BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon nonprofit is working to make sure local children have a safe, comfortable place to sleep. Sleep in Heavenly Peace, one of KTVZ’s 21 Cares for Kids partners, has delivered about 3,100 beds to families in need since the organization started in Central Oregon in 2020. The beds are
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Central Oregon organization that has spent years providing essential items and support to families involved in child welfare is joining forces with NeighborImpact. Every Child Central Oregon, also known as Marked for Love, is now part of NeighborImpact’s supportive services department. The partnership is intended to provide the program with
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TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — For some Central Oregon families, healing can come from an unexpected place–the back of a horse. At Healing Reins in Tumalo, equine-assisted therapy and outdoor-based services are helping people facing physical, mental and emotional challenges. The nonprofit has served Central Oregon since 1999, but leaders say the organization has experienced significant
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Marked for Love, the organization known locally as Every Child Central Oregon, has joined NeighborImpact to form a new Supportive Services department. The transition integrates the group’s staff, warehouse operations and family support services into NeighborImpact’s existing regional infrastructure. Every Child Central Oregon is one of KTVZ’s 21 Cares for Kids
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For children facing adversity, having a trusted adult to lean on can make all the difference. That’s the mission behind Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, that connects local youth with caring adult volunteers through one-on-one mentoring relationships. The organization carefully matches
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A warm bed. A caring mentor. New clothes for school. For many children, these simple things can make all the difference. That’s why KTVZ’s 21 Cares for Kids program shines a spotlight on local nonprofits working to give kids the support they need to thrive. The Assistance League of Bend provides
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REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As Oregon continues to face one of the highest rates of family homelessness in the country, Bethlehem Inn says it is beginning the early planning process for a possible expansion of its services in Redmond. The nonprofit, which has an emergency shelter in Bend and another shelter in Redmond, says the
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon (BBBSCO) has launched “The Big Draft” recruitment campaign this week. It’s a partnership with the NFL Inspire Change Initiative. Together, they aim to find mentors for 85 youth in Central Oregon currently on a waitlist. “The Big Draft” is a national recruitment effort designed
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, is kicking off The Big Draft, a community-wide recruitment campaign in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the NFL Inspire Change Initiative. The national effort aims to recruit volunteer mentors, “Bigs,” to support youth across Central Oregon
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At Assistance League Bend, volunteers don’t just fill roles, they stretch beyond them. “We do. I mean, that’s what you get with an all-volunteer organization,” said Lisa Sarmiento, the assistant treasurer. “Everybody’s pitching in, and maybe they’re out of their comfort zone. I’ve learned a ton about how to work on
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon announced Wednesday it has been named a 2025 Pinnacle Award winner for program excellence by the organization’s national leadership. The local agency is one of only five organizations chosen for the honor out of more than 230 agencies across the United States. The Pinnacle
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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 Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit with a Deschutes County chapter that works to ensure no child sleeps on the floor. “There’s a lot of people in town that
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(Update: Video Added) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, just announced that its annual peer-to-peer fundraising event, the 2026 Bowl For Kids’ Sake is back and taking place on Thursday, May 7, at Sun Mountain Fun Center in Bend. This year, the event goes retro with an 80s-themed cosmic bowling
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Despite community rumors that the Central Oregon Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) might close, the organization’s CEO, Bob Mickelsen, confirmed to KTVZ News that the chapter is staying open and busier than ever. In fact, a special Valentine’s Day Bed Build is on the calendar for Saturday, February 14, bringing together volunteers from the Sisters Rotary Club and
Continue Reading 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
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Happening this Thursday, February 5th, a sweet night with a sweet impact! You’re invited to join one of our incredible 21 Cares for Kids partners, Every Child Central Oregon, for a fundraising night at Hawkeye and Huckleberry in Bend. The Sweet Soirée is an evening to celebrate community, connection, and the impact of Every
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Here 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. We have six incredible community partnerships that we’re highlighting through a monthly segment called ‘Making a Difference’. This month, we’re spotlighting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central
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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, a program of J Bar J Youth Services, is celebrating the power of mentorship while inviting community members to make a difference in the lives of local youth. For more than 30 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central
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TUMALO, Ore. (KTVZ) — For this month’s ‘Making a Difference’, we’re spotlighting Healing Reins, where lives are transformed through the power of horse therapy. KTVZ News spoke with Executive Director Polly Cohen about what 2025 looked like at the nonprofit and what the team is looking forward to most in 2026. “These animals are incredible to talk
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In Redmond, a community-backed arts effort is stepping up where school budgets fall short. It’s exactly the kind of innovative, student-centered effort KTVZ News and Mid Oregon Credit Union look to celebrate through One Class at a Time — supporting the teachers and programs that make a difference every day.
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