Category: Uncategorized
Trask River Student wins poster contest
Earlier this year, guests of the Portland Art Museum had the opportunity to vote on finalists for the 2025 PDX Jazz in the Schools Poster Contest. When the votes were tallied, one of the two winners was Andre, a student at Tillamook School District’s Trask River High School. Trask River serves youth at the Oregon ...
Career Fair at Tillamook Offers Youth a Vision of What’s Possible
On July 25, youth at Tillamook Youth Correctional Facility and Camp Tillamook got a glimpse of what their futures could hold. The career fair, organized by the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) and Trask River High School, brought local employers, military recruiters, and community college representatives to the school’s gymnasium. Participants shared job leads, skill-building advice, ...
“Expand Your Horizons”: A New Mural’s Lasting Impacts
Eastern Oregon Youth Correctional Facility’s new mural is so much more than a painting on the side of a building. Designed and created by youth at the facility in partnership with visiting artist Matteo Miles, the colorful artwork helped youth build critical life skills and leave a lasting mark. “It’s not just walls anymore,” said ...
Trust, Regulation, Belonging: What Horses Teach Youth in Custody
By MacLaren QMHP Stacey Varner Since 2005, I have worked for the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP). During that time, the youth committed to us have changed significantly, with substantial increases in the frequency and complexity of mental and behavioral health issues. Youth in OYA custody demonstrate developmental and ...
“Breaking Through”: How One Facility Helps Youth from Rival Gangs Mediate Conflict
At Eastern Oregon Youth Correctional Facility, staff have found ways to help youth from rival gangs live together in relative peace. The approach doesn’t erase gang identity or promise long-term change. Instead, it creates a space for short-term stability – and the possibility that short-term success will grow into more. Mediation at Eastern is voluntary, ...