Cascade Youth & Family Center, COIC expand housing options for young adults on path to independence

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Cascade Youth & Family Center (CYFC), a program of J Bar J Youth Services, continues to step up to meet needs of young people in our region by addressing one of our most urgent issues: housing.

Central Oregon’s housing crisis has made finding affordable housing difficult under the best circumstances. For young people striving to transition to independence while navigating additional barriers, the struggle is even greater. 

J Bar J was awarded funds from Central Oregon's MAC group, facilitated by COIC (Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council), to implement this critical program.  

CYFC’s new Housing Program will serve young adults ages 16 to 24, offering a stable option for those who need more independence but still benefit from daily case management. This program is open to youth from various backgrounds, including those aging out of foster care or facing homelessness, whether or not they have previously lived in one of CYFC's three youth shelters. 

Cascade Youth and Family Center’s acquiring of a Wilson Avenue triplex (that became a source of neighborhood concern over another type of program) marks a tangible step in the effort to support our community’s vulnerable youth. 

The youth housed through this program receive daily case management support to help them navigate independent living and responsible decision making.  The neighborhood surrounding the triplex have been informed of the new use of the property and have been given resources and contact info to educate them on the program’s mission.

J Bar J Youth Services plays a key role in the region’s response to youth homelessness. J Bar J Youth Services works collectively with partners like The Homeless Leadership Coalition (HLC), Central Oregon’s Youth Action Board, COIC, Neighbor Impact and others to prevent and end youth homelessness.  

Eliza Wilson, Director of Services for Runaway and Homeless Youth and Chair of the HLC, has been instrumental in these efforts, bringing together partners from Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.  “We want to be able to find housing options for everybody, especially young people who face many barriers to housing locally,” said Eliza.

Stephanie Alvstad, CEO of J Bar J Youth Services, states “These housing initiatives by J Bar J Youth Services are not only a response to the region’s housing crisis but also an extension of the organization's long-standing mission: to provide young people with the tools, support, and encouragement they need to step confidently into adulthood.”