LOFT youth program gets $109,000 federal boost

The Cascade Youth & Family Center and its LOFT program have received a federal Street Outreach grant of about $109,000.

Street Outreach, funded by the federal Department of Housing and Human Services, is a key component in the continuum of care for runaway homeless youth provided by Cascade Youth & Family Center & The LOFT.

With this funding, we will be able to revive and enhance our street level services for youth throughout Central Oregon. These services will include:

Contacting runaway, homeless, or street youth through street-based outreach and expanding our ability to serve youth outside of our residential program.

Engaging street youth through harm-reduction and trauma-informed approaches that build trusting and meaningful relationships between street outreach staff and youth.

Providing information on employment, job readiness and support services.

Responding to the educational needs of youth by informing them of their rights and to ensure their rights are honored.

Addressing domestic violence, sexual abuse, or exploitation affecting runaway, homeless, and street youth.

Responding to the immediate needs of youth in crisis, including food, clothing, emergency shelter, survival aid, treatment, counseling and referrals, individual assessments, and aftercare.

Helping youth exit the street and achieve safe, stable living arrangements.

Cascade Youth & Family Center & The LOFT are programs of J Bar J Youth Services. Our programs specialize in prevention, intervention, treatment and education. J Bar J Youth Services is one of the largest regional youth service providers east of the Cascades. The programs of J Bar J Youth Services include; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, Cascade Youth & Family Center, Living Options for Teens (The LOFT), Academy at Sisters, J Bar J Boys Ranch and the J Bar J Learning Center. Our vision is that all youth succeed and achieve their highest potential. To learn more please visit www.jbarj.org

About CYFC & The Loft (Living Options for Teens)

Since 1990, CYFC has been the only provider of a comprehensive spectrum of services targeted to work with runaway and homeless youth in Deschutes County. Youth can call toll-free 24-hours a day to access shelter and basic needs.

Cascade Youth & Family Center utilizes a Positive Youth Development strategy that involves both youth and families in the decision making process. We believe that long-term positive results depend on the empowerment of youth and their families and support of positive assets.

CYFC provides Crisis Intervention and Support Services to youth ages 11-21. Crisis priorities include youth who have run away, are homeless, have been abandoned, are under current abuse or serious neglect, or for other reasons have no safe and stable living conditions.
SERVICES PROVIDED
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
Emergency Temporary Shelter
Family Mediation
Case Management
Information, Referral & Resource Navigation
18-month Residency
Education Planning & Completion
Job/Employment Search Assistance
Career Planning
Life Skills Training