Rotary Club of Greater Bend helps J Bar J Boys Ranch
The Rotary Club of Greater Bend has committed $75,000 to develop a Vocational Training School for the youth at J Bar J Boys Ranch. This is the largest gift toward the project to date.
The Vocational Training Program will help at-risk boys become familiar with vocations and provide initial training in the building trades (framing, insulation, and plumbing) Culinary Arts and Application Design to start. The offerings will expand as the program becomes established.
“This project is a perfect match with Rotary’s mission of supporting and developing youth. Rotary’s motto is service over self. A project like this helps Rotarians meet the mission and models the service ethic to the kids” reports Board President Mike Sipe. “Rotarians will be involved with the project from start to finish, offering help with constructing the building, presentations to the kids about their own vocations and hands-on education in their area of expertise.”
The Classroom will be named for Greater Bend Rotary in honor of their commitment to the project.
Executive Director Stephanie Alvstad, “We are honored to have the support of Mt Bachelor Rotary through the St. Patrick’s Day Dash, and especially grateful to The Greater Bend Rotary for the generous contribution through the Duck Race and now selected as the signature project with a commitment of $75,000.” The project is nearing the fundraising goal and has broken ground.
ABOUT J BAR J BOYS RANCH
J Bar J Boys Ranch residential treatment program for adjudicated teen boys, providing an opportunity to restructure thinking, succeed academically, and grow in responsibility. Boys in the program are served through the J Bar J Learning Center, an on-site, private alternative school program contracted with the Bend-La Pine School District, which offers a diploma track and GED preparation and testing. They work to increase grade level and re-engage students in the learning process. J Bar J Boys Ranch is a program of J Bar J Youth Services.
