An OCF Eastern Oregon Regional Action Initiative in Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Union, Umatilla and Wallowa Counties
In 2009, the Eastern Oregon Leadership Council generated a list of issues concerning Eastern Oregon, including education, healthcare, the economy and career options for youth. The Council agreed that youth issues were the region's number-one priority.
Strong research documenting the positive results of mentoring and enrichment programs helped the Council choose its Regional Action Initiative focus. Mentoring programs improve self-esteem, social skills and career development. Young people who participate in afterschool and weekend programs are less likely to engage in risk-taking behavior and more likely to improve their school attendance and academic performance.
In November 2009, the Leadership Council announced a request for proposals (RFP) to launch or sustain mentoring and enrichment programs. Organizations that submitted proposals were expected to demonstrate how they would use funds to improve academic success, student attendance and community engagement. Year 1 awards were announced in May 2010, and Year 2 awards were announced in May 2011. Planning for Phase III of this Initiative is currently under way.
In March and April 2011, the Leadership Council partnered with Oregon Mentors and OregonASK to host one-day regional training workshops in Pendleton, La Grande, Ontario and Burns. These workshops focused on best practices in youth mentoring and afterschool enrichment for participants who intend to start a new program or improve an existing one. The Ford Family Foundation cosponsored these workshops with OCF.
On December 8, 2011, the Leadership Council hosted a "Tools for Longevity" training in Pendleton for project directors and members of the region's eight grantee organizations. Participants brainstormed ideas for their sustainability plans and received feedback from facilitator Mary Schmidt and Eastern Oregon RAI coordinator Tiffany Hegarty. One grantee commented, "I have had an amazing experience attending this training! I learned so much and now have so many ideas to pursue actively when I get back to my program."
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in learning more about the RAI, or collaborating with OCF’s Eastern Oregon Leadership Council, please contact Tiffany Hegarty, Eastern Oregon RAI coordinator: t.hegarty@q.com or 541.276.1898; or Melissa Durham, statewide RAI coordinator: mdurham@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846.