Making a Difference: Every Child Central Oregon urges you to give back to local foster children
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- At KTVZ News, we focus our resources on bolstering the health and well-being of Central Oregon's youth through our 21 Cares for Kids partnerships.
This month we’re spotlighting Every Child Central Oregon, which works to provide tangible items to anyone with an active child welfare case.
"2025 was a busy year for us like so many. Unfortunately, we saw an increase in the number of kids entering foster care in 2025. Thus increase in needs,” said Melissa Lovemark, the executive director at Every Child Central Oregon.
About 690 families receive assistance per year from the nonprofit—but in 2025, that number jumped to nearly 750.
"If you have the ability to give, now is a great time to do it because I don't see this trend going in a different direction at this moment," Melissa said. "And we need to pour more in, here, right now."
Every Child Central Oregon aims to provide essential items to those navigating the foster care system.
"Clothes, car seats, diapers. We do toys, birthday presents," Melissa said. "We consider engagement (and) activities basic needs for children."
The organization has a fundraiser coming up in May.
"Every year, we do our foster appreciation event. And it is a huge carnival that we put on free for hundreds of families and kids," Melissa said. "We are always looking for sponsors for that event, for volunteers. It takes about 300 people to put it on. We have bounce houses, food, carnival games. It is one of our favorite days."
And there are plenty of other ways to help out.
"I know that times are hard right now for so many people," Melissa said. "What we have to remember is, kids coming into foster care aren't making that choice. They didn't choose to be in foster care. They are our most at-risk youth and we want to continue to bring more resources to them in this hard time."
Click here to learn more about Every Child Central Oregon.
