Deschutes County youth mentoring program reports annual growth

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has released its annual report for the Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY) program, covering the 2025–2026 reporting period. The community-based initiative provides mentorship to children whose parents or caregivers are involved in the criminal justice system.

Key achievements during this period include the formation of 16 new mentor matches, with 14 remaining active, and a total of 34 active matches supported. Volunteers provided more than 2,700 hours of contact with participating youth. Additionally, 29 individuals attended program training sessions.

Sheriff Ty Rupert noted that the volunteers' commitment serves as an investment in stronger families and the community. Project Coordinator Bob Moore highlighted that the dedication of volunteers directly impacts the confidence and resilience of the youth involved. The program is scheduled to hold its next mentor training on Saturday, September 26.