Heart of Oregon Corps will break ground on its new $7.3 million, 3.4-acre centralized youth workforce development campus in Redmond alongside more than 200 regional and state leaders, community members, staff and youth served by the organization’s job training programs in construction, childcare, conservation and wildfire risk reduction. The groundbreaking is from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Sept. 10, 2025.
At the groundbreaking, Heart of Oregon will celebrate its 25th anniversary as well as major contributions to its Legacy 25 campus capital campaign, including recent gifts of $100,000 from the Oregon Community Foundation, $100,000 from the Tykeson Family Foundation, additional gifts of $30,000 from The Bend Foundation and $10,000 from the Crevier Family Foundation, and many other generous donations from foundations, Oregon businesses and visionary individuals.
$5.394 million has been raised to date with $1.906 million left to secure before the campus grand opening in fall 2026. About $188,000 in matching funds remain from a generous challenge grant from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, which doubles gifts of $100,000 or less.
“The need for workforce development in Central Oregon has never been greater, and our current network of borrowed and aging facilities are not able to keep up with the demand for our programs,” said Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon. “We are so grateful to come together to celebrate the groundbreaking of this campus and the historic moment it represents for Central Oregon. Thanks to generous funders like the Oregon Community Foundation, our region will have a centralized place to provide hands-on workforce training for decades into the future.”
The groundbreaking will be held at the new campus site, located at 835 OR-126 Redmond, Ore. 97756. The event will feature remarks from regional leaders, tours of the site and a chance to learn about the region-wide impact of Heart of Oregon Corps workforce development programs for youth ages 16-14.
Speakers will include:
- Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon Corps
- Jasmine McCool, Heart of Oregon Corps alum and board member
- Senator Anthony Broadman, co-chair of Central Oregon’s legislative caucus
- Heather Ficht, executive director of East Cascade Works
Campus construction contractor R&H Construction will also serve a grilled lunch to all attendees. Click here to RSVP for the event.
“Youth building skills through workforce development need and deserve a place to learn, grow and thrive in a community setting,” said Rachel Alm, Program Officer for Central and Eastern Oregon at Oregon Community Foundation. “We are thrilled to support a campus that is investing in young adults in Central Oregon and providing a stronger, brighter future for generations to come.”
The Sept. 10 groundbreaking will kickstart a busy year of construction. The Redmond site will become the central hub of Heart of Oregon’s programs, while the organization also retains satellite sites in Madras and Prineville. This network of sites will enable rural youth to continue working in their home communities but also connect with peers from across the region for in-depth training at the new campus.
Over the past 25 years, Heart of Oregon has graduated more than 5,000 workforce-ready youth in Central Oregon with a focus on construction, conservation and childcare. Since 2000, Heart of Oregon has partnered to borrow facilities that have been stretched to their limits. The campus will support existing programs and give Heart of Oregon room to address the increasing need for youth workforce development programs in the region.
The campus also features youth-centered cultural elements and trauma-informed design that create a sense of belonging, camaraderie and an inspiring place for Central Oregon’s youth and young adults to learn. A new 6,600 square foot Campus Center building will create classrooms, office spaces, and meeting rooms.
Major funders of the project include Clark Family Foundation, Collins Foundation, Crevier Family Foundation, Deschutes County, First Interstate Bank Foundation, Hayden Homes, Healy Foundation, the Joseph & Elizabeth Hoffart Charitable Foundation, Marie Lamfrom Foundation, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, PGE Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation, State of Oregon, the Tykeson Family Foundation and The Bend Foundation.
The Legacy 25 campaign, which launched this year to raise $2.5 million in Heart of Oregon’s 25th anniversary year, is closing the gap to bring this campus to life. Learn more and make a donation to the campaign on the Legacy 25 website.
Click here to RSVP for the groundbreaking.