Roundhouse: Supporting Education
Recently, the Academy at Sisters students went on a field trip during their weekly art class to Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture in Sisters, OR.
They were greeted by the Arts Projects Coordinator, Ana Varas, who led the students into a partially enclosed round barn, beneath 19 circles installed on the ceiling. She flipped a switch, and the installation piece was activated. As the students walked, ran, and jumped through the area below, they interacted with it, their movements causing lights and sounds to emit.
“What do you think of this? Would you call this art?” Ana asked the group. “Yes!” the students exclaimed. “Why?” Ana prompted, and the students shared how the piece made them feel and what it made them think about.
Then the group was divided into smaller groups which rotated through three presentations from the working artists. The students learned about printmaking and made their own relief prints. They watched a presentation about making clay and created their own clay pieces, and they also learned about 3-D printing and crafting sculpture using 3-D printed molds. A few students even got to keep 3-D printed souvenirs!
On their way out, the students played with the interactive piece again, caught a glimpse of the mountains, pet the horses, and grabbed some ice cream to finish out the trip. We are grateful to Pine Meadow Ranch for this fantastic experience the youth at the Academy at Sisters was able to participate in.
The foundation who operates Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture has done so much more for us this year! The Roundhouse Foundation also recently approved our grant request in the amount of $25,000.00 for our Vocational Education Program (VOC) at the Boys Ranch! This funding boost will go far in providing hands-on learning experiences!
We are grateful to the Roundhouse Foundation, as well as their staff and artists in residence at the Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture in Sisters, for expanding the learning experiences of the youth we serve!
The Roundhouse Foundation is a private family foundation based in Sisters, Oregon that supports creative solutions to the unique challenges associated with rural culture and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. For more information call 541-904-0700 or visit their website at www.RoundhouseFoundation.org.
A Job for James
James will work in the woods this summer! As a resident in our program at J Bar J Boys Ranch, James has come far. Seeing how well he is doing, it may be a surprise to know he initially struggled. When we talked with him recently about his experience in our program, he shared “If you realize that staff is here to help you, and just pay attention to what you need to get done, it all gets much easier.”
He is very excited about his upcoming summer job through Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (COYCC), a Heart of Oregon/US Forest Service partnership program! The USFS office is only a mile and a half from the ranch, a commute James will make on a bike which we were happy to be able to provide him. The job natural resources conservation, and he will be doing maintenance and cleaning up debris after fires.
The COYCC program runs for 8 weeks, a time when corpsmembers learn job skills, earn wages, and become the next generation of conservationists through projects that improve public lands and keep local communities safer from wildfire. All of this will help James move toward is bigger goal: a career as a fire fighter!
We are happy for James in his upcoming position, and proud of everything he has accomplished during his time with us!
Around Central Oregon
New Kindred Connections Center in Redmond
Subaru of Bend is helping Central Oregon families find stability during crisis. Subaru dealers around the nation take part each year in the “Share the Love Event” to support national and local non-profits. Kindred Connections was chosen this year as the local recipient, and will use the gift to walk beside families during times of struggle, and provide temporary hosting of their children, if needed. This gift is providing the seed funding for a facility in Redmond which Kindred Connections will use as an outreach center. It will have computers for kids to use for homework, staff to connect them to services, and offer emergency shelter.
The home was previously used as an independent living facility for people transitioning out of our other programs and needs to be renovated for the new program. Planning has begun and we are asking for community to support the new center with a financial gift or a gift of service.
For more information call Kindred Connections: (541) 788-3151
BBBSCO Seeks Mentors in La Pine
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon (BBBSCO) is excited to announce our Site-Based Program beginning this summer in La Pine. With the help of La Pine Senior Center, BBBSCO is matching 10 Littles with 10 Bigs. Each Match will meet for 1.5 hours per week on Wednesday at La Pine Senior Center or in the community.
Bigs and Littles will spend time playing games, reading, playing board games, participating in group activities and more! BBBSCO is also partnering with Sunriver Women’s Club for this program as they are supporting and providing resources for this program. This program will continue into the school year and additional Littles and Big will be enrolled in the program in September. Thanks to La Pine Senior Center and Sunriver Women’s Club for Defending the Potential of youth in La Pine!
See Us This Summer!
At the Kenny Chesney Concert July 19th
Les Schwab has been a long-time supporter of J Bar J Youth Services, and this summer is no exception. This year, the tire company has become the Concert Series sponsor of the newly-named Hayden Homes Amphitheater. This summer’s lineup is expected to be the most exciting to date, with world class acts coming to Central Oregon all summer!
Les Schwab is using this sponsorship to spotlight local community-service partners that focus on serving the needs of children, families, and education. At several concerts this summer, Les Schwab will host an informational booth where people can enter for a chance to win a Les Schwab VIP Experience, pick up some swag, and learn about their featured non-profit. J Bar J Youth Services will join them at the Kenny Chesney concert on July 19th, stop by and see us! Tickets are available online at livenation.com. See you there!
Yoga at the Bite
Get healthy and help kids!
Thank you Shana Sellers and The Bite for supporting our programs!
Your Legacy
Everyone has something they are passionate about. You may be passionate about a place that holds an important spot in your heart, a cause that’s near and dear to you, or a charitable organization that you believe in.
Did you know that you can ensure your support of the care to kids and families you’re passionate about will continue even after your lifetime through the programs of J Bar J, while also receiving tax benefits for yourself?
You can! With a legacy gift to J Bar J Youth Services.
Here are some popular opportunities: · Include a gift to us in your will or living trust.
Your benefits: Retain control of your assets and have the flexibility to change your mind at any time. · Name J Bar J Youth Services as a beneficiary of your retirement account.
Your benefit: These assets pass to us tax-free, allowing us to use the entire amount to support our mission. If passed to your loved ones, they would have to pay income tax when distributions are made from the account. · Transfer appreciated stock to us.
Your benefits: You qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the current fair market value of the securities and are exempt from paying capital gains tax on any increase in their value. · Create a life income gift.
Your benefits: Depending on the type of gift you choose, you can receive a stable income for life or for a period of up to 20 years. You may also qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction in the year you make the gift.
· Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you are over 70 1/2, you can gift your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from you IRA directly to a charity of your choice and avoid paying income tax on the distribution.
Need Help Making a Legacy Gift?
There are many ways you can ensure your support for J Bar J Youth Services continues for years to come. Please contact Peggy Carey 541.389.1409 to donate now.
For help finding the perfect gift for you please contact your personal financial advisor.
The information in this publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results.