BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR YOUTH
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness as a child or youth is a major risk factor for homelessness as an adult.
November 2025
Unsheltered youth risk victimization and face huge obstacles to education and employment.
Help Youth Now. Change Their Trajectory for a Lifetime. Donate Today. cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org | grandmashouseofco.org | jbarj.org
Holistic Continuum of Care on
Help “SHINE A LIGHT”
experiences of youth who have
run awayand
24 Hour Hotline Emergency & Non-emergency Access to All Services 1-800-660-0934
experienced homelessness.
Learn, donate, and join us as we spread awareness of the risks these young people in our community face, and to educate the public about solutions and the role they can play in reducing runaway incidents, preventing youth homelessness, and supporting youth experiencing crisis. Cascade Youth & Family Center and Grandma’s House provide services and shelter to youth experiencing homelessness, including those who have run away, and to those who are at risk of running away. We offer compassionate
Helping youth out of homelessness greatly crisis intervention services, including family mediation, reduces the risk of them experiencing to build understanding and homelessness as adults. healing within families.
Crisis Services:
Intervention Family Mediation Emergency Shelter
Street Outreach:
Supplies - Camping, Clothing, Hygiene Help with Personal Documents
Connection to Other Services:
If we don’t provide it, we can refer you to those who do.
Transitional Living:
Safe, Stable Housing Attend School, Work, Create a Plan
Grandma’s House:
Maternity Home Emergency Shelter Transitional Living
Host Homes:
Short or Long Term Private Home Setting Attend School / Work
Housing
Supported Housing Help finding Housing Coordinated Entry Access
After Care
Continued Support Into Self - Sufficiency
A Foundation for Independence One young woman shared how close she came to giving up before she found help. “When I was considering suicide for the third time, it was because I got physically abused by my stepdad,” she said. After several hospitalizations, the state determined it wasn’t safe for her to return home. She moved in with a friend’s family, but their household was also unstable. “Her dad suffered really bad with bipolar disorder,” she recalled. “He would blow up at me and my friend over the simplest things.” The stress left her constantly on edge. One day, after he threatened to kick her out, she had a panic attack. “The thoughts of suicide were so strong that I almost acted on them.” In that moment, she reached out to a crisis line. They connected her to Canal House, J Bar J Youth Services’ transitional living program in Redmond. “I am very thankful to have found Canal House. It’s a safe place with no judgment, better access to my mental health needs, and a good place to get into a better mindset.” Canal House is a part of J Bar J’s Cascade Youth & Family Center (CYFC) program, and like its sister program the LOFT in Bend, provides safe housing for young people who are experiencing homelessness or unsafe living conditions. With the support of caring staff, youth learn essential life skills, continue their education, find employment, and work toward long-term stability. Transitional living is more than just a roof over their heads - it’s a foundation for independence. Canal House is part of J Bar J’s continuum of care, supporting youth in crisis across Central Oregon. Cascade Youth & Family Center provides shelter, street outreach, and crisis intervention. CYFS’s transitional living and assisted housing programs guide young adults toward independence. Grandma’s House offers safe housing for young parents and their babies. Kindred Connections connects families with host families and community resources. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon matches youth with mentors. The Boys Ranch/ J5 provides treatment for youth referred through the justice system, while the at: project responds to human trafficking and assists survivors. Together, these programs serve more than 1,000 young people each year - helping them discover their strengths, find stability, and create brighter futures.
We offer compassionate crisis intervention services, including family mediation, to build understanding and healing within families.
We Are
J Bar J Youth Services
As Central Oregon’s largest 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.
2019
at: project
Supporting survivors of sex and labor trafficking with crisis intervention and long term case management to promote healing and empowerment.
The program also coordinates the Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon (ATACO), strengthening community response and resources to help victims reclaim safety and independence.
2015 Kindred Connections
Kindred Connections links trained volunteers and host families with parents in crisis - whether due to illness, homelessness, or other challenges. By providing temporary housing for children and support for parents, we help families stay together and regain stability during difficult times.
Cascade Youth & Family Center
A holistic continuum of care to end youth homelessness: crisis services like family mediation and emergency shelter, street outreach, longer term transitional living at the LOFT and Canal House, supportive housing, and help finding housing. Our wraparound case management, life-skills coaching, and strong community connections help young people build stability, independence, and long-term self-sufficiency.
1989
J Bar J Boys Ranch & J5
Adjudicated youth learn responsibility, academics, and life skills to return as productive community members. J5 offers short-term stabilization, focusing on intervention and de-escalation skills, helping boys restructure their thinking and develop healthier patterns for success.
Grandma’s House
2017
Offers emergency and transitional shelter for pregnant and parenting youth - the only such program east of the Cascades in Oregon. Young parents receive safety & health education, parenting skills, and life skills training to foster stability and a brighter future together.
After 25 years operating independently, Grandma’s House joined J Bar J Youth Services in 2017
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Igniting potential by matching caring adult mentors with children. Through consistent, positive relationships, youth improve grades, build confidence, and envision brighter futures. Mentorship provides opportunities that lead to stronger academic, social, and economic outcomes for kids in our region.
The Learning Center
1994
Serving students at the Boys Ranch and J5, the Learning Center is registered as an alternative program with the Oregon Dept. of Education and accredited by Cognia. We work to increase grade level skills and re-engage students in the learning process. On the Boys Ranch campus, our vocational training program increases opportunities for gainful employment.
We Are
1968
Help Youth Now. Change Their Trajectory for a Lifetime. Donate Today. Send your support to any of our programs through jbarj.org/donate All donations designated for specific programs go to support that program. Donations to J Bar J Youth Services support all programs.
1994