An OCF Southern Oregon Regional Action Initiative in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties
Too many Oregon children lack the parental support they need to become well-educated, healthy adults. The Southern Oregon Regional Action Initiative Committee improves these young people’s chance for success by connecting them with caring adult mentors who are trained in the effective practices identified by Oregon Mentors.
Through its Youth Mentoring for Educational Success Initiative, the Committee helps organizations reach regional youth through mentoring programs; improve mentor recruitment, training and retention; and raise public awareness about how important and fulfilling mentoring can be. (Please see the concept paper for a full description of this Initiative.)
In winter 2009, the Committee received 14 proposals for mentoring programs serving youth in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties. In May 2010, the Committee announced grant awards for programs in these counties. Leadership Council members conduct regular site visits to assess the grantees' progress.
The Committee also works with community partners to strengthen regional recruitment and support systems for mentors, and to design media campaigns that will increase community support for the Initiative. In February 2011, the Committee announced a $25,000 grant to the Jackson County Commission on Children and Families to support the RU Ready campaign, which is a community-wide effort to help Southern Oregon youth succeed in school and prepare for the workforce.
These funds will expand the RU Ready campaign beyond Jackson County to Josephine, Lake and Klamath counties. RU Ready’s website offers opportunities for volunteers and can also help students and parents find the support they need.
“We're very excited about partnering with RU Ready,” says Charles Massie, co-chair of the Southern Oregon RAI Committee. “Our mentoring initiative aligns so well with what RU Ready is already doing. With this expansion, we hope more adults will become mentors to many more youth in Southern Oregon.”
The Committee is currently funding the development of four county mentoring coalitions to coordinate training sessions for regional staff and volunteers. On May 3, 2011, the Jackson and Josephine County Mentoring Coalitions jointly presented a training entitled "No Such Thing as a Bad Kid," featuring nationally recognized youth care trainer Charlie Appelstein.
On October 6, 2011, all RAI grantees gathered for a day-long session with OCF staff and volunteers. Participants shared information and best practices, and discussed strategies for sustaining the regional mentoring projects funded by this Initiative.
In spring 2012, OCF is planning to partner with Oregon Mentors and Citizens for Safe Schools to present a conference entitled "Investing In Our Youth: The Foundation for Economic Recovery and Prosperity." This event will take place on May 17 and 18 at the Running Y Lodge in Klamath Falls. Guest speakers include Dr. Robert Anda and Dr. Michael Leeds. Dr. Anda is a senior researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and co-principal investigator of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. Dr. Leeds is an internationally recognized community mental health trainer and consultant. For more information, please contact Melissa Durham at mdurham@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846.
To get involved or contact us
If you are interested in supporting or learning more about OCF's Southern Oregon Regional Action Initiative, contact Melissa Durham, statewide RAI coordinator: mdurham@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846.