This page is more people related than pet related, as I love both species. Pets are healthier & happier when their pet parents are healthier & happier. Each directly affects the other, which is why I find it pertinent enough to share on an animal related site. I will discuss access to resources available within Central Oregon and the USA. Some resources do pertain to pets, but the majority do not. ***** These resources were available the last time I researched them. Please contact the specific organization for verification of which services they provide, and to request details on program qualifications. I have not personally worked with every organization here, so I'm unable to offer recommendations. I'm merely listing possible avenues of assistance. Resources are not listed in any particular order. I am not guaranteeing that they are still available as things may change without notice. I also don't guarantee that the organizations are able to assist everyone, as they depend on access to funding. The supply versus demand factor fluctuates on a continual basis. Much of the wording I use here comes directly from each organization's website. I receive no recognition or benefit; monetarily or otherwise; for sharing this information. My sole motivation is to inform others in the hopes of assisting them. You are always welcome to email me with further resources so that I may update this post. 541-4CANINE or 4wigglyk9@gmail.com. *****

 

(I'm not specifying which are local versus national. My reasoning is that even if the resource isn't near you, it may provide you an idea of the resources that exist, so that you may discover a comparable service in your area.) If you live in another region, you may have access to similar resources. There are usually community centers of some sort that offer listings of available resources. These lists are in no way comprehensive. I welcome any additional information to be sent to me at 4wigglyk9@gmail.com

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So many souls are helpers, wanting to help you find what you need to succeed, feel better, struggle less. No, they won't do the actual work for you. You still have to do this. However, they are more than happy to guide you in a forward direction. Notice that I didn't use the phrase "right direction", as that's for you to decipher. Nor did I say "the" forward direction, as there are many paths toward forward growth. Years ago, I created the Facebook group Central Oregon Resources. Although I haven't added resources recently, most of the information found within the files is still pertinent. I will share some of these resources here. Please note that some of them overlap as they fit into a couple different categories.

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AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:

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You may not think that you have any need for access to resources. However, there are services out there that we may not be aware of, that help the general public. Yes, many are aimed to assist certain groups such as low income, etc. Yet, there are infinite other resources that are offered to the public without restriction.

- For instance, during the start of the pandemic, many online educational avenues opened up for free. You can benefit from taking a Harvard course, without changing out of your pajamas or reaching for your debit card. The same can be said of access to museums, etc.

- Credit reports are free annually, from each bureau. They were available for free weekly until 2022 ended.

- Several organizations are willing & able to provide small business mentoring, without cost to the consumer.

- Phagans' Beauty College offers discounted hair, nail & other services. Veterans and active duty military members can enjoy a $1 haircut.

- Central Oregon Community College provides discounted massages to the public. They may still offer free pregnancy massage.

- Our public library offers free online courses that include sign language, nonprofit grant writing, publishing your own book, & more. The library also provides access to free legal advice, free children's and adult activities, free access to online music & audio books, & a meeting space that you can reserve for your use.

- Bend La Pine School District provides free summer lunches for children of all income levels.

- Many banks & credit unions offer notary services free of charge to their customers / members

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INCOME or OTHER REQUIREMENT SPECIFIC BENEFITS:

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- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an organization I volunteered with while I was an accounting student as California State University, Northridge. VITA offers tax filing assistance for people who are disabled, senior, limited English speaking, or income limited. With VITA, you have a tax knowledgeable person (accountant or IRS agent) present to answer your queries.

- The Affordable Connectivity program connects low income people to reduced cost internet & free phones.

- Housing Works provides HUD vouchers and homeownership coaching.

- Neighbor Impact Head Start offers free preschool services to low income families. Neighbor Impact offers energy assistance, mortgage & rental assistance & more.

- Habitat for Humanity assists low income wage earners in obtaining the dream of homeownership. They also have a Restore which sells used but still useable home furnishings, appliances and more.

- Every Kid Sports offers grants for activities which encourage children to move their bodies (rock climbing, gymnastics, karate, etc.)

- Bend Park & Rec provides scholarships for use of their facilities / enrollment in classes or programs.

- Bend LaPine School District provides free & reduced meals.

- Family Access Network works with our local churches to assist with school children's clothing, utility assistance & more.

- WIC (Women, Infants & Children) offers food & formula vouchers, breastfeeding classes & breast pumps

- The High Desert Museum, Oregon Zoo, OMSI and other facilities offer low income discounted admission.

- The Assistance League provides new clothing for school children, among other services.

 

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:

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- Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Call 988. This number works within the US.

- Deschutes County has a Stabilization Center, open 24/7 in person or via phone. 63311 NE Jamison St in Bend. To access the crisis line call 541-322-7500 ext. 9

- National Association on Mental illness (NAMI) Phone: 800-950-NAMI / 800-950-6264 / Text "helpline" to 62640 / Email helpline@nami.org

- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

- Youth Helpline, Your Life Your Voice: 1-800-448-3000

- The Trevor Project offers LGBTQ youth text chat from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Fridays only. Text "Trevor" to 1-202-304-1200 to start.

- Suicide Text Line: Text "home" to 741-741. Crisis Text Line is a 24-hour, 7 day a week service where teenagers can text with a licensed counselor. When a teenager wants help or feels helpless, they can text “home” to 741-741 and a trained counselor will text back, within minutes.

- Teen to Teen

- Oregon State University offers mental health counseling

- Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide

- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers Lifeline Crisis Chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

- The Youth Hotline, Your Life, Your Voice offers teen suicide chat from Monday-Friday, 6:00 p.m.-midnight (CST).

- The Trevor Project offers TrevorChat, a teenage suicide chat for LGBTQ youth, seven days a week from 3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (EST).

- Deschutes County offers sliding scale mental health therapy.

 

VETERAN RESOURCES:

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- Central Oregon Veteran's Outreach

- Central Oregon Veteran's Ranch

- Veteran's Administration

- Veterans may qualify for tuition assistance, funeral honors, & other benefits.

- Various discounts on services & products depending upon the retailer.

- Haircuts at Phagans for $1.

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SENIOR & DISABLED RESOURCES:

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- Silver Sneakers provides online & in person gym access to seniors.

- The High Desert Museum offers the Museum & Me program, where the museum is open to disabled individuals & their families after closing to the public, to allow for a quieter, less crowded experience.

- Meals on Wheels delivers meals for seniors who are homebound or have difficulty shopping / cooking.

- Pet Pals program delivers pet food & supplies, as well as financial assistance for veterinary care for Meals on Wheels participants.

- Aging & People with Disabilities assists with long term care access, employment programs, independent living options & more.

- Social Security Admin offers retirement & disability benefits.

- The Council on Aging

- Bend Senior Center offers social activities, exercise & educational courses & more

- Seniors may receive free home repairs & vaccines.

- Disability specific groups may be available for support, social activities & more. Ex: Central Oregon Autism Movement

- Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services provides offers support & services.

- Abilitree

- Central Oregon Disability Support Network

- Every Kid Sports

 

LGBTQ+ RESOURCES:

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- Some businesses designate that they're LGBTQ+ friendly, in order to show that they are safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. There are some google searches for this.

- There are searches for LGBTQ+ friendly mental health service providers.

- OUT Central Oregon offers events that promote equality, inclusivity & more.

- Central Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity & inclusivity with fun & informative events.

- PFLAG Central Oregon unites family, friends & allies with the LGBTQ+ community.

- Oregon LGBTQ+ Youth & Family Services

- The Trevor Project offers LGBTQ youth text chat from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Fridays only. Text "Trevor" to 1-202-304-1200 to start.

- The Trevor Project offers TrevorChat, a teenage suicide chat for LGBTQ youth, seven days a week from 3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (EST).

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CHILDREN / YOUTH RELATED RESOURCES:

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- Family Access Network (FAN)

- Neighbor Impact Head Start

- Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

- Big Brothers Big Sisters

- Healthy Beginnings

- Together For Children

- Ronald McDonald House Charities

- Deschutes Children's Foundation

- Grandma's House

- Every Kid Sports

- Assistance League of Bend

- BEAT (Bend Experimental Art Theatre)

- Becca's Closet

- Boys & Girls Clubs

- Campfire Central Oregon

- Girl / Boy Scouts

- Cascade Youth & Family Center

- COPY (Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth)

- KIDS Center

- Mountainstar Family Relief Nursery

 

 

ANIMAL RELATED RESOURCES:

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- Furry Freight Shelter Transport

- Healing Reigns Therapuetic Riding Center

- Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch

- Cascade Canine Rescue East & West

- FIX Bend

- Think Wild

- Fences For Fido

- Street Dog Hero

- Herd You Needed a Home

- The Rawley Project

- Pet Pals Program

- Equine Outreach

 

 

If you need assistance, please reach out to one of the above resources. This list will remain incomplete, as there are resources that we're not all aware of. I will add resources for pregnancy & new parents, BIPOC, legal and more.

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Sending hugs, hope & information to all who are in need.

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Nalina Matthews

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