PacificSource Community Solutions has pledged $50,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon to broaden youth and family services at the newly opened La Pine Clubhouse in South Deschutes County.
The La Pine Club, located inside the La Pine Community Center, began operations this fall to deliver consistent out‑of‑school programming for elementary‑aged children from La Pine Elementary School and Rosland Elementary School. The grant will fund additional program staff, scholarships, nutritious meals and snacks, transportation, and family‑assistance services.
Removing barriers for local families
Michael Baker, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon, said the investment helps eliminate financial and logistical obstacles that keep families from accessing after‑school opportunities.
“It is always exciting to open a new club location,” Baker said. “PacificSource’s investment is about so much more than just helping us open the doors in La Pine. Their support helps make sure any school‑age child in La Pine can actually get through those doors and have the support they need once they’re here.”
He added that many families face challenges such as cost, transportation, food insecurity, and difficulty connecting with community resources. “This partnership with PacificSource helps us address those barriers alongside them,” Baker noted.
Transportation and enrichment services
Transportation is a key component of the Club’s plan. Staff members walk students from La Pine Elementary to the clubhouse, while a dedicated van shuttles students from Rosland Elementary. The same van also carries youth on field trips, career‑exploration outings, and health‑and‑wellness programs throughout Central Oregon.
Family Plus programming
The grant also supports the Club’s Family Plus initiative, which provides social‑emotional and behavioral support for youth. Services include mentoring, small‑group sessions, trauma‑informed care, and wrap‑around assistance that links families to resources for food security, housing, transportation and behavioral health.
Lindsay Atagi, director of the Central Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, a division of PacificSource, emphasized the broader health impact of a stable community environment.
“We know health is shaped by much more than what happens in a doctor’s office,” Atagi said. “It also depends on access to nutritious food, stable housing, supportive resources and safe places where children can learn and grow. We’re proud to support the La Pine Boys & Girls Club and help expand these opportunities for families across South Deschutes County.”
The La Pine Club’s core programming focuses on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development, aligning with PacificSource’s mission to improve community health through social investment.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
