After 25 years of operating from borrowed and rented spaces, Heart of Oregon Corps is finally building a home of its own. It will break ground Sept. 10 on what will become Central Oregon’s first dedicated youth workforce development campus, says a recent press release. This will mark a major milestone for the organization’s 25-year mission to help young people build careers and strengthen communities.
The $7.3 million project in Redmond represents more than just new buildings — it addresses a critical gap in preparing Central Oregon’s youth for the workforce at a time when employers struggle to find skilled workers.
“This campus will be a game-changer for young people across our region,” said Laura Handy, executive director of Heart of Oregon Corps. “For 25 years, we’ve been making do with borrowed and aging facilities. Now we can finally provide the space these young people deserve.”
Growing demand
Heart of Oregon Corps reports that since 2000 it has served more than 5,000 young people through its programs, helping many find employment or pursue additional education opportunities. The organization serves youth from Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson and northern Klamath counties, including members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Heart of Oregon Corps focuses on practical skills training in fields like construction, conservation and child care. Participants also work on community projects such as affordable housing construction, wildfire prevention and public lands conservation while earning wages and developing job skills.
The 3.4-acre campus comes as Heart of Oregon Corps faces growing demand for its services. The organization provides mentorship and education to over 200 teenagers and young adults per year, and the number is growing. The new campus will provide much-needed space for the expanding Heart of Oregon Corps training and education programs.
A recent press release shared that a $100,000 gift from The Tykeson Family Foundation has brought this new campus closer to completion.
“Education takes many forms, and youth on the workforce track will flourish with a place to learn, grow and belong,” said Amy Tykeson, managing trustee of the foundation. Some $2.1 million remains to be raised for the Legacy 25 campaign. The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund will match donations up to $100,000, effectively doubling these contributions with their $500,000 matching fund.
Campus offerings
The campus is expected to open in fall 2026. It will allow the organization to offer more trainings, certifications and youth-support services. The design includes youth-centered cultural elements and trauma-informed features to create belonging, camaraderie and an inspiring place to learn.
The new facility includes a 6,600-square-foot Campus Center with classrooms, offices, private spaces and laundry and shower facilities, showing youth that they deserve a space of their own. The organization is turning an existing 14,000-square-foot warehouse into a hands-on workshop and training space, while enclosing six equipment bays across 10,000 square feet for special projects and storing HOC’s large equipment, like woodchippers and trailers. A courtyard with amenities will give youth places to gather for events, play basketball or find quiet moments for reflection and study.
For Handy and her team, the new facility represents the culmination of decades of work supporting young people who often face significant barriers to employment.
“These young people have incredible potential,” Handy said. “All they need is the right support and opportunities to succeed. This campus will help us provide both.”
This article appears in the Source August 21, 2025.
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