Sheriff’s mentorship program to host training

Central Oregon Partnership for Youth (COPY) will hold a 3.5-hour virtual fall volunteer training on Saturday, September 26.

COPY is a program in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office that mentors children of the Bend, Sisters, Redmond, and La Pine areas with incarcerated parents.

The more than 40 mentors of this program are volunteer members of the community. The program allows children to participate and engage in a wide range of community activities.

Children with an incarcerated parent or caregiver face greater risks, barriers, and challenges than those fortunate enough to live in a more stable family environment. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office created the COPY program to provide support and assistance to the children of inmates, giving them an opportunity to succeed.

COPY is not a court-mandated program. Youth and families have to apply and be supportive to become involved. COPY does not work with juvenile offenders or kids with extreme mental health needs.

For more information on being a COPY Mentor, visit https://sheriff.deschutes.org/jail/copy-program.