Community Connection Of Northeast Oregon

THE MISSION OF COMMUNITY CONNECTION OF NE OREGON, INC. IS TO ADVOCATE FOR AND ASSIST SENIOR CITIZENS, CHILDREN, LOW-INCOME PERSONS, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN ATTAINING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AND IN BECOMING MORE SELF SUFFICIENT.

LOW-INCOME PROGRAMS: EVERY YEAR, MANY NORTHEAST OREGON RESIDENTS STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND RELY ON COMMUNITY CONNECTION'S SERVICES TO HELP MEET THEIR BASIC HUMAN NEEDS. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN NEED GREW DRASTICALLY DURING COVID-19. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO CLIENTS, WE ARE ALSO THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK FOR OUR FOUR-COUNTY AREA. AS SUCH, WE DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO FIFTEEN FOOD PANTRIES AND SEVERAL HARVEST SHARE AND FRESH ALLIANCE SITES. WE ALSO REPLACE UNSAFE FURNACES, WEATHERIZE HOMES, AND REHABILITATE HOMES TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS AND ADDRESS STRUCTURAL CONCERNS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STAYED WARM AND SAFE WITH HEATING ASSISTANCE; WE HELPED PEOPLE, WHETHER HOUSED OR HOMELESS, WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS, RENT AND UTILITY PAYMENTS, MOTEL LODGING, MEALS, TENTS, SLEEPING BAGS, SOCKS AND TRANSPORTATION; FOOD BOXES AND PRODUCE PICKUPS EASED FAMILIES HUNGER; AND PEOPLE RECEIVED HOME REPAIR AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY INFORMATION RESULTING IN HOMES BEING IMPROVED.

TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS: THROUGHOUT FY 22, COMMUNITY CONNECTION CONTINUED ITS MULTI-FACETED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. THE DEVIATED AND FIXED ROUTE SYSTEMS IN BAKER CITY AND LA GRANDE ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE AS ARE THE LINK SEASONAL ROUTE IN WALLOWA COUNTY AND THE DIAL-A-RIDE BUSSES IN BAKER AND WALLOWA COUNTIES. IF UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE FIXED ROUTE, A QUALIFIED PASSENGER IN LA GRANDE RIDES THE PARATRANSIT BUS. ALSO AVAILABLE FOR ANY AND ALL RIDERS ARE THE INTERCITY BUSSES FROM BAKER CITY AND ENTERPRISE TO OUR MULTI-MODAL HUB IN LA GRANDE. BEYOND OUR REGION, TAKING PASSENGERS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS IN BOISE, WALLA WALLA, AND PORTLAND IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

SENIOR PROGRAMS: HELPING SENIORS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THEIR HOMES WHILE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIALIZATION AND ACCESS TO SERVICES REMAINS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF OUR SENIOR PROGRAMS. WHEN A SENIOR CITIZEN OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBER SEEKS ANSWERS, WE ARE USUALLY THE FIRST PLACE THEY TURN. JUST A FEW HOURS OF ASSISTANCE PER WEEK OFTEN MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AND A MOVE TO A CARE FACILITY. DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SERVICES WERE DELIVERED VIA A HYBRID METHOD; IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL. THE HYBRID MODEL WORKED VERY WELL DUE TO THE ONGOING AGENCY COMMITMENT TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES, AND STAFF EXPERTISE IN MEETING COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDS. SENIORS RECEIVED 279 PHONE CALLS TO CHECK ON THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING; 677 SENIORS AND 275 VOLUNTEERS AND NONE VOLUNTEERS ENJOYED 37,065 MEALS FROM OUR SENIOR CENTERS; 835 SENIORS HAD 80,308 MEALS DELIVERED TO THEIR HOMES; 107 FRAIL SENIORS WERE HELPED WITH 24,235 PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVER HOURS; 57 FAMILY CAREGIVERS RECEIVED 3,301 HOURS OF RESPITE RELIEF; 243 SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES RECEIVED GUIDANCE ON ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE; AND 3,898 RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DANCES, CARD GAMES, BILLIARDS, AND EXERCISE CLASSES BROUGHT TOGETHER 381 (DUPLICATED) PEOPLE.