community support

FEATURED DONOR – Hayden Homes

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Celebrating Gratitude and Community

Generosity brings people together and creates lasting change. We are honored to celebrate partners like Hayden Homes, whose compassion and commitment help empower youth and strengthen the community we share. Through their leadership and enduring support, they are helping young people discover what’s possible – and build brighter futures of their own.

Donor Spotlight: Hayden Homes

A Legacy of Building Homes – and Futures

For decades, Hayden Homes has been building more than houses across the Northwest – they’ve been building stronger communities. Through their deep culture of generosity and their Give As You Go philosophy, Hayden Homes has made a lasting impact on youth served by J Bar J Youth Services and our program Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon.

At the heart of this commitment is Hayden Watson, Chairman of the Board, and CEO Dennis Murphy, whose leadership has helped shape a company where giving back is part of the foundation. In recognition of Dennis’s extraordinary dedication to mentorship and youth empowerment, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon honored Dennis as their very first Big Champion – an acknowledgment of both his personal advocacy and Hayden Homes’ enduring partnership.

Hayden Homes’ support extends across the J Bar J continuum of care, including their role as Presenting Sponsor of our 2026 Oregon High Desert Classic hunter jumper show. Their leadership helps ensure this premier event continues to raise vital funds that support our programs guiding youth toward stability, confidence, and independence.

Through mentorship, sponsorship, and sustained investment, Hayden Homes demonstrates what it means to be a true community partner. Their generosity is not only opening doors – it’s helping young people discover what’s possible and empowering them to build futures of their own.

About the Oregon High Desert Classic

The prestigious Oregon High Desert Classics (OHDC) is the only event of its kind in Central Oregon. Approved by the US Hunter Jumper Association, this show attracts world class riders from all over the US and Canada. One of a small handful to receive Heritage Horse Show designation, it is also the only show of its caliber which is primarily a fundraiser for a human services nonprofit. Returning for one week only:  July 8 – 12, 2026!

Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon honored Hayden Home’s CEO Dennis Murphy as their very first Big Champion – an acknowledgment of both his personal advocacy and Hayden Homes’ enduring partnership.

Community Creativity: DIY Fundraisers Making a Difference

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One of the most inspiring things we see throughout the year is the creativity and generosity of community members who choose to support J Bar J Youth Services in their own unique ways.

From students and scout troops to individuals who simply want to give back, these Do It Yourself fundraisers show how powerful one person’s idea can be when it turns into action.

At a time when nonprofits across the country are facing funding cuts and uncertainty, community-led efforts like these are more important than ever. Each fundraiser – large or small – helps ensure that young people in Central Oregon continue to have access to safe housing, mentorship, and the support they need to build brighter futures.

Here are a few recent examples that made a big impact.

A Student’s Idea Becomes Community Support

A Bend High School student recently organized a fundraiser to support Grandma’s House, raising awareness and resources for young parents working to build stable futures for themselves and their babies. The effort was even featured on Central Oregon Daily News, highlighting the power of youth leadership and compassion in our community.

Read the story →

Cub Scouts Deliver Holiday Cheer

In December, a local Cub Scout troop organized a donation drive for Grandma’s House. Nearly 50 of these youngest scouts visited us to deliver the food and supplies they collected for young families in the program.

Their visit turned into a joyful holiday moment. Staff welcomed the scouts with cocoa and cookies by the fireplace and Christmas tree – and Santa and Mrs. Claus even stopped by to spend time with the group. It was a wonderful reminder of how generosity can bring the community together.

A “Do Good Project” with Heart

We were recently contacted by a Central Oregon Community College student who chose Grandma’s House as the focus of a fundraising project for her communications class.

She shared that she first learned about the program through a friend who once lived at Grandma’s House. Inspired by that connection, she decided to raise awareness and support so more people could learn about the program and the work it does to help young parents build better futures for themselves and their children.

We are incredibly grateful for her thoughtful effort and the heart behind it.

Want to Start Your Own Fundraiser?

DIY fundraisers can take many forms – school projects, community events, donation drives, birthdays, or creative campaigns among friends and family. What they all share is a simple idea: one person choosing to make a difference.

If you have an idea for a fundraiser or would like to support J Bar J Youth Services in your own way, we would love to hear from you. We may also be able to talk with your group about any or all of the programs you want to support.

Together, our community continues to show that small acts of generosity can create lasting impact for youth and families.

Building Stability, One Step at a Time

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For young people experiencing homelessness, stability can feel out of reach. Finishing school, finding a job, or securing housing becomes far more complicated when basic needs like safety and shelter are uncertain.  Programs like CYFC’s Transitional Living exist to change that – offering stability, guidance, and the opportunity to build a different future.

Two young people who recently moved through the program show just how powerful that support can be.


Isabelle’s Path Forward

When Isabelle first arrived at The LOFT, she was looking for a safe place to land – and a chance to move forward.

After an early stay, she took a bold step by enrolling in the Oregon Youth Challenge Program, where she focused on completing her high school credits and building structure in her daily life.

When she returned, she carried that momentum with her. Isabelle earned her diploma, was accepted to Central Oregon Community College, and balanced two part-time jobs while continuing to meet regularly with her case manager.

Step by step, she built stability – saving money, meeting goals, and eventually transitioning into independent housing with another resident.
 
Isabelle routinely returns to The LOFT, not because she needs help, but because she wants to give it. Whether she’s joining community dinners or encouraging newer residents, her presence and story  show others that success is possible.


Alex’s Journey to Independence

Alex came to The LOFT seeking stability and a fresh start.

With support from staff, he completed his GED and secured steady employment through a local business partnership – gaining confidence along the way.

Over time, those efforts built to support Alex’s transition into his own apartment, reaching a level of independence that once felt out of reach.

His journey reflects the quiet but powerful growth that happens every day at The LOFT – young people building confidence, gaining skills, and beginning to imagine a future they can create for themselves.

Wrapped In Support

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When a young mother reached out to Kindred Connections, she was ready to focus on her recovery–and needed a safe, supportive place for her two-year-old daughter while she did.

Through Kindred Connections, a caring Host Family stepped in, welcoming this little girl into their home and surrounding her with stability, routine, and love. It gave her mom the space she needed to attend classes, focus on healing, and take meaningful steps forward.

At the same time, a Family Advocate walked alongside her, offering guidance, encouragement, and the kind of understanding that comes from both professional experience and genuine care. Week by week, trust grew–along with confidence and hope.

Together, these relationships created a circle of support – meeting practical needs while also reminding this mother that she wasn’t alone. Volunteers and staff came alongside the family in small but meaningful ways, helping ensure both mom and daughter had what they needed during a challenging season.

During this time, something powerful began to take shape: not just stability, but connection. A young mother rebuilding her life. A little girl surrounded by care. And a community showing up, quietly and consistently, to walk with them both.

A Strong Start For Two

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When this young mother arrived at Grandma’s House of Central Oregon, she had just welcomed her baby girl into the world days earlier. Like many young parents, she was navigating the overwhelming transition of caring for a newborn while also trying to plan for her future. She was on the cusp of graduating from high school and searching for a stable, supportive environment where she could focus on both her education and raising her daughter.

At Grandma’s House, she found exactly that. From the beginning, staff saw her determination. She was intelligent, motivated, and deeply committed to creating the best possible life for her baby. During the six months she spent in the program, she accomplished an extraordinary amount. She completed her high school requirements and proudly received her diploma. She enrolled at Central Oregon Community College and continued working full-time, balancing school, work, and the responsibilities of caring for a newborn.

Along the way, she focused on building strong parenting skills with support from community partners and Grandma’s House staff. Just as important were the friendships she formed with other young mothers in the program – relationships built on shared experiences, encouragement, and the understanding that they were navigating similar challenges together.

Over time, she gained confidence not only as a student and employee, but as a parent. Her time at Grandma’s House also gave her family something equally important: space to grow and reconnect. With stability and support in place, relationships began to heal. Eventually, she was able to reunite with her family and transition out of the program together. While reunification isn’t always the outcome, moments like these remind us of the power of time, support, and understanding.

Today, she continues building her future while raising her daughter – and occasionally returns to Grandma’s House to visit. Those visits are always special for staff. Watching her baby girl grow is a joyful reminder of how early support can shape not just one life, but two.

What’s Important About Individualized Care?

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When 16-year-old Sam* came to one of our shelters for youth after years of his family experiencing houselessness in Central Oregon, he brought with him a deep love for animals. Sadly, pets aren’t allowed in our shelters, so Sam’s beloved dog had to stay with his family. Knowing how much animals mean to him, Sam’s case manager found a creative way to nurture that bond.

Together, they began volunteering with animals. One week, they spent an afternoon at Brightside Animal Shelter, patiently trying to win the trust of a wary cat. Another week, Sam worked with a horse through the Healing Reins program, which partners with J Bar J Youth Services. These experiences have helped Sam find comfort and joy during a difficult time.

This holiday season, providing a supportive environment that meets basic needs while offering meaningful, healing experiences has never been more critical. Every young person deserves the chance to thrive.

*Name changed for privacy.

Lean more about our shelters and living options for unaccompanied youth
Learn more about Healing Reins

J Bar J Youth Build Tiny Homes for Veterans Village

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In spite of the exponential growth Bend has seen over the last few years, and the challenges of 2020, our community remains connected. We are strong as ever when a ‘barn raising’ such as a Vocational school for youth or housing for Veterans is needed, and you can count on Rotarians to be there to help!

The Bend Rotary Clubs supported J Bar J Youth Services construction of a Vocational Training School for the adjudicated youth in residence at the boy’s ranch. The J Bar J program is designed to help the boys understand and change the behavior that brought them here and help them achieve a GED and or a High School Diploma. In 2019 a Vocational training program was added to include training in the construction trades and Culinary Arts

The Bend Rotary Clubs understood the need for this training immediately and stepped up to help. Mt Bachelor Rotary donated funds from the St. Patrick Day Run and Greater Bend committed $75,000, naming this their 3 year Signature Project.

The boys are now receiving instruction in the classroom and on line and are getting hands on experience building the tiny homes through a mentorship with Hayden Homes Project Manager, James Limerick. The boys will build the first three homes for The Bend Heroes Foundation’s, Veterans Village, at J Bar J and be transported to the permanent site on Poe Sholes Road where the village is under development. 

Deschutes County has leased the land to The Bend Heroes Foundation for the Veterans Village and the City of Bend is forgoing development fees and has awarded $200,000 to the project. Many community businesses, local and state foundations and citizens have donated to this project for homeless Veterans. It’s been said many times but nothing describes this project better than the phrase “It takes a village.” That village often starts with or includes the community servants of Rotary. Thank you!

Best in Show: Our Community!

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When faced with cancelling the Oregon High Desert Classics this year, J Bar J Youth Services Event Coordinator Jenni Garner leapt at the chance to create a virtual horse show. The reaction from the equine community was terrific. Trainers and barns from Washington to Northern California and Idaho jumped in, several creating mini-horse shows with their own riders. They set up courses and filmed rounds, posting them on social media. Judges from the real shows participated, watching all of the rounds and leaving comments and scores. While it couldn’t replace the excitement and camaraderie of the Oregon High Desert Classics, this year’s No-Show Horse Show did bring the equine community together and provided a fun event for participants.

The No-Show Horse Show culminated with the Sheri Allis Memorial Virtual Grand Prix live-streamed on Facebook. The event featured interviews with the grand prix riders, a video of clips from other participants, and pre-recorded grand prix rounds from riders Lindsey Paton Garner, Rachel Long, and Kyle King. The winner was the highest fundraiser, with each rider getting their friends and clients to donate. It came down to an exciting jump-off with Lindsey and Rachel, each taking and losing the lead over the last few minutes. In the end, Lindsey came out ahead and won a stay for four at the luxurious Bay House Vacation Rental in Lincoln City!

The Oregon High Desert Classics is our largest fundraiser of the year, and its loss creates a large gap in our revenue. The No-Show Horse Show helped to offset that setback with donations and several OHDC sponsors who agreed to stay with us for the virtual event. Thank you to our sponsors for continuing your support! The WHH Foundation/ Les Schwab/Morgan Stanley- Schroeder Fain Group/Regence Blue Shield Blue Cross/ Bigfoot Beverages/ Meridian Peaks/Fratzke Commercial/ Jerry Jackson Insurance/ JTS Animal Bedding/ Pahlish Homes/ Eberhards Dairy/ Hamby House/ Coyote Rock Ranch/ Crystal Image Farms