Heart of Oregon Corps Spring 2026 - KWSO Our People & Mother Earth Program Podcast

About this episode

The episode discusses the Heart of Oregon Corps and its various programs aimed at empowering youth and young adults in Central Oregon.

The Heart of Oregon Corps is a non-profit organization that empowers youth and young adults in Central Oregon through a "Work-Earn-Learn" model. Founded in 2000, it provides job training, education, and leadership development to young people (typically ages 16–24) who face barriers to success. Shelby Sauer is the Recruitment Coordinator for the Youth Conservation Corps Cullen Doyle, the Heart of Oregon Corps’ Madras program specialist, Heart of Oregon Corps operates six primary programs focused on different career pathways for youth and young adults • High Desert Conservation Corps (HDCC): An AmeriCorps program where members (ages 17–24) perform natural resource projects like wildfire fuels reduction and trail maintenance. • YouthBuild: Participants (ages 16–24) spend alternating weeks in the classroom earning their GED or diploma and on worksites building affordable housing. • Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (COYCC): A summer program for youth (ages 16–18) working on local public lands. • Stewardship: A year-round program for ages 16–24 focusing on outdoor projects near Bend, with compensation of approximately $16/hour. • Camp LEAD & Go! LEAD: Programs specifically for…

People in this episode

Guest: Shelby Sauer

Topics covered

• youth empowerment
• job training
• leadership development
• environmental conservation
• food insecurity

Keywords

• Heart of Oregon Corps
• youth programs
• job training
• environmental projects
• food insecurity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Heart of Oregon Corps, High Desert Conservation Corps, YouthBuild, Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps, Stewardship, Camp LEAD, Go! LEAD, Food Heros

Places: Central Oregon, Jefferson County

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