At Avista, we’re committed to making a positive impact on our community. Through the Avista Foundation, we support entities that are dedicated to improving the lives of those around us. We are excited to highlight a few of these remarkable organizations in Oregon that received grants from the Avista Foundation.
From preserving cultural landmarks to providing vital services, join us as we celebrate their achievements and learn more about their inspiring work.
The Ross Ragland Theater began as The Esquire Theater in 1940 and underwent many iterations until it was scheduled for demolition in the mid-1980s. A group of Klamath Falls locals got together to save the stunning Art Deco building, and it reopened in 1989. The first theater production thereafter was “The Music Man,” and there have been countless shows since. The theater went from demolition- ready to a vibrant community hub.
The stove has been hot for more than 50 years at The Friendly Kitchen in Roseburg. And the mission remains the same: feeding seniors and people with disabilities nutritious meals either at their front door, or in the dining hall operated by The Friendly Kitchen at Umpqua Community College. This organization first opened its doors in 1972 at the Faith Lutheran Church on Kenwood Avenue. A year later, it incorporated and became a non-profit under the direction of Helen Lesh. Today, The Friendly Kitchen operates two programs: a traditional meals-on-wheels program where volunteers deliver meals every weekday to those who are unable cook for themselves, and an in-house dining program that serves a nutritious meal for takeout Monday through Friday. During a typical month, more than 200 clients receive over 5,000 meals.
More than 200 lives have changed for the better behind an unassuming storefront in downtown Medford. That’s where you’ll find Golden Rule ReEntry, a local nonprofit that is working to make it easier for those recently released from incarceration to join life on the outside of the prison walls. Golden Rule was founded in 2020 by Abigail Lewis, after she spent a year doing research and learning about what was already available in the community. Early on, her car was her office, as she befriended parolees, drove them to errands and helped them settle into regular life again. The organization has greatly grown since those early days. More than 200 people have gone through the program so far.
For more than 20 years Jackson County SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) has supported survivors of sexual assault through compassionate and dignified services. Through SART, specially trained nurses, victim advocates and detectives help survivors through the traumatic process of reporting a sexual assault. Since SART’s inception, the number of reported sexual assaults has more than doubled. This increase in reporting is a strong indication that the program is working, as it suggests that more victims feel safe and supported enough to come forward. That is a considerable impact considering sexual assaults are often underreported due to fear of retaliation, shame, lack of trust in the justice system, and more. Higher reporting rates lead to more investigations and prosecutions, resulting in higher conviction rates and a safer community.
And at Crossing Bridges Therapeutic Riding Center in Grants Pass, everyone has a chance to get on a horse, including those who live with physical or cognitive disabilities who may have felt excluded in the past when trying activities their friends without disabilities enjoy. Horses are great medicine if you have a difficult time moving around. Using special tack and several helpers to walk the horse and steady the rider as needed, horseback riding can become a valuable part of a physical therapy regimen. It helps preserve joint range of motion, limit spasticity, and sometimes even aid in language development. Sitting astride a warm horse that quietly lumbers around an arena moves the rider’s body in a gentle, predictable, rhythmic manner. This movement helps the rider stay flexible – like a gentle, warm massage – and builds motor skills and balance. Riders with cognitive challenges not only improve their mental processing, hand-eye coordination, and ability to tolerate multi-tasking without feeling overstimulated, but they also get to make friends with a horse.
By supporting these incredible organizations, we are not just giving back but also fostering a sense of unity and hope within our community.
At Avista, we recognize our unique position gives us the chance to contribute in an impactful way and make a real difference in people’s lives. Since 2002, the Avista Foundation has made grants totaling over $17 million to organizations that support vulnerable and limited income populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality. The foundation is a separate, non-profit organization established by Avista Corp., and does not receive funding from Avista Utilities’ customers through rates. For more information on grant applications and geographical areas covered, please visit avistafoundation.com.