Citizens for Safe Schools is a 501(c)3 youth serving nonprofit that has been operating in the Klamath Basin since 1999. CFSS believes that Counts and Mentoring Matters! We also believe the brain is wired for relationship, and it is within the context of healthy relationships that all growth, healing, academic, and social success occur. It is our mission to create a safe and drug free community where all children, especially those at risk for delinquency, academic failure or victimization, have opportunities to build resiliency and character, and where all adults feel empowered to help them. Our primary programs focus on mentoring youth. Our primary programs focus on mentoring youth in a variety of ways, including adult-to-youth, peer-to-peer, and youth-adult-partnership. Our current programs operating in Klamath County, Oregon include:
-Kids in the Middle Mentoring Program: 1:1 community-based mentoring serving youth (4th-12th grade) who are “in the middle” of a life challenge and could benefit from a positive adult mentor.
-Citizens Institute for Character (CIC): Our mentoring center providing opportunities for character development, youth leadership, out-of-school time enrichment, peer support, and resources.
-Independent Living Program: This program helps young people ages 14-23 in Klamath County who are transitioning from foster/Tribal care to being self-sufficient: skills training to independent living. Skills building and financial assistance for employment, education, finances, housing, health, and more!
-Peer Mentoring Circles: Professionally facilitated with rotating themes
-Restorative Justice: This program, designed to help youth take genuine responsibility for their actions and repair the harm they cause, while also diverting them from the juvenile justice system,
offers an alternative harm response to traditional juvenile mediation or school
suspension/expulsion processing.
-Suicide Prevention Program: A weekly intergenerational group mentoring program empowering youth with protective factors against suicide risk and life-saving support and connection. If you'd like to find out more about how to become a volunteer mentor, or how to enroll your child in any of our programs, please Facebook message, call or e-mail us. We are privately funded through grants, individual and business donations and fundraising. If you'd like to support us with a donation, visit our website or send to our mailing address at PO Box 243, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.
