In 1990, at a time when many vital children’s service programs faced serious cutbacks in public and private funding, Bend community members gathered together to plan for the future of services for children and families in our area. Deschutes Children’s Foundation was founded that same year to take their idea of a warm, friendly campus where several programs work together from vision to reality. The Rosie Bareis Community Campus is the result.
The model they envisioned worked so well at the Rosie Bareis Community Campus in Bend that it has been replicated in Redmond at the Becky Johnson Community Center, at the La Pine Community Campus, and at our facility on the east side of Bend. At each of our four collaborative campuses:
- No rent is charged, allowing resident programs to serve more children and families. Conservatively estimated, the savings amounts to approximately $700,000 annually.
- Shared equipment and staffing save additional money.
- Centralized property management saves programs time.
- A welcoming environment comforts children and families in need.
- Duplication of services is avoided; collaborations are fostered.
Deschutes Children’s Foundation is a registered public nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Directors and managed by an Executive Director. The Foundation receives no federal, state, or local tax dollars and relies on the support of the community to continue serving children and families.
For information on their upcoming fundraiser, please see 17th Annual Art and Wine Auction.