Friends of the Children Central Oregon Hosted Event at its New Friends Ranch, Receives $100,000 Match Grant in Support of Programs and Development

Friends of the Children Central Oregon Hosted Event at its New Friends Ranch, Receives $100,000 Match Grant in Support of Programs and Development

PublIshed on Jul 11, 2022

Kicking off its fundraising for its ranch and program developments, Friends of the Children-Central Oregon (FOTCCO) recently hosted a dinner and dancing event at FOTCCO’s rustic friends ranch in Tumalo. The event drew over sixty attendees where they participated in a tour of the ranch house and previewing the freshly released renderings of the kitchen and lab in construction. FOTCCO is beyond thrilled to have also received an in-kind match grant of $100,000, with $40,600 raised toward the match.

“This gift will take us a long way toward achieving the legacy that Friends Ranch will be. This place is where our youth will learn and grow, where they will laugh and cry. Here they will see a future that looks very different from their present and know how to reach out and grab hold of it. This gift is an investment in those futures and a clear message to our youth that they deserve it,” Rachel Cardwell, Executive Director.

Funds raised will go toward program and the ranch developments, beginning with phase one project developments. Over the coming years, FOTCCO’s goal is to complete the following four phases of development:

  • Phase 1 projects: Farm to Table, The Learning Lounge, and The Rec Room
  • Phase 2 projects: The STEAM Lab, The Balance Room, and Teen Territory
  • Phase 3 project: The Back Woods and Outdoor Classroom
  • Phase 4 project: The Spark Center

What began as a dream to provide space for active learning for children supported by FOTCCO, discovery, and healing, took shape in the fall of 2021. The vision of the Friends Ranch is to create a permanent refuge for Friends and youth to connect, build resiliency, and feel safe. The location is intentional; being centrally located and accessible to youth throughout our region. Owning property between the Bend and Redmond city limits will improve the organization’s sustainability over the long term and enable equitable access for children in Crook and Jefferson Counties.

Donate at https://friendscentraloregon.org/donate.

About Friends of the Children

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit started in Portland, OR 28 years ago. The Central Oregon chapter became a 501c3 October 2017 with the mission of breaking the cycle of generational poverty by giving the most vulnerable children the ability to create a new story. We provide our children with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a Friend, from kindergarten through graduation—12+ years, no matter what. Our Friends support and guide children in becoming healthy and contributing members in the community. Visit friendscentraloregon.org for more information.

The Bend Chamber is actively supported by these Signature Investors

Small Business

ANNUAL INVESTMENT: $425

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