Medford, OR, 1/11/2023 – Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation today announced their support for youth mental health by partnering with Rogue Valley Mentoring (RVM) to deliver mentoring services throughout the Rogue River Valley. The foundation provided $10,000 to expand the crisis intervention and early crisis detection for in-school, group mentors, and one-on-one mentors working with youth aged 10-24. Rogue Valley Mentoring provides support free of charge and reduces barriers to access by meeting students in school and providing services in Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL).

“It is very humbling to be recognized for this work,” said Adelaide Gadde, RVM’s Development Director. “We are committed to transforming our community through mental wellness, and we hold the decisions, funding partnerships, and collaboration of our area’s tribal foundations in high esteem.” Funds will be used for advanced staff training in the areas of crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and staff care for secondary trauma.

Rogue Valley Mentoring has seen rapid growth throughout the pandemic, responding to the acute need for increased mental health support among area youth. This opportunity will help the organization stabilize and maintain a high standard of care for youth participating in mentoring. We believe a thriving community starts with thriving youth, and we are excited to work with Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation to achieve this goal.

Rogue Valley Mentoring has served youth in the Rogue Valley since 2005. Over the past 17 years, we have trained more than 500 adult mentors and served more than 2,000 youth. We offer programs that are free to families, serve youth with varying sexual and gender identities, in English, Spanish and ASL, in-school, and at our office at the Coyote Trails Nature Center in South Medford. To find out more about becoming a youth mentor, requesting a mentor, or donating to our organization, visit www.rvmentoring.org.