givinghope FALL 2026
INSIDE
Step Inside Our Mobile Clinic New Child Safety Trainings
news & updates Welcome
New KIDS Center Staff Annie Adams, MSW Child & Family Therapist, Forensic Interviewer Samantha Edwards Family Advocate Shelli Peters Family Advocate Natasha Visage Intake Specialist Julie Wilson Development Specialist
New Board Members Mark Sole Hit Your Mark Travel
Sergeant Thomas Lilienthal Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Dr. Bryan Harris St. Charles Health System
Community events deliver a win-win for KIDS Center
This spring and summer, our community found creative ways to raise funds for KIDS Center, from the inaugural Chilly Swim for Kids, to a student-led Taekwando fundraiser, to Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo at Silver Moon Brewing, where we amped up the fun with a Totally 80s theme! Beneficiary events have raised $12,884 this year, with more to come! KIDS Center is one of four beneficiaries of The Great Drake Park Duck Race, happening September 13. These events not only funnel dollars to KIDS Center’s critical services, they also widen our circle of support. “Beneficiary events pull in people that may not know about us or understand what exactly a Children’s Advocacy Center does,” explains Ginger Theis-Stevens, Director of Marketing & Development. “By educating people about KIDS Center, these events create ripples of awareness in our community, which helps sustain our nonprofit so we can help more children.” Thank you to the generous individuals, organizations and businesses who made it their mission to support hope and healing for Central Oregon children this year:
Tori’s Next Chapter
Facility dog Tori has followed her handler to another nonprofit here in Central Oregon, where they will be working with children and families. During her time at KIDS Center, Tori provided comfort and companionship to dozens of children during their child abuse evaluations.
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Bend-area Rotary Clubs
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Bevel Craft Brewing
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Bingo with Bren
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BrownBag Popcorn Co.
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Chilly Swim for Kids, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
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Deschutes County Sheriff’s Employee Association
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General Federation of Women’s Clubs
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Prineville Aerie Eagles
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Taekwando instructors Natalia Kim and Eloise Lock
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Silver Moon Brewing
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Struble Orthodontics
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The YOUNI Movement
If you would like to organize an event to benefit KIDS Center, please reach out to Birké Whitlock at 541-312-6687 or email bwhitlock@kidscenter.org.
kidscenter.org | 541.383.5958
Developing a new strategic plan
KIDS Center has begun the process of generating our next strategic plan, which will guide our organization over a five-year period from 20272032. Jillian Taylor, a business strategist, will be working with a variety of stakeholders— including board members, directors, staff and partners— over the next few months to identify and refine goals. According to Taylor, “there is no shortage of good ideas” on how KIDS Center can improve processes, expand services, and strengthen our organization. The work of strategic planning is narrowing the list of possibilities down to the most impactful steps that we can realistically accomplish over the next 5 years. Our updated strategic plan will help ensure that KIDS Center continues to focus on clear priorities, allocate our resources to achieve our most important goals, and is well prepared to lead our region’s response to child abuse well into the future.
join us Step Inside Open House Event
September 17, 4:30-7 pm
Take a free tour of KIDS Center
October 6, 4:30 pm October 22, 11 am November 3, 4:30 pm November 19, 11 am December 1, 4:30 pm December 17, 11 am
Gift Card Drive December 1-31
Giving Tuesday
December 1
Cork & Barrel
July 15-17, 2027
Generosity at Cork & Barrel meets a growing need
Last year, KIDS Center provided child abuse evaluation services to 539 children and families—a 24% increase from 2019. To help meet the growing need in our region, attendees at July’s Cork & Barrel Weekend raised a record-breaking $1 Million to support critical services for children and families. Close to 1,000 food and wine lovers joined us for one of several Winemaker Dinners, our Sip wine tasting party, or our Grand Cru gala. We are grateful to everyone who joined us for KIDS Center’s biggest fundraiser: our guests, volunteers, food and beverage partners, raffle and table sponsors, and many others. We’re also thankful for everyone who voted for Cork & Barrel in The Source’s Best of Central Oregon, where we won Runner Up for Best Local Fundraiser! A big thank you to our Cork & Barrel Presenting Sponsor, Avion Water Company, Sip Presenting Sponsor Northwest Foundation, our Hope & Healing Sponsors, BASX Solutions, First Interstate Bank, and Les Schwab Tires, our Media Sponsors, Backyard Media, Central Oregon Daily, Combined Communications, Horizon Broadcasting, and TDS, and our Community Builders, Bigfoot Beverages, Central Oregon Radiology Associates, Columbia Bank, Klein Investments, and OnPoint Credit Union, for making it all possible.
Volunteers lend a hand with summer sewing projects Thanks to local sewists, our new mobile clinic is getting stocked with a colorful assortment of soft cotton medical gowns, lap sheets and pillowcases, as well as custom-fitted sheets for the clinic’s exam table. “These items help a child feel cozy and comfortable during their medical exam,” explains Carla GrinuckWood, one of KIDS Center’s Medical Examiners. “Having such cheery fabrics also helps puts a child at ease,” she noted. Bend quilter Linda Coe happily volunteered to head the project and enlisted a few helpers from her local group, Mount Bachelor Quilt Guild. Said Linda, “It’s such a joy to help children.”
Bend High DECA students focus on KIDS Center
Two students from Bend High School’s DECA chapter have selected KIDS Center as the beneficiary of their Community Giving Project for this school year. Sam Neil and Anna Beaudry were drawn to KIDS Center’s mission—leading our region’s response to child abuse—and will be supporting our nonprofit through fundraising and community outreach. Students got right to work selling Duck Race tickets to benefit KIDS Center, and will assist with donations for our Masquerade Ball, Giving Tuesday and our Holiday Gift Card Drive. Thank you to these hard-working, community-minded students at Bend High DECA! KIDS Center 2026 Fall Newsletter
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Join us!
Step Inside Open House Event
Thurs, Sept 17, 4:30-7 pm KIDS Center, 1375 NW Kingston Ave., Bend
Step inside our
mobile clinic
The interior of our mobile clinic is modeled after our brick-and-mortar facility, with soothing spaces that support a child’s healing journey. From the flow of the rooms to the soft colors and natural finishes, KIDS Center’s mobile clinic offers a child and family comfort and privacy during their 2-3 hour child abuse evaluation. When a family steps inside the clinic, they discover a cheerful waiting room with comfortable seating, books, toys, a TV for watching movies, and an easily-accessible bathroom. Beyond the waiting room are two soothing spaces designed to put a child at ease for their forensic interview and medical exam. Curtains divide the two spaces and offer extra privacy. The interview space has two cozy armchairs and an art cart, so a child can 4
kidscenter.org | 541.383.5958
draw pictures to communicate details of their experience. The mobile clinic also includes an area for community partners and KIDS Center’s evaluation team to observe the forensic interview and listen to the child’s statements during the medical exam. The mobile clinic is a key pillar of KIDS Center’s strategy to meet the growing need in our 20,000 sq mi service area. KIDS Center has experienced a steady increase in the number of referrals outside of Deschutes County. For families in Crook, Jefferson, Harney, Sherman and Wheeler counties, the mobile clinic makes our services more accessible while providing the same comfort and safety offered at KIDS Center.
Opposite: Curtains provide privacy during a medical exam. Top left and middle right: The family waiting area has books, toys and movies to entertain siblings. Middle left: The interview room offers a cozy seat and art supplies. Bottom: The evaluation team and community partners have a separate space for observing a child’s interview.
KIDS Center 2026 Fall Newsletter
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CHILD SAFETY TRAININGS
Parents: we heard you. As the world keeps changing, so do your questions about how to keep kids safe.
We’ve taken note—and this fall we’re offering new and revamped child safety trainings to keep you in step with the times.
How do I answer my child’s questions about their body?
How can I help my child recognize an unsafe situation?
¿Buscas capacitaciones en Español?
kidscenter.org/ prevention-trainings
When should I start talking about consent?
What rules should I set for my teen’s devices?
NEW!
Connect to Protect Kids
Learn new strategies for preventing child sexual abuse This brand-new training was developed with the help of Protect Our Children, Oregon’s state-wide initiative to prevent child sexual abuse. Connect to Protect Kids empowers adults to protect children and prevent child sexual abuse and other types of interpersonal harm. KIDS Center participated in the development of this training’s curriculum, which is flexible and adaptable to your family, community and culture. This two-hour training teaches proactive skills with a focus on:
REVAMPED!
Let’s Talk About It
How to talk about safety with your child, based on their age
Our Let’s Talk About It training helps adults talk to kids about body safety, body boundaries, and consent. It also offers a broad overview of child development from 0-18. But parents have asked for information tailored to narrower age ranges. This fall, KIDS Center is offering a new age-based structure for Let’s Talk About It. The first hour (5-6 pm) of the 3-hour training will cover ages 0-5, the second hour (6-7 pm) will cover ages 5-12, and the third hour (7-8 pm) will cover ages 12-17. Parents can choose the time block that applies to the age of their child. This new structure allows a deeper dive with each age range.
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Reducing risks for children
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Preventing abuse
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Fostering healthy relationships
Tues | Sep 29 | 5-8 pm Redmond: Becky Johnson Community Center
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Teaching bystander intervention
Tues | Oct 13 | 5-8 pm | Madras: TBD
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Building connected, protective communities that prioritize child safety
“We are excited to offer a training that moves one step further upstream in preventing this form of abuse,” says Rachel Visser, KIDS Center’s Prevention Education Manager. “Our community expressed a desire for a new, more expansive approach—and we listened.”
Upcoming Trainings: Tues | Sept 22 | 5:30-7:30 pm Prineville Church of Christ Wed | Sept 23 | 5:30-7:30 pm Bend Central Library Meeting Rm 2 Tues | Oct 6 | 5:30-7:30 pm Sisters Library Tues | Oct 22 | 5:30-7:30 pm Madras (Location TBD) Tues | Oct 27 | 5:30-7:30 pm Redmond: Becky Johnson Community Ctr. Tues | Nov 17 | 5:30-7:30 pm Bend (Location TBD) Tues | Nov 17 | 5:30-7:30 pm Prineville Church of Christ
Upcoming Trainings:
Tues | Oct 20 | 5-8 pm Bend Central Library, Rm 2 Tues | Nov 10 | 5-8 pm | Prineville Church of Christ Tues | Dec 15 | 5-8 pm | La Pine Library
NEW!
Screen Smartz
Bring your kid and their device to learn skills and safety tips
This interactive workshop offers a chance for kids and parents to come together and discuss how devices can be used safely and ethically. Learn best practices for protecting your privacy and staying safe online. Get hands-on guidance to implement safety and privacy settings. Create a family tech agreement, and work through scenarios to build skills. It’s what parents have been asking for! Thur | Oct 22 | 4:30-6 pm Bend Central Library, Rm 2 Thur | Dec 10 | 4:30-6 pm | Redmond: TBD
KIDS Center 2026 Fall Newsletter
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Non Profit Organization US Postage PAID Bend OR Permit No 473
1375 NW Kingston Avenue Bend, OR 97703
Thank you for caring about kids.
Disco Masquerade Ball at Hanai Center Friday, October 16
The disco ball will light up the dance floor at our 4th annual Masquerade Ball! Join us at this exclusive Cork & Barrel party, featuring specialty cocktails, live DJ and dancing, and a tasty spread. Your $75 ticket includes two drinks plus small bites and dainty desserts. Plus prizes for best mask and best dressed! All proceeds benefit KIDS Center, so grab a date or a group of friends and come out for this popular event! The Disco Masquerade Ball is presented by Pacific Source and Hanai Center. Tickets are available online at corkandbarrel.org/ masquerade.
Va Piano Fundraiser for KIDS Center December 1–31, 2026
Poker Night at Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge Thursday, November 12
It’s a night of friendly competition, where top players win prizes and KIDS Center wins big! Up to 100 players can join us at this year’s Poker Night at Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge. Your $100 ticket includes two drinks (beer or wine), plentiful hors d’oeuvres, and 2,000 poker chips to get you started. All proceeds benefit KIDS Center. Tickets are available online at corkandbarrel.org/poker
Visit Va Piano Vineyards Tasting Room in Bend’s Old Mill this December and make a donation of $100+ to KIDS Center, and you’ll receive 50% off Va Piano bottle purchases for the rest of the month! Stock up for holiday entertaining and giving! To qualify, donations for KIDS Center must be made directly to Va Piano during the month of December only. Cash, check and credit card accepted.