http://bcoregon.org/, https://linktr.ee/bridgingcommunities

Bridging Communities, 1017 N. Riverside Avenue, Medford, OR (2026)

04/27/2026

Happening tomorrow 👀

Join us for our Ashland Parent Support Group and a
💬 Roundtable Chat with Heather Olivier (FACT Oregon)

Come with questions or just come listen.

🗓 Tuesday, April 28
⏰ 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 Ashland Family YMCA

No registration. Just show up.
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Mañana 👀

Acompáñanos para el
💬 conversatorio con Heather Olivier (FACT Oregon)
y grupo de apoyo para padres

🗓 Martes, 28 de abril
⏰ 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 Ashland Family YMCA

No necesitas registrarte. Solo llega.

04/24/2026

Paid advocacy opportunity for young adults!

The Transition to Adulthood Council (TAC) is a paid advisory group for young adults with disabilities (ages 18–26) to share their experiences and help improve healthcare systems.

This is about real voices shaping real change, building leadership skills, and making sure professionals are learning from lived experience.

We love seeing organizations value lived experience 💙

🗓 Applications are open now
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026
💻 Most participation is virtual

📍 Note: Open to applicants across Oregon, including rural communities. There are a few in-person meetings each year, and mileage reimbursement is limited to 75 miles.

Learn more and apply: https://www.ohsu.edu/university-center-excellence-development-disability/transition-adulthood-council-tac

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Oportunidad pagada de abogacía

El Transition to Adulthood Council (TAC) es un grupo asesor pagado para jóvenes con discapacidad (18–26 años) que quieren compartir sus experiencias y ayudar a mejorar los sistemas de salud.

Se trata de que las voces reales generen cambios reales, desarrollando liderazgo y ayudando a que los profesionales aprendan desde la experiencia vivida.

Nos encanta ver organizaciones que valoran la experiencia vivida 💙

🗓 Solicitudes abiertas ahora
📅 Fecha límite: 15 de mayo de 2026
💻 La mayoría de la participación es virtual

📍 Nota: Abierto a personas en todo Oregon, incluyendo comunidades rurales. Hay algunas reuniones en persona cada año, y el reembolso de millaje está limitado a 75 millas.

Más información y solicitud: https://www.ohsu.edu/university-center-excellence-development-disability/transition-adulthood-council-tac

04/23/2026

📚 Happy World Book Day!

Looking for an easy (and free!) way to build a love of reading?

GoodBooks for Kids is a program right here in Southern Oregon where children ages 0–18 can visit any Goodwill location and pick out one free book every day. No purchase needed.

Kids can also track their reading, and after 25 books, they receive a $5 Goodwill gift certificate.

It’s simple. It’s free. And it helps make reading part of everyday life.

📖 Learn more: https://www.sogoodwill.org/goodbooks-sparking-a-love-for-reading/

Tag a family who should know about this 💙

-----------------------------------------

📚 ¡Feliz Día Mundial del Libro!

¿Buscas una forma fácil (¡y gratis!) de fomentar el amor por la lectura?

GoodBooks for Kids es un programa aquí en el sur de Oregon donde niños y jóvenes de 0 a 18 años pueden visitar cualquier tienda Goodwill y elegir un libro gratis cada día. No se requiere compra.

También pueden llevar un registro de lectura y, al completar 25 libros, reciben un certificado de $5 para Goodwill.

Es fácil. Es gratis. Y ayuda a que la lectura sea parte de la vida diaria.

📖 Más información: https://www.sogoodwill.org/goodbooks-sparking-a-love-for-reading/

04/23/2026

Still thinking about Breaking Barriers in Redmond 💭

There was something really special about showing up from Southern Oregon together. Jackson County Self Advocates, Living Opportunities, and Bridging Communities all in one space with advocates and professionals from across the state.

And then the keynote was also from our corner 🙌 Cainan Molzer brought it. We’ve been replaying parts of his talk and talking it through ever since.

Rosa Belem Ochoa, also from Southern Oregon, led a session in Spanish on emergency preparedness. Making sure more families have access to information that truly matters.

Just feeling proud of our corner and the voices coming out of it.

Big shoutout to Central Oregon Disability Support Network and all the partners and sponsors who made it happen.

If you want to attend, present, or nominate someone for an award next year, be sure to follow Breaking Barriers on social media. Planning starts sooner than you think.

Already looking forward to next year. 💙

04/21/2026

A chance to connect and ask questions 👀

This month’s group includes a
💬 Roundtable with Heather Olivier (FACT Oregon)

FACT Oregon helps families understand special education, disability services, and how to navigate systems.

If you’ve ever had questions about school supports, IEPs, or what comes next, this is a space to bring them.

Learn more about FACT Oregon:
👉 https://factoregon.org

🗓 April 28
⏰ 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 Ashland Family YMCA
---------------------
A chance to connect and ask questions 👀

This month’s group includes a
💬 Roundtable with Heather Olivier (FACT Oregon)

FACT Oregon helps families understand special education, disability services, and how to navigate systems.

If you’ve ever had questions about school supports, IEPs, or what comes next, this is a space to bring them.

Learn more about FACT Oregon:
👉 https://factoregon.org

🗓 April 28
⏰ 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 Ashland Family YMCA

04/21/2026

Let’s shape the future of transportation in our valley, together!

Families of children with disabilities, your voice matters.

How we get around impacts everything from accessing school, appointments, work, and being part of our community. This is a chance to make sure transportation works for our kids and our families.

The Rogue Valley MPO is asking for input on their Transportation Improvement Program (2027–2030).

That means:
✔ safer routes
✔ better access
✔ more inclusive transportation

💬 Share what your family needs.

👉 Take a look and add your input:
https://arcg.is/0if5ry

You don’t need to be an expert. Your experience matters.

Better together 💙
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¡Demos forma juntos al futuro del transporte en nuestro valle!

Familias de niños con discapacidades, su voz importa.

La forma en que nos transportamos impacta todo: el acceso a la escuela, las citas, el trabajo y la participación en nuestra comunidad. Esta es una oportunidad para asegurar que el transporte funcione para nuestros hijos y nuestras familias.

El Rogue Valley MPO está solicitando comentarios sobre su Programa de Mejora de Transporte (2027–2030).

Esto significa:
✔ rutas más seguras
✔ mejor acceso
✔ transporte más inclusivo

💬 Comparta lo que su familia necesita.

👉 Revise la información y comparta su opinión aquí:
https://arcg.is/0if5ry

No necesita ser experto. Su experiencia es importante.

Mejor juntos 💙

04/21/2026

❤️ Grateful for our volunteers

During Volunteer Week (and every week), we want to say thank you to the incredible people who help make this work possible.

From building sensory kits, to hosting support groups and trainings, to showing up at resource tables, planning events, and even traveling to the State Capitol to advocate for a better future for our children, YOU are the heart of Bridging Communities.

You create spaces where families feel welcomed, supported, and connected.

This work doesn’t happen without you.

We see you. We appreciate you. We’re better because of you.

Better together ❤️
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❤️ Agradecemos a nuestros voluntarios

Durante la Semana Nacional del Voluntariado (y todos los días), queremos dar las gracias a las increíbles personas que hacen posible este trabajo.

Desde armar kits sensoriales, hasta facilitar grupos de apoyo y capacitaciones, participar en ferias de recursos, ayudar a planificar eventos y viajar al Capitolio del Estado para abogar por un mejor futuro para nuestros hijos, USTEDES son el corazón de Bridging Communities.

Ustedes crean espacios donde las familias se sienten bienvenidas, apoyadas y conectadas.

Este trabajo no sería posible sin ustedes.

Los vemos. Los valoramos. Somos mejores gracias a ustedes.

Mejor juntos ❤️

04/19/2026

🎣 C.A.S.T. for Kids is coming back to Emigrant Lake!

This free fishing event is designed for children with diverse abilities to enjoy a morning outdoors with support, connection, and fun.

📍 Emigrant Lake County Park – Picnic Shelter B (Ashland)
📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026
🕗 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Children will receive:
• Fishing guidance and support
• A rod & reel, tackle box, and gear
• A t-shirt, hat, and photo plaque
• Time to connect and have fun with peers

✔ Ages 6+
✔ Parent or guardian must attend
✔ Lunch included
✔ Accessible for all abilities

⚠️ Pre-registration is required and spots are filling quickly.

If this sounds like a good fit, don’t wait to sign up:

🔗 https://castforkids.org/event/emigrantlake/

Volunteer opportunities are also available!
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🎣 ¡C.A.S.T. for Kids regresa a Emigrant Lake!

Este evento gratuito de pesca está diseñado para niños con diversas habilidades, ofreciendo una mañana de conexión, apoyo y diversión al aire libre.

📍 Emigrant Lake County Park – Picnic Shelter B (Ashland)
📅 Sábado 27 de junio de 2026
🕗 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Los niños recibirán:
• Apoyo y guía para pescar
• Caña, carrete, caja de pesca y equipo
• Camiseta, gorra y recuerdo fotográfico
• Tiempo para convivir con otros niños

✔ Edades 6+
✔ Padre/madre o tutor debe asistir
✔ Almuerzo incluido
✔ Accesible para todas las habilidades

⚠️ Se requiere registro previo y los espacios se están llenando rápidamente.

Si les interesa, pueden registrarse aquí:

🔗 https://castforkids.org/event/emigrantlake/

¡También hay oportunidades para voluntarios!

04/18/2026

Your voice matters.

ODDS is hosting statewide meetings this April and May, and families, caregivers, self-advocates, and community partners are invited to help shape Oregon’s 2027–2029 Developmental Disabilities budget and guiding principles.

📍 In-person meetings are coming to Medford the week of May 4
💻 Virtual options are available statewide

Virtual meetings:
• April 13 (Spanish)
• April 15 (English)
• May 11 (English)

Monthly community conversations also happen the first Wednesday of each month from 12–1 pm.

Interpretation and participation supports are available at no cost.

This is a chance to share what’s working, what’s not, and what families need moving forward.

Register and learn more:
https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/engagement/Pages/odds-engagement.aspx
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Tu voz importa.

ODDS está organizando reuniones estatales en abril y mayo, y se invita a personas con I/DD, familias, cuidadores y socios comunitarios a ayudar a definir el presupuesto y las prioridades de servicios para 2027–2029.

📍 Reuniones presenciales en Medford durante la semana del 4 de mayo
💻 Opciones virtuales disponibles en todo el estado

Reuniones virtuales:
• 13 de abril (español)
• 15 de abril (inglés)
• 11 de mayo (inglés)

También hay conversaciones comunitarias mensuales el primer miércoles de cada mes de 12–1 pm.

Habrá interpretación y apoyos gratuitos para participar.

Es una oportunidad para compartir lo que está funcionando, lo que no, y lo que las familias necesitan.

Regístrate y obtén más información:
https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/engagement/Pages/odds-engagement.aspx

04/18/2026

Sierra’s story is live 💛

Some stories stay with you. Sierra shared what it felt like to find community for the first time: “Like I could finally take a deep breath.”

That moment of walking into a space where you feel seen, where your child is welcomed, and where you don’t have to explain everything… it matters.

Her story is about connection, belonging, and what grows when families find each other.

We’re so grateful to Sierra for sharing this part of her journey with all of us.

👉 Read her story:
https://livingopps.org/a-deep-breath-one-families-journey/
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La historia de Sierra ya está disponible 💛

Hay historias que se quedan contigo. Sierra compartió cómo se sintió al encontrar comunidad por primera vez: “Como si por fin pudiera respirar profundamente.”

Ese momento de llegar a un espacio donde te sientes visto, donde tu hijo es bienvenido y donde no tienes que explicarlo todo… importa.

Su historia habla de conexión, de pertenencia y de lo que crece cuando las familias se encuentran.
Estamos muy agradecidos con Sierra por compartir esta parte de su historia con todos nosotros.

👉 Lee su historia:
https://livingopps.org/a-deep-breath-one-families-journey/

04/17/2026

Adaptive Aerial Summer Camp 🎪

We’re excited to share this upcoming Adaptive Aerial Summer Camp with our community, hosted by our partners at Ashland Aerial Arts.

Join for a fun, supportive week of movement, creativity, and connection.

🗓 Monday–Thursday, June 15–18
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💲 $60 for the week (scholarships available)

Participants will get to explore:
✨ Aerial arts
✨ Tightwire
✨ Juggling
✨ Crafting and more

Bridging Communities and The Arc Jackson County will be there to help support accessibility alongside the Aerial Arts team.

This camp is open to returning and new participants.

👉 Register here:
https://app.gostudiopro.com/online/ashlandaerialarts
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Campamento de Aerial Adaptado 🎪

Nos emociona compartir este Campamento de Aerial Adaptado con nuestra comunidad, organizado por nuestros colaboradores en Ashland Aerial Arts.

Una semana divertida y de apoyo con movimiento, creatividad y conexión.

🗓 Lunes a jueves, 15–18 de junio
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💲 $60 por la semana (becas disponibles)

Actividades incluyen:
✨ Aerial
✨ Cuerda floja
✨ Malabares
✨ Manualidades y más

Bridging Communities y The Arc Jackson County estarán presentes apoyando la accesibilidad junto con el equipo de Aerial Arts.

👉 Regístrate aquí:
https://app.gostudiopro.com/online/ashlandaerialarts

Bridging Communities

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