Creating pathways to success: Heart of Oregon Corps receives boost from O’Reilly Automotive Foundation
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – From building affordable homes to mitigating wildfire risks to providing local childcare and distributing fresh food, youth ages 16 to 24 are getting a chance to earn money, improve their communities, and build their resumes.
Now, the organization that makes it possible, Heart of Oregon Corps, is getting help to provide those programs, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, the philanthropy arm of O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Here's the rest of Tuesday's announcement from Heart of Oregon Corps:
“For many of these young people, this is their first job opportunity,” said Julie Gray, president of the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation. “More than half of them do not have a high school diploma or GED, and this program gives them the opportunity to earn that degree while getting valuable job experience. The resiliency they gain is impressive.”
The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, with an impressive record of success for youth in the programs, and for the communities they serve.
Over the years, Heart of Oregon has hired and trained over 5,000 local youth, who have built 40 affordable homes, improved more than 50,000 acres of public lands, and earned $2.5 million in AmeriCorps education scholarships.
One program alum, Jasmine, found herself at a crossroads at age 16. She’d dropped out of school and was struggling with addiction. Now, she has an associate’s degree in early childhood education, teaches preschool, and serves on the Heart of Oregon Board of Directors.
“I would not be who I am today without Heart of Oregon Corps,” she said. “I’m sober, I have a job I love, and I just bought my first house so my kids have a safe and stable place to grow up.”
With so much past success, Heart of Oregon is now constructing Central Oregon’s first youth workforce development campus in Redmond, to ensure impact on youth and the community for generations to come.
“Support from the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation allows us to keep creating life-changing opportunities for youth right now, while we build the permanent campus that will serve them for decades,” said Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “We’re deeply grateful for partners like O’Reilly Automotive Foundation who invest in young people and believe in their potential to strengthen our communities.”
Heart of Oregon’s grant is part of a year-end round of giving for the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, which awarded nearly $1.5 million across 50 nonprofits nationwide in 2025. It’s the largest distribution of funds from the foundation since its founding in 2020.
About Heart of Oregon Corps
Heart of Oregon Corps (HOC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and young adults through employment, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon communities. With the goal of career readiness, HOC hires and trains 225 youth ages 16-24 annually in the fields of conservation, construction, childcare, and warehousing logistics. Accredited by the Corps Center for Excellence, HOC is committed to training tomorrow’s workforce today and is accepting youth applications now! For more information or to apply, visit www.heartoforegon.org.
About O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.
The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as a dependable community partner, supporting organizations and programs that address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. The Foundation concentrates its giving in the areas of economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services and disaster relief.
About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
Since 1957, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., has grown from a family-owned company to a leader in the automotive replacement parts industry. It supplies equipment, tools, parts, and accessories to professional service providers and do-it-yourself customers across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. With more than 6,500 store locations and growing, the O’Reilly Professional Parts People deliver excellent customer service, knowledge and value to the communities they serve.
