United Way of Central Oregon

08/27/2026

What a conference. 🙌

On behalf of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and United Way of Central Oregon, thank you to the organizers of this year's Western Regional Conference - and to the wide array of United Ways from across the region who came together to share stories, strategy, and lessons from their communities.

Conversations like these remind us why this network matters: when we show up as trusted partners to nonprofits, businesses, and donors alike, we can tackle the toughest challenges facing our communities - united. From housing stability to early learning to disaster resilience, the work ahead is big, but so is this network. As our own President & CEO Kelly O'Lague said on stage this week: "We are needed more than ever." Let's keep pushing forward, keep raising friends into committed partners, and keep claiming our relevance by leading with impact.

Thank you to everyone who made this conference possible. 💙

06/22/2026

During our recent trip to Washington, DC, we connected with Senator Merkley’s team to share a critical reality: the way we define poverty no longer reflects what it actually takes to get by.
Too often, family homelessness—especially in rural communities—goes unseen. That’s where ALICE data helps tell the fuller story, highlighting the gap between who qualifies for help and who truly needs it.
Today’s Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is based on a 1960s formula tied to food costs—not modern expenses like housing, childcare, and transportation. Yet it still determines eligibility for most safety-net programs. The result? Many hardworking families are left without support, even when they’re struggling to make ends meet.
In fact, there’s no ZIP code in the U.S. where the FPL reflects a survivable budget.
There’s a clear path forward. By aligning federal policy with real cost-of-living data—like ALICE thresholds—we can ensure more families get the support they need.
We’re grateful to be part of these conversations and to advocate for solutions that reflect real life for families across Central Oregon.

Learn more about ALICE:
https://unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE-mobile/Oregon

06/17/2026

Last month in Washington, DC, we met with Representative Janelle Bynum to share an important reality: in rural communities, homelessness often goes unseen.
In Central Oregon, families are usually noticed only when they reach a crisis point—but the instability that comes first is easy to miss. And when it’s invisible, families fall through the cracks.
At United Way of Central Oregon, we’re working to change that by supporting housing stability, transportation access, and Emergency Food & Shelter—while connecting families to coordinated, wraparound services.
We’re grateful for Representative Bynum’s leadership on the K-30 framework, helping bridge the gap between how homelessness is defined and what schools see every day. When definitions reflect real life, more families can get the support they need—earlier.
When we listen to communities, we can build solutions that work. Proud to bring Central Oregon’s voice to the table.

Learn more about ALICE:
https://unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE-mobile/Oregon

06/10/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴.📊

Daily financial struggles that working families face—realities that traditional poverty metrics completely overlook.

🔗👇 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗼 to read the new ALICE report, see the breakdown, and learn how we can work together to build a more supportive community.

06/05/2026

We’re hiring at UWCO! 🏡
Looking for a HRSN Housing Stability Coordinator in Central Oregon to help coordinate rent + utility assistance and support housing stability for Medicaid members.
Work alongside a dedicated team making a real difference in our community 💙

Learn more:
https://www.unitedwaycentraloregon.org/about/team-board/jobs/

Apply here:
https://unitedwayofthecolumbiawillamette.applytojob.com/apply/ybnCK6gaF9/HRSN-Housing-Stability-Coordinator

05/15/2026

We are excited to announce, we are now accepting applications for $50,000 in Emergency Food & Shelter Grants available to nonprofits serving families and individuals in Deschutes County!

A volunteer Emergency Food & Shelter (EFS) Board—made up of local experts, community stakeholders, and industry representatives—determines funding priorities and awards. Grants will provide gift cards or vouchers for essential needs—such as food, gas, transportation, propane, diapers, period or incontinence products, and the like—to help offset the rising costs of basic needs, housing, utility, and transportation for financially vulnerable community members.

According to our Regional Executive Director Diana Fischetti, the grants will be distributed amongst local 501c3 nonprofits, faith-based, and governmental agencies, and are funded with continued support from Deschutes County. “Organizations with existing programs providing these essential services to community members in Deschutes County are encouraged to apply,” Fischetti said.

In past years, funds available through UWCO’s Emergency Food & Shelter grantmaking included federal funding available to agencies in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. In 2024, UWCO distributed $300,000 in federal and county funds throughout Central Oregon, but those federal funds have been paused since 2025.

“This year’s grants, by necessity, are focused on short-term support to address critical basic needs for our community members in crisis,” Fischetti said. “Too many families are living one car repair, one missed paycheck, or one medical bill away from losing everything. With housing instability, transportation barriers, and basic-needs gaps rising across -Central Oregon, we are working alongside our partners to stabilize families and bridge the gaps before a crisis becomes a catastrophe.”

Applications, along with specific eligibility requirements, are available on our website:
https://www.unitedwaycentraloregon.org/deschutes-county-federal-emergency-food-shelter-program-efsp-eligibility-application/

05/03/2026

While in Washington, DC this week, our United Way of Central Oregon & United Way of the Columbia-Willamette team shared with our Senators and Representatives the needs of our local communities. Were so pleased to gift a copy of Brian Goldstone 's book "There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America," to each elected official to bring the stories to life of our ALICE neighbors and those who are pushed into homelessness. If you have not read this book, it is a prize-winning depiction of ALICE and working homeless families and a book we consider a must-read.

05/02/2026

While our United Way team was on Capitol Hill this week, we met with Congressman Cliff Bentz’s (OR-2) office to highlight the realities facing Central Oregon families — from housing affordability to rising family homelessness to disaster response. Our ALICE Tool shows how many working households still can’t afford the basics. We found synergy around the importance of education, rural access to resources, improving educational outcomes, addressing housing affordability, and disaster preparedness and response across Central and Eastern Oregon. We’re fully committed to bringing data, stories, and solutions to every table where decisions are made. We also enjoyed meeting Hailey, the office dog, who was fully committed to getting as many pets as possible.

For more information about ALICE:
https://unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE-mobile/Oregon

05/01/2026

Last week, our team joined 350+ United Way staff from across the country in Washington, D.C. for a powerful week of connection, strategy, and advocacy. Together with our team at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we showed up to represent the voices of Central Oregon families—not just in conversation, but in action.

From high-level policy discussions to walking the halls of Capitol Hill, we met with our Senators and Representatives to share the real stories, challenges, and strengths of our community. Every conversation was rooted in one goal: bringing more resources, opportunities, and support back home to Central Oregon.

This work doesn’t happen alone. It takes a team—local and national—coming together to create lasting change.

04/24/2026

We’re excited to share that we’re growing! As part of the expansion of our housing stabilization services in Central Oregon, we are hiring for two new positions:

HRSN Housing Stability Manager
https://unitedwayofthecolumbiawillamette.applytojob.com/apply/oSz3cMkibl/HRSN-Housing-Stability-Manager

HRSN Housing Stability Coordinator
https://unitedwayofthecolumbiawillamette.applytojob.com/apply/ybnCK6gaF9/HRSN-Housing-Stability-Coordinator

These roles are an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our community by supporting housing stability and strengthening local systems of care.

If you, or someone you know, are passionate about this work, we encourage you to apply or share this opportunity with your network!

Apply to HRSN Housing Stability Coordinator at UNITED WAY OF THE COLUMBIA-WILLAMETTE in Bend, OR.