REDMOND, OR -- A new youth center opens in Redmond this month.

Agency and Church Liaison Jana Hill says the KC Center will provide a solid foundation for families in crisis whether due to job loss, illness, or homelessness, “We have been in isolation and things like social media, keep us in isolation and we know that community is the best thing for all of us.”

The KC Center will be open on weekdays with staff and volunteers able to be a resource to children of all ages, and their parents.

“Volunteers and staff will be available to help kids with homework at our really great computer stations. Be available to play a board game or sit and watch a sporting event on our TV. Have snacks with kids,” says Hill.

“Our hope is that we can help kids be seen and known and their age doesn't matter. We'll be very careful with appropriateness and safety, with mixing of ages. But we want to be a place that people can come and know that they feel welcome,” she says, adding parents are welcome to drop in and chat with volunteers also.

She looks forward to getting kids in the building later this month, starting with the celebration event, “On Friday ribbon cutting is at 5:15, although it's a bit of an open house. So, 4:30 to 6, we will be there. And our hope is that folks will come in and experience what it might be like if they came on any given weekday.”

The KC Center is in a renovated building at 767 Northwest Canal, across from the pump track.

Kindred Connections is a program of J Bar J Youth Services.

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