Heart of Oregon Corps announces plans for new Redmond campus as it launches Legacy 25 capital campaign

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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Heart of Oregon Corps is celebrating their 25th anniversary with the close of a land partition and purchase from Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon of a 3.4-acre site for a centralized campus in Redmond.

Jillian Fortner is speaking with Heart of Oregon Corps officials at the press conference. Her report will air on KTVZ News at Six.

For 25 years, HOC has trained and certified young people ages 16-24 while operating out of borrowed spaces. Now, the nonprofit says it's time for a centralized campus.

The property will include: 

• Youth-centered cultural elements and trauma-informed design that create a sense of belonging, camaraderie and an inspiring place to learn  
• A central Campus Center with classrooms, offices and meeting spaces   
• A 14,000-square-foot training warehouse for hands-on workshops and training  
• Six equipment bays across 10,000 square feet that will provide space for special projects and housing for HOC’s equipment   
• An amenity-filled courtyard will give youth places to gather for events or quiet moments of reflection and study  

"We've really let youth voice be a guide to our long-term vision," said HOC Executive Director Laura Handy. "We've been in the planning and fundraising for years now, and we're so excited to invite the community to join us to get this campus built."

HOC’s new campus is estimated to cost $7.3 million and will feature several buildings where youth will receive specialized training in their field of study.

The organization also announced the launch of Legacy 25, a capital campaign that aims to raise $2.5 million for the campus during HOC's 25th anniversary year.

Wednesday's news conference was attended by elected leaders, project champions, HOC participants, alumni and community partners.

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said, "I think this campus will provide a great opportunity for kids of every type who want to get that type of education and be a critical part of our economic development going forward in the future."

HOC graduate Zavier Borja says these programs are tackling issues across Oregon.

"All the youth in these programs are helping to address a lot of our regional and statewide needs, like affordable housing, like housing in general, like wildfire mitigation," Borja said.

The new campus will serve as a central hub connecting to their satellite locations.

Handy said, "Our young people live here. They grew up here. And with this training, they're going to enter the local workforce and stay here."

HOC also announced a major $500,000 matching grant from Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, which will be applied to donations of less than $100,000.  

Those who want to donate to this project can visit their website.