Making a Difference: Every Child Central Oregon works to support the child welfare system
Kelsey Merison
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — At KTVZ News, we focus our resources on bolstering the health and well-being of Central Oregon’s youth through our 21 Cares for Kids partnerships. We have six incredible community partnerships that we’re highlighting through a monthly segment called ‘Making a Difference’.
This month, we’re spotlighting Every Child Central Oregon, which works to support the child welfare system in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties, as well as Warm Springs.
“Our heart and mission has always been to go above and beyond,” said Melissa Lovemark, the executive director of the nonprofit.
At Every Child Central Oregon, children and families impacted by foster care are uplifted through community donations.
“We’re not just trying to give the bare minimum to kids. We want to give them more and be extremely generous,” Lovemark said.
The nonprofit offers tangible items that kids need.
“Everything from diapers, car seats, clothes, shoes, specialty items like toys. And then we’ll do one-off special request as well,” said Lovemark.
Lovemark was a foster parent herself.
“It changed my life…It changed my kids’ lives…It’s not easy. I would love to say it is, but it’s not. But it is the most rewarding thing you can do,” she said.
Jazlyn Lepez, the warehouse coordinator and soon-to-be volunteer coordinator, has also been a foster parent—and knows firsthand the difference that a service like this can make.
“I’m like, ‘Where do I go? Where am I going to get the help that I need?’ Knowing that we have Every Child here is really important,” said Lepez. “It’s been very impactful for me just to see how much of a difference a pack of diapers makes. I’ve had people literally tearing up at just the generosity of the community and just how important it is to them.”
And it’s all thanks to those that step up to support the foster children in our community—but the need is ever-growing.
“In 2024, we had a 300% increase in tangible need requests just out of this warehouse. And this year, 2025 already, we’re up another 20% requests for needs. We are meeting needs currently at about 95-98% that are sent in,” said Lovemark. “We are able to meet because of community support and the items that are coming in, but we don’t see the needs slowing down anytime soon. So any way that people can partner, sign up, get on our newsletter, just learn more about us (is helpful).”
Every Child Central Oregon is always accepting donations and volunteer support. To view the current needs and volunteer information, click here. To view special request needs, click here.