Category: Facilities

Graphic that says Black History Month, February

OYA Celebrates Black History Month

Black History and the Connection to the African Diaspora Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the past and honor the significant contributions and achievements of Black Americans across the African Diaspora, while also looking at the present and towards the future. Diaspora is when a population is scattered across regions that are separate ...

Police Searching for Three Youth Who Escaped from MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility

Updated 3/1/24 – Note: Xavier Swimm’s age was previously incorrectly reported as 19, his age is 21. WOODBURN, Ore. — Three youth escaped from MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn at about 9:12 p.m. on Sunday. Warrants have been issued for their arrest, and law enforcement are actively searching for the youth. The youth are: ...

Wish Lists for OYA Youth

Each OYA facility has an Amazon wish list of items requested by our youth.

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

“The secret of our success is that we never, never give up” – Wilma Mankiller, first woman elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. There are 574 officially recognized ...

‘Just be you’

Five formerly incarcerated young women recently returned to Oak Creek to share their stories and advice.

Ukuleles sitting leaning against a wall outside

Symphony of Words

For many youth in OYA custody, making music is a form of therapy.

Two women and four men standing outside about to cut a ribbon with a giant pair of scissors

OYA dedicates program in honor of Senator Jackie Winters

The Jackie Winters Transition Program serves youth preparing to move back to the community from close custody.

Graphic with the words Native American Heritage Month, November, plus an image of a youth holding an eagle feather while listening to drummers

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Sharing and reflecting on the history and perspectives of Native Americans

Close-up photo of headphones sitting on a keyboard

Youth wins national talent competition

J.T. won for a rap song he wrote while at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility.

Two African American young men sit in front of computers in a computer lab

Into the Light

MacLaren is not a dark place with nothing to offer, a youth at the facility writes — it’s a hub of opportunities for growth.