Bend‑La Pine Schools and a coalition of local agencies are opening a Resilience × Resource Hub at the Larkspur Community Center to support families and community members still coping with the Silver Rail Elementary tragedy. The hub will operate on Friday, Nov. 13, and again on Friday, Nov. 20, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each evening.
Comprehensive assistance under one roof
Attendees will find a range of services designed to address both emotional and practical needs. Licensed mental‑health professionals will be available for drop‑in counseling, offering a safe space for victims, relatives and neighbors to process grief and trauma. In addition, staff from the Deschutes County Victims Assistance Program will help participants complete applications for state compensation, ensuring families receive the financial support they are entitled to.
Recognizing that basic‑needs insecurity can exacerbate emotional distress, the hub will also provide assistance with food, gasoline, transit passes, utility bills and rent. Local nonprofits and charitable organizations will staff tables to connect visitors with resources such as food pantries, emergency rental assistance funds and transportation vouchers.
Partner organizations and logistics
The effort is a joint venture between Bend‑La Pine Schools, the City of Bend, Deschutes County and the Bend Police Department. Volunteers from each partner will guide visitors through the center, answer questions and help coordinate follow‑up services. Participants are asked to enter through the Senior Center entrance of the Larkspur Community Center to streamline flow and maintain a calm environment.Community leaders emphasize that the hub is open to anyone in the area who has been affected by the Silver Rail incident, whether directly or indirectly. “Our goal is to bring together the best of our local agencies so families don’t have to navigate a maze of separate offices,” said a spokesperson for Bend‑La Pine Schools. “By offering mental‑health counseling, compensation assistance and basic‑needs support in one place, we hope to ease the burden on our community during this difficult time.”
How to access the hub
Those seeking help should arrive during the designated hours and be prepared to present identification for any compensation applications. No appointment is required; services are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis. For families unable to travel to the center, the City of Bend has arranged a limited number of transportation vouchers, which can be obtained at the hub’s information desk.
The Resilience × Resource Hub reflects a broader commitment by Central Oregon leaders to prioritize mental‑health care and community resilience after traumatic events. By mobilizing local resources quickly and efficiently, the partnership aims to set a model for how neighborhoods can respond compassionately and effectively when tragedy strikes.
For more information, residents can contact the Larkspur Community Center at (541) 555‑0123 or visit the Bend‑La Pine Schools website.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
