When a young mother in Central Oregon found herself living in a motorhome without running water or electricity, she wasn’t sure where to turn. What changed her story was a connection between programs within J Bar J Youth Services’ continuum of care.
She was first referred by our Independent Living Program, which supports youth transitioning out of foster care. Case managers connected her with our Street Outreach Program, where staff walked her through the community’s coordinated entry system for housing. Street Outreach also provided immediate support — help with food boxes, warm supplies for cold nights and rides to her baby’s medical appointments.
As trust grew, she shared that she had been a victim of human trafficking. Street Outreach quickly referred her to the at:project, J Bar J’s program that provides specialized support for survivors. At the same time, Street Outreach made sure she had options, referring her to Grandma’s House, the LOFT and even a family shelter when housing instability loomed.
Ultimately, with the collaboration of Street Outreach and Cascade Youth & Family Center’s Housing Program, she was approved for her own apartment before the holidays. For the first time, she and her little family had a safe, stable home — and even the chance to bring their beloved cat back to join them.
Her journey wasn’t just about finding housing. It was about the power of connection — how one referral led to another, and how, together, J Bar J’s programs helped her move from crisis toward stability, hope and the future she wanted to create for her family.
Her story is just one of more than a thousand each year. Every day, J Bar J Youth Services helps young people across Central Oregon find safety, support and the tools to build the future they want.
J Bar J Youth Services: Empowering Youth, Strengthening Futures
For more than 55 years, J Bar J Youth Services has helped young people in Central Oregon build the skills and confidence to create the future they want. Whether facing homelessness, human trafficking, simply needing a caring mentor, family conflict needing mediation and support, or treatment services we provide the guidance and resources to help youth navigate life’s challenges.
At the heart of our work is the belief that thoughts shape choices, and choices shape futures. Through mentorship, education, shelter and crisis support, we help youth recognize their strengths, overcome barriers and take meaningful steps toward independence.
As Central Oregon’s largest youth serving human services nonprofit, we don’t just operate programs — we create pathways to opportunity, stability and growth. By centralizing essential services like accounting, HR and development, we streamline operations and allow our programs to focus on what matters most: supporting youth and families in our community.
Programs that Make a Difference
Our continuum of care includes a wide range of programs designed to meet youth where they are. Cascade Youth & Family Center provides shelter, street outreach and crisis intervention. Grandma’s House offers safe housing and support for young parents and their babies. Kindred Connections connects families in crisis with volunteer host families and community resources. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon matches youth with caring mentors. For young people moving toward independence, our Transitional Living and new Assisted Housing programs provide stability and guidance. We also operate the Boys Ranch/J5 for treatment for youth referred through the justice system and the at:project, which responds to human trafficking cases and supports survivors.
Together, these programs serve more than 1,000 young people each year — helping them discover their strengths, find stability and create brighter futures.
