Legacy 25 Campus Campaign launched to raise final $2.5 million in the organization’s 25th anniversary year
Heart of Oregon Corps announced at a press conference the celebration of its 25th anniversary with the close of sale on a 3.4-acre site for a much-needed central campus in Redmond. 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.
Each year, HOC supports 225 young people ages 16-24 to transform their lives and futures through job training, support to earn a high school diploma or GED, and to launch their careers with real experience under their belts in both hard and soft skills. The organization has stretched aging, borrowed service spaces across the region since its founding 25 years ago, but now a central campus is sorely needed to answer the resounding call for HOC’s youth workforce development trainings in construction, land conservation and childcare.
The press conference was attended by elected leaders, project champions, HOC participants, alumni and community partners who described why the new campus is so essential to our region.
“Central Oregon needs this campus,” said Zavier Borja, a Heart of Oregon Corps alum, past board member, and regional community leader. “HOC grads are our local pipeline of workers ready to solve the region’s greatest challenges including housing affordability, wildfire fuels reductions and the childcare shortage. This campus is an investment in youth, and in solutions that benefit every one of us.”
At the press conference HOC Executive Director Laura Handy emphasized how essential the new campus is to keeping up with the growth and demand for HOC services.
“This campus is where underserved youth and young adults will transform their lives through training, certifications and direct support,” said Laura Handy, Executive Director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “After 25 years, we know this model works—for youth, for employers and for progress on regional issues. We just need the room to accommodate the growth in demand for our programs, and this campus is the visionary answer that will support this work for generations to come.”
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, as well as support services that empower them to complete school and transition successfully to a promising career.
The campus will include:
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- 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 trainings
- 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’re proud that this campus will be sited in Redmond,” said Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch. “Our community members believe in the value of hard work and we know how critical youth workforce development is to building a strong economy where everyone can thrive–this campus is going to give these youth that opportunity. I think Legacy 25 should be at the top of everyone’s list in terms of donations.”
To kick off the launch of Legacy 25, the capital campaign which aims to raise the remaining $2.5 million needed for the campus in HOC’s 25th anniversary year, Handy announced a major $500,000 matching grant from Central Oregon-based foundation Maybelle Clark Macdonald, which will be applied to donations under $100,000.
“We are deeply humbled and grateful to Maybelle Clark Macdonald and all our supporters—from elected officials, to foundation leaders, to major donors, and to each individual person who has given what they can to secure this vision for the future of our youth,” said Handy. “We hope that other businesses and donors will understand the importance of this project and also step forward to make a legacy gift to this critical regional asset.”
Community members are encouraged to visit www.heartoforegon.org/campus-campaign to make a legacy gift of $25, $250, $2,500, $25,000, or $250,000 in support of the Legacy 25 campaign to fund the visionary campus. Gifts under $100,000 will be doubled via the matching fund!
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