Deschutes County donates $700,000 in US bailout funds to Saving Grace, Redmond Senior Center

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BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Commission has approved $700,000 in funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support Saving Grace and the Redmond Senior Center, the county announced Wednesday.

The funding includes $450,000 for Saving Grace to increase capacity to provide mental health support and case management services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment and human trafficking. The funding will also increase access to food and provide safe emergency shelter for survivors through short stays in motels.

“Saving Grace is beyond grateful for the generous ARPA funds allocated to us by the Deschutes County Commissioners,” said Cassi MacQueen, executive director of Saving Grace. “Our organization and Deschutes County survivors have seen tremendous impacts from COVID-19, including increased intimate partner violence, limited community resources for those fleeing violence, and decreased federal funding.

“Not only will these funds allow us to continue to provide safety to those who need it most, but they will allow us to expand our mission and work to help all survivors in central Oregon find safety, hope and healing. Saving Grace quote on fundraising impact.”

The funding allocated by the commissioners also includes $250,000 for the Redmond Senior Center to repair and upgrade its kitchen and add food storage space so it can meet the increased demand for food aid due to the pandemic.

“Redmond Senior Center is thrilled and honored by this commitment from Deschutes County,” said Redmond Senior Center Executive Director Todd Dickerson. “With our 30-year-old kitchen, we prepare, serve and deliver nearly 40,000 meals a year to members of the greater Redmond community. Much of the equipment we have is not working properly and what is working is old and outdated.

“The additional county funds will fill the gap between what the generous community of Redmond has provided and the budget needed to complete this renovation. This will allow us to better meet our current needs, allow us to expand the capacity of those we we serve, and be a source of income for our center so that we can reach and support more older adults in our community.

Deschutes County will receive more than $38 million in ARPA funds. To learn more about the county’s ARPA investments, visit www.deschutes.org/arpa.

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