Friends of the Children Opening an Eastern Oregon Location, Hires Executive Director

(LA GRANDE, OR) – Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that pairs children who face multiple systemic obstacles with a paid, professional mentor (called a Friend), announced today that they have launched the eighth Friends of the Children location in Oregon, in La Grande. Friends of the Children–Eastern Oregon tapped Northeastern Oregon community leader Neesha Grant Turner to serve as the chapter’s executive director. Turner is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and a descendant of the Umpqua and Rogue River bands of people.

“I am thrilled to support the launch of the Eastern Oregon chapter of Friends of the Children, said Grant Turner for the announcement. “The organization will fill a large gap in the services and programs available to youth facing obstacles in our community. My late mother, Jackie Leno Grant, instilled in me the power of mentorship at a young age. I feel grateful to honor her legacy in bringing forth positive change and making a lasting impact in the lives of children and families across Eastern Oregon.”

Each child selected will be paired with a Friend whose full-time job is to spend four hours a week one-on-one with youth at school, at home, and in the community. These paid, professional mentors will support youth for 12+ years, building trusting relationships through a trauma-informed lens that provides critical social, emotional, and academic support.

“Expanding to Eastern Oregon is a positive step forward in our national commitment to reaching children and families in rural communities," said Angela Groves, chief officer of development and sustainability at Friends of the Children, who led the expansion effort to Eastern Oregon. "Our roots in rural Oregon run deep—one of our very first chapters launched 25 years ago in Klamath Falls. Rural communities too often go without the long-term support and resources they deserve."

Eastern Oregon has emerged as a natural focal point for Friends of the Children’s efforts. Data highlights the urgency: according to the Ford Family Foundation, in Umatilla and Union counties, almost half of families (44% and 43% respectively) face financial hardship, about one in five children (13.7% and 16.6%) live in poverty, and approximately one in 10 families (10% and 11%) are facing food insecurity. The number of third graders who meet or exceed required reading scores on state standardized tests is lower in Umatilla (30%) and Union (38.6%) counties compared to the statewide average. And last, a study by MENTOR showed that 70% of low-income rural youth report unmet mentoring needs, underscoring a significant gap in support.

“I’m honored to support Friends of the Children as it opens the much-anticipated Eastern Oregon chapter,” said Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen, who is a board member of the new chapter. “Friends has positively impacted outcomes for children and their parents in locations across the country, including in rural communities and regions that share similar dynamics as ours. We are excited to have this successful organization join the important work in our region to support children facing the greatest obstacles."

To address these challenges, the enrollment strategy prioritizes children impacted by foster care and multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This effort is strongly supported through referral partnerships with the La Grande School District, with an initial focus on Greenwood Elementary School, and Eastern Oregon University Head Start.

Numerous community leaders have been eager to collaborate and help the organization build meaningful local partnerships. Key supporters of the launch include Gary and Christine Rood, Echo Fund, Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, Silver Family Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub and nearly 20 additional local individuals and businesses.

Research shows that a consistent, supportive relationship with a caring adult is the single-most important factor in shaping a child’s future—and can mitigate childhood adversity and trauma. A third-party evaluation of Friends of the Children program graduates showed that:

● 92% of graduates go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce

● 83% of youth obtain a high school diploma or GED

● 93% remain free from juvenile justice system involvement

● 98% wait to parent until after their teen years

Over the last 10 years, Friends of the Children has grown from five to 46 locations across the United States. Friends of the Children was founded in Oregon by entrepreneur Duncan Campbell over 30 years ago. Friends – Eastern Oregon is currently hiring two full-time paid, professional mentors for youth as well as building the organization’s board of directors.

Grant Turner and her family have a long history of supporting the Eastern Oregon community. Her late mother, Jackie Leno Grant, was the director of the Rural and Native American Program at Eastern Oregon University for many years. She also served as the Education Manager for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, of which she was an enrolled member. In addition to Grant’s long and dedicated career at Eastern Oregon University, she also led programs for the Oregon Indian Education Association and Oregon Indian Coalition on Post-Secondary Education.

Grant Turner holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences and a M.S in School Counseling from Oregon State University. She is a licensed school counselor with over 20 years of experience across diverse settings working with children, families, and communities. Grant Turner and the chapter staff are working to expand partnerships in the community and actively looking for a physical location for their clubhouse to serve youth. To learn more, email Friends of the Children Chief Officer of Development and Sustainability Angela Groves. Photos and video are available here for reporting purposes only.

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About Friends of the Children

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by empowering youth who face the greatest obstacles. Through long-term, salaried, professional mentoring—12+ years, no matter what—we create lasting impact for children and families. Operating in 46 locations across the country, our innovative model has earned national recognition and been featured in The New York Times, Associated Press, People.com, CNN, USA Today and The L.A. Times. Visit friendsofthechildren.org to learn more, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

CONTACT:

Ariane Le Chevallier