Proud Partner of the La Pine Education Grant

Two years ago, the Greater La Pine Adult Education Committee began bringing together community partners to promote adult education in the La Pine area. The committees goal was to develop and market local educational opportunities.

In the fall of 2012, the committee began offering a few community education classes and marketing courses through Central Oregon Community College in La Pine.

The following spring, the Greater La Pine Adult Education Committee applied for an Education Grant from the Partnership to End Poverty. The purpose of the grant was to hire a part-time coordinator to fully implement the mission of the committee and to find financial support for much-needed marketing efforts to help the community become aware of the local education opportunities. A $25,000 grant was awarded to the La Pine Park and Recreation Foundation.

Malia Sathrum was hired in June 2013 as the part-time adult education coordinator. She had retired the previous year after last serving as dean of social services, human services, business and technology at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, where she supervised faculty and provided curriculum and program leadership.

Local input was gathered by surveying more than 100 community members to identify community education needs. Central Oregon Community College donated a 12-station computer lab and installed projection equipment to help facilitate technology education. Next the registration process and community education website were developed.

For fall term 2013, there were 14 community education courses offered and 50 community members took advantage of these offerings. A dozen classes were offered during winter term 2014. The winter schedule included classes in computer software skills, Spanish, writing, dancing, painting, woodworking and nutrition. Classes are held at La Pine Community Center.

"I found the WordPress class for creating a website to be extremely informational," said Jane Gillette, a broker with High Lakes Realty and Property Management.

"Having the class in La Pine saved me time and fuel expense and allowed me to connect with other local professionals and network about the challenges we face as business operators in a small town."

The Greater La Pine Adult Education Committee is working to implement a GED program this spring and plans to continue working with COCC to bring credit courses to La Pine.

Current community partners include: COCC, Deschutes Public Library, La Pine Senior Center, Sunriver Resort, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, Mid Oregon Credit Union, La Pine Park and Recreation Foundation and the La Pine Community Health Center.