Box 279, Bend, OR 97709 • office: (541)633-7834 • fax: (541)306-3703 Dave Holmes: Executive Director • Steve Swisher: President • Jeff Lichtenberg: Vice President • Mary K Fitzsimons: Treasurer • Steve Welbourn: Secretary Directors: Mike Daly, Gary Daniele, Tony DeBone, Barbara DePue, Eric Ward Page | 2 Classroom Learning takes place in an age-appropriate environment at Heart of Oregon Corps’ Life Skills Center. Participants are encouraged to utilize peer support and community resources. Each participant receives support in creating a plan which identifies his or her personal strengths, weaknesses and job preferences. Some of the topics covered in the classroom are: Job readiness skills including workplace communication skills, social and behavioral expectations Resume and cover letter writing and interviewing techniques Preparing an employment portfolio Personal finances Service learning projects Job shadowing opportunities Mastering basic computer skills i.e.: email, Internet, word processing/key boarding Time management Public transportation training Self-advocacy Connecting to community services Work Experience starts with a six month internship on the Heart of Oregon Corps AmeriCorps crews. Students with disabilities are integrated with Corps members to complete identified environmental stewardship projects. The Inclusive Crew model is a practical approach to including young adults with disabilities into the AmeriCorps program and normalizing their entrée into the real world work force. Internships and job shadowing activities complement and reinforce concepts learned while on the work crews. Transitional Living Program provides opportunities for students to experience independent living in shorter durations, allowing practice and supervision for doing so. Residential Aides provide on-site supervision and support address common barriers of independent living. Students are given the opportunity to receive special training in home living skills. This includes daily home upkeep such as dishes, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors. In addition, they have responsibility for yard care and minor maintenance duties. Students have the opportunity to prepare lunches, assist in making menus, grocery shopping and meal preparation. During this time, students experience living on their own, being part of a community and using their skills with ove night visits in an apartment setting. Once students successfully complete the in-home living program, they can apply to reside in one of the on-site transitional living apartments. This top tier of the program provides an apartment living opportunity for qualified youth 18 to 24 years of age.