Central Oregon Partnerships For Youth Reports Strong Year Of Mentorship And Volunteer Engagement In Annual Report (Photo) - 09/03/26
Bend, Ore -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office’s Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) program has released its annual highlights for the 2025–2026 reporting period, reflecting continued growth in volunteer engagement and meaningful support for youth who have a family member involved in the criminal justice system.
The program expanded with new mentor matches, strengthened existing relationships, and offered structured training to equip incoming volunteers with the skills needed to support children facing significant challenges.
COPY is a community‑based mentoring initiative created by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to support children whose parents or caregivers are involved in the criminal justice system. The program connects youth with trained volunteer mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and consistent positive relationships.
“Every day, our COPY volunteers make a real difference in the lives of young people in Deschutes County,” said Sheriff Ty Rupert. “Their commitment is an investment in stronger families and a stronger community.”
Bob Moore, Project Coordinator for COPY, added, “This work simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our volunteers. Their time, energy, and compassion directly impact the confidence and resilience these kids carry forward.”
Key highlights from the reporting period include:
-
16 new mentor matches formed, with 14 remaining active
-
More than 2,700 hours of volunteer mentor contact
-
34 active mentor matches supported
-
29 participants attending training sessions.
The Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth program continues to welcome new volunteer mentors and community partners. There is an upcoming fall mentor training on Saturday, September 26. For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit www.deschutes.org/copy or contact the program at COPY@deschutes.org or 541‑388‑6651.
###
