Bend, Oregon

Bend, OR located in Central Oregon just east of the Cascade Mountains, is often referred to as the mountain town that has it all. Rich in spectacular natural beauty, with 300 days of sunshine a year, 20 alpine lakes nearby, endless outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, skiing, biking and fishing, it is no wonder the poverty here is overlooked. Bend is known for its sustainable tourism and accomplishes this through activities like the Bend Ale Trail(a walking tour of 8 world-class craft breweries) and the many human-powered vacations exploring the great waterways and mountains of Central Oregon that local eco-tourism companies provide. Locals and visitors enjoy year-round events like the Bend Film Festival, Cascade Cycling Classic, Balloons over Bend, Bend Farmers Market and the free summer outdoor concerts at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. Bend has a plethora of parks, trails, restaurants, mobile street vendors, organic markets, coffee roasters and tea houses that keep this small town of 75,000 people and its visitors very content.

NDA members in Bend, Oregon serve in partnership with the Bend Volunteer Corps (www.bendvolunteercorps.org). Members serve in a variety of capacities at different non-profit agencies that serve the poor and marginalized in the community. Positions are available for 2012-2013, pending grant approval.

Site Directors:

Kristin Meagher	Mary Dean
E-mail: kristin@bendvolunteercorps.org	E-mail: mary@bendvolunteercorps.org

Volunteers on Orientation Canoe Trip!

Grandma’s House of Central Oregon
(P.O. Box 6372, Bend, Oregon 97708; Phone: 541-382-3008)

Grandma’s House is a non-profit, faith-based home that serves homeless girls between the ages of twelve and nineteen who are pregnant or new mothers. The organization provides outreach and safe shelter for girls and their babies throughout their pregnancy and while they struggle with decisions about pregnancy, parenting, or adoption. Working closely with the community, the girls have access to healthcare, education, and emotional and psychological support while at Grandma's House.

As an education based program, Grandma’s House provides outreach to all pregnant and parenting teens and their babies, including classes and workshops covering everything from GED prep and basic life skills to child-abuse prevention. The member serving as Resident Coordinator Assistant will provide education and direct services to the residents of Grandma’s House. The duties of this position will include: helping the residents in their day-to-day routine; providing overall support; menu planning; shopping and meal preparation; assistance with workshops; academic assistance (GED, basic Ed); teaching life-skills; planning and participating in outings; holiday preparation; and daily documentation.

For more information, visit: www.grandmashouseofbend.com

Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery
(2125 NE Daggett Lane, Bend, Oregon 97701; Phone:541-322-6820)

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery provides crisis intervention and age-specific therapeutic classrooms for babies and young children from birth to 4 years old. Children come from families with an average of 12 risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including poverty, substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues and domestic violence. Research shows that early childhood is a critical and sensitive window for brain development, and a time when children are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. MountainStar staff work with the whole family to keep children safe, reduce stress, improve parenting skills, and provide a rich learning environment for babies and toddlers.

The Notre Dame AmeriCorps (NDA) member will assist in age-specific, therapeutic classes for children 6 weeks to 4 years old who are at an elevated risk for child abuse and neglect. Classes meet the quality standards through the National Association for the Education of Young Children, in addition to being designed to meet the needs of children living in chaotic, traumatic situations. The NDA member is a member of the teaching team who is responsible carrying out developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive classroom activities. The NDA member may be assigned case management and home visiting responsibilities depending on their interest and abilities. The NDA member assists in the transportation program by driving or riding a 14 passenger bus used to transport children for classes. The NDA member also supports other projects including monthly parenting classes, Christmas giving program for families, year-end family celebration, classroom projects, and researching community resources.

For more information, visit: www.mountainstarfamily.org

Saving Grace
(1425 NW Kingston Avenue, Bend, Oregon 97701; Phone: 541-382-9227)
www.saving-grace.org

Saving Grace provides comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services. Their mission is to promote the value of living free of violence. Their services include operating a 30 bed emergency shelter for women and children, running a 24 hour domestic violence Hotline, providing services for sexual assault survivors, organizing crisis support groups, hospital accompaniment, and a children’s center for respite and therapeutic care.

The Advocate position at Saving Grace includes empowering women, teens, and children through education and support. Tasks include: intake and needs assessment at the shelter; peer counseling; education and support with legal issues and rights; system advocacy for mental and physical health; system advocacy to meet needs-food and shelter; co-facilitating a domestic violence children’s support group and other related tasks with which the staff may need assistance. This position also allows the NDA volunteer to implement an educational program. Examples of past programs have been: an art group, individual computer lessons, resume building support, life skills, GED/homework assistance, and physical/outdoor activities.

For more information, visit: www.saving-grace.org

The Bethlehem Inn
(3705 N Hwy 97, Bend, Oregon 97701; mailing address: PO Box 8540, Bend, Oregon, 97708; Phone: 541-322-8768 x11)

Founded in 1999, the Bethlehem Inn is a community supported emergency shelter committed to providing a safe, secure and accountable environment for residents to meet basic needs and connect to community resources. Our goal is to support single adults and families in making life-affirming choices and measurable progress towards self-sufficiency. The Bethlehem Inn provides emergency access to shelter and food in a safe, secure environment.

The NDA member will serve as a Case Manager which involves scheduling resident assessments; completing assessments with resident; assisting residents by providing informal guidance, educating them on available resources and social support; assisting in educating residents in life skills such as goal setting and creating an action plan; revisiting that action plan on a regular basis; scheduling follow up appointments in order to measure progress and record assessment information in Contact Manager Program and update appropriate staff person. The member will also serve as the Outreach Manager Assistant, providing staff support for the Outreach Manager; assisting with volunteers, meal coordination and special projects.

For more information, visit: www.bethleheminn.org

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Oregon
(500 NW Wall St. Bend, OR 97701 Phone #: 541-617-2877)

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of high impact affordable programs that enable at-risk you to mature into productive, caring and responsible adults. Youth discover talents, develop skills and build confidence...while having fun and making friends. We provide caring adult role models to boys and girls ages 6-18 and a safe haven where positive choices are supported. The mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Three pillars of success drive our youth development programming; improving Academic Success, building Character and Citizenship and engaging in Healthy Lifestyles.

The NDA member serves as an Educational Coordinator and will implement Project Learn, an educational enhancement strategy and Power Hour, a dedicated homework and academic assistance time at one Club location. The Educational Coordinator also seeks to strengthen partnerships with schools and families to create a web of support around every child. Evidence and experience have shown that consistent homework completion helps children develop academically, learn valuable organizational skills, including time management and task completion. Homework and academic assistance also improves grades, including reading and math performance, as well as decreases absenteeism in the schools.

For more information, visit: www.bgcco.org

Optional Spring and Fall Retreats in Bend, OR!