Casa de Belen in Roseburg Announces 'Hiatus With Hope'

(Casa de Belen) Roseburg, Oregon: July 7, 2020 – The Board of Directors of Casa de Belen announced today they are placing their operations on hold for an indeterminate time as they explore reorganization and sustainability. Executive Director Kivonna Coccia referencing the impact of the hiatus says, “This decision was not made lightly, and we have been looking at the sustainability of our program for the past few years. We will continue to fight to give a voice to homeless at-risk youth and their families.” One of the first activities anticipated during this “hiatus with hope,” as Coccia has named it, is collecting meaningful data, including a needs assessment. The Board is optimistic that this process will help guide the organization to a new vision. Casa de Belen has experienced what many not-for-profit organizations have over the past few years with funding challenges, especially as it relates to rural homelessness and teens. “We know there is a need in the community,” says Coccia, “but federal and state resources have not been adequately devoted to address the issue. It has left many communities to fend for themselves on several fronts.” She goes on to describe what she calls an “epidemic of couch surfing” an unstable and temporary situation, but not a solution. Casa de Belen has served over 1,300 youth and family members since their opening in 2004. The dedicated staff provides an environment for youth to stabilize, reach educational goals, resolve conflict and learn self- management skills. The Casa de Belen Board of Directors express their gratefulness to staff, volunteers and community partners who have devoted so much of their time and resources to serving this growing, vulnerable population of our community.