Camp Fire                                                                         $ 7,000

Provides opportunities for youth to discover what motivates them and lead a healthy, joyful, and purposeful life. The award funds scholarships during the 2025/26 academic year for K-5th-grade students to attend their out-of- school programs at Three Rivers School and the combined La Pine & Rosland Elementary program.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon                    $ 6,000

Mentors assure young people that someone cares, will be there through challenges, and help them see the strength in themselves. Funds support the Big Futures Program, which targets low-income middle and high school students at risk of dropping out, chronic absenteeism, teen pregnancy, disengagement or performing significantly below grade level in reading and math. Each participant receives 6-12 mentoring hours per month and a case manager who collaborates with his/her family and school.

Heart of Oregon Corps                                                    $ 5,000

Empowers youth and young adults through employment, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon communities via eight-week summer jobs programs for youth 16-18 who are disconnected from school and work but are ready to thrive with support in a “work, earn, learn” mode. Funding is for 4-5 south county youths.

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council                   $ 3,500

Via the partner fiscal agent East Cascade Works, helps low-income youth attend driver's education, get a driver's license and improve school attendance. The program is an alternative education system that provides employment that earns high school credits while a student works toward a GED or high school diploma. Eight students were supported.

Friends of the Children Central Oregon                          $ 3,000

Provides young children facing several adverse childhood experiences with a professional mentor for at least 12 years. The program has three main goals: youth graduate from high school, remain free from the juvenile justice system, and postpone parenting until after the teen years. The grant provides 20% of the funding needed for one- to-one activities with La Pine youth.

SMART Reading                                                               $ 3,000

Funds books students can keep and weekly one-to-one reading with community volunteers. All 132 kindergartners at La Pine, Rosland Elementary and Three Rivers Schools were served as of Spring 2025.

Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory                       $ 2,500

Nature-based learning enhances curiosity, the desire to learn, and knowledge retention. The Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory received a $2,500 grant to fund summer camp scholarships for south county students.

The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance                $ 9,000

Provides interested La Pine Meals on Wheels recipients with Fresh Harvest Kits, ready-to-make meals for four with seasonal fresh local produce, recipes and pantry staples. Outcomes include reduced isolation and improved health. La Pine

La Pine Community Kitchen                                     $ 7,000

Serves 2,500 to 3,500 meals in their kitchen per month to community members who struggle to access healthy food. The Kitchen offers a food pantry, clothing, personal care products, diapers and formula and is a hub for additional services provided by community partners. The grant funds 1,750 hot meals.

La Pine Activity Center                                            $ 5,000

Serves nutritious meals to over 2,500 low-income and disabled seniors annually in their communal dining room, drive-through pick up or delivered to homebound individuals. The Center is a hub of empowerment, connection through social activities and essential support for older adults. The award funds 1,000 meals.

Meals on Wheels                                                      $ 4,500

Council on Aging of Central Oregon’s Meals on Wheels program provides transformative services for vulnerable seniors by preventing hunger, malnutrition and reducing social isolation, anxiety and depression. Funds enable delivery of 5 meals weekly to 145 seniors (2-3 hot meals, plus frozen meals, salads, fruit, desserts and beverages).

Care & Share Community Outreach                         $ 4,000

Provides, on average, 421 monthly food boxes. Thirty percent of recipients are families with children under 18.

La Pine Middle School                                              $ 3,000

Distributed weekend food packets via backpacks of La Pine public school students residing in households that struggle with food insecurity. Approximately 48% of La Pine students qualify for the program.

Girls on the Run                                                       $ 3,000

Teams blend physical activity with social-emotional skill development as they work towards a 5K run. The grant helps with program supplies and coaching support. One team is based at La Pine Middle School and a second team serves third through eighth-grade girls at Three Rivers School.

Southern Deschutes Volleyball Association            $ 1,500

Sports are associated with lower rates of stress, anxiety, depression, body image issues and suicidal behavior. The grant funds partial or full scholarships to girls and young women in 5th to 11th grade who reside south of Lava Butte so they can play club volleyball. All participants in the 20-year program have graduated from high school.

St. Vincent de Paul La Pine                                    $ 10,000

Provides multiple social services, including partnering with La Pine Community Kitchen to deliver meals in coordination with Meals on Wheels. The award funds propane tank vouchers for 90-111 unhoused residents and provides 20 households with $200 utility assistance to help recipients keep warm and prepare food safely during harsh winters. Seniors and families with young children are prioritized.

Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Repair Program     $ 4,000

Makes unsafe homes livable by repairing plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofs, insulation and restoring or building access ramps. With a typical cost per repair of $200-$1,500, the grant will serve 4-8 households.