Bend’s Community Center outlines plans
Bend’s Community Center’s board of directors announced Friday several recent developments to address its financial difficulties and restore the organization’s viability, credibility and community support.
Core programs continue, they said, including the Sunday Feed the Hungry meal program and senior congregate meals provided Monday through Friday by the Central Oregon Council on Aging, hall rentals and Becca’s Closet.
The thrift store, job training, clothes baling, bike shed, and diaper bank programs have all been discontinued as BCC programs following a financial crisis that threatened to close the organization entirely.
A third-party financial review is under way. United Way of Deschutes County, in partnership with the Partnership to End Poverty and the Deschutes County Children & Families Commission, has engaged SGA Certified Public Accountants & Consultants to conduct an independent financial review to verify Bend’s Community Center’s financial position.
The auditor’s report is expected in mid-December.
In addition, Jessica Sotelo, Executive Director of Partners for Prosperity in Pocatello, Idaho, a nonprofit organization management expert, will provide a formal governance review and lead an all-day board retreat on December 8 th .
Bend’s Community Center is seeking volunteers to join the board of directors and interested individuals are invited and encouraged to attend the upcoming retreat.
Speaking on behalf of the board, President Bruce Abernethy offered the following comment. “We are very grateful for the support the community has shown during this difficult transition period. Some tough choices have been made, but they are putting us on a path to sustainability and will allow us to continue to provide critical services for those most in need.”
