Our Forever Home
Home to Friends of the children central oregon
What began as a dream to provide space for active learning, discovery, and healing for the children we serve finally took shape in the fall of 2021. The Friends Ranch is a permanent refuge for Friends and youth to connect, build resiliency, and feel safe.
The location is intentional; being centrally located and accessible to youth throughout our region. Owning property between the Bend and Redmond city limits will improve our organizations’ sustainability over the long-term, and enable equitable access for children in Crook and Jefferson Counties.
Here our youth will find their spark and reach out for the futures they so greatly deserve.
Impacting children's lives together
Our Mission
Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors – 12+ years, no matter what.
Building a Future
Our Central Oregon community rallied behind us in the midst of the pandemic to raise enough funds to secure the ranch in late 2020. Thanks to them we are just over halfway to our goal of 1.4 million.
Just as our Friends build Road Maps to success with each of our youth, we too set out to create a strategic and comprehensive Master Plan for the development of the Friends Ranch. Our growth will mirror our kids’: steady and intentional, with eyes always on the future. This phased approach will allow us to remain focused on program impact and drive youth outcomes, while building out our space to accommodate kids as they reach adolescence and beyond.
Phase 1 Projects
Farm to Table, The Learning Lounge, and The Rec Room
Phase 2 Projects
The STEAM Lab, The Balance Room, and Teen Territory
Phase 3 Projects
The Back Woods and Outdoor Classroom
Phase4 Projects
The Spark Center
Core Assets
Friends of the Children have nine research-based Core Assets, which are specific qualities we focus on to encourage the social and emotional development of our youth. Our intentionality around Core Assets is what sets us apart and supports our youth entering adulthood with a solid foundation for future success.
Perseverance and Grit
Hope
Problem Solving
Find Your Spark
Positive Relationship Building
Self-Management
Belonging
Self-Determination
Growth Mindset
Our Values
Our values guide us to achieve our mission. Each value applies not only to our youth, Friends and program teams, but also applies to all Friends of the Children employees, volunteers and partners. We use our values to make informed decisions; to hire, coach, manage; and most importantly, we use our values to change the way the world treats and views the youth and families we serve.
Put Children first
Build Relationships on Love
Commit to Empowerment
Pursue Goals Relentlessly
Demand Equity
Get Involved
Generational change starts with you. We’re always looking for volunteers who want to help.
Upcoming Events
Drinks with Friends
Join us at Friends Ranch to see where our program youth spend quality time with their Friends. We’ll be starting this again soon!
Friendraiser
November 2023 | TBD
Our signature fundraising event of the year raises crucial funds for Friends of the Children Central Oregon’s operations.
FRIENDS RANCH: HOME TO FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN CENTRAL OREGON
CONNECT WITH US
541.668.6836
PO Box 6028, Bend, OR 97708
[email protected]