By KEZI News
A Corvallis-based nonprofit that provides housing, educational help, and mental health services to unhoused youth in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties has received a $1 million grant from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
Scott announced in 2019 that she would be giving away her fortune after divorcing Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Scott gave $640 million to 361 nonprofit organizations that responded to an open call last year.
Jackson Street Youth Services, which was founded in 1999, was one of those selected. It plans to use the money from the grant to help pay for a new, larger building to replace their Albany location.
“We currently have a 900-square-foot building that we rent in Albany, and we’re really in a place with our growth where we need a bigger space to be able to serve more youth and provide even more and better services and outreach,” said Kendra Phillips, the nonprofit’s director.
The organization is in the process of preparing their new, 3,000-square-foot building space.
“We’re just in a time of celebration,” said Phillips. “We’re incredibly honored. We feel very blessed, and we’re excited to put more into our community for our youth who are very much deserving of it.”