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NewsChannel 21 commits its resources to support the health and well-being of Central Oregon's children by actively partnering with local community agencies that provide services to children and their families.


21 Cares for Kids Partners



Assistance League® of Bend, founded in 1989, Chartered October 5, 1993, is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization consisting of a dedicated group of women with a passion for supporting the local community in a direct, meaningful way. Our primary focus is on the root causes of poverty through a variety of philanthropic programs and projects. Assistance League of Bend also leverages its resources to improve the quality of life for all adults and children. You Can Help Make A Brighter Day!



Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is a one-to-one mentoring program. Our mission is to empower youth to achieve their highest potential through meaningful one-to-one relationships with caring mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, is the oldest and largest one-to-one mentoring program in Central Oregon, providing careful screening, training, matching, support and supervision of caring mentors with youth.



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Bethlehem Inn is Central Oregon’s first and largest residential emergency shelter serving the area’s most vulnerable population. Since 1999, Bethlehem Inn has had the mission to transform lives together through shelter, help, and hope. Thanks to your support Bethlehem Inn has been helping people find their silver linings for 25 years. From humble beginnings as a volunteer-led organization, Bethlehem Inn has established itself as a respite for the weary with two permanent shelters in Bend and in Redmond. With the help of dedicated volunteers, caring donors, and dedicated staff Bethlehem Inn provides stability and help for families and individuals 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Learn how you can be part of the solution at bethleheminn.org.



Every Child Central Oregon

Founded in 2019, Every Child Central Oregon mobilizes community to uplift children and families impacted by foster care in Central Oregon. ECCO is its own 501c3 nonprofit while affiliated with Every Child Oregon, Every Child Central Oregon is based in Redmond, Ore., from where it relentlessly fights for local children in crisis and commits to finding safe, nurturing places where they can flourish. Serving Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. ECCO provides radical hospitality with a posture of humility and care for youth in foster homes, as well as its families and partners working in child welfare. Believing in a hopeful future for its clients, ECCO connects individuals, businesses, families and faith communities with acute needs, helping the vulnerable to rise up and achieve resiliency in spite of crisis. https://everychildoregon.org/



Healing Reins Equine Assisted Services

Healing Reins Equine Assisted Services address the physical health and emotional well being of children by diving deep into Central Oregon’s most vulnerable communities to provide evidence-based, equine-assisted services for children, teens, adults, and whole families. Their main constituents are Central Oregonians challenged with physical and cognitive disabilities, as well as emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. Healing Reins’ participants include children, teens, adults, and families ages 2 - 94. They currently see over 190 participants a week with the support of over 150 volunteers. In 2024, Healing Reins is celebrating their 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of "healing with horses." https://healingreins.org/



Healing Reins Equine Assisted Services

All children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads. Central Oregon and across the U.S., too many boys and girls go without a bed – or even a pillow – to sleep on. These children end up sleeping on couches, blankets, and even floors. This can affect their happiness and health. That’s where Sleep in Heavenly Peace comes in. We’re a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling, and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. We have no paid employees. The beds are made by volunteers and all money donated to SHP goes directly to the mission of providing beds for kids. Many studies have been conducted on the effects that lack of sleep can have on children. • Poor sleep can lead to hyperactivity issues as early as age five • In teenagers, anxiety and depression are linked to poor sleeping habits 27% and 69% of the time • Kids who don’t sleep well don’t grow as well as their peers • Kids who get good sleep tend to get sick less frequently • Plenty of sleep usually translates to better grades, improved emotional health, and a healthier home life. https://shpbeds.org/chapter/or-deschutes-co/

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